Cony is off to a 4-2 start and getting contributions from up and down its lineup.

In Tuesday’s win against Mt. Ararat, several players new the varsity team made contributions. Freshman Reid Shostak, called up from the junior varsity team, belted at three-run homer and also singled.

“He was hitting the ball pretty well and he was the next guy to come up (from the JVs),” Cony coach Don Plourde said.

Connor Perry, another freshman, collected his first varsity hit, while sophomore Spencer Buck drove in a key run. Tyler Tardiff, another sophomore, has worked his way into the lineup after collecting three hits in Monday’s win against Edward Little and driving in a pair of runs against Mt. Ararat.

“He came within five inches of hitting his first home run,” Plourde said of Tardiff’s effort on Monday. “I think he started to go into his home run trot. He’s a crafty lefty. He reminds me a lot of (former Cony infielder) Colin McKee.”

Shortstop Chandler Shostak has returned to the lineup after missing three games while away on a trip and has driven in six runs in three games. He’s one of just three seniors on the team along with Zack Lachance and Keith Cloutier. The lineup also includes five sophomores and two freshmen. Sophomore catcher Tayler Carrier, who started last season, is 11 for 22 so far.

“I think we’re progressing every day,” Plourde said. “We certainly have a long way to go, but we’re building on every game. We’re learning from or mistakes and moving on.”

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Gardiner coach Chris McLaughlin may dig deep into his pitching staff for Friday’s home game against once-beaten Waterville.

Starters sophomore Josh McKelvey and junior Zach Farrin are both away for the weekend on a band trip while senior Dennis Meehan left the mound in the third inning of Monday’s win over Nokomis with a tender elbow.

“It’s going to be interesting what we’re able to do,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said Meehan will be available to hit and play in the field, but his availability on the mound depends on a pitch count recommended by the trainer.

If the count is relatively high, McLaughlin may start him. If not, Meehan will be around for relief and freshmen Nick Berube, Logan Peacock and Brady Smith may be called upon to pitch.

The Tigers are 4-2 and getting good production from the top of their order. Frank Chepke leads off while Jensen Orewiler and Ian Lane are also among the top five. Lane hit a three-run homer against Nokomis and tripled and singled in Tuesday’s win over Maine Central Institute.

“Those three right there are hitting the ball really well,” McLaughlin said. “All my runs are coming from the top half of the lineup.”

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The Maine High School Baseball Coaches Association announced the dates and places for postseason all-star games this week. The MEBCA was taken over by The EDGE Academy Baseball Softball and Training Center (formerly Frozen Ropes) this past January and continues to organize the three all-star games.

The Maine vs. New Hampshire Senior All-Star game will be held at the University of Southern Maine on June 17. This is the sixth year in the series — Maine leads 3-2 — which features the best 18 senior players from each state.

The Maine Underclass Showcase game will be played at St. Joseph’s College on June 18. This the eighth year for the game which features the top 40 players in Maine who play varsity ball in grades 9-11. As many as 60 college coaches and professional scouts have attended these games in the past.

The Maine Senior All-Star game will be played at the University of Maine on June 23. The game highlights the top 48 senior players in the state and is broken up between East and West teams. Mr. Maine Baseball will be named at this game.

• • •

Monmouth didn’t lose any players from last year, but they did gain a couple. Brandon Goff and DJ McHugh were limited by injuries. McHugh missed the entire season with a torn ACL while Goff played a little “one-handed” with a broken wrist. Both injuries were sustained playing basketball.

Both juniors started as freshmen and are healthy and contributing for the Mustangs who are 5-0.

“It set me back quite awhile and I had to do quite about of rehab,” said McHugh, who is playing shortstop and pitching.

Goff pitches and plays center field and the two are valuable hitters as well.

“Having them back makes us a lot deeper than last year,” fellow junior Kyle Fletcher said. “Better infield, more speed, more bats and overall I just think we’re more solid.”

Gary Hawkins — 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com