Concord, New Hampshire, native played three seasons for baseball program
WCVB: "US Navy SEAL from New Hampshire dies in training exercise"
UNION LEADER: "U.S. Navy SEAL from NH remembered as kind man"
New Hampshire U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen Statement
New Hampshire U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte Statement
EASTON, Mass. (January 12, 2015) – The Stonehill College baseball and athletics communities are saddened by the sudden passing of Petty Officer 1st Class William "Blake" Marston, '07, during a training accident while serving the country as part of the United States Navy SEALs.
"I am saddened by the passing of Blake Marston and my thoughts and prayers are with his entire family, most notably his parents, Nancy and William, and sister, Emily, as well as his former teammates with the baseball program here at Stonehill," said Patrick Boen '89, head baseball coach at Stonehill. "Blake was a terrific teammate and role model for our baseball program. He was an extremely hard worker on the team and in the community. He was strong and athletic and looked forward to joining the Navy after his graduation.
"Blake was a player who always gave his best effort and had a tremendous work ethic. It did not surprise me that Blake joined the Navy SEALs because he was always an unselfish athlete and had his team's best interest at heart. He was a great leader and someone that we are very proud to have worn the Stonehill baseball uniform. Blake was certainly an inspiration to all of us and we are thankful for his time at Stonehill and service to our country."
Marston, a native of Concord, New Hampshire, served in the Navy for six years and completed his SEAL training in 2009. He was a member of the SEALs East Coast team stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and died Saturday during military parachute training in Florida.
Marston was a three-year letterwinner for the Stonehill baseball team who started 58 of 75 games played, including six appearances (one start) as a pitcher his senior year. He was a .288 career hitter (67-for-233) with 12 doubles, three triples and 26 RBI. He started 42 of 43 games played during his senior season and hit .311 with eight doubles, two triple and 18 RBI with 26 runs scored, while finishing with a 1.84 earned run average with 13 strikeouts and a save to go with a 2-1 record on the mound. Marston was a member of the 2005 team which reached the Northeast-10 Conference championship game. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice and studio art.
UPDATE (1/13): Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 16, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., at the Bennett Funeral Home,209 North Main Street, Concord, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Bedford Presbyterian Church, 4 Church Rd # 2, Bedford, NH.
