Maine Baseball Names Captains
Balsinde, Cather, Lugbauer, McAvoy and Menendez to serve as Captains
September 15, 2008

ORONO, Maine - University of Maine baseball coach Steve Trimper announced today that his team has named captains for the 2009 season. Seniors Alejandro Balsinde (Miami, Fla.), Billy Cather (Worcester, Mass.), Kevin McAvoy (Brewer, Maine) and Danny Menendez (Miami, Fla.), along with junior Myckie Lugbauer (Mahopac, N.Y.) will all serve as captains.

Balsinde, a pitcher, has seen action in 57 games for the Black Bears on the mound, starting 14. He has played a key role in both Maine’s starting rotation and out of the bullpen for the Black Bears the past few years. Balsinde pitched his best game of the season in 2008 against Hartford where he pitched a complete game and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out five. Balsinde had an outstanding summer for the Vermont Mountaineers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He set a NECBL record for appearances in a season and was named the NECBL's Most Improved Player for 2008. He posted a 2-1 record with 1.42 ERA in 26 appearances.

Cather has been a key fixture in the Maine outfield the past three years. He has seen action in 135 career games and has a career .313 batting average with 94 runs scored and 61 RBI. Cather has stolen 44 bases in his career. A year ago, he finished third on the team with a .328 batting average with 35 runs scored. He led the team in stolen bases with 15 and finished second in hits with 64 in 2008. In June, Cather was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Washington Nationals, but opted to return to Orono for his senior season.

Lugbauer, who was named the 2007 America East Rookie of the Year and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American following his rookie season, was named to the America East First Team last year. Last season, his batting average of .343 was second to only Curt Smith, and tops among returnees for the 2009 campaign. He has a .323 career batting average with 56 runs scored and 70 RBI. His 19 doubles last season rank tied for sixth among the single season leaders in Maine history.

McAvoy hit .301 last season with 24 runs scored and 25 RBI. The 2006 America East Rookie of the Year and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American has a .317 career batting average with 88 runs scored and 119 RBI. He has 28 career doubles, six triples and 16 home runs. McAvoy, a versatile player, started games in right field, left field and as the designated hitter during the 2008 season. He has also played third base and shortstop for the Black Bears during his career.

Menendez enters his senior season having played in 66 straight games for the Black Bears at second base. He was one of just four players to see action in all 49 games a year ago. Menendez has a .277 career batting average with 94 runs scored and 76 career RBI. He has 27 career doubles and has stolen 25 career bases. He drew 25 walks last season, which was second on the team and tops among returnees. Menendez finished the season recording a hit in eight of Maine’s last 10 games.

The Black Bears are currently preparing for the 2009 season. Maine will host three fall games at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, Maine since Mahaney Diamond is currently under construction to install turf. Maine will host the Academy of Baseball Canada on Friday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., and on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. The following week, Maine will host Husson on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at Mansfield Stadium.
 

COMMENTS:

2009 Maine Baseball Captains

Alejandro Balsinde (SR)

Billy Cather (SR)

Kevin McAvoy (SR)

Danny Menendez (SR)

Myckie Lugbauer (JR)