GORHAM, Maine — There is nothing Sam Dexter likes more than playing baseball. His passion for the game is reflected in a superb career at the University of Southern Maine.
The senior shortstop is the program’s career leader in numerous categories, including at-bats (789), hits (305), doubles (79), extra-base hits (107) and total bases (459).
Dexter, who will lead the Huskies (29-11) into Wednesday’s Little East Conference tournament opener against Eastern Connecticut in Boston, is 22 shy of the all-time Division III hits record (327) and needs three doubles to become the career leader.
“Great players make others better around them, and that’s really what he’s done. The culture of the team has kind of centered around Sam and the way he plays,” veteran USM head coach Ed Flaherty said.
Dexter, a three-sport star at Messalonskee High School in Oakland, anchors the infield at shortstop and usually bats second in the order. He ranks first on the team in hits (69), doubles (22), home runs (5), runs batted in (43), runs (51), walks (23) and stolen bases (19). He is second in batting average (.408).
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Dexter is the reigning ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com national player of the year and LEC player of the year. He was a first-team, All-American in 2015 and is a three-time, all-conference and All-New England selection.
Dexter tries not to get caught up in the hype.
“Records and accolades or whatever, they just come with coming in every day and playing hard, just competing with your teammates and trying to win,” he said.
Flaherty, in his 31st season directing the program, has coached USM to 940 victories and two national championships. He has produced 29 All-Americans and several pros.
He said Dexter’s accomplishments at USM have been unprecedented.
“When it’s all said and done, without a doubt to me — not putting anybody down because they’ve been great — he’s the best [ever] because he does it on both sides of the field,” Flaherty said.
Baseball in his blood
Dexter grew up immersed in baseball as the older son of Tom Dexter, the former baseball coach at Colby College in Waterville, where he is now the defensive coordinator for football.
Sam spent countless hours around the diamond with his younger brother Jake, who is a freshman second baseman at USM this year.
“Growing up around Colby and being able to see so many different games, just learning, watching, I think that’s helped a ton,” Sam said. “My dad’s been extremely influential on my career and Jake’s career as well. He’s extremely positive and never pushes us too hard.”
At Messalonskee, Sam not only won a Class A baseball state title and was a John Winkin Mr. Maine Baseball finalist as a senior in 2012 but was an all-state performer in hockey and football.
Sam Dexter credited his mother, Sarah, with helping him maintain a sense of perspective.
“I think she’s helped all of us keep a positive mindset through everything,” he said.
Division III detour
After his junior year at Messalonskee, it appeared as though Dexter might be taking his baseball talents to the University of Massachusetts.
He committed to the Minutemen, but ultimately did not meet Division I academic requirements. While that opened the door to several other opportunities, Dexter chose USM.
“You get a feeling when you come here and you meet [Flaherty] and you see the field and you meet some of the guys,” Dexter said. “It’s just a real positive atmosphere and it’s intense, at the same time, which I love.”
Dexter quickly fit into the system, where he focused on a single sport for the first time in his life.
“He’s a kid that is always looking to get better,” Flaherty said.
“He has never thought he knows it all, has always tried to find a better way,” he added.
Dexter debuted in 2013 as the LEC, ECAC Division III and D3baseball.com New England Rookie of the Year. He enjoyed a 22-game hitting streak.
He has continued to improve, maintaining a consistently high level of play.
A tough out
Dexter was the All-LEC first-team shortstop in 2014 and last season was honored as the league player of the year en route to All-America honors.
“He does a really good job controlling the strike zone. He hits for average, hits for power. He doesn’t strike out,” said 12th-year UMass Boston coach Brendan Eygabroat, who guided the Beacons to the 2016 LEC regular-season title.
“You kind of just hope he hits it at somebody,” he added.
Dexter also can run and has stolen 19 bases this spring. Flaherty said pitchers who try to work around him have discovered Dexter is willing to go after pitches out of the strike zone.
“He’s a fairly decent bad-ball hitter. You kind of have to be when you’re in his spot,” Flaherty said of opponents’ caution in pitching to Dexter.
He heads into the postseason as the active Division III career leader in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles and total bases and is second in games played.
Dexter seldom strikes out, having fanned only once every 13.6 at-bats in 190 games.
“He can handle a lot of pitches. I’ve never seen anyone overwhelm him with velocity,” said Aaron Izaryk, who coached Dexter the last two summers with the Sanford Mainers of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Dexter believes it is his willingness to put in the work and to stay in the moment that have enabled him to be successful.
“I try not to overthink too much,” he said. “I try to keep the game simple and just get a good pitch to hit and whack it.”
Flashing the leather
Dexter also turns heads with his defensive abilities. He has committed a career-low six errors in 38 games this season and owns a .971 fielding percentage.
“He’s a phenomenal offensive player, but he’s as special and as good defensively as he is offensively, and that’s something that you don’t normally see at the Division III level,” Eygabroat said.
Izaryk said Dexter has a special sense of timing and poise in the field.
“No matter how hard the ball’s hit, he always gets the runner by half a step,” Izaryk said.
“He knows where the ball’s supposed to go and Sam just plays under control and very seldom do you see him make a mental mistake,” he added.
Chasing a dream
With his senior season hanging in the balance, Dexter wasn’t anxious to discuss the potential for playing at the next level.
Flaherty, whose older son, Ryan, plays for the Baltimore Orioles, is convinced Dexter has the skills and drive to make it as a pro, still a rare feat for a Maine native.
“Sam does things [Ryan] doesn’t do,” offered Flaherty, who said New England scouts are tracking Dexter.
“I wouldn’t discount the fact that he can play at the major-league level at this point. But he needs a chance,” he added.
Dexter is keeping his focus on that which he can control in the short term. He is poised to earn a degree in history, with a minor in coaching.
“I try not to ever think about the future too much but, yeah, I’d definitely like to continue playing. If I got that opportunity, that would be great.”
Flaherty said that measured response is typical of the way Dexter has handled being the best player ever to wear the pinstripes at USM.
“[He] doesn’t like to be the center of attention, but you can’t help it,” Flaherty said. “When he plays, he’s the center of attention.”