Black Bears Named to 2013 College Sports Madness Preseason Baseball Teams
ORONO, Maine-- The University of Maine baseball team had four players named to the College Sports Madness America East Preseason Teams. Michael Fransoso (Portsmouth, N.H.) was chosen as the preseason America East Player of the Year. Fransoso and Shaun Coughlin (Northford, Conn.) were named to the Preseason First Team, while Fran Whitten (Westborough, Mass.) and Colin Gay (Franklin, Mass.) were each named to the Second Team.
Fransoso hit .327 last season with 50 runs scored and 26 RBI. An America East First Team selection, he had 18 doubles, five home run, four triples and 19 stolen bases. Fransoso led the Black Bears with a .511 slugging percentage.
Coughlin was also an America East First Team selection. He finished 4-5 on the season with a 3.98 ERA. He stuck out 51 batters on the season.
Whitten earned a spot on the 2012 America East All-Tournament Team. He hit .290 on the season with 33 runs scored and 32 RBI. He had 11 doubles and three home runs on the season.
Gay hit .299 with 34 runs scored and 28 RBI. He had seven doubles on the season and stole 14 bases. Gay was one of just three Black Bears to play in all 56 games a year ago.
Maine opens the 2013 season on Thursday, Feb. 15 at Auburn. First pitch is scheduled for 4 PM.
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