PN back to perform Super encore to ’16
Plymouth North made history last year by becoming the first non-Division 1 team to qualify for the Super Eight tournament.
Getting there again will be a challenge, but no one loves the challenge more than longtime coach Dwayne Follette. The Blue Eagles will look to Don Cohoon to anchor a pitching staff that also includes Curtis Bennett, Brian McLeod and Brendan Ferrell. Brian Kingsbury returns for another year at first base.
Div. 2 South champion Dighton-Rehoboth finally broke through in 2016 and wound up winning the state title. Pitcher Arthur Correia returns, along with catcher Dallas Nunes, first baseman Jacob Rogers, third baseman Andrew LeBlanc and outfielder Steve Silvia. Greater New Bedford Voke figures to push Dighton-Rehoboth in the South Coast Conference as pitcher Jared Methia is back along with third baseman Noah Rivera and shortstop Tyler Arruda.
For Falmouth, standout hurlers Nick Couhig and Jake Hartzler are back with catcher Gates Kelliher. Nauset returns pitcher Mike Doherty, shortstop Ronan Chisholm and third baseman Mac LaBarge, while Dylan DeBettencourt and catcher Noah Holland are the most experienced returnees for Sandwich.
Middleboro coach Bill Lawrence recently won his 300th game and should add quite a few more with outfielder Evan Gwozdz and pitcher Jason Bean back. Milton has two top-flight pitchers back in Sam Jacobsak and Andrew Steele, along with catcher Max Walker, while pitcher Chris McGrory and shortstop Jarrett Lee return for Medfield.
In Div. 2 North, North Andover has been on the cusp of a Super Eight berth the last two years and could be in the equation again. The pitching staff will be anchored by Anthony Sapienza, Sam Conte and Sebastian Keane. First baseman Trevor Ham, shortstop Jake McElroy, designated hitter Connor Morin and infielder Drew Finn figure to have prominent roles.
Defending sectional champion Danvers will look to pitcher Dean Borders, catcher Matt Andreas, first baseman Zach Dillon, second baseman Thomas Mento and outfielder Jordan DeDonato. Beverly should be strong again as third baseman Spencer Brown, catcher Luke Samperi, second baseman Tim McCarthy, shortstop Matt Collins and outfielder Matt Enos return. Keep an eye on Lynn Classical, which returns catcher Matt Lauria, pitcher Herbie Newton and outfielder Tyler Way.
The ever-competitive Middlesex League will be no different this year. Reading features ace Corey DiLoreto to go along with outfielders Joe Bradley and Connor Mulligan. Wakefield won 17 games last season and returns pitchers John Evangelista and Ben Coccoluto, third baseman Mike Guanci and shortstop Tim Hurley.
Belmont has catcher Cal Christofori back along with pitchers Nate Espelin and Max Meier, second baseman Noah Riley and outfielders Paul Ramsey, Connor Dacey and Ryan Goodwin. Burlington will be keyed by pitcher Justin Hurley and shortstop Drew Metzdorf.
Masconomet has a pair of returning Cape Ann League All-Stars back in shortstop Andrew Manni and outfielder Jack Seymour to go with pitchers John Slattery and Leon Hibbard, catcher Dylan Duval and third baseman David Hunter.