(From left) Chris Sharpe, JT Pittman and Connor Johnson. SUBMITTED PHOTO
The three recent signees all played under Mainers General Manager Aaron Izaryk at Bridgton Academy, who is serving his seventh year as head coach for Bridgton Academy’s baseball program.
Becoming a go-to pitcher for the UMaine Black Bears, Connor Johnson is on the verge of a break-out season on the mound. After making 13 appearances his freshman year, Johnson finished his sophomore season with a 4-4 record in 37.1 innings, seeing action in 21 games. Currently, the Taunton, Massachusetts native holds a 4-4 record, having struck out 12 batters in 13.1 innings of work. A former America East Academic Honor Roll student, the 6’2” southpaw is looking forward to his time in Sanford.
“This being my last year of summer baseball, I’m excited to be playing with the Mainers,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting guys from across the country and playing in a competitive league like this.”
Lefty outfielder JT Pittman is having a terrific 2017 season with the Le Moyne College Dolphins. After starting 72 games in his first two seasons, Pittman’s current stats include a .308 batting average and a .962 fielding average. His standout performance came back on March 5th against Bloomsburg, where the 5’11” junior knocked in 6 runs, going 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs.
“I’ve visited the Sanford ballpark before, and the atmosphere that the fans bring to the games are awesome,” he said
Pittman currently leads the Dolphins in runs scored (17), RBIs (17), sacrifice flies (4), home runs (3), and walks (13).
Chris Sharpe is the third outfielder to sign with the Moose thus far. A recent America East Player of the Week, Sharpe looks to bring his current collegiate stats to Sanford this summer. Batting .391 this season for the UMass Lowell River Hawks, the sophomore has collected three homers and nine extra-base hits in his first 69 at-bats. Striking out just 14 times this season, he’s also managed to steal five bases on six attempts. With a .974 fielding percentage, Sharpe said that he’s excited to be back in Maine for the summer.
“My roommate last summer played for the Mainers, and he told me that playing in Sanford was his ideal summer,” said Sharpe. “I’m looking forward to the talent of the players I’ll be with this summer.”
Pittman, Johnson and Sharpe all shared their enthusiasm to be playing together as former alumni of Bridgton Academy. Under Izaryk’s reign, Bridgton has been in six playoff appearances, with two NECBA championships. The three all expressed their individual excitement to be playing under their former prep baseball coach, as well as reconnecting with their former ties in Maine.
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