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• 2004 Program Notes

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2004 Program Notes

Since his arrival four years ago, coach Craig Vandersea's goal has been to rebuild the baseball program at Bates, and his approach is starting to net returns. The Bobcats have recorded double-figures in the win column in the last two seasons, and in 2002, Bates posted wins over New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament qualifiers Amherst and NCAA Division III College World Series participant Trinity. The team also won two-of-three games against in-state rival Colby to finish the year 10-19.

The cornerstone of the 2003 Bates baseball team was defense. The Bobcats ranked sixth in the league with a .946 fielding percentage. The entire infield will return, headed by shortstop Nate Maxwell '04 (Newport, Vt.). He led the team with 30 hits and carried a .288 average at the plate, but most notably committed only three errors in the last 17 games. There are several school career records that will be within Maxwell's grasp next spring. Second baseman Adam Taranto '05 (Sudbury, Mass.) also contributes to the Bobcats stellar defense, committing four errors on 142 total chances. Drew McKenna '04 (Middleborough, Mass.) anchors the right side of the infield at first, while John O'Neill '04 (Cumberland, R.I.) returns at third base with one of the best arms in the conference. Catcher Charlie Engasser '05 (Chanhassen, Minn.) hit safely in 11-consecutive games last year while catcher/designated hitter Matt Peterson '04 (Marblehead, Mass.) led the team with a .351 batting average.

The outfield also will return intact with Owen Miehe '04 (Glen Rock, N.J.) in left, Rob Maguire '04 (Wayland, Mass.) in center, while right field will be a battle between several players. Maguire has hit 12 home runs in his career, and needs 10 more to set a school record. The pitching staff will be lead by Mike Kinsman '05 (Yarmouth, Maine) who posted a 2-3 record with a 3.55 earned run average. John Furbush '05 (South Portland, Maine) battled injuries and illness last season, will look to return to his form as a first-year player when he led the staff in strikeouts.

The Bobcats play their home games on Leahey Field, which boasts an outdoor batting cage, pro-style dugouts and a drainage system that makes the field usable as early as the last week in March. Indoor practices are held in the Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building, which has a batting cage and room for a full infield practice.