Press release

GORHAM – Four senior members of the University of Southern Maine baseball team have been named captains for the 2007 season. Veteran head coach Ed Flaherty recently announced that outfielder Ryan Bourque (Sanford, Maine), pitcher Pat Foley (Norwood, Mass.) and infielders Pat Kinslow (Westbrook, Maine) and Nick Vardaro (Norwood, Mass.) will have the captains’ responsibilities this year.

This is the second straight season that Bourque, Foley and Vardaro have shared the captain’s role. This is Kinslow’s first season serving as a captain.

The Huskies began their pre-season preparations on January 22, and they opened their Little East Conference season at Western Connecticut State University last weekend.

The Huskies are coming off a 32-17 season that saw them make their first NCAA tournament appearance in five years and win a share of the Little East regular season title. Expectations are high for the Huskies with the team nationally ranked in three preseason polls. The Huskies are ranked fourth in Baseball America’s poll, fifth according to Collegiate Baseball, and 11th in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) poll.

Bourque is coming off a second team All-American and All-Little East Conference first team season that saw him hit a team-leading .395 (73-for 185) with 18 doubles, seven home runs and 53 RBI. Foley, who came on strong the second half of the 2006 season, compiled a 5-0 mark with a 3.78 ERA in a team-leading 22 appearances. Kinslow is a slick-fielding middle infielder while Vardaro was an All-LEC first pick at shortstop.

“(Bourque) is one of the best hitters in New England and a strong leader. Kinslow is the hardest worker I’ve ever had and real good leader. Vardaro is a fiery, competitive player who is the spunk of our team. Foley is the elder statesman and a great example (for the younger players). He’s pitched in a lot of big games for us over the last three years,” commented Flaherty who begins his 22nd season as the Huskies head coach.

Expected to hit in the heart of the Huskies batting order, Bourque had a breakout season in 2006. The left-handed hitter led the team in seven statistical categories, and proved to be one of the best clutch hitters on the team.

Kinslow has been a versatile infielder during his career playing three different positions. Splitting his time between second base and shortstop last season, he batted .217 (15-for-69) with 12 RBI and made only two errors in 96 chances (.979 fielding percentage).

A three-year starter at shortstop, Vardaro will likely serve as the Huskies leadoff hitter again this season. The 5-foot-11 right-hander hitter batted .340 (64-for-188) with 49 runs scored, 11 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 23 RBI last season.

The Huskies were scheduled to play their home opener at the USM Baseball Stadium against Bowdoin College on April 3 at 3:30 p.m.

The remainder of the Huskies’ 2007 schedule is as follows: April 5, Bridgewater State (3:00 p.m.); April 7, at Eastern Connecticut (DH) (12:00 p.m.); April 10, Endicott (3:30 p.m.); April 12, Salem State (3:00 p.m.); April 14, Rhode Island College (DH) (12:00 p.m.); April 15, at Husson (DH) (12:00 p.m.); April 17, at UMass Boston (3:00 p.m.); April 18, Colby (3:30 p.m.); April 20, St. Joseph’s (3:30 p.m.); April 21, Plymouth State (DH) (12:00 p.m.); April 22, Wheaton (1:00 p.m.), April 24, at Bates (3:30 p.m.); April 25, at Thomas (3:00 p.m.); April 26, at St. Joseph’s (5:00 p.m.); April 28, at Keene State (DH) (12:00 p.m.); and April 29, UMass Boston (1:00 p.m.).

Also May 1, at Bowdoin (4:00 p.m.); May 2, UMaine (6:00 p.m., at Goodall Park, Sanford, Maine); May 3, at Babson (3:30 p.m.) and May 5, UMass Dartmouth (DH) (12:00 p.m.).

The Little East Conference tournament, a six-team, double-elimination affair, will be hosted by the top seeded team May 9-12 with the winner earning an automatic berth in the 2007 NCAA tournament.