WESTFORD, CHELMSFORD PLANNING TO RELOAD
Ayer-shirley another team looking to shine on diamond
Last spring’s baseball season was pretty special.
Westford Academy went undefeated in the regular season. Ayer-shirley advanced to the Division 5 semifinal and Lowell Catholic to the Division 4 Round of 8.
Despite the graduations of several special players, five Sun All-stars return led by Westford Academy pitcher Jake Cullen, who is committed to the University of Rhode Island. He was 5-1 with a 0.60 earned run average.
Chelmsford’s Matt Stuart will be the Lions’ No. 1 starter, while Billerica returns Nolan Dawson (6-3, 2.82 ERA). Nashoba Tech has Sean Barrett (4-1, 2.46), Jacob Torpey is back with Gr. Lowell and Ryan Wall returns for Tyngsboro.
Lowell returns veteran pitchers and should be much improved. Wilmington, behind junior Ayden Balter, is also a team to watch.
Alvirne
League: NHIAA Div. I
Last season: 4-14
Captains: Logan Casey, sr., p/ inf; Kyle Dufour, sr., ss
Returning letterwinners: Max Francisco, sr., 2b; Chase Mitchell, sr., 1b/p; Jayden Alvarez,
sr., p; Devin Smith, sr., p/of; Charlie Crawford, jr., cf; Antonio Vallante, jr., c/p; Craig Pedersen, jr., p/inf; Jameson Krueger, so., of/p.
Promising newcomers: Dylan Page, sr., p; Jaden Lewis, jr., inf; Jaxson Polleck, jr., of.; Logan
Orr, so., c/inf; Mikey Mcgowan, jr., inf; Brandon Ganas, so., inf.
Coach Colton Houle (1st season): “When you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain.”
Ayer-shirley
League: Mid-wach D
Last season: 17-6, Div. 5 semifinal
Captains: Tyler Crawford, sr., p/inf; James Churchill, sr., of; James Gauntlett, sr., inf; Bradley Marion, sr., of; Noah Hunt, sr., of/inf.
Returning letterwinners: Matt Marchand, jr., inf; Bobby Manchester, jr., inf; Tyler Cyr, so., p/of.
Promising newcomers: JT Bresnahan, jr., inf; Kenny Lewis, jr., inf/of; Troy Leighton, so., c; Dylan Gibbons, so., c/p; Anthony Carpentier, so., p/of; Emilio Mennesses, so. p/inf.
Coach Billy Wright: “We have great senior leadership. The seniors experienced the great run we went on last season and know what to expect. The hope for the season is to be competitive early and improve weekly and be playing our best baseball at the end of May.”
Billerica
League: MVC Div. 2 Last season: 12-11
Captains: Gus O’gara, sr., ss/c/of; Matheson Macleod, sr., 1b/c.
Returning letterwinners: Ryan Peters, sr., p/1b; Dan Viscione, jr., of; Drew Mello, jr., p/inf; Will Calzini, jr., c; Nate Boldebuck, jr., 1b/3b; Nolan Dawson, jr., p/inf; Ryan Nelson, jr., p/inf.
Promising newcomers: Cam Amenkowicz, so., p/ inf/of; Justin Poirier, jr., p/1b/of; John Taft, so., util; Jackson Buckland, fr., of/ inf.
Coach Joe Higgins (28th year): “In this group of players, there is a strong sense of character which will make my coaching experience a pleasure this season. In this competitive conference, I expect our team to be a strong contender for the Merrimack Valley Conference Division 2 title.”
Chelmsford
League: MVC Div. 1
Last season: 15-7, MVC 2 champions
Captains: Tyler Connors, sr., c/2b; Nate Michaud, sr., p/of; Grant Engelhardt, sr., of.
Returning letterwinners: Matthew Stuart, jr., p/1b; Finn Ramseyer, jr., p/1b; Jack Keyo, jr., 3b/of; Matthew Hall, jr., ss; Evan Kobrenski, jr., 2b; Michael Bierwirth, sr., p/of; Ben Branco, sr., of; Keegan Briere, so., 3b.
Promising newcomers: Zach Foley, jr. 1b/of; Matthew Wilson, jr., p; Will Morgan, jr., inf/of; Andrew Murray, jr., p/1b; John Latham, jr., of.
Coach Lou Distasi (5th season): “We have one of the toughest schedules in the state after moving up to MVC1 and loading up on non-league games. Our goal each season is to win as many MVC games as possible and put ourselves into the state tourney. We have many returners to our lineup and some power arms that can hopefully take on some of the big innings that we graduated last year.”
Dracut
League: MVC Div. 2
Last season: 5-15 Captains: Sal D’amico, sr., cf/p; Conor Mcmorrow, sr., rf/1b.
Returning letterwinners: James Cataldo, sr., 2b/cf; Jayden Guzman, jr., of; Joshua Bleau, so., p/ of; Brayden Cogan, so., 1b; Ryan Cole, so., 2b/p; Jason Fazio, so., 1b/3b; Riley Johnson, so., inf/p; Tommy Lane, so., of; Philip Marinucci, so., of; Brenden Modeslo, so., ss/c/p; Aiden Theriault, so., p/1b.
Promising newcomers:
Michael Desmarais, sr., 3b/p; Robert Truong, sr., inf; Colin Underwood, sr., 1b/p; Andrew Cafeteiro, fr., p/of; William Bucknell, fr., p/inf; Braydon Cheetham, fr., inf/c; Owen Conant, fr., c/p; Samuel Gallardo, fr., inf; Daniel Jacques, fr., 1b/p; Cameron Mowder, fr., of/p; Chad Vigeant, fr., c/of.
Coach Steve Talbot (10th season): “We have a lot of young guys in the mix. Inexperience will be an issue. However, these kids have worked in the offseason and got bigger, stronger and quicker. Kids are working hard and have some nice senior leadership. We are getting better every day and look to compete every game.”
Greater Lowell
League: CAC
Last season: 11-9 Returning letterwinners: Jake Torpey, sr., p/1b; Devin Rocheleau, sr., of; Dillon Pagliccia, sr., ss; Cam Shay, sr., 1b/c; Brendan Arseneault, jr., 3b; Nolan Stys, jr., 1b/c; AJ Baia , jr., c; Maddox Bonilla, jr., 2b/p; Kyle Jarek, jr., 2b/p; Logan Desruisseaux, jr., of/p; Jordan Chinappi, of/c.
Promising newcomers: Anthony Crowell, so., 1b/p; Aiden Campbell, sr., 2b; Logan Peterson, jr., of; Brady Kelleher, jr., 1b; Gryphon Morales, fr., c; Jorbel Santana, so., 3b.
Coach Dave Maclaughlan (41st season): “We have a number of returning starters from last year so we are an experienced group. We hope the players accept the challenge, make the commitment, work hard and have fun doing it.”
Groton-dunstable
League: Mid-wach B Last season: 8-11 Returning letterwinners: Graeme White, sr., 1b/3b; Alex Kelly, sr., p/3b; Chris Pincott, sr., p/1b/of; Andrew Raymond, jr., p/c/1b; Liam Richard, so., p/c/ss; Niko Mastakouras, sr., of/p; Jack Hickey, jr., of/p; Jonah Gaboriault, so., 2b/of.
Promising newcomers: John Bordes, fr., ss/c/p; Korbin Larsen, fr., of/p; Brian Niemi, fr., c/3b.
Coach Matt Leblanc (18th season): “We graduated 10 phenomenal young men last year. We have some work to do to make sure we carry on our culture and tradition. We still have a lot of moving pieces, but I believe we have some depth in pitching and will be solid defensively. Our goal is to win our league and qualify for the state tournament.”
Littleton
League: Mid-wach C Last season: 9-10 Captains: Ben Shufrin, sr., 2b/p; Andrew Milner, sr., 1b/3b.
Returning letterwinners: Denis Ryzi, sr., p/1b; Jayden Graf, jr., of/p; Alejandro Horton, jr., c; Tedi Hunt, jr., of; Jack Redmond , jr., p/3b; Mikey Shufrin , jr., p/ of; Jack Young, jr., ss.
Promising newcomers: Jason Juels, jr., of/p; Ben Manickam, jr., of; Jack West, so., 3b/1b.
Coach Alex Winkelmann (3rd season): “Our group of nine returning upperclassmen have all had significant experience at the varsity level since their freshman year. We expect our lineup to have competitive at-bats one through nine. Our pitching staff has been strong for the last two years and will continue to be strong with several returners who have all matured and developed as pitchers.”
Lowell
League: MVC Div. 1
Last season: 8-12 Captains: Jake Descheneaux, sr., inf/p; Evan Rivera, sr., inf/p; Cameron Durkin, sr., of.
Returning letterwinners: Rich Schribman, sr., p/1b; Mike Webber, sr., inf/p; Alex Wyman, sr., of; Jovani Ubri, jr., inf/p; Jack Soucy, jr., of; Kelvin Perez, so., p/of; Ned Akashian, so., c.
Promising newcomers: Chris Wyman, sr., p; Jack Gallagher, jr., p/inf; Jack Casey , jr., p; Angel Tineo, jr., of; Tim Schribman, so., p; Ben Durkin, so., inf; Collin Christiansen, fr., p/c; Josh Boucher, fr., p/util; Danny Gleason, fr., inf/p.
Coach Dan Graham (17th season): “We return a fair number of innings on the mound. We still lack overall experience at the varsity level. It’s a good group of kids. Our goal is to compete with teams in the MVC and qualify for a state tournament.”
Lowell Catholic
League: CAC
Last season: 14-9 Returning letterwinners: Aidan Virella, sr., ss; Brady Prindle, sr., c; Daniel Parent, sr., of; Sean Scott, sr., of; Brendan Owens, sr., p/ inf; Robert Shabouk, sr., of; Edouard Hall, sr., of; Seamus Scott, jr., p/inf; Zachary Gosselin, jr., inf.
Promising newcomers: Colin Robinson, jr., c/inf/ of; Sean Hines, so., p/inf/ of; Kellen Tessini, so., p/inf.
Coach Matt Stone: “The team is positive and working towards a common goal to compete for a CAC championship and qualify for the MIAA state tournament. We have solid senior leadership and return the majority of the lineup that went to the Elite 8 last year. I anticipate the experience from last year will have the team prepared for to compete again this year.”
Nashoba Tech
League: CAC
Last season: 8-11 Captains: Andrew Ferreria, sr., cf; Chase Blaisdell, jr., rf; Micah Wells, jr., c/2b; Jake Tonaszuck, sr., c.
Returning letterwinners: Shaun Barrett, jr., p; Shaun Driscoll, sr., 1b/p; Jayden Centauro, sr., 2b/c; Oliver Storlazzi, sr., ss/p.
Promising newcomers: Nate Galvin, so., 3b; Logan Bouchey, fr., of.
Coach Alex Bonaventura (1st season): “I’m walking into a good position this year, with a decent amount of returning players. I’m confident we will be competitive with any team we are up against. We have a good, tight-knit group. The guys are eager to get after it, that’s all you can ask for.”
North Middlesex
League: Mid-wach B Last season: 8-12 Returning letterwinners: Jackson Bailey, sr., p/1b; Cam Haley, sr., p/3b; Jackson Hendley, sr., 2b; Caden Kehoe, sr., c/1b/of; Kyle Lewis, sr., p/2b; Nathan Mclean, sr., 3b; Michael Reardon, sr., of; Ryan Arsenault, jr., p/3b; Cory Lynch, jr., of/1b; Brady Reardon, jr., p/ss; Jack Sappet, so., c.
Promising newcomers: Liam Bindoo, jr., 1b/c; John Kelley, jr., p/of; Nathan Mclean, sr., 3b; Owen Mossey, jr., ss; Noah Lake, so., of.
Coach Jim Beauregard (5th season, 30th total): “With a mix of returning starters, new players and very good pitching depth, we expect to compete for a district spot this season.”
Pelham
League: NHIAA Div. 2 Last season: 8-9 Captains: Justin Desmarais, sr., of; Henry Paquette, sr., p/ss.
Returning letterwinners: Kyle Hardy, sr., p/of; Nolan Drew, sr., p; Zach James, sr., 1b; Nick Muise, jr., 3b; Jake Davidson, so., of/ss; James Patchen, jr., c; Jack Sheehan, sr., of/1b; Christian Figueroa, s.r, of/2b; Jaythian Figueroa, jr., p/inf.
Promising newcomers: Kevin Hardy, so., p/of; Anthony Roman, p/inf; Kobe Berton, 3b/of.
Coach Scott Paquette (1st season): “We lost seven seniors from a playoff team last year but we have a deep pitching staff returning anchored by senior captain Henry Paquette, who missed nearly all of last year with a broken foot. We should be able to make a deep run in the playoffs this year with our depth in pitching and our strong defense.”
Shawsheen Tech
League: CAC Large
Last season: 17-4, league champs third straight year
Returning letterwinners: Matt Flynn, sr., p/1b; Evan Galanis, sr., of; Brody Amenkowicz, sr., 1b; Brendan Lee, sr., c/util; Lukas Poirier, jr., 2b/p; Robbie Welch, jr., c/util; Nate Galanis, jr., c/util; Dyllon Pratt, so., inf; Will Trach, so.. p/of.
Promising newcomers: Ryan Jamieson, jr., of; Will Holloway, jr., inf.
Coach Brian Mccarthy (12th season): “We had a good run the past three years, winning the league three straight seasons. We graduated a lot of talent, but still bring back a good core of players. They are a hungry group who love to compete. We have our work cut out for us this year to remain on top of the CAC, as both Lowell Catholic and Greater Lowell return veteran squads.”
Tewksbury
League: MVC Div. 2
Last season: 6-14 Captains: Ryan Baker, sr., of; Billy Burris, sr., inf/p; Matt Cooke, sr., of/p.
Returning letterwinners: Kyle Cummings, sr., of/p; Colby Flahive, sr., c; Cam Kearney, sr., of; Cam Kingston, jr., 3b; Phil Lombardi, jr., inf; Aiden Macdonald, sr., p; Noah Russo, sr., of; Zach Russo, jr., p/of.
Promising newcomers: Anthony Difranco, cr., c/1b; Joey Barletta, jr., 1b.
Coach Matt Feld (1st season): “We have great leadership this year highlighted by our three captains. I think we have a good mixture of talented players plus those who are willing to compete. The league is certainly a challenge across the board and we will have to play well consistently in order to give ourselves a chance. That said, I like the mixture of players we have.”
Tyngsboro
League: Mid-wach C Last season: 11-11 Captains: Ryan Wall, sr., p/1b; Connor St. Gelais, sr., p/inf; Tim Guilmette, sr., c/ of; Andrew Duarte, sr., ss/p.
Returning letterwinners: Owen Wheeler , sr., of; Christos Panagakis, sr., inf; Jake Hannes, jr., c/of; Ryan Manning, jr., of; Cole Latour, so., c/inf; Colby Wall, so., p/inf.
Promising newcomers: Trevor Croce, sr., inf; Aidan Richardson , jr., inf; Tommy Dunbar, fr., inf/p; Carter Vosburg, fr., of.
Coach Zach Richall (1st season): “This is a talented team that has seven seniors who are great kids. Our schedule is pretty challenging but it should help prepare the team for the state playoffs. The boys are excited for the games to start and to carry on the success that Ken Connerty had with Tyngsboro baseball for the
past 20 years.”
Westford Academy
League: DCL
Last season: 20-1 Captains: Nic Bonica, sr., p/inf; Jake Cullen, sr., p/of; Tyler Frazee, sr., inf; James Mcdermott, sr., c.
Returning letterwinners: Charlie Bonenfant, sr., inf/ of; Shane Clark, sr., of; Justin Davighi, sr., inf; Donny Metznik, sr., p/inf/of; Ryan Swinamer, sr., of; Tyler Eliason, jr., p/inf; Evan Pasters, jr., p/inf/of; Ryan Snow, jr., p/of.
Promising newcomers: Mason Bergeron, jr., p; Cooper Durgin, jr., inf/of; Andrew Fenelon, jr., inf/of; JJ Funaro, jr., p/inf; Lim Furey, jr., of; Connor Knoettner, jr., inf/of; Tommy Minchello, jr., inf; Tait Proos, jr., of; Nicolas Scarano, jr., c/of; Matt Strezegowski, jr., c/ inf/of; Ian Welsh, jr., c/ inf; Jack Bussey, so., inf; Kevin Fitzgerald, so., p/of; Leo Koutsokoukos, so., p/ inf/of; JJ Welsh, so., p/inf Aaron Hughes, fr., p/c/inf; Kyle Janowicz, fr., p/inf.
Coach Mike Parent (8th season): “We have a great group of seniors, led by our four captains who have a passion for the great game of baseball. We also have a nice mix of underclassmen who have followed the lead of our captains/senior class. Our pitching depth is a strength for us. We have guys who throw strikes and allow our defense to do the work. We expect to get better every day and with that good things will happen.”
Wilmington
League: Middlesex League Freedom
Last season: 8-12 Captain: Austin Harper, sr., p/of.
Returning letterwinners: Brian Banks, sr., 3b/p/of; Michael Dynan, sr., inf/p; Nolan Joyce, sr., of/1b; Noah Spencer, sr., inf/of; Eric Spinney, sr., ss/c/p; Connor Lovell, jr., p/of; Brennan Walsh, jr., 2b/of; Ayden Balter, jr., p/1b.
Promising newcomers: Jacob Doherty, sr., c; Andrew Almeda, jr., of; Kyle Gabaree, jr., p/3b; Joe Gronemeyer, jr., 1b; Ryan Gray, so., of; Will Poyant, so., 2b/p; Roman Synnott, so., p/inf; Noah Titterington, so., p/inf; Theo Bryson, fr., c/of.
Coach Matt Mcmanus (2nd season): “Our strength will once again be our pitching. I expect big things out of Austin and Ayden and our underclassmen have been very promising. This league is no joke, but I’d want it no other way. Strong competition from top to bottom. I expect us to make the tournament this year and make some noise if we can stay healthy.”