Just this past week, we were able to interview Noah Lewis, a four-year starter for the University of Maine baseball team. In this short interview, we discussed expectations for the upcoming year, filling the void of players that have left, and what it has been like coming off a conference championship where everyone is after you. Let’s take a deeper dive.
Q: What’s it like graduating nine players from the previous year, and people know spots are up for grabs?
A: Coach Derba and the rest of the coaching staff have done an exceptional job with this year’s recruiting classes. We feel that these younger guys can come on and help replace some of the older guys and gain experience over time.
Q: What is it like coming off of a conference championship where everyone is gunning for you? Do you feel pressure, or do you feel like you’re playing with house money?
A: I don’t think it’s really either. We’re very attentive and just taking things day by day and being present and trying to win individual days to build momentum, stack our chips, and let things play out. The sound of a legacy and back-to-back conference titles does sound pretty good, and it is motivating.
Q: For you, coming off a 7-1 record last year, what are some things you’re looking to build on and/or add to your repertoire?
A: Staying healthy. [I] had cut some weight in order to do everything possible to be ready to go and available each and every week and doing whatever it takes to help the team win.
Q: Do you feel you may need to step into a leadership role as one of the longest-tenured players on the team?
A: For sure, there’s a point of leadership with some of the older guys. But I also think there’s a way for the younger guys to lead as well.
Lewis went on to mention Quinn Mcdaniel, a member of last year’s championship team and also a fifth-round pick this summer in the MLB draft where he joined the San Francisco Giants organization.
“I remember from the beginning when he came in, he led by example. Just the way he went about himself and his business made him a leader. It doesn’t always need to be vocalized, but it was the way he made each every day an opportunity to stay hungry that made me look at him as a leader.”
Q: How was the experience of playing in the NCAA tournament last year? Did it live up to your expectations, or was there something missing?
A: Yeah, there’s obviously some winning that was missing. But playing in the Alex Rodriguez ballpark on that Friday night under the lights was something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Lewis and the Black Bears earned an NCAA Tournament bid last year for the first time since 2011 by winning the America East conference championship. Lewis appeared in the tournament with 5.2 inning pitches while only allowing two runs against the No. 9 ball club in the nation at the time, the University of Miami.
Q: If you could give any advice to incoming athletes, specifically Maine, what would you say to them?
A: I would say just have a dying passion to succeed. There’s gonna be some bad days and no one can get out of here in four years without some really tough days where you fail. Just showing the next day as hungry as ever is going to put you in a good spot amongst the pack.”
Lewis and the rest of the Black Bears start their quest for back-to-back America East championships and consecutive NCAA tournament bids for the first time since the seasons of 1991 and 1992 later this spring.
