John Cochin, Jr., has been involved in sports in Sanford since 1946 as a player, coach and spectator. That means he has played against or coached some of the best athletes in York County. Cochin's endorsement of Andrew D. Adams for the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame adds significance to Adams’ outstanding career. "| coached Andy at Sanford High school! from his sophomore year in 1976 to his senior year in 1978," said Cochin. “Without a doubt, Andy is one of the best pitchers to ever don a Sanford High baseball uniform. And he has the record to prove it." allowing two years as a Little League Baseball All-Star and two years of junior high baseball, Adams pitched for the 1974 Maine State Babe Ruth champions.
At Sanford High School in 1975, Adams' record was 7-0 for the unbeaten (12-0) freshman team. That summer he pitched for the Maine State Babe Ruth finalists.
in 1976 Adams began his varsity career under Cochin. He again pitched Babe Ruth, leading his team to the Maine State championship. As a senior, led the Redskins to the Maine State Class A baseball championship. He concluded his career with a record of 17-5, was voted the team's most valuable player and was named a Telegram League All-Star.
‘It was in his senior year that Andy really caught the attention of baseball fans and coaches throughout the state,” said Cochin. "Despite missing a week of the season because of the flu, he compiled an 8-3 record and a 1.86 earned run average during the regular season. "He then completely dominated the 1978 playoffs, pitching and winning the Western Maine semi final against Brunswick on Tuesday, going 11 innings to defeat favored Portland High 3-2 in the Western Maine finals on Wednesday, then coming back three days later to pitch the Redskins to a 4-2 win over Oxford Hills for the State Class A championship.
“Winning three playoff games in the same week is a feat seldom seen in Maine schoolboy baseball history."
Following high school, Adams continued his baseball career at the University of New Hampshire. In four seasons of varsity competition, his record was 18-10. His honors for the Wildcats included Rookie of the Week, Player of the Week, and the All-New England team.
Adams' total of career wins is one short of the school record. It is one more than Rich Gale's total of 17. (Gale pitched for Kansas City, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Boston from 1978 to 1984.)
in 1980, Adams pitched for Sanford’s Portland Twilight League champions and was named most valuable player in the playoffs. In 1981, he pitched for the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1982, Adams pitched for Sarasota, Fla. in the Gulf Coast League, where he compiled a record of 5-2 with a 2.06 ERA In 48 innings.
A shoulder injury prevented him from continuing in professional baseball. Adams has remained active in baseball as a coach in Little League, junior high and Babe Ruth.
Now 33, Adams lives in the Sanford area. He is proprietor of R.J.'s Landing, a restaurant-lounge.
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