OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME – MAY 7: Cameron Seymour dives back to first base, beating the tag by John Welch of Cheverus first baseman John Welch during a game at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. (Staff photo by Gregory Rec/Portland Press Herald)

SACO — Thornton Academy senior Cameron Seymour didn’t just participate in the most important moments throughout the Golden Trojans’ season. The senior thrived when the lights were brightest. 

Seymour converted all 12 of his save opportunities, striking out 26 hitters in 15 innings with a 2.80 earned run average, and he also finished his final high school season with a .346 batting average, two home runs, seven doubles and 11 RBIs. For his efforts, Thornton Academy’s starting catcher has been named the Journal Tribune’s Most Valuable Player of the 2019 high school baseball season. 

“You couldn’t ask for a more dedicated young man,” said Thornton coach Jason Lariviere. “He does the extra training, he takes his school work seriously, and, on the field, he’s a leader … It’s great to coach a young man like that.”

Despite spending time both on the mound and crouched behind the plate, Seymour insists that catching is his first love. He pitched more often during his junior season, even starting a game, but he noticed throwing too much compromised his ability to catch. 

This spring, however, Lariviere and Seymour discovered a way to do both without getting tired: Seymour would catch the game’s first six innings, then come in to close if needed.

Thornton Academy senior Cameron Seymour blasts a ball to right field during a high school baseball game this season. Seymour had a .346 batting average, two home runs and 11 RBIs to go along with 12 saves, 25 strikeouts in 15 innings and a 2.80 ERA. (COURTESY PHOTO)

The adjustment worked as Thornton finished the regular season 16-2 to earn the No. 2 seed in Class A South. Playing as a catcher, said Seymour, helped sharpen his focus when he entered in relief. For Lariviere, Seymour’s willingness to be a part of every moment is a credit to his intense work ethic. For Seymour, he felt his inclusion in every facet also gave him a boost of adrenaline, but he knows where he’s most comfortable at the end of the day.  

“(Catching for most of the game) was really how I wanted to play,” Seymour said. “I wasn’t very good as a starter.”

Ask Seymour and Lariviere, their fondest memory of Seymour’s high-school career, and they’ll both say it came during his junior season in their Class A South preliminary game against Noble last June.

Trailing 3-1 entering the sixth inning, Seymour smacked a game-tying, two-run home run to right field to trigger a late rally and help the Golden Trojans outduel the Knights, 4-3. Thornton advanced in the playoffs for the first time in five years with the victory. Seymour recalled the joy he and his teammates had once they completed the comeback.

“It was just such a fun game,” Seymour said. “We battled the whole time, and to win like that was amazing.”

For Lariviere, seeing Seymour’s reaction to his homer is still ingrained in his mind.

“To see him round the bases and be happy was such a joy for me,” Lariviere said. “That’s what he does, he comes up in big moments.” 

Seymour will continue his baseball career at the University of Southern Maine. After looking at Division II and III schools around the northeast region, he found a perfect fit with the Huskies. Seymour loved that the school was close to home, and he was in awe of Huskies head coach, Ed Flaherty.

“I think (Flaherty) is one of the best coaches who has ever coached in his region,” Seymour said.

Even though Seymour will join one of the top Division III programs in the country, he sees the transition from high school to college as being bittersweet. He admitted that it will be tough not being able to play with some of his high school teammates again. His presence in games, and in practice, is also something Lariviere has admired and won’t soon forget.

“I’m going to miss coaching him,” Lariviere said. “Cam’s a special kid.”

MEET THE 2019 BASEBALL ALL-STAR TEAM 

MVP: Cameron Seymour, Thornton: Seymour converted all 12 of his save opportunities, striking out 26 hitters in 15 innings with a 2.80 earned run average, and he also finished his final high school season with a .346 batting average, two home runs, seven doubles and 11 RBIs. 

ROY: Cody Bowker, Thornton: Bowker made a name for himself in his first high-school season, hitting .317 with seven doubles, a triple, a home run and 14 RBIs. The center fielder also pitched, striking out 20 batters in 14.2 innings with a 1.91 ERA. 

Duncan McGilvery, Noble: McGilvery had one of the better all-around seasons in the conference with a .391 batting average, 11 RBIs and nine runs scored for the Knights. The senior third baseman also posted a 0.565 slugging percentage. 

Derek Smith, Kennebunk: In addition to playing a dynamic outfield, Smith hit .362 with four doubles and 12 runs scored for the Rams. The senior stole 11 bases.  

Luke Chessie, Thornton: The senior was undefeated on the mound with a 5-0 regular-season record. Chessie struck out 46 batters in 44 innings and finished the year with a 2.71 ERA. At the plate, Chessie had a .310 batting average.  

Calvin Christoforo, Thornton: Christoforo was a key piece in a potent Golden Trojans attack, putting the ball in play in almost every at-bat. The senior struck out once the entire season and posted a .409 batting average, a pair of doubles and 12 RBIs. Christoforo served as Thornton’s seventh-inning catcher when Seymour went from catcher to pitcher. 

Justin Gould, Sanford: A freshman, Gould had a .383 batting average with five RBIs and six runs with a .431 OBP. Gould also threw 15.2 innings on the mound, and he went 2-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 11 strikeouts. 

Will Harriman, Biddeford: Only a sophomore, Harriman went 5-2 with a 2.96 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched for the Tigers. 

Ronin Tachibana, Kennebunk: Tachibana went 3-2 on the mound with a 1.89 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 42 innings. The junior rose to the challenge on several instances with two of his wins coming over Thornton Academy and Windham. 

Matt Tufts, Wells: A utility man who played mostly in the outfield, Tufts batted .298 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. The junior also made several run-saving catches late in the season to preserve victories for a Wells squad who won six of its last nine games to make the playoffs.

Sol Demers, Sanford: The senior first baseman batted .343 with five RBIs, six runs scored and an 0.868 OPS. Demers committed just two errors in 81 chances for a .975 fielding percentage for the Spartans. 

Owen Podolec, Noble: Podolec batted .326 with 13 RBIs and 13 runs scored. The junior finished the year with a 1.000 fielding percentage in the outfield. 

Mark Johnston, Old Orchard Beach: A swiss army knife, Johnston saw time at catcher, outfield and pitcher during the season. On the mound, he posted a 1.56 ERA in 13 games. Johnston’s OOB career ends with a .408 batting average. 

Matt Rousselle, Biddeford: The junior finished the season with a .375 batting average on 18 hits. Rousselle also knocked in 10 runs. 

Tim Smith, Thornton: The ultimate utility man, Smith played shortstop and second and third base for the Golden Trojans with a .900 fielding average on the year. Smith hit .385 with seven doubles, 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Matt Ryan, Noble: The senior ace went 6-2 with a 2.13 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 46 innings. Ryan registered a pair of shutouts, too. 

Cameron Cross, Thornton: The ever-steady Cross finished his senior season with a .327 batting average, a double, a triple and 14 RBIs for the Golden Trojans. 

Tyler Bridge, Wells: Besides playing a near-flawless first base, Bridge paced the Warriors on offense with a  .327 batting average, three home runs and 11 RBIs. The speedster also swiped nine bags.  

Matt Doody, Old Orchard Beach: Doody batted .429 and led OOB with 21 hits and 22 RBIs in his senior season. 

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the name of the University of Southern Maine baseball coach, Ed Flaherty.