WATERVILLE — Last week, Trevor DeLaite helped Bangor High win its third consecutive Class A baseball state championship. On Friday, DeLaite earned the state’s top individual high school baseball honor, winning the Dr. John Winkin Award as Maine’s top senior.

“I wanted to come out and have a good season and give my team a chance to win another state championship. Luckily, I’ve had great teammates who have helped me get this far, and great coaches,” DeLaite said after he received the award before the Class A/B all-star game at Colby College’s Coombs Field.

“I’ve played with great players, and they’ve made me better. I’ve played with great defenses who have given me the confidence to go at hitters. I can attack hitters and people will make plays. It’s been a privilege to play on such good teams and get those bigger spotlights.”

Other finalists were Ben Lambert of Thornton Academy, Connor Aube of Falmouth, Ryan Sinclair of Hall-Dale, Nick Mazurek of Oceanside, Cody Laweryson of Valley, Nick Guerrette of Hermon, Roderick Maynard of Sacopee Valley and Thomas Spencer of Penobscot Valley.

The award is named after John Winkin, who won more than 1,000 games coaching at Colby, Maine and Husson in a career that spanned more than 50 years. Winkin died in 2014.

“I never got the privilege of meeting (Winkin), but I’ve talked to so many people that just say he was a great baseball mind, a great coach. I definitely wish I’d gotten to meet him, but it’s a privilege to be nominated for something with his name,” DeLaite said.

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A left-handed pitcher, DeLaite went 9-1 this season with a 0.30 ERA.

DeLaite is the second Winkin Award winner from Bangor, and the first since Matt Kinney in 1995.

DeLaite credited Bangor assistant coach Dave Morris as a pitching influence, along with former University of Maine assistant Jason Spaulding.

“Coach Morris has helped me. He gave me the confidence to go at hitters,” DeLaite said. “I know hitters better. I can look at hitters, see their stance, the way they’re holding the bat, and know different ways I can go about attacking them.”

DeLaite will attend UMaine.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I’m glad I’m not ending my baseball career,” DeLaite said.


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