2015 Journal Tribune Baseball Player of the Year: Thornton Academy’s Ben Lambert

SACO — When putting together a baseball team, two of the first things a coach looks for is an ace for his pitching staff and a leadoff hitter who can set the table for his offense. For Thornton Academy coach Ray Petit, those two positions were filled by the same person: Trojans standout Ben Lambert.

Lambert’s arm and bat helped lead the Trojans to the playoffs and earned him not only the Southwestern Maine Activities Association Player of the Year honors, but also the Journal Tribune’s top honor.

The junior finished the year with an incredible 0.86 earned run average and logged the most innings pitched in the SMAA at 57. Lambert also finished with 68 strikeouts and five wins.

Petit was happy to have a leader at the top of the Trojans’ pitching staff.

“It’s always a plus to have big game players in that position and he responds very well,” said Petit.

Lambert was also one of the area’s best at the plate as he finished with a .393 batting average and a .607 slugging percentage. He finished with 24 hits, 18 runs scored, 10 RBIs and four triples.

The Trojans were lucky to have a player like Lambert at the top of their batting order, according to Petit.

“As Ben goes, we go. It is important to get on pitchers early and having him lead off, he did a great job setting the tone,” said Petit.

Petit believes Lambert has put in the work to become a baseball standout, but he also has a natural ability.

“He has outstanding athleticism and is a great tone-setter,” said Petit.

Petit explained that, although not a vocal player, Lambert was a key leader on this year’s squad and will be again next season.

“(He is a) quiet leader, who leads by example,” said Petit.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.