Sports Desk

It will certainly be a challenge but the Mountain Valley baseball team isn’t backing down. There will be a new look because graduation took its toll, but the Falcons still believe they will make their presence known in the Mountain Valley Conference.

A group of six returning lettermen is a good place to start with seniors Cam Kaubris (shortstop) and Brandon Jacques

(third base/pitcher); juniors Izaak Mills (catcher/pitcher) and Zack Radcliffe (second baseman); sophomores Adam Volkernick

(centerfielder/pitcher) and Ryan Nicols (leftfielder/pitcher).

“The team will be young,” said Kaubris, referring to 12 underclassmen out of 18 players. “But we should be competitive. Had encouraging pre-season progress and we are looking forward to maturing and building on the fundamentals as the season goes on."

Several Falcons are willing to toe the mound and a team strength has always been a solid defense. Still, a key will be getting runners on base and being able to deliver some hits.

Some newcomers who could make an impact include sophomore Dalton Bradley Sr. (first baseman) and jr. Kyle Gauvin (rightfielder), Colin Merrill (outfield, pitcher, catcher), soph. Sean Murphy (outfielder/pitcher; Dylan Akers (catcher/outfielder) and soph. Josh Rainey (third baseman/pitcher).

There will only be one legion baseball team in the River Valley this summer. Swasey-Torrey will resume will continue to complete in Zone III American Legion. The Rumford entry, Napleon Ouellette, will not field the Northern Oxford County team. It’s the second time Post 24 has disbanded in the past 12 years.

Post 100 won its first-ever zone quarterfinal playoff game last summer, but lost a semifinal game to eventual state champion,

Gayton.

A required tryout will be held at Harlow Park on Sunday June 5th, and 12th at 1 p.m. Post 100 is also drawing from Mountain Valley. There will be a posting at both high schools.

The combination of players from the Cougars and the Falcons will have the potential to be even more competitive. In previous summers, the two teams have both struggled with low numbers on hot days and nights in July. Talent wise, the one team should provide coaches with players to choose from.

Doug Roberts will be inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame, Sunday May 22. The 36TH Annual Induction Banquet and Scholar Athlete Scholarship Awards Ceremony will be held at the Augusta Civic Center.

Roberts, a former Rumford standout, made his mark on the basketball court, scoring 1,480 points and grabbing more than 1,000 rebounds over three years (freshmen were not allowed to play varsity). He was named to the Class A All-State First Team in 1975 and 1976, and the Panthers won the state and New England championships in ‘76.

For tickets, call the Maine Sports Hall of Fame at 775-7463.