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Baseball Announces 2008 Recruiting Class
Nov. 17, 2007
ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine baseball coach Steve Trimper announced today that his program has received National Letters of Intent from Kyle Stilphen (Pittston, Maine/Gardiner Area HS), Keith Bilodeau (Bourne, Mass./Bourne), A.J. Bazdanes (Nashua, N.H./Nashua South), Pat Quinn (Quaker Hill, Conn./Waterford HS), Taylor Lewis (Uncasville, Conn./Montville HS) and Matt Klaczkiewicz (Newark, Del./Dickinson HS). "Our goal as a staff is to recruit top notch student-athletes that will fulfill the needs of our team, as well as represent the University of Maine and the UMaine Baseball program in a professional and appropriate manner," said Maine head coach Steve Trimper. "We needed to add four quality pitchers that could have an immediate impact, along with adding some offensively talented players. After our 2007 class was ranked regionally and nationally, we feel that this group of individuals who chose to become Black Bears, will continue to build and improve the UMaine Baseball program." Kyle Stilphen is one of the states top infielders. Not only has he been one of the top shortstops in the state, but he has also excelled as a three sport athlete leading the baseball, basketball, and football teams at Gardiner Area High School. Last season, Kyle hit .500 with four home runs and 22 RBI's for Head Coach Jim Palmer. He led Gardiner to a KVAC baseball championship, was named the Kennebec Journal Player of the Year in baseball, and has been a KVAC first team selection in his sophomore and junior years. As the team's quarterback, Kyle has lead the team to a Class A championship in 2004 and a Class B Championship in 2006 and 2007 and was named the Kennebec Journal Player of the Year. Kyle was also a KVAC All-Defensive team selection for the basketball team. "Kyle is one of the premier players in the state, who possesses tools that will give him the opportunity to be successful at the University of Maine," said Trimper. "He reminds me a lot of current player Kevin McAvoy as a player who is an above average runner, has tremendous arm strength and can hit for power."
Keith Bilodeau is a 6-4 right handed pitcher who has excelled on the baseball field throughout his first three years for Bourne High School. Last season, Keith had 82 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched, and posted a 1.68 earned run average (ERA). During his legion season, Keith went 7-0 with a .062 ERA, highlighting his summer with a no hitter. He was also selected to play in the Bay State Games for the past two summers. Keith was a high school all-star selection in his sophomore and junior year and was recently voted Captain for the 2008 season. Keith also led Bourne High School to the South Coast Division III finals and was selected to receive the Bay State Sportsmanship Award. Perfect Game Baseball has ranked Keith as the 397th best prospect in the nation. He is also listed as the fourth High School prospect going into the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. "Keith is a hard throwing righty, with an outstanding slider, who has the chance to be a top-notch college baseball player, said Trimper. "We feel UMaine is a great fit for Keith, both academically and athletically." A.J. Bazdanes comes to the Black Bears from Nashua South High School in Nashua, NH. As a right handed pitcher, he has garnered many accolades throughout his scholastic career. As a freshman, A.J. had 109 strikeouts and posted a 0.89 ERA his sophomore year. Through his first two years, he posted a record of 14-1. Having continued success into his junior year, he has been identified as one of the top five pitchers in New England by The Major League Scouting Bureau. A.J. played summer baseball for Team Connecticut and posted a record of 8-1 with 129 strikeouts and 13 walks in 76 innings pitched against some of the best players in the country. Most recently, A.J. has been selected to try out for the Team USA U18 Junior National team and was named a 2008 Pre-Season High School All American. Perfect Game Baseball has ranked AJ 473rd nationally, and the number one prospect in the state of New Hampshire. "AJ is a fierce competitor that will have an immediate impact on our pitching staff," said Trimper. "His ability to throw three pitches for strikes, combined with a winning attitude, will lead to a successful career as a Black Bear." Pat Quinn is a 6-3" right handed pitcher who pitches for Waterford HS and one of the best school coaches in the state of Connecticut, Jack O'Keefe. As a sophomore, Pat helped Montville High School win the Connecticut state championship, compiling a 5-1 record with a 1.28 ERA, striking out 31 to only 10 walks, coming out of the bullpen in the state championship game to earn the win. In 2007, Pat put together a 6-0 record with two saves and an ERA of 0.75. His performance earned his a spot in the Connecticut HS All-Star game. Pat's greatest personal achievement came when he pitched a perfect game for the Team Groton Wild Cats (American Legion), striking out 15 over 7 innings pitched. Perfect Game Baseball has ranked Pat 671st nationally. "Pat is another tenacious competitor that we feel will be an outstanding addition to our pitching staff," said Trimper. "His ceiling is extremely high and we feel that he projects to become an impact college baseball pitcher." Taylor Lewis comes to Maine from Montville High School in Montville, CT. He is a 6-0", 195 pound outfielder who hits and throws left-handed. In 2007, Taylor was all-state in baseball, as well as all-area in varsity football. Taylor was a two time football captain, during his junior and senior years. In 64 games at Montville HS, Taylor recorded 77 hits including 16 doubles, 10 triples and seven home runs, to go with 36 stolen bases. Taylor was rated 72nd nationally by East Coast Pro in their national prospect rankings. "We are extremely excited for Taylor Lewis and his family," said Trimper. "Taylor is an exceptional athlete, both in football in baseball, and had numerous opportunities to play Division 1-A football, but chose to become a Black Bear baseball player. He currently has tremendous tools and will become one of the biggest offensive threats in college baseball, especially with his speed and ability to hit to all fields." Matt Klaczkiewicz is a 6-3 right-handed pitcher from Newark, Del. and Dickinson High School in Wilmington, DE. As a senior, Matt compiled a 4-3 record, 2.32 ERA campaign with 74 strikeouts in just 52.2 innings. Matt was voted a 2nd team all-conference selection and team MVP in 2006, as well as first team all-conference, team captain and defensive MVP in 2007. "Matt Klaczkiewicz is a tall righty with a loose arm, and we project Matt to be a front-line pitcher at the University of Maine," said Trimper. "Matt is a great kid with tremendous upside and we're excited to have him join the program." The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse. -U-M- |
