Windham graduate Bryce Afthim’s hard work spells success at the University of Southern Maine

By Matt Pascarella

Windham High 2019 graduate Bryce Afthim excelled on the mound as an Eagle and now a junior for the University of Southern Maine that success has followed him due to his commitment and hard work. Most recently, he earned USM baseball coach Ed Flaherty his 1,100th win when USM beat John Hopkins 8-3 on Sunday, March 19 in Auburndale, Florida.

Windham High graduate Bryce Afthim
winds before throwing a pitch during 
a preseason game in 2022 in Auburndale,
Florida at the Lake Myrtle Athletics
Complex, PHOTO BY SANDRA MINER 

A Business Analytics major, Afthim would like to go to a trade school and possibly start a business in an industry of his choice after college; he’ll be able to use what he’s learned through the Business Analytics program to run that business as best he can.

“As a teammate Bryce is all you could ask for,” said USM senior and first baseman Arlo Pike. “He is supportive and is a great leader. The attitude he brings to every practice is positive and that just improves the mood of everybody on the team. He just dominates the game unlike any pitcher I’ve played with. He isn’t afraid of a challenge and competes with every pitch.”

It was T-ball that was Afthim’s introduction to what would later become baseball. He remembers playing wiffleball with his neighbors when he was 5 years old.

As he got older, his parents encouraged his love of the game. He always loved pitching but wasn’t really set on only pitching until he reached college.

“It meant a lot that Bryce was able to win that game,” said Coach Flaherty. “He has been our go-to guy. Bryce is the leader of our pitching staff and one of the leaders of our team. He is one of the best pitchers in New England. Above all, as good as he is, he is a far finer person.”

During that game against John Hopkins, Afthim was unaware how close Coach Flaherty was to 1,100 wins and treated that day like a normal game. Afthim helped the Huskies surpass the nationally ranked Blue Jays. He allowed only 5 hits, 3 runs, a walk and struck out 8 batters.

“I’m never afraid on the mound,” said Afthim. “The moment you let up and show fear or frustration, the game is going to go bad fast. The key is to know yourself and don’t change a thing when it’s going good.”

According to Afthim, Coach Flaherty is one of the best coaches in the country and it felt great for him to play a part in securing Flaherty’s 1,100th win.

During his time at USM, Afthim has received several accolades including Little East Conference Co-Pitcher of the Week, American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III New England All-Region first team and was selected to the D3baseball.com New England All-Region third team.

While playing for the Sanford Mainers, he received the New England Collegiate Baseball League Robin Roberts Top Starting Pitcher Award in 2022 and was on the New England Collegiate Baseball League First Team.

Afthim said these accolades prove to him that he’s a good pitcher and needs to trust himself and what he has. However, it also makes him want to continue to improve; these awards reaffirm that there is always room to get better.

His advice to current high school athletes who want to play in college is lifting and training is the biggest way to improve. The work put in outside of practice will translate to the game.

“I have stuck with it because nothing makes me happier than going to the field on game day,” said Afthim. “That excitement has always stayed the same.”

When not on the field, Afthim likes to hang out with his teammates. He lives with a handful of them, and they have a good time together. <