GORHAM, Maine – Receiving two first-place votes, the University of Southern Maine Huskies' baseball team has been picked to finish third in the 2026 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Eastern Connecticut State University was picked to finish atop the conference with three first place votes and a league-leading 59 points, while Keene State College was tabbed to finish second with 54 points and three first place. The conference's nine first place votes were distributed among four teams.
Led by second-year head coach
Scott Heath the Huskies return a strong core of veteran players who finished the 2025 season with a respectable 20-19 overall record and an 11-5 mark in the Little East Conference. Among the Huskies' notable returning athletes are ABCA All-Region infielders
Kyle Douin and
Peter Keblinsky, as well as All-Little East Conference outfielder
Mike Anquillare and pitcher
Colin McDonald. The Huskies also return outfielder
Hunter Brissette, catcher
Dylan Firmin and pitcher Caron Black for experienced players in key positions.
Douin delivered another remarkable year, leading the Huskies both offensively and defensively. At the plate, he hit .372 with 54 hits in 145 at-bats, recording 11 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. He led the team in batting average, walks (26), slugging percentage (.621), total bases (90), hits, and runs scored (42). Douin also tied for the team lead in doubles and fielded at an elite level, posting a .990 percentage with 265 putouts and 13 double plays. A two-time Academic All-American, Douin is a three-time All-LEC performer, and was named the conference's Player of the Year in 2024.
In his first season with the Huskies, Anquillare was an outstanding presence at the plate in left field defensively. The Huskies' senior hit .320 with 48 hits in 150 at-bats, contributing 10 doubles, three home runs, and 28 RBIs. In left field, Anquillare was nearly flawless defensively, finishing with a remarkable .989 fielding percentage and 83 putouts and four assists while starting all 39 games in left field.
Another first-year player for the Huskies in 2025, Keblinsky made an immediate impact as a transfer from Southern Maine Community College. Playing shortstop for Southern Maine, Keblinksy hit .318 with 49 hits in 154 at-bats, totaling nine doubles, a triple, and six home runs. He led the LEC in RBIs with 49 and ranked first on the team in sacrifice flies (7). Defensively, he compiled a .910 fielding percentage with 56 putouts, and a team-best 86 assists.
Heading into his third season, McDonald established himself as the Huskies' ace in 2025. McDonald logged 62.0 innings across 13 appearances, including 12 starts. He recorded a 4-3 win-loss record, struck out 60 batters, and finished the season with a 4.35 ERA. He finished his sophomore season ranked third in the conference in strikeouts per game.
The Huskies are slated to start their 2026 on March 7 (12:00) at No. 10 Salve Regina to start a three-game series. Southern Maine will also compete at the RussMatt Invitational during its annual spring break trip for seven games. The Huskies first home game at Flaherty Field is schedule for March 28 as Southern Maine will host Rhode Island College in a Little East Conference doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm.
| 2026 Little East Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV) |
| 1. |
Eastern Connecticut |
59 points |
(3) |
| 2. |
Keene State |
54 points |
(3) |
| 3. |
Southern Maine |
49 points |
(2) |
| 4. |
UMass Boston |
47 points |
(1) |
| 5. |
UMass Dartmouth |
41 points |
|
| 6. |
Rhode Island College |
29 points |
|
| 7. |
Vermont State Castleton |
22 points |
|
| 8. |
Plymouth State |
15 points |
|
| 9. |
Western Connecticut |
8 points |
|
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