Friday, May 25, 2012
By Tom Chard tchard@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
CUMBERLAND - When Mike Leeman was a freshman, Greely baseball coach Derek Soule chose him to pitch in one of the season's biggest games.
Mike Leeman has followed his father, Mark, and grandfather, Bob Logan, as Greely baseball standouts.
Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
Cheverus catcher Nic Lops takes a batting average over .400 into the state final today against Lewiston.
Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Baseball Finals at a Glance
Class A
WHO: Cheverus (17-2) vs. Lewiston (18-1)
WHEN: 2 p.m. today
WHERE: Morton Field, Augusta
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Joey Royer, a senior left-hander, will be the starting pitcher for Cheverus. Lewiston will counter with senior Jeff Keene. If Royer falters, the Stags will have Louie DiStasio ready. Royer, who also plays first base, leads Cheverus with a .512 average. Catcher Nic Lops and DiStasio, the regular shortstop, both batted over .400. Lewiston is made up of players from last year's state championship Gayton Post team in American Legion. Key players for the Blue Devils are Luke Cote, Scott Ouellette, and the Hyde brothers, Corbin and McKae.
OF NOTE: Cheverus and Lewiston are playing in their first state championship games. Cheverus Coach Mac McKew was a catcher for Lewiston, graduating in 1977. He played at the University of Southern Maine.
Class B
WHO: Greely (16-3) vs. Waterville (16-2)
WHEN: 4 p.m. today
WHERE: St. Joseph's College
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Greely is led by senior shortstop Matt Labbe (.373, 16 RBI), and juniors Pete Stauber, a catcher (.441, 20 RBI) and pitcher Mike Leeman (7-1, 1.41 ERA). Waterville has a core of veterans who have been together since Little League. The Purple Panthers will start hard-throwing Tim Locke. He has a 7-0 record and a .391 batting average. Kyle Bishop pitched in the regional final against Bangor and won't be available. He leads the team with a .562 batting average. Second baseman Cam Sawyer is hitting .406.
OF NOTE: This is the first time Greely and Waterville have played in baseball. The Purple Panthers are vying for their second straight state title. Greely is looking to win in an odd year for the third straight time, having won state titles in 2007 and 2009. Waterville has an 11-game winning streak.
Class C
WHO: St. Dominic (17-2) vs. Calais (14-1-1)
WHEN: 2 p.m. today
WHERE: Mansfield Stadium, Bangor
PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Saints are led by sophomore Jimmy Theriault, who has a .458 average, three home runs and seven doubles. Kurt Johnson (4-2) will be the starting pitcher. Second baseman Joe Bryant is batting .419 with nine doubles. Shortstop Alex Parker is a four-year starter. St. Dom's has a .328 team batting average. Calais is led by Adam Geel, who is batting .570. Jeremy Beers is hitting .354. Joe Mitchell is the leadoff batter and the team's No. 2 pitcher. The Blue Devils like to steal and play small ball.
OF NOTE: St. Dom's has won the last three Class C finals played at Mansfield Stadium, in 2005, 2007 and 2009. This will be the Saints' sixth state title game in eight years. Calais lost to Dirigo in last year's state championship game.
Class D
WHO: Greenville (14-2) vs. Katahdin (13-3)
WHEN: Noon today
WHERE: St. Joseph's College
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brandon Robinson has a .350 batting average for Katahdin. He was the starting pitcher and winner in the Eastern Maine final against Bangor Christian. Cody Cunningham is one of six starting seniors. Mook McGraw is hitting in the .300s. Greenville will start left-hander Jeremy St. Louis (6-0) against the Cougars. He pitched a two-hitter in the Western Maine final against Rangeley.
OF NOTE: Katahdin is playing in its second state final in four seasons. It plans to leave the school at 5 a.m. for the trip to Standish. Greenville hopes to have Chris Munro for the game. He had 21 RBI through the first six games until he suffered a broken jaw when he took a line drive to the face while pitching batting practice. He has a specially designed helmet.
-- Tom Chard
Leeman got the ball in a Western Class B semifinal against Cape Elizabeth. Soule had confidence in Leeman and a little history in mind.
Leeman, a junior, is the third generation of his family to play for the Rangers.
"I told him he was meant to pitch in this game," said Soule, in his 12th season as coach. "Mike just smiled."
Leeman backed up his coach's confidence by pitching seven shutout innings. The Rangers won 1-0 in 10 innings and went on to win the state title.
Leeman likely will get the ball today when Greely (16-3) meets Waterville (16-2), the defending Class B champion, in the final at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph's College in Standish.
While Leeman (7-1) is the logical starter, the Rangers have such a deep staff that Soule has options. But Leeman is the bulldog who has pitched all the tough games.
In a 7-5 win over Yarmouth for the regional title Tuesday, Leeman had a no-hitter through five innings. The Clippers totaled seven hits and five runs in the sixth inning, but Leeman stayed composed and finished.
"All of Mike's appearances have been against playoff teams," said Soule. "He hasn't had an easy game all season."
That suits Leeman just fine.
"High school sports mean everything to me," said Leeman.
Fist pumps, raising his arms in victory or a hearty yell looking at a vanquished opponent are not uncommon for Leeman.
He's quick to add that his actions shouldn't be perceived as any slight to the other team. It's just how he reacts to something that means so much, Soule said. Leeman has been working to maintain his composure.
"Mike is a quiet, intense kid," said Soule. "He's the type of player that if he's on your team, you love him."
Leeman plays left field when he isn't pitching and bats fifth in the order.
Leeman's grandfather, Bob Logan, who died last year, led Greely to its first Cumberland County Conference championship in 1949. Leeman's father, Mark, was one of the Rangers' top players in the 1980s. He batted .526 in 1985.
"It means a lot to continue my family's tradition of playing baseball," said Leeman. "I'm glad I can play for Greely."
Leeman worked in the offseason and became stronger, with more zip on his fastball.
He had plenty of motivation. A sprained ankle in preseason last year limited him to the final four games.
"I did a lot of throwing indoors, working out with weights and running," he said.
Soule said Leeman's fastball touches the low 80s.
"Mike also throws a cut fastball, a curve and a change-up," said Soule.
The weight training goes hand in hand with Leeman's fall sport -- football. Leeman is the Rangers' starting quarterback.
"I like both sports but baseball is my favorite. I want to play in college," he said.
Back in April, the Rangers felt they had the potential for this type of season.
The offense started to click and, combined with defense and strong pitching, put Greely in position to add another state title.
"I feel really good with what our team has accomplished to this point," said Soule.
"We needed the veterans to produce more and they have. The younger players have really developed."
The Rangers won state titles in 2007 and 2009.
They're hoping their odd-year success continues.
"When you get this far, you want nothing less than a victory," said Soule.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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