Trevor DeLaite of Bangor likes the feeling of being in control. And there’s no better position in baseball to be in control than as a pitcher.

DeLaite was pretty good at it. He led the Rams to three consecutive Class A state championships, capping his career with a three-hit, 10-strikeout shutout in a 5-0 title-game win over Falmouth.

DeLaite was selected as the Maine Sunday Telegram Player of the Year in baseball. He also won the Gatorade Maine and John Winkin “Mr. Baseball” player of the year awards.

“Trevor would probably be the first one to say he was just a part of the whole picture,” said Bangor Coach Jeff Fahey. “We had a pretty good supporting cast. But he was certainly the engine that made us go, and not just on the mound but at the plate, too.”

DeLaite, who will pitch for the University of Maine next year, finished with a 9-1 record and a 0.30 ERA, striking out 100 batters in 68 innings and walking just 14. He lost only two games in his high school career. Batting second in the order, he also hit .352 this spring, leading the Rams with 25 hits and 19 runs, driving in 16 runs. He had one home run.

“He’s a tremendous pitcher; his mound presence is second to none,” said Falmouth Coach Kevin Winship. “He was the best pitcher we faced all year. With the velocity he has and the ability to throw that curve for strikes, he kept us off-balance. He was the difference in that game.”

DeLaite, a left-hander playing this summer for the Seacoast Mavericks, a Futures League team in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, also was an outstanding hockey player. A center, he was a finalist for the Travis Roy Award.

But there was never a doubt which sport he loved.

“I’ve always loved baseball; it’s always attracted me more,” said DeLaite. “I love the competitiveness of hockey and the speed of it, but I like the thinking of baseball, and on the mound you can control the game.”

DeLaite throws two kinds of fastballs – a four-seamer and a two-seamer – as well as a curve, slider and change-up. He’s working on a cutter now.

“With pitching, you have to compete with another person on each and every pitch, you have to out-duel them,” he said. “I love to compete. I like to have that ball in my hand and know I have to get the batter out each time.”

That drive, said Fahey, helped define DeLaite.

“Not only was he talented, but he loved baseball and worked very hard,” said Fahey. “He really worked at his craft.”

Telegram All-State team

Connor Aube, Falmouth senior, outfielder: A repeat all-state selection, Aube was one of the best all-around players in the state. He batted .500 with six doubles, a triple and eight home runs, driving in 26 runs and scoring 33. He also threw out two baserunners. Aube will next play at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Jackson Coutts, Orono junior, catcher: The two-time PVC Class C player of the year, Coutts settled in at catcher after playing multiple positions. As the leadoff hitter, he batted .578 with two home runs, 14 RBI and 24 runs. He also stole 11 bases and was intentionally walked 18 times.

Jack Davenport, Freeport senior, pitcher/shortstop: Davenport was a major factor in leading the Falcons to their first regional championship, in Class B South. He batted .543 with 14 runs and seven RBI, stealing 11 bases. On the mound he went 9-2 with a 0.66 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 682/3 innings.

Cam Guarino, Falmouth junior, pitcher: A left-hander, Guarino played a major role in leading the Yachtsmen to the Class A state championship game. He went 10-0 with a 0.52 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 67 innings. He walked only 12 batters, and opponents hit .132 against him.

Nick Guerrette, Hermon senior, pitcher/infielder: The PVC Class B pitcher and player of the year, Guerrette went 7-1 with a 0.57 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 49 innings, walking only seven. He batted .419 with 17 RBI and 17 runs. He will attend Husson.

Trevor DeLaite, Bangor senior, pitcher: Our Player of the Year as well as the Gatorade winner and John Winkin Award winner, DeLaite led Bangor to its third straight Class A title. He went 9-1 with a 0.30 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 68 innings, and hit .352 with team highs in hits (25) and runs (19). He will play at UMaine.

Ben Lambert, Thornton Academy senior, pitcher/outfielder: A two-time all-state selection, Lambert batted .333 with one home run, 12 runs and 14 RBI. He also went 5-1 with a 1.01 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 482/3 innings. He will play at Division II Assumption College.

Cody Lawyerson, Valley senior, pitcher/shortstop: Lawyerson lost only two games in five seasons. He went 4-1 with three saves this year, with a 0.51 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 41 innings. He also batted .500 with one home run, 20 RBI and 30 runs. He will play at the University of Maine.

Nick Mazurek, Oceanside senior, pitcher/infield: Mazurek helped the Mariners to the regional quarterfinals with his bat and arm. He batted .400 with four home runs and 19 RBI, and was walked 26 times. He went 4-1 with one save, a 0.94 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 371/3 innings. He will play at Division II Southern New Hampshire.

Ryan Sinclair, Hall-Dale senior, pitcher/shortstop: Batted .569 with 10 doubles, three triples and 31 RBI as the Bulldogs’ cleanup hitter. Struck out only three times. He went 6-4 with a 1.88 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 48 innings. He will play at Holy Cross.

Sam Troiano, South Portland junior, outfielder: The SMAA player of the year, Troiano batted .439 with 12 RBI and led the SMAA with 20 runs while going 13 of 13 on stolen-base attempts. He went 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 271/3 innings.

Ryan Twitchell, Greely junior, pitcher/third base: Twitchell went 6-0 with 68 strikeouts and a 0.62 ERA in 45 innings, and batted .284 with 15 runs and eight RBI. Twitchell, who committed only two errors, is being recruited by several Division I schools.

Coach of the Year

Jeff Fahey, Bangor: Fahey has found a way to make the right moves and put together the right pitching rotation to lead the Rams to three consecutive Class A state championships, and it was no easy feat. It started early this year, with the formation of a three-man pitching rotation that helped the Rams keep their best pitchers rested for the playoffs. And it was a winning formula, again.

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