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Shortstop Max McCoomb dove to his left to stop a grounder ticketed for center field, tagged second base with his glove, popped up and threw to first to complete a game-ending double play in an 8-7 win at Bates College earlier this month.
The win gave Saint Joseph's College a doubleheader sweep and also provided longtime coach Will Sanborn with his 600th career win.
Indeed, McCoomb's timing has been spot-on, basically from the time he set foot on campus. The South Berwick, Maine, native has made a seamless transition from Marshwood High School standout to impact freshman at one of the region's strongest Division III programs.
"It was tough at first, getting used to the whole college atmosphere," he said. "But the coach is one of the best coaches I've ever had and the older kids have taught me a lot about my position. It's been a great year."
The Monks' bid to reach an elusive College World Series ended late Friday night, with a 4-3 loss to MIT in an elimination game in an NCAA regional in Harwich, Mass. After falling to Tufts, 3-2, in the opener of their eight-team regional on Wednesday, St. Joe's rebounded to beat Worcester State (4-2) and Mitchell (9-2), making them one of the regional's final four teams.
"The disappointing part is not being able to get over the hump and win this regional," Sanborn told reporters afterward.
Even with the finish, it's tough not to appreciate the strides McCoomb made in his first year of college ball.
In Auburndale, Fla., for a dozen games to open the new season, he found himself starting at short and batting leadoff in the opener. He responded by going 2-for-6 with two runs and two RBIs in an 18-8 win.
"I really didn't know (I'd be starting) until the first game in Florida," he said, "and I stayed there."
McCoomb batted .312 with 19 RBIs and a team-high 38 runs scored in the leadoff spot. He was named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference second team.
"My opinion was that, maybe at a mid-major, but Max was a Division I-caliber player," said his coach at Marshwood, Eric Fernandes. "He put it all together his senior year. I think we turned more double plays last year than we did in the previous six years."
McCoomb and another Seacoast product — senior outfielder Louie Vigars of Stratham and Exeter High School, who batted .310 and scored 30 runs — were the table-setters for the Monks, who finished with a record of 30-15.
The game-ending double-play to secure his coach's 600th win was one highlight, but not the only one. He played four games — including the GNAC championship game — against Suffolk, which features his Marshwood classmate, Matt Brenner, who batted .318 with 19 RBIs.
"Oh, man, that was really weird," said McCoomb. "Definitely bittersweet. We're best buds."
Both players have a summer of eligibility left for Staples Crossing Post 188, after learning the ropes at Marshwood from players like Luke Fernandes (Boston College) and Jack Verrill (Army), who've gone on to Division I programs.
"I definitely learned a lot from the coach and the guys I played with," said McCoomb. "Luke Fernandes, Jack Verrill — they taught me a lot. I learned a lot about (shortstop) from Luke; I was behind him until my senior year. I can't thank Coach Fernandes enough for all he did for me."
This year, he's helped himself.
"It's a winning mentality up there," said Eric Fernandes. "He got a chance as a freshman, not everyone does, and he took advantage of it."
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Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 430-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.
