York High's LaBonte, UMaine's Turenne Signed to Mainers
Published on March 31, 2019 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Sanford Mainers News Release
SANFORD - The Bridgton Academy baseball program has had a significant impact on the success of the Sanford Mainers throughout the past decade. Starting with the hire of the Wolverines Head Coach and Athletic Director Aaron Izaryk in 2009, the Mainers have been one of the most successful teams in the NECBL. In his seven seasons as manager before transitioning to his current role of general manager, he won 150 games, making the playoffs every season, culminating with an appearance in the NECBL Championship Series in 2014, and winning the league's Joel Cooney Manager of the Year Award in his final season in 2015.
With former Mainers skipper Chris Morris stepping down, Izaryk called upon his Bridgton assistant coach, Cejay Suarez, to take the reins in 2019. Along with the two men in charge, two of their former players, Ryan Turenne (Maine) and Trevor LaBonte (Maryland), will join them for the summer in southern Maine.
Formerly of St. Mary's High School in Lynn, Massachusetts before transferring to Bridgton as a senior, the freshman catcher Turenne batted .386 as a junior. He led the Spartans in both on-base percentage and runs batted in en route to earning a spot on the Catholic Central League All-Star team and winning the Coach's Award.
Last season with the Wolverines, Turenne dominated his competition, compiling an impressive .519 batting average with three home runs and 18 RBIs. He arrived at the University of Maine last fall to compete for the starting catcher's spot and has appeared in seven games so far this spring. He is currently batting .238 for the Black Bears, and his .360 OBP is the second highest on the team with a .693 OPS good for third best.
The Maine native LaBonte starred both on the mound and at the plate for nearby York High School before attending Bridgton in 2018 as a post-graduate. In his senior season, he went 10-0 with an 0.83 earned run average and batted .413, later being named the Western Maine Player of the Year.
LaBonte also stood out as the quarterback on the football team and a forward on the basketball team, throwing for 1,056 yards and 10 touchdowns on the gridiron while averaging 23.7 points and 11.3 per game on the hardwood, making the all-conference team in hoops, further proving his athletic prowess.
He has gotten off to a hot start in his first season of college baseball, as he's found a spot as the Sunday starter in the Terrapin rotation. Through his first five appearances, he's made four starts, going 3-2 in 22.2 innings with a 2.78 ERA and 17 strikeouts.
Both players look back fondly on their time together at Bridgton, as they had nothing but positive things to say about their alma mater.
"Bridgton gave me an opportunity that I probably would not have gotten at my high school," Turenne said. "I met so many great people and made so many friends. Not only was my time there so memorable, but it also prepared me so well for college and my future."
"The year I spent at Bridgton Academy was monumental in my growth as a student, an athlete, and a person," LaBonte added. "It was by far the most progress I have made in all aspects in my life and especially baseball. I will forever be thankful for the year I spent there."
For the past and present battery, when they were presented with the opportunity to spend the summer in Sanford and continue working with Izaryk and Suarez, it was a no-brainer for them to say yes to the Mainers.
"[Aaron] Izaryk and [Cejay] Suarez are two unbelievable coaches that I have been able to work with," Turenne said. "They taught me things about the game of baseball that I never knew before. They are also great people to be around. I'm so excited to play for them again and cannot wait for the season to start in Sanford."
"The opportunity to play for Coach Suarez and Coach Izaryk again this summer was something I could not pass up," LaBonte continued. "With their help, I was able to prioritize my growth as a pitcher on the field and in the weight room. Those two guys have helped me develop as a person and a ballplayer as much as anyone. I am really looking forward to playing for them again."
For both Izaryk and Suarez, the feeling is mutual. The pair are very high on the abilities of the two Bridgton alumni.
"These guys had great years with Bridgton," Suarez said. "Ryan [Turenne] developed himself into an outstanding defensive catcher. He did a fantastic job improving his footwork and ability to call a game behind the plate, he's a physical catcher that I think can produce early in his college career.
"As for Trevor [LaBonte], his work ethic allowed him to develop into a physical pitcher. Although he's young, he has a very mature outlook on his career. That and his coachability got himself in position to be a starting pitcher in his freshman season. When Aaron [Izaryk] and I were putting together the roster, there were no doubts in our mind that we really wanted them both."
"Ryan [Turenne] and Trevor [LaBonte] maximized their time at Bridgton, and ultimately, changed their athletic paths," Izaryk commented. "They share a love for the game and two of the best work ethics you will find. Trevor is an electric, athletic arm who continues to improve every day in College Park.
"Ryan is a physical kid who can catch and throw with an equally dangerous bat. Individually, they are as talented of freshmen as you will find tools wise. Together, they are high character kids who will improve each and every day in Sanford. We couldn't be more excited to have them."
The Sanford Mainers season schedule is now available online. For more information, please contact us at (207) 324-0010 or via email at broose@metrocast.net. You can also learn more about the rest of the Mainers roster as they are introduced at sanfordmainers.com.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from March 31, 2019
- York High's LaBonte, UMaine's Turenne Signed to Mainers - Sanford Mainers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
