Greely High baseball coach Derek Soule became the winningest coach in program history when the Rangers won their opener Tuesday.

The Class B favorites routed inexperienced Lake Region 28-0 in a game stopped after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule. Right-hander Jonah Normandeau pitched a perfect game with eight strikeouts.

Ironically, Soule’s first win as Greely coach was also a rout, 19-0 over Poland in 2000.

Soule, in his 13th season, notched his 172nd win with the victory over the Lakers.

His record stood at 173-50. Who did he surpass? His assistant coach, Bob Anthoine, who had a 171-86 record in 14 seasons. Both men have won two state titles with the Rangers.

“We haven’t talked about it because we are so focused on this season,” said Soule. “I didn’t think about it until my dad reminded me of it.”

Soule played for Anthoine at Greely from 1988-91 and also for him in American Legion baseball over that span. Anthoine, a former Deering and UMaine baseball standout, was head coach of the Rangers from 1986-99. He has been Soule’s assistant for five seasons.

“Bob deserves a lot of credit for the success we’ve had over the last five seasons,” said Soule. “He taught me a lot about baseball when I played for him and I continue to learn from him on a regular basis. He influenced me as a coach even when he wasn’t my assistant.”

Pitching coach Miles Hunt has been another key contributor to Greely’s recent success. Hunt was an outstanding pitcher for Soule at Greely, including beating Poland in Soule’s first win.

“Miles brings tremendous energy and dedication to the program as pitching coach,” said Soule. “He was a great player but he’s an even better coach.”

Greely, which lost to Waterville 1-0 in the state final last year, returns most of its team.

The Rangers’ schedule picks up next week with games against Cape Elizabeth at home on Monday, at Wells on Wednesday and at Falmouth on Friday.

After playing nine scrimmages against Class A teams in preseason, the Rangers felt they were well-prepared.

In the home opener Wednesday against Sacopee Valley, former Greely pitching standout Terry Snow threw out the first ball. Snow, who graduated in 1962, had a 14-1 record in three varsity seasons and batted over .400 in each of those seasons.

Greely was 23-2 in those seasons. Snow played on what still stands as Greely’s only unbeaten team, when it went 9-0 in 1960.

Current Greely standouts Mike Leeman and Peter Stauber have decided to play next season at the University of Southern Maine. Leeman, a pitcher, and Stauber, a catcher, were first-team All-Western Maine Conference selections last year.

THE MAINE Baseball Coaches’ Association and American Cancer Society will team up from May 22-26.

“We want to get as many teams and coaches involved as possible to try and increase awareness, ” said Mike Coutts, president of the Maine Baseball Coaches’ Association.

“It’s also a great opportunity to teach the players the importance of giving back and the responsibility that we all have to help others. We are very fortunate as a group, the Maine Baseball Coaches’ Association, to help with such a worthy cause.”

Coutts, the Scarborough High coach, said it will be up to teams to decide how they want to increase awareness.

Coutts said Scarborough likely will wear pink socks, wristbands or shirts, and also pass the hat at its games for donations that will be given to the American Cancer Society.

“If we get 10 to 12 teams this year participating, that would be great,” said Coutts. “Our goal will be to increase the number next year.” 

PORTLAND HAS a young team with only one senior. The Bulldogs have talent and a strong pitching staff. It may take a few games for the Bulldogs to come together, but Coach Tony DiBiase is confident.

“We have a mixture of juniors and sophomores,” he said. “Sometimes you have to sit back and let them develop. We’ll be fine. These kids are good players.”

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH

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