Franklin Pierce freshman catcher, East Bridgewater native already a New England college all-star behind plate

By Brian Jordan
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER

BROCKTON - When Franklin Pierce catcher Mike Dowd's name was called to receive his New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star trophy, there was an enthusiastic ovation from behind the dugout Thursday at Campanelli Stadium.

Trotting back to the dugout with his trophy, the 5-foot-9, 215- pound freshman catcher from East Bridgewater smiled, waved and winked at his fans.

Normally, it takes a couple of years for a baseball player to reach the all-star level in college - if they ever do.

But Franklin Pierce University's Michael Dowd is no ordinary player.

"I'm just excited to be here," Dowd said. "It's just such a huge honor."

Starting 51 of 53 games as a freshman, Dowd took the Northeast-10 by storm this season, earning first-team all Northeast-10 (NE-10) honors, and an invite to the New England College Baseball All-Star Game in Brockton.

"Today's my first day of summer ball, but there was no way I could miss this," Dowd said.

During the regular season, Dowd put together one of the best hitting performances in the Northeast-10. He hit .393, for third in the conference with 77 hits, 15 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 43 RBI in 51 starts.

He also stole eight bases, had a .587 slugging percentage, .464 on-base percentage and a .991 fielding percentage.

His season earned him a Daktronics All-America Div. 2 team honorable mention, and ECAC Rookie of the Year honors.

A member of the All-East Region first team, Dowd was named the co-freshman of the year in the NE-10, as well as first-team all-conference and all-rookie honors.

With Dowd's help, Franklin Pierce had a big year, winning the NE-10 Conference title in both the regular season, with a 37-18 record, and the tournament, before falling in the NCAA Div. 2 East Regional tournament.

They were also awarded the NEIBA Div. 2 Team of the Year award before Thursday's all-star game.

"I just want to keep working hard to improve my game, and help the team get even further next year," Dowd said. "I think there are plenty of ways I can improve my game."

The 19-year-old Dowd was a four-time Catholic Central League all-star at Cardinal Spellman High, and a two-time Enterprise baseball all-scholastic in 2007 and 2008.

For Dowd, the biggest adjustment from high school into college has been the pitching he has faced.

"In high school, I'd see a good pitcher maybe, every 10 games," he said. "But now, I'm facing good pitchers all the time. It's made me better."

Dowd still wants to improve his speed, as well as his command and discipline behind the plate, but feels pretty good about his hitting.

Other local players who participated in the All-Star game were Bryant University's junior center fielder Nick Campbell of Raynham, Worcester State College senior outfielder Matt Hart of Easton, Bridgewater State College senior second baseman Brad Koneski and Stonehill College senior pitcher Matt Giusti.

Normally played at Fenway Park, but moved to Brockton this year, the all-star game pitted the Div. 1 all-stars (University all-stars) against the all-stars from Div. 2 and 3 (College All-Stars). The Div. 1 all-stars led, 3-0, through eight innings before their bats caught fire in the top of the ninth for an 11-0 win to improve to 22-11-1 in the annual series.

Dowd came off the bench to replace Trinity College catcher Sean Killeen in the top of the seventh inning. He went 0-for-2, including striking out to end the game.

Giusti pitched a scoreless fourth inning, striking out one and giving up one hit while Hart reached second base when he deflected a ball of the first baseman's glove in the third inning.