Orono, Maine – Head baseball coach Nick Derba has announced that 12 student-athletes have signed with the program for the 2026-27 academic year.

"I am excited for this dynamic group," Derba states. "This class brings in an exceptionally strong and talented balance to both sides of the baseball. The 2026-27 class will fit in immediately to our culture at winning on and off the field. I see this group as having the potential to play in multiple championships over their careers in Orono."

Brain Abbruzzi, corner infielder and corner outfielder out of Bristol, R.I. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Mt. Hope High School. He is an All-Division member and is the 8^th ranked player in the State of Rhode Island.

Ethan Battles, a right-handed pitcher out of Exeter, N.H. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Exeter High School. He is a 2025 State Champion and a multi-time honor roll student.

Derrick Carter Jr., a first baseman and outfielder out of Valdosta, GA is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Lowndes High School. He is a two-time State Champion, a Perfect Game All-Tournament Team member, a Perfect Game All-American Honorable Mention and is coming off of a season in which he hit .300 with five home runs and 31 RBIs. For his travel ball team, Pro Stock, he is coming off a season in which he hit .412 with a 1.084 OPS and 25 RBIs.

Matthew Chirumbolo, a right-handed pitcher out of Harwinton, Conn. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at The Salisbury School. During this past season, he had an 8-1 record with a 1.74 ERA and 57 strikeouts. He is a two-time All-Conference member, a two-time All-Academic Team member, a two-time team captain and an honor roll student. He was named the Duane Estes Pitcher of the Year has been participated at the Future Games.

Jack Curtis, a utility player out of Binghamton, N.Y. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Kingsmen Academy. He is a career .482 hitter with a 1.436 OPS. He is his school's all-time hits leader. On the mound, he has over 100 career strikeouts. He is a two-time area code ID series invitee, a two-time futures game participant, a one-time USA Baseball NTIS finalist and a three-time First-Team All-Conference member. He is a top-10 ranked New York State player (PBR, a Sports Illustrated NYS Top Junior athlete nominee and is ranked in the top-300 nationally (PBR).

Montgomery Gantz, a catcher and outfielder out of Barrington, R.I. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Westminster High School. He hit .310 last season with 16 RBIs before slashing .455 with a .818 SLG with Perfect Game. He has achieved honor roll status each year in school. He is the number one ranked catcher in Rhode Island according to Perfect Game and was a 2024 PBR Futures Game participant and a 2024 New-England All-Star Game participant.

Charlie Kubiet, a right-handed pitcher out of Dover, N.H. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Austin Preparatory School. In 2025, he made eight appearances on the mound, compiling a 6-0 record with a 1.70 ERA and a K/9 of nine. He also threw four complete games.

Dustin Menzel, a catcher and first baseman out of Coventry, Conn. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Coventry High School. He is a 2025 All-Conference and All-State member while serving as a team captain. He is a multi-time honor roll student.

Colby Moholland, an outfielder out of Robbinston, Maine is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Washington Academy. He is a three-time PVC First-Team member who is coming off of a season in which he hit .393 with a .625 SLG and a 1.157 OPS. He has been named to either Honors or High Honors each semester of high school.

Ryer Olsson, a right-handed pitcher out of East Grand Rapids, MI is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at East Grand Rapids. He had a 1.20 ERA last season with a 1.08 WHIP and 48 strikeouts, leading to a 5-2 record. He helped lead his team to the 2024 District Championship. He was a 2025 All-Conference member, a pre-season All-State selection, has achieved highest honors in his academics and was on the Team Canada PBR Senior Future Games squad.
 
Maikel Soriano, a middle infielder out of Providence, R.I. is set to join the Black Bears after a postgraduate year at Putnam Science Academy. He is one of the top ranked student-athletes in New England.

Jacob Veloz, an outfielder out of Stamford, Conn. is set to join the Black Bears after his senior year at Mount St. Charles Academy. With his club team, L&M Baseball, he hit .427 this past summer with six home runs and only three strikeouts in 68 at-bats.

-UMaine-