University of Southern Maine baseball coach Ed Flaherty admits he wasn’t completely sold on Dave Ricker when he recruited him at Winthrop High School.

That doubt continued for Ricker’s freshman year with the Huskies when he spent the season on the bench. But he’s blossomed since, this year hitting near the top of the lineup while serving as one of the team’s captains,

Additional Photos

SETTLING IN: Winthrop native Dave Ricker hits near the top of the order for the University of Southern Maine baseball team. Ricker has added 30 pounds since arriving at USM, and coach Ed Flaherty says he is “probably the strongest kid on our team.” Contributed photo by Jason Johns

“He’s certainly proved me wrong,” Flaherty said. “He’s worked at it over the years. He’s been a solid kid I really like.”

Flaherty watched Ricker play during his high school years and at some of his summer camps. Although Ricker was one of the top shortstops in the Mountain Valley Conference, Flaherty never thought he quite fit the infield mold. What he did like was Ricker’s bat.

“He always had a good, short compact swing,” Flaherty said.

Any designs Ricker had on playing infield at USM evaporated during tryouts.

“My freshman year there were 75 kids that tried out,” Ricker said. “You don’t really know what you’re going up against.”

Ricker had inquired about being redshirted his first season so he’d have four years of eligibility. A few years back Flaherty might have accommodated him, but he said redshirting is not an option these days for Division III players. Ricker didn’t see any playing time but made good use of the year.

“Not redshirting did help me,” he said, “because I made that transition to the outfield.”

Ricker also hit the weight room, something he had never done in high school, and it paid off as he’s added nearly 30 pounds to his 5-foot-10 frame.

“He’s probably the strongest kid on our team,” Flaherty said.

Ricker had played in the outfield before but needed the experience only games can bring. He’s played both left and right field, ending up last season in right. He doesn’t have the typical strong throwing arm generally required to play right field, but he makes up for it with an infielder’s arm, Flaherty said, charging balls and making accurate throws.

“His speed is deceptive,” Flaherty said.

Ricker’s bat has earned him a spot in the starting lineup, though. He saw quite a bit of playing time as a sophomore and last year batted .311 with three home runs and 24 runs scored. The home runs are a bonus for a hitter Flaherty describes as pesky, but Ricker has shown a little pop in his bat from time to time.

“He had a big home run for us in the conference championship,” Flaherty said.

Flaherty has Ricker hitting in the second or fifth spot in the lineup depending on who’s pitching and so far he’s ahead of last season’s pace, batting .393 with eight RBIs through eight games. Flaherty especially likes the way Ricker hits fastballs.

“It could be 94 miles an hour, he’s going to hit it,” the coach said. “He’s kind of like a Pedroia type of guy.”

Ricker said he learned a lot in three years from hitting coach Bob Prince who this year moved on to a head coaching job at UMass Dartmouth. A lot of his progress, though, can be attributed to hard work and that’s one of the things he loves about the game.

“You have to have more refined skills,” Ricker said. “It’s a game based on failure. It keeps you driven.”

Ricker would have graduated with a degree in general management this spring had he not picked up finance last semester as a major as well. That will require taking four more classes. He’d like to take a little time to travel after graduation then look for a job.

“Ideally, I would like to stay involved in athletics,” he said.

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

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