Jam-packed schedule for Legion baseball

DIXFIELD- In recent years, the increased competition has increased in American Legion baseball and that aspect certainly hasn’t escaped the Swasey-Torrey players, who have already have discovered exactly what’s in store throughout a jam-packed schedule.

Post 100 held tryouts for the first-time ever and certainly proved it has potential. A late seventh inning rally fell short in the season opener. Still, the current team has high expectations, based largely on the success generated by the 2010 edition. There are six holdovers from the team that won a first-ever playoff game before losing to eventual state champion Gayton.

The tryouts were mandatory because Post 24 in Rumford opted not to sponsor an entry. This allowed Mountain Valley players an opportunity to join forces with rival Dirigo.

“We started out slow offensively,” said coach Ryan Palmer, moments after the season opener. “A majority of my guys haven’t played this spring and I think it slowed the first couple times through the batting order, but they adjusted.”

Leading the way is Arik Fenstermacher and Spencer Ross, who each graduated from Dirigo.

Fenstermacher (pitcher/centerfielder) and Ross (shortstop/pitcher) were each first team MVC, along with Falcon product Izaak Mills, who is a catcher and pitcher.

Tyler Chaisson and Eric Bolduc, who each played for Post 100 last summer, are enrolled at the University of Maine. Chaisson plays third base and left field, while Bolduc catches and pitches. The team certainly has plenty of versatility because the players are each capable of being inserted at different positions.

Examples behind the plate are Cougar Justin Conant and MV product Dylan Lord.

Derek Volkernick, Brady Fergola and Conner Blais each graduated from MV in 2010. Blais and Volkernick both pitch, while Fergola is a first baseman.

The pitching staff will be tested throughout July, when games are usually played back-to-back. A deep staff will be extremely important.

Dylan MaWhinney and Caleb Turner are both infielders. The outfield includes Cliff Turner and Adam Volkernick of MV. Cougar

Chad Snowman plays third base and outfield. Coach Palmer is assisted by Mark Bolduc and Aaron Fenstermacher.