LOWELL, Mass. — South Thomaston native Luke Morrill was named to the America East First Team Wednesday night at the conference’s annual awards BBQ. 

The senior baseball player for the University of Maine in Orono also was named to the 2015 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association DI All-New England First Team.

In both cases, Morrill was named as a third baseman, one of several positions the Rockland District High School graduate, and a University of Maine graduate as of May 16, can play on the diamond. 

“[It] feels great to have graduated,” Morrill said. “As a student athlete, there is an incredible amount of time that needs to be put in both on the field and in the classroom to be successful. And to graduate in four years is a great acommplishment that I’m very proud of.”

In regards to his conference nods, Morrill said “that’s a great honor.” 

“There are a lot of guys in this conference that are great ball players, and to be named among the best of them is an accomplishment that I’ve worked very hard for,” he continued. “Hard work gets you places, especially if you’re surrounded with people to push you to succeed. And that’s why I’m so thankful for my coaches and teammates. [This] wouldn’t have happened without them.”

Other Black Bears getting nods were Scott Heath for America East First Team and NEIBA DI All-New England Third Team, Justin Courtney to America East Second Team and America East All-Rookie Team and Logan Fullmer to the America East Second Team and the America East All-Academic Team. 

The Black Bears are presently playing in the America East Conference tournament and will play its opening contest today, May 21, against UMBC at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts. The second contest will be May 22 against either Stony Brook or Hartford. 

This story was originally published at 8:30 a.m. and was updated with quotes from Luke Morrill at 1:35 p.m.

Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.