THOMASTON — The Oceanside High School baseball team will hold the first of its two Saturday Play Days starting this weekend, April 12, at 9 a.m. and finishing up with the last game scheduled for 2:15 p.m.

Oceanside will host Medomak Valley, Brunswick and Foxcroft Academy of Dover-Foxcroft.

Medomak Valley and Oceanside play each other during the regular season, but do not play each other during the Play Day.

The schedule for Saturday’s games will be Oceanside vs. Brunswick at 9 a.m.; Medomak Valley vs. Foxcroft Academy at 10:45 a.m.; Medomak Valley vs. Brunswick at 12:30 p.m.; followed by the final game, Oceanside vs. Foxcroft Academy. All games are five innings or 90 minutes, whichever comes first.

Medomak and Oceanside are two of the local high school baseball teams in the coverage area. Another team, Camden Hills, will be playing in the second Play Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 19.

Click here for a photo gallery from the Oceanside and Brunswick baseball game
Click here for a photo gallery from the Medomak Valley and Foxcroft Academy baseball game

Following is a preview of the Oceanside and Medomak Valley teams for this season.

OCEANSIDE

The Oceanside Mariners finished the season last year at 10-7 and No. 6 in Eastern Class B, and fell to Nokomis 6-3 in the Eastern Class B preliminary game.

The Mariners are led by head coach Don Shields and he is assisted by Steve Hiller and Bill Curtis. The junior varsity team is coached by Shawn Hiller.

This year’s varsity roster includes seniors J.T. Tobin (catcher); Nick Judge (shortstop, pitcher), Cole Chase (outfield); juniors Ryan Allender (pitcher, outfield, third base), Zac Roman (center field), Zach Peaco (outfield, first base, pitcher), Jimmy Strong (pitcher, second base), Caleb Jacob (pitcher, second base, shortstop), Walker Ranney (catcher, outfield, third base), Travis Frye (outfield), Scott Strong (pitcher, outfield), Mazlin Higbee (first base); and sophomores Nick Mazurek (pitcher, third base), Thomas Curtis (first base), Riley Sprague (catcher, outfield); and Jacob Bartlett (pitcher, outfield).

The Mariners compete in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference, know as one of the toughest conferences in the state and Shields is well aware of this.

“The KVAC has several very good teams,” said Shields. “Waterville, Winslow, Camden Hills and Morse will be very good and return a number of starters, Nokomis and Gardiner are playoff teams from last year who should be solid this season, and Medomak Valley and Belfast are young, but I believe they will be very tough and get better as the season unfolds.”

As for team strengths, Shields said he feels pretty strongly about this year’s team and what they are capable of.

“Our catcher, J.T Tobin, was a first team All KVAC last year and is the best catcher in the conference,” said Shields. “Our pitching, led by Nick Mazurek and Ryan Allender, should be strong and we have a few others who will be fighting for innings, including Jimmy Strong, Caleb Jacob, Nick Judge and Scott Strong. Our depth, as we have 12 guys who can start, many able to start at more than one position, and that gives us a lot of flexibility. We also have 11 returning players from last year’s team that really played well after a slow start, and I believe that what we learned last year will pay off big this season.”

Pretty high praise for the first week of the season, but Shields has been around these boys from day one in high school and many from before at the Babe Ruth level. That longevity could pay off this year.

“This team has the ability to be one of the top teams in Eastern Maine Class B as long as we continue to remember to do all of the little things and never take our opponent for granted,” said Shields. “Pitching and defense will be the key for us and I believe we will be very good. Mazurek and Allender combined to win 10 games last season, and if they pitch as well this season, we should be in good shape.”

MEDOMAK VALLEY

The Panthers are coming off a disappointing season that they do not plan on repeating this season. Led by head coach Scott Hastings with assistants Jake Emerson and Jim Havener, the Panthers, with their seven returning varsity players, and this year’s new team members, are posed for a solid season on the diamond.

Hastings feels this is one of the top strengths that Medomak Valley holds.

“This team is very focused and driven to succeed this season,” said Hastings. “Every player is working hard and really listening to the coaching staff. Our goal this season will be to show significant improvement over last season. Last season was a disappointment for all of us that we don’t plan to repeat.  We are working hard to meet not only our team goal, but personal goals, as well.”

This season’s returning members will play an important role in reaching that team goal. Josh Lee (senior), Bryce Collamore (Junior), Tyler Emerson (Junior), Colton Spear (Junior), Micah Williamson (Junior), Ollie Brown (Sophomore) and Nick DePatsy (Sophomore), will lead the new players to the team, seniors Alex Benner, Zach Little, Nate Mazanec, Michael Wadsworth and Jacob York; and sophomores Patrick Madden, Riley McCollett, Ben Turner and Adam Wilcox.

Who will make a difference on this Panther team this season? Hastings thinks they all will.

“I expect all players to have a role this season,” said Hastings. “It takes a team to win and we are very well rounded.  When one player struggles there are others to step up.”

Medomak Valley, like Oceanside, plays in the KVAC and against most of the same opponents as the Mariners. Hastings’ outlook on the season makes sense in more ways than one.

“As far as I am concerned the top opponents are the teams we play twice,” said Hastings. “If we do well against Belfast, Camden Hills, Oceanside and Lincoln Academy that will go a long way in the Heal Point standings.  Every one of those teams will be a challenge that we must rise to defeat.”

For Hastings, getting some help coaching the team from a couple of experienced coaches should make it easier for him to not have to try and do everything himself.

“Things have been going well despite the extended gym time this season,” said Hastings. “We had 31 kids try out for the high school teams.  We have been able to get outside onto parking lots a couple of times and we are hoping to get on our field in a day or two.  I am really thankful for assistant coaches Jake Emerson and Jim Havener, who have really been a great help for the players in all facets of the game. We are ready for Saturday, when we will play Foxcroft Academy and Brunswick at the Oceanside Play Day.”

Ron Hawkes can be reached at sports@penbaypilot.com