05/07/202305/08/2023

Monday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 05/08/23

Today’s games are listed below.

Baseball
Canton, 5 @ Attleboro, 9 – Final – Attleboro’s offense kicked into gear early in the game, scoring three in the first, two in the second, three in the third, and one more in the fourth, to bounce back with a win over Canton. Matt Harvie had a big day at the dish, with three hits, a run scored, and three RBI. Brody McKenna also drove in three and had a triple, while Peter Delpozzo had two hits (including a triple), scored twice, and drove in one. Cooper Johnson drove in a pair and Joey Castro scored a pair for the Bombardiers. Jonny Pagano picked up the win, throwing five shutout innings with three strikeouts. Canton rallied late, scoring once in the sixth and four times in the seventh, but could only cut the lead to four. Kyle Redquest and Nick Gillis each drove in one and Matt Chafin (two walks and a hit-by-pitch) reached base three times and scored twice.

Foxboro, 2 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Foxboro sophomore Tommy Watts had his best start of the season and the Warriors pushed two runs across in the top of the sixth to earn an upset win on the road over the Tigers. Watts only allowed one hit and four walks, resulting in one unearned run in the fifth inning. He also struck out a pair in five innings of work. Sean O’Leary came in in the bottom of the sixth and allowed just one hit, striking out two in two scoreless innings for the save. Jared Spencer reached and advanced to third on an error to lead off the fifth and scored the first run of the game after Jesse Chaves brought him home on a fielder’s choice. Sophomore Mike Marcucella gunned a runner out at third and Watts got a fly ball to end the inning, and Foxboro cashed in on its momentum in the top half of the sixth. Tyler Prescott led off with a base hit and moved to third on a single from O’Leary. Louis Carangelo followed with an RBI bunt single and Ben Angelini smacked a single to center and the Warriors grabbed a 2-1 lead.

Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 7 – Final – Senior Ryan Gerety led off the bottom of the first inning and the Panthers never looked back in a “Senior Night” victory over the visiting Black Knights. Gerety finished 3-for-3, adding a double, a walk, and two runs while senior Jase Lyons added two hits, two runs, and an RBI in the win. Senior Derek Terlwilling went 2-for-2 with an RBI, senior Luke Sidwell had a hit and a run scored, senior Koen Bonetti added an RBI and a run scored, and senior Evan Cournoyer had a single in the win. Junior Henry Digiorgio went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, and a run scored. Junior Matt Miller earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings, scattering three hits and a walk, striking out five. Seniors Zach Ramaswamy, Dillon Cashin, and Eisig Chin combined for three innings in relief and five strikeouts. Hunter Malkin went 2-for-3 for Stoughton while Sean Farley tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, striking out two.

Mansfield, 9 @ King Philip, 7 – Final – Brendan Sencaj’s solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning put the Warriors ahead with just three outs left but Mansfield rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to stun KP. The teams went back-and-forth all game, tied 3-3 after three, KP up 5-3 after four, and then tied again 6-6 after five after the Hornets plated three runs in the inning; Sencaj led off the bottom of the sixth with a homer to make it 7-6. Mansfield loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh as Wyatt Bolduc singled and Drew Urban and Connor Curtis drew back-to-back walks. Aiden Jones brought Bolduc home with a sacrifice fly to make it 7-7. In just his second game back from injury, Mansfield senior Connor Zukowski recorded his first hit of the season to bring in two runs and hand the Hornets a 9-7 lead. KP got the tying run on base after Tommy McLeish (two hits, two runs, one RBI) led off with a single, and Sencaj (three hits, two RBI, run) had a two-out single, bringing the winning run to the plate but Matt DeShiro (2IP, 1ER, 5H,) induced a ground ball for the final out. Jake Maydak had a team-high three hits for the Hornets while Sam Martin (two RBI, run), DeShiro (home run, three RBI, run), and Bolduc each had a pair of hits. Aiden Astorino went 3-for-4 with two runs for the Warriors, and Matt Kelley (RBI, run) and Tommy Martorano (run) added two hits for KP.

Oliver Ames, 2 @ Milford, 11 – Final – Milford scored in every inning except the third, and Anthony LaPierre had another strong outing on the mound to help the Hawks land a crossover win over the visiting Tigers. Keith Lee (RBI) and Joey McGee (RBI, two runs) each had a pair of hits while seven other Hawks recorded one hit: Nick Koch (RBI, two runs), Damien Carter (triple, three runs), Evan Cornelius (RBI, run), Sean McGee (RBI, run), Ian Carter (run), and Brady Butler (run). LaPierre allowed two runs (one earned) while scattering six hits and two walks, striking out seven in six innings to get the win while Tyler Caldon tossed a scoreless inning in relief. Ryan Lemay and Jack Perron each had an RBI for OA.

Sharon, 1 @ North Attleboro, 7 – Final – North Attleboro senior Derek Maceda shined on the mound and the Rocketeers came through with some late insurance offense to land a 7-1 victory over Sharon. Maceda gave up just a pair of hits (an RBI single in the second, and a one-out single in the third) and five walks for one run, striking out eight in six innings; Gio Martello struck out the side in the top of the seventh for a scoreless inning of relief. Offensively, Dillon Harding went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and Jordan Paradis (run), Nate Kelly (two RBI), Ayden Delaney (RBI), Adam Racine (RBI), and Chris Hanewich, each had a hit. Cole Arundale and Soham Kulkarni (RBI) each had a hit for the Eagles; Zach Loomis tossed a scoreless inning in relief for the Eagles.

Softball
Attleboro @ Canton, 6:00

Taunton, 24 @ Foxboro, 0 – Final (5 Inn.) – Taunton eighth-grader Bella Bourque went 4-for-5 and connected for her first career home run to lead the Tigers to a big win. Bourque also had a pair of doubles and a pair of triples in a terrific showing, driving in five runs and scoring four times. Sophomore Brooke Aldrich added a double and three RBI in the win. Sophomore Cate Larson picked up the win, striking out eight in five scoreless innings.

Franklin, 10 @ Stoughton, 6 – Final – The Panthers overcame a four-run deficit as its offense roared to life late to earn a key win over Stoughton. The Black Knights pushed five runs across the plate in the bottom of the third to make it 5-1 but Franklin answered with six runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to secure a win on the road. Carly Johnson-Pellegri went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored and Sarah Boozang went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, and three runs to lead the way offensively. Reece Allen chipped in with a pair of hits and a pair of RBI in the win. Freshman Sophia Sacramone came in and just the door for the Panthers, tossing two scoreless innings in relief with no hits or walks allowed and five strikeouts. Jill Powers (run), Anna Hobbs (two hits, two runs), and Alyssa Edwards each had two RBI for the Black Knights while Julia Monaghan had two hits and a run scored.

King Philip, 15 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final (5 inn.) – King Philip pounded out 14 hits and did most of its damage between the third, fourth, and fifth innings in a win on the road at Mansfield. Libby Walsh went 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs to lead the way while Charlotte Griffin (RBI, run), Maddie Paschke (RBI, run), and Taylor Regan (RBI) each had two hits. Freshman Ali Gill added a home run in the win. Jordan Bennett earned the win in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks, fanning 11 batters in five innings of work. Molly Kucharski had a triple and scored on an RBI from Jill Koppy, and Liv Madeira came home to score on a squeeze from Molly Crowley.

Milford, 14 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – Milford came out of the gate swinging, plating five runs in the first and six more in the second on its way to a win on the road at Oliver Ames. Junior Camille Bonina had a huge day at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored; the junior launched a three-run homer in the first inning and added an RBI double in the second. Maeve Driscoll (one run) and Jianna Fernandes (RBI, three runs) each had two hits for the Hawks. Maddie Homer (RBI, run) and Katie Melendy (RBI, run) each had two hits for the Tigers while Caitlin Miller recorded two RBI.

North Attleboro, 13 @ Sharon, 0 – Final (5 Inn.) – Kelly Colleran was perfect through five innings, retiring 12 of the 15 batters she faced by strikeout, as North earned its second consecutive shutout. Colleran also added two hits and two runs scored. Arianna McDavitt, Grace Forman, and Maddie Bailey also had two hits apiece. Forman scored three times and Bailey drove in three. Julia Forman also had a hit and three runs scored, and Emma Hanwell and Maryellen Charette both had hits and RBI. Grace Simmons had a hit and scored a run for North.

Boys Lacrosse
Attleboro, 6 @ King Philip, 14 – Final – King Philip had four players register five or more points and James Boldy was once again solid in net as the Warriors knocked off visiting Attleboro. Donovan DeVellis’ eight points (six goals, two assists) highlighted KP’s attack while Noah Minkwitz (five goals, one assist) had six points, and both Mason Thompson (two goals, three assists) and Tommy Kilroy (five assists) had five points. Hayden Schmitz scored once, Cullen McCarthy chipped in with one helper, and Boldy finished with 13 saves and one assist in the win.

Canton, 11 @ Sharon, 9 – Final – Canton erased an early deficit to take the lead by halftime and held on throughout the second half to snap a brief two-game skid with a key 11-9 win over Davenport division rival Sharon. The Eagles led 3-2 after the first quarter but the Bulldogs bounced back in the second to stake a 7-5 advantage by the break. Michael Thomas (four goals), Jeff Chaput (four goals), and Brendan Tourgee (three goals) led the way offensively for the visitors and Pat Drury made 10 saves in net in the win.

Foxboro, 3 @ Franklin, 18 – Final – Franklin exploded for 13 goals in the second quarter and never looked back in a win over visiting Foxboro. The Panthers held a 2-0 lead after the first quarter but caught fire in the second and staked a 15-1 lead by halftime. Luke Davis scored all five of his goals in the first half and finished with eight points, Tyler Sacchetti (three assists) and Ravin Chaudhury (one assist) each netted a hat trick, and Jayden Consigli finished with one goal and three helpers. Conor Noone, Jon Sacchetti, and Tony Sulham each scored once for Foxboro.

Mansfield, 13 @ Oliver Ames, 5 – Final – Mansfield’s defensive group came through with a solid performance to hold OA to just five goals and maintain the Hornets’ lead at the top of the Davenport division. Nolan Bordieri, Thomas Gormley, Ben Hoopis, Liam Barry, and James DeGirolamo all had strong games for the Mansfield D. The attack was balanced for the Hornets with Tommy Smith (two assists) and Drew Sacco (one assist) each scoring hat tricks. Freshman Andrew DeGirolamo had six points (two goals and four assists), while classmate Tommy Vallett and senior Grady Sullivan each scored twice. Cody Gordon added a goal and Nico Smith had three assists and a strong game on face-offs. Ryan DeGirolamo had 14 saves in the win.

Taunton, 3 @ Milford, 15 – Final – Milford dominated the second half to pull away from visiting Taunton for a 15-3 win. The Tigers kept it close in the first half and trailing just 6-3 at the break but it was all Scarlet Hawks in the second half. Jacob Ligor and Eric Farrell led the way for the hosts with five goals apiece.

Girls Lacrosse
King Philip, 16 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – King Philip erupted for nine goals by halftime and pitched a second half shutout in a win on the road. Emily Campbell made three saves for the shutout while Lauren Obara had a terrific game defensively, grabbing five ground balls. Makenzie McDevitt had seven points to lead the way, Nikki McDonald recorded five points, and Alyssa Legere, Sammy Cloutier, Abby MacDonald, and Kelly Holmes all added three points in the win. Addison Papagolos scored for the Bombardiers on an assist from Makenah Stokes.

Sharon, 5 @ Canton, 17 – Final – Buoyed by nine different goal scorers, Canton rolled to a big win at home over Davenport division foe Sharon. Emily McCabe led the charge offensively for the Bulldogs, finding the back of the net five times along with two assists. Sally Hoban and Nora Giannacopoulos each had a hat trick in the win, Devan Spinale chipped in with a pair of goals and Ashley Balunas made seven saves in net. Sharon freshman goalie Emily Coenen made eight saves, including her 100th of the season.

Franklin, 16 @ Foxboro, 6 – Final

Oliver Ames, 12 @ Mansfield, 14 – Final – Ava Adams scored four times and Caitlyn Zajac made nine saves to help the Hornets pull out the division win. Lola Varricchione scored a hat trick, while Ella Palanza and Brooke Butler each scored twice and dished out an assist. Rose Maher and Stella Moore each had a goal and an assist, Tessa Johnson found the back of the net once, and Keira Fitzpatrick dished out one helper for the Hornets.

Milford, 12 @ Taunton, 6 – Final – Locked in a one-goal game at halftime, Milford dominated the second half to record its third straight road win with a 12-6 decision over Taunton. A back-and-forth first half saw the Scarlet Hawks take a tight 5-4 advantage into halftime but the visitors went on to score five consecutive goals to start the second half and never looked back. Sophomore TJ Downing netted a career-high five goals to lead the charge offensively for Milford while Carley Haley added three goals and three assists, Emily Croteau chipped in with a hat trick and two assists, and Erin Michelson finished with three points (one goal, two assists). Alexa Landry, Jordan Douglas, and Yas Martinez each added an assist while Caitlyn Bangert turned away six shots in the second half. Raquel Azevedo paced Taunton with a hat trick, and Caroline Vallarelli, Talia O’Leary, and Maddi Szala (three assists) each had one goal. Mel Jesus had a big game in net with 21 saves.

Stoughton, 11 @ North Attleboro, 17 – Final – For Stoughton, Morgan Groppi led the charge with nine goals and two draw controls. Amanda Reid (four draw controls) and Casey Groppi (three draw controls) each added a goal for the Black Knights, Nicole Reid had one assist and three draw controls, and Jordan Coleman made three saves in net.

Boys Tennis
Attleboro, 3 @ Canton, 2 – Final – Behind a pair of straight-set victories in doubles action and one in singles play, Attleboro returned home from Canton with a 3-2 decision. Tyler Rocchio only lost one game in an impressive 6-1, 6-0 win at second singles for the Bombardiers. The first doubles team of Brady Rosen and Luke Hinton secured a 6-4, 6-4 win while Clay Tyler and Noam Cook earned a 6-2, 6-3 win at second doubles for Attleboro. Canton junior Max Kupferman earned yet another impressive win at first singles (6-1, 6-1) while Justin Ngan prevailed in a tough third singles match (7-6 (1), 6-2).

Taunton, 0 @ Foxboro, 5 – Final – Foxboro took super tiebreaker wins at second singles and first doubles to complete a 5-0 sweep at home over visiting Taunton. Raj Jetty (6-0, 6-1), Luca Meyer, (4-6, 6-0, 12-10), and Ryan Fossella (6-2, 6-1) earned the singles sweep for the Warriors while the teams of Hajji Glover and Evan Paluzzi (2-6, 6-4, 11-9) and Vizruth Chavalam and Greg Simone (6-2, 6-1) won at first and second doubles, respectively.

Franklin, 4 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final

King Philip, 2 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield took two wins from singles and prevailed in three sets at first doubles to edge visiting King Philip, 3-2. Neema Khosravani only dropped two games in a 6-1, 6-1 victory at first singles while Nikhil Nain rallied from a one-set deficit to take a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 win at second singles for the Hornets. The team of Jacob Weiner and Josh Weiner emerged victorious in a well-played, tight contest at first doubles (6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-3) to clinch the win. KP picked up wins from Arjun Kollu at third singles (6-1, 6-4) and the team of Leo Manning and Ashrith Epuri (5-7, 6-4, 6-3).

Milford, 0 @ Oliver Ames, 5 – Final

North Attleboro, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final – Sharon took all five matches in straight sets, defending home court against the visiting Rocketeers. Junior Matthew Lally shined at second singles, winning in straight sets without dropping a game (6-0, 6-0) while sophomores Jacob Slavsky (7-5, 6-0) and Alex Budovalcev (6-1, 6-3) took wins at first and third singles, respectively. The Eagles also swept doubles action with the first doubles team of Sava Kassev and Hyojae Park taking a 7-5, 6-1 win, and the second doubles pairing of Kevin Li and Joel Zwicker landing a 6-0, 6-1 decision.

Girls Tennis
Canton, 3 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – Canton’s Camila Cutter and Olivia Durham both overcame one-set deficits and emerged victorious in three sets to help the Bulldogs grab a close win on the road at Attleboro. Cutter dropped the first set 1-6 but rallied back to win two in a row to get the first singles victory (1-6, 6-3, 6-0) while Durham dropped the first set in a tiebreaker but bounced back to win two in a row (6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1) at second singles. Canton’s first win came from the first doubles tandem of Kelli Woodworth and Grace Powers (6-2, 6-2). Attleboro’s Aarna Sodhani secured a 6-1, 7-5 win at third singles and the Bombardiers all-sophomore second doubles team of Julia Leonardo and Katie Lortos took a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win decision.

Foxboro, 3 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – Foxboro’s Hailey Kornbluth rolled at first singles and the Warriors swept doubles action to take a 3-2 verdict over host Taunton. Kornbluth didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 victory at first singles, the first doubles team of Audrey Paolino and Analise Tia emerged in a three-set thriller (6-4, 4-6, 6-3), and Sydney Lebow and Katelyn Dineen rallied from a one-set deficit for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at second doubles. Taunton juniors Ava Alves (6-4, 6-1) and Morgan Smith (6-1, 7-5) took wins at second and third singles, respectively.

Stoughton, 1 @ Franklin, 4 – Final – Franklin won in straight sets at third singles and first doubles and took two more wins in three sets to secure a win over the visiting Black Knight. Brooke Taylor didn’t lose a game in the first set and went on to win 6-0, 6-4 at third singles, and the sophomore tandem of Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen didn’t drop a single game in a 6-0, 6-0 blanking at first doubles. Junior Chloe Essam overcame a one-set deficit at second singles to earn a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win while seniors Allison Bagley and Kelsey Maguire emerged from the second doubles match with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 win. Stoughton junior Ally Lada added another impressive win, taking a 6-4, 7-5 win at first singles.

Mansfield, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – KP won at first and second singles and swept the doubles to earn its third straight victory and remain in the hunt for the league title. Ahunna James (6-1, 6-0) and Shea Mellman (6-0, 6-0) made quick work of the first two singles matches, dropping just one game between them. Carlie Burns and Priya Riar took the win at first doubles 6-4, 7-6, while Lauren Casper and Jaelyn Dang took second doubles 6-4, 6-4. Jillian Hanley grabbed the lone point for the Hornets with a 6-0, 7-6 win at third singles.

Oliver Ames, 4 @ Milford, 1 – Final – Hannah Farber and Stella Zachos each won in singles action and the Tigers swept both doubles matches in a road win at Milford. Farber only dropped two games in a 6-1, 6-1 win at first singles and Zachos added a 6-3, 6-0 win at third singles for OA. The team of Ava Barth and Emily Beaulieu prevailed in a competitive first doubles match (6-4, 6-3), and OA’s second doubles pairing of Marina Mierzwinski and Ella Mierzwinski overcame a tiebreaker loss in the first set for a 6-7 (6), 6-4, 10-7 win. Milford’s Kaylee Whitney rallied for a 1-6, 7-5, 10-8 win at second singles.

Sharon, 3 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – In a great battle from all five matches, Sharon edged out North Attleboro on the road with a 3-2 verdict. The Eagles swept doubles with Abby Vilk and Jenny Sand taking a 7-6, 6-0 win at first doubles and the team of Sophia Oh and Olivia Landstein securing a 6-4, 7-5 victory at second doubles. Navya Shukla earned Sharon’s lone singles win, emerging with a 7-5, 6-4 win in a competitive second singles match. North Attleboro junior Lauren Hunt bounced back from dropping the first set to take first singles in a super tiebreaker (6-7 (5), 6-1, 10-8) and Grace Noreck picked up a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 win at third singles for North.

Boys Volleyball
King Philip @ Bellingham, 6:00

Milford @ Nipmuc, 5:00

Taunton, 1 @ North Quincy, 3 – Final – Taunton kept the match alive with a win in the third set but dropped a close fourth set to fall 3-1 on the road at North Quincy (22-25, 15-25, 25-21, 23-25). Matt Freitas continued to play well at the net (16 kills, two aces) while Bradley Hylander was once again strong defensively for the Tigers with 15 digs. Daniel Freitas notched 19 assists, Ty Ekstrom had 12 assists, Antonios Dimakis chipped in with five kills and five blocks, and Al Morisseau added three kills and six blocks for Taunton.

04/02/202304/04/2023

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Attleboro

2022 Record: 5-15
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Steve Dunlea
Attleboro returns a strong core from last year and will be aiming to make some noise in one of the toughest divisions in the state. The Bombardiers had three one-run losses last year and two more in extra innings, and despite their record, just missed out on the state tournament. A big reason for that is the challenges they face throughout the season as the Kelley-Rex division last year featured both Division 1 state finalists (Franklin and Taunton), the Division 2 state finalist (KP), plus Mansfield, who reached the Division 2 final four.

The Bombardiers boast a lot of returning players up and down the lineup, and on the mound as well. Although it’s a young rotation, Attleboro has some talented arms that picked up some invaluable experience a year ago. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Dunlea (3-3, 2.74) will anchor the rotation a year removed from striking out 23 batters in 23 innings of work as a freshman. Junior Jonny Pagano is another righty that gained key experience last year and senior Sean O’Hara will be a veteran presence in the rotation. Senior Owen Lombardo, juniors Matt Harvie, Braxton Levin, Tyson Forte, and freshman Ryan Landry are all in the mix to get some innings in relief.

Offense will be an area that Attleboro will look to improve on as they go against some of the best pitchers in the area. Senior Danny Johnson is in his third year as a varsity starter and will lead a talented outfielder group that features Harvie and classmate Brody McKenna. Seniors Casey Victorio and Ran Martin, along with junior Jackson Huntington, will look to provide an offensive punch as well. Senior captains Peter Delpozzo and Cooper Johnson (0.364 average last year) are back in the fold and will lead by example both offensively and defensively for head coach Steve Dunlea. Pagano, junior Andrew Gorman, and sophomore Jacob Bettencourt are all battling for time in the infield as well. Aiden Hochwarter resumes his role as the starting catcher for the Bombardiers.

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

“I am very excited about this year’s team,” said Attleboro head coach Steve Dunlea. “We have excellent leadership in our three captains. Our pitching and defense will continue to be a strength for us. We also have a great mix of returning starters and new players on offense. These guys are well aware that we play in arguably the toughest division in Massachusetts and you have to be ready to compete every day.”

Canton

2022 Record: 9-12
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32
Coach: David Walsh
Canton has a new head coach in David Walsh but the goals remain the same as the Bulldogs will be aiming to return to the state tournament again this year. With a talented core back in the fold from last year’s team, not only will the Bulldogs be in the mix to make the playoffs, they could contend for the Davenport division title.

The lineup will feature a lot of familiar faces from last year that is anchored by a seasoned senior class. Shortstop Matt Chafin is among the best players in the league and is committed to play at the next level at Brandies. He will be joined in the lineup by Jack Digirolamo, one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. Digirolamo led the team in average last season with a 0.446 batting average (29 hits), which was good for fourth in the entire league while Chafin finished at 0.350 with 16 runs scored. Senior Hayden Rose (Framingham State) is another familiar name that will play a lot of innings for the Bulldogs, coming off a season in which he hit 0.328 with a team-high 17 RBI.

Rose will anchor a pitching staff that will need to fill some holes this year. Rose was among the league leaders in terms of innings pitched last year, coming in second in the regular season in the Hock with 43.2 innings of working. He posted a 4-4 record with a 2.89 ERA, striking out 28. Andrew Butler and Zach Peters combined for over 50 innings last year but with both players graduated, there will be an opportunity for new faces to step up for Walsh. While the Bulldogs get the rotation set, Walsh is preaching fundamentals and having the team pride themselves on good defense.

“This will be a fundamentally sound group who is gritty, tough, and are not afraid of the everyday grind,” Walsh said. “We will rely on our pitchers to throw strikes, defense to be routine, and situationally hit. If we are able to do all three in each game we will be very competitive.”

Foxboro

2022 Record: 16-8
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Final Four
Coach: Derek Suess
Foxboro was one of the feel-good stories last season as the Warriors made a dramatic tournament run to the state semifinals before falling to eventual state champ Austin Prep. While the Warriors are strictly focusing on the road ahead, last season set a new standard for Foxboro.

There is a lot of optimism that the Warriors can pick up where they left off because they have almost their entire roster back for 2023. Last year’s squad had a lot of young and inexperienced players that matured quickly throughout the year. Foxboro won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year as they start the season as a serious contender for the Davenport division title. On the mound, Foxboro has six players back that tossed varsity innings including their top three: senior Sean O’Leary (UMass Lowell), senior Mat Sullivan, and sophomore Nolan Gordon. Senior Alex Stern and sophomores Danny Jacobs and Tommy Watts are also back in the fold and the Warriors have added junior Pradyu Gubbala and sophomore Ryan O’Leary to the mix. Ryan LeClair, a veteran in the group, could also see time on the mound this year.

Sophomore Mike Marcucella returns behind the dish after earning the starting role as a freshman last year. LeClair (Stonehill) returns to shortstop and is one of the best defensive players in the region and he’s complemented by Sean O’Leary, who will play third when he isn’t pitching. On the right side, junior Tyler Prescott will man second base and he will also be counted upon to set the table for the offense out of the leadoff spot. Ryan O’Leary will take over at first base this season. Stern, Sullivan, and Watts will add infield depth when not on the mound.

The outfield will also have a lot of familiar faces with veteran Louis Carangelo back in left field after a breakout junior season. Carangelo was one of the most consistent offensive players in the Hock, hitting 0.333 with 16 RBI. Sophomore Ben Angelini has had a strong preseason so far and will patrol center for the Warriors while junior Shane Henri will be in right field. Senior Kenny Mello was a solid contributor for Foxboro last year but will miss the season with an injury. Freshman Aidan Stow and Gordon will provide outfield depth.

“Despite last season’s success, this season provides new opportunities and challenges for our ballclub,” said Foxboro head coach Derek Suess. “We will be battle-tested, with an always difficult Hockomock League schedule, and a strong non-league slate as well. We need to compete each day, at a championship-level standard, to give ourselves the best opportunity to reach the goals we have set for the season. Our leadership and culture have never been stronger.”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Franklin

2022 Record: 23-4
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Final (Kelley-Rex champion)
Coach: Zach Brown
Although Franklin has won three straight Kelley-Rex division titles, there is still plenty of motivation for these Panthers.

The Panthers are coming off a tough one-run loss in the Division 1 state championship to rival Taunton, but with a strong core returning it looks like Franklin will once again be among the top powerhouses in the state this year. One obvious strength will be the offense with five players back in the lineup from last year’s squad. Not only is it an experienced group (multiple players entering their third year starting), but it’s an incredibly talented one that features senior Ryan Gerety (Northeastern), senior Jase Lyons, senior Eisig Chin (Stonehill), senior Ben Jarosz, and junior Henry Digiorgio (Northeastern). Gerety and Chin will return to their spots in the outfield while Lyons (1B), Jarosz (3B), and Digiorgio (SS) are all back in the infield. Seniors Tyler Bellan, Luke Sidwell, and Ethan DePaolo also provide some experienced depth and newcomers Rex Cinelli, Ryan Carlucci, and Koen Bonetti will all try to contribute for head coach Zach Brown.

Pitching will be another strength with senior righty Alfred Mucciarone (UMass Lowell) back after going 5-1 during the regular season last year, posting a 2.33 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 42 innings. His experience gives the Panthers an ace to rely on as they navigate a difficult schedule. Junior lefty Austin Campbell could be the next breakout star for Franklin after some impressive outings last year, and juniors Jake Shaughnessy (LHP) and Matt Miller (RHP) fill out a strong core of pitchers. Both Chin and Lyons will also be in the mix while senior newcomers Dillon Cashin and Zach Ramaswamy are prepared to come on in relief when needed.

“We are returning a strong senior class and veteran core,” Brown said. “We are excited about how hard this group has been preparing for the upcoming season. The seniors have provided great leadership during the preseason and scrimmages.”

King Philip

2022 Record: 16-9
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final
Coach: Jeff Plympton, Jr.
King Philip is another squad that is coming off a tremendous season (a trend among most Hock teams) as they reached the Division 2 state championship, falling to Milton. The Warriors are also following another trend in the league as they have the majority of their lineup back in the mix this season as they look to challenge for the Kelley-Rex division title in a loaded field.

The Warriors have a strong pitching staff in the league, highlighted by senior Rudy Gately. Gately has been KP’s ace for the past two seasons and will resume that role again this year. During the regular season, he tossed 39 innings and struck out 37, posting a 3.41 ERA. He will be joined by lefty Tommy Martorano, who missed virtually all of last year with an injury. Junior Tommy McLeish emerged as a reliable option in relief last year, striking out 22 batters in 20.2 innings and he should be in line for an expanded role this year.

Offensively the Warriors will have a big void with the graduation of Shawn Legere, one of the best hitters in the state. But head coach Jeff Plympton Jr. has plenty of options to work with, including senior Brendan Sencaj, who is coming off a terrific season in which he hit 0.371 with 15 RBI and 21 runs scored. Gately, a middle infielder, is a strong two-way player that hit 0.344 last year with 16 RBI and senior Matt Kelley is a great all-around player that will make the switch to center field this season, and another weapon in the lineup. Junior Max Robison is coming off a breakout campaign (0.359 average) and is one of the best defensive first basemen in the Hock.

“We are excited to be bringing back a great core of guys from our team last year,” Plympton Jr. said. “We’re hoping to build off of our success last season and continue to build a winning culture. We will have a lot of new arms in the rotation and a few very good returning arms from last year.”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Mansfield

2022 Record: 17-8
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Four
Coach: Chris Hall
Mansfield lost some key contributors from a sizable graduating senior class that led the Hornets to the Division 2 Final Four a year ago, but the cupboard is far from empty for head coach Chris Hall.

The most experience back on the team comes on the offensive end with some key bats back in the lineup. Senior captains Sam Martin and Conner Zukowski look to man the left side of the infield while returning starters Matt DeShiro and Jake Maydak — both juniors — will hold down the right side. Zukowski had a great season at the dish, hitting 0.344 during the regular season with 15 runs scored while DeShiro had a breakout sophomore campaign, leading the Hornets in batting average with a 0.373 average and a team-high 25 hits, driving in 13 runs as well. Defensive wiz and captain Aidan Jones returns as the starting catcher for the squad.

There is a lot of competition in the outfield right now including junior Brian Butler, another returner from last year. Seniors Kyle Marnikovic and Will Lund are also in the mix along with juniors Wyatt Bolduc, Connor Curtis, Drew Urban, Dylan Saraceno, Anthony Saraiva, and Joey MacIntyre. Juniors Matt Tryon and Derek McGrath are versatile pieces that will bring some power to the lineup.

Mansfield lost its top three starters from a year ago in Jimmy Gilleran, Aaron Blinn, and Anthony Sacchetti, who combined to pitch over 100 innings during the regular season. Hall will turn to junior Connor Curtis, who didn’t allow an earned run in 16 innings of work in the regular season last year, recording three saves with 19 strikeouts. Maydak is also in the mix for an expanded role on the staff along with juniors Yuv Sakhalkar and Ryan Jeans, and sophomore Luke Rogan. Senior Nate Thibault will chip in as a reliever.

“Most teams who play in the Hockomock League have a chance to make a run at a state championship due to the competition you face every single game in the regular season,” Hall said. “I believe the makeup of our roster puts us in that conversation this year. This year’s team is a tight-knit, cohesive group that battles with one another at practice. They thrive off competition and work together to do whatever they can to best benefit the program. We are excited for the season and look forward to the challenges presented to us.”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Milford

2022 Record: 7-13
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Alex Dion
Similar to Attleboro, the Scarlet Hawks were a victim of playing in a division that had three teams reach a state championship game and another reach the final four. With another year of experience, Milford will look to challenge those top teams and make a push for the postseason.

The roster features a lot of familiar names that are either in their third or second year in the lineup and head coach Alex Dion is hoping that experience will lead to competing with some of the state’s best teams. The pitching staff starts with three-year starter and right-handed pitcher Evan Cornelius. A top two-way play and multi-sport athlete, Cornelius leads by example both on and off the field for the Scarlet Hawks. He went 4-2 last year with a 2.31 ERA, ranking among the league leader with 48 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work. Junior righty Damien Carter is also in his third year while senior Tyler Caldon and junior Anthony LaPierre logged a lot of work on the mound a year ago and return as starters this year. Senior Mason Baldic and sophomore Ian Carter are both in the mix for innings this year as well.

While pitching looks to be a strength for Milford this year, the Hawks will rely on a lot of the same names to deliver offensively as well. Cornelius will man first base when he isn’t on the mound and is a reliable offensive option. Damien Carter, junior Sean McGee, and freshman Joey McGee are options in the infield alongside Cornelius while Ian Carter, Baldic, and sophomore Nick Koch are in line for opportunities in the outfield. Junior Keith Lee is back behind the dish as taking on that role a season ago and junior Nate Scudo can be effective in a variety of positions. Seniors Brady Butler, Tony Fontes, Jacob Gove, Guy Saintyl, and Cam DelPrete will provide key depth while junior Victor Martinez will look to provide some pop in the lineup.

“Looking forward to competing in this great league again this spring,” said Milford head coach Alex Dion. “We have a number of guys that have been together for three years now. I have seen strong leadership from veterans early on, a group of guys that are competitive on the mound, and some athletes that are eager to learn and compete at a high level.”

North Attleboro

2022 Record: 18-6
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Four (Davenport champion)
Coach: Mike Hart
The Hockomock League had so much success during last season’s tournament that the Rocketeers’ accomplishments almost get lost in the shuffle. North Attleboro went 13-3 in league play last year and reached the D2 final four, picking up wins over D1 state finalists Franklin and D2 state finalists KP in the process. Now the Rocketeers join a loaded Kelley-Rex division along with those two squads, defending state champs Taunton, and two improved squads in Attleboro and Milford.

That means North Attleboro has its work cut out for them as they not only try to navigate a difficult schedule but has a lot of holes to fill in the lineup after graduating nearly a dozen seniors from last year’s 18-win squad. Head coach Mike Hart has done a terrific job since taking over the helm of the program and he will be leaning on the handful of returners he does have to lead the way this year. Hart has a dozen more seniors this year led by veterans Derek Maceda, Dillon Harding, and Jordan Paradis. Maceda will patrol center field, Harding is at shortstop, and Paradis is a seasoned pitcher that had 18 strikeouts in 17 innings of regular season work. Maceda will also get some innings on the mound along with classmates Ayden Delaney Peter Santoro, junior Parker Abrantes, and sophomore Gio Martello, and Harding will be a go-to option to close games out.

Martello was a late-season call up to the varsity squad and made an impression in his short stint with the squad. He will complete the middle of the infield at second base and will be a key piece in the lineup offensively. Seniors Jack Munley, Mark Vogel, Delaney, and sophomore Bryce Kiser are also in the mix for spots in the infield. Along with Maceda and Paradis, seniors Kyle Conroy and Reed Collins, along with junior Chris Hanewich, will cycle throughout the outfield. Junior Nate Kelly and senior Harrison Gagne are competing for time behind the dish. Hart expects the defense to be a strength of this year’s squad.

“We are looking forward to a season of growth,” Hart said. “We have many quality players new to varsity baseball who are looking to take the next step in their development and continue the success we have been privileged to have over the last few seasons. Derek Maceda, Dillon Harding, and Jordan Paradis are three capable and proven players in all three phases of the game. We will look to our pitching staff to lead us. Our team has committed to getting better each and every day. We are excited to get out and compete!”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Oliver Ames

2022 Record: 11-11
2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round
Coach: Joe Abarr
After graduating one of the largest senior classes in the league, there is plenty of opportunity to go around for Oliver Ames and head coach Joe Abarr this season. After an up-and-down year that included a playoff win, the Tigers will be looking to challenge the likes of Foxboro and Mansfield in the division title race.

With a lot of pieces departed from last year’s lineup, Abarr will start the season leaning heavily on the handful of returning pieces that played key roles last year. Senior captain Patrick Finnerty will be a major part of the defense and offense this year, as the Bentley University commit will patrol the center field and anchor the offense. On the mound, the Tigers will turn to senior captain Andrew Zagami to lead a relatively young staff that will include juniors Ian Kelley and Lucas Riley, both returners from last year’s team.

Abarr noted that there is a lot of competition in the squad right now as they battle for spots in the lineup, and he’s hoping the first few weeks will allow for a consistent lineup to emerge. Senior Nathan Luke, another returner from last year’s roster, will play the corners in the outfield at Frothingham Park this year.

“Many players have been stepping up in early practices and inter-squads and will be counted on early in the season,” Abarr said. “If we consistently stay after hitters and throw strikes we will be a competitive club. We have the potential to hit well, but the Hock’s pitching will be top-notch again based on some of the stellar returners around the league.”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Sharon

2022 Record: 3-17
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Andrew Poliferno
The Eagles will have to replace some of the production lost from the 10 seniors that graduated from last year’s squad, but Sharon has some key pieces in key spots and will look to continue to improve.

One strength the Eagles will have early on is the return of almost all of its pitching staff back from last year, plus the addition of some more talented arms to create some strong depth at the position. Junior captain Luke Meixel was among the league leaders in innings pitched last season and will anchor this year’s staff. He had 33 strikeouts in 38 innings of work as a sophomore year and the Eagles are looking for him to take a big step this year. Senior Alex Coughlin will pair with Meixel to create a formidable 1-2 punch, and the Eagles will also get pitching contributions from Cole Arundale and Zach Loomis.

Senior Palash Raina is a captain alongside Meixel and Coughlin, and he will be a staple in Sharon’s lineup this season. He battled through an injury almost all of last season but is ready for a breakout final year on the diamond as he patrols center field. Head coach Andrew Poliferno believes there is a lot of depth — and internal competition — in the lineup, and that should improve production at the plate. Sophomore Drew Yaffe got his feet wet at the varsity level last season and will be looking to turn that experience into more production this year. Junior Liam Conway is back behind the dish after a strong defensive year in 2022.

“I’m really excited to see what this group of players accomplishes this season,” Poliferno said. “We have a large group of players on varsity and in the greater SHS baseball program who are hungry to compete and win games. My expectations for this team are high and that is a direct reflection of the level of talent and work ethic our players have exhibited since day one.”

2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Stoughton

2022 Record: 3-15
2022 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Kevin Carty
Although the Black Knights lost a lot of production from its eight-member senior class that graduated last Spring, there is a lot of opportunity for new faces to work their way into the lineup for Stoughton head coach Kevin Carty.

There are some key pieces back in the mix this season after getting some valuable experience a year ago. Carty will lean on senior captains Sean Farley and Joe Rush to lead the way, with Farley both patrolling center field and pitching while Rush will play first base when he isn’t on the mound, and potentially some time behind the dish at catcher. There is also a strong contingent of players looking to build off of last year, including seniors Jeriel Cuello, who will play in the infield, and outfielder/pitchers James McCarthy and Liam Dunn, and Andrew Beder, who can play both in the infield and outfield, as well as on the mound.

Juniors Hunter Malkin, Ryan Summers, and Dom Belle all factored into the lineup for the Black Knights a year ago as sophomores and are in line for bigger roles this year. Malkin will pitch and play at first, Belle can play at both corners of the infield, and Summers will see time behind the dish at catcher.

“So far I could not be more impressed with the hard work and attitude from all of our players in the program, especially the new players on the roster,” Carty said. “I am very excited to work with these guys on a daily basis and can’t wait to see them improve throughout the season.”

Taunton

2022 Record: 22-3
2022 Finish: Won Div. 1 State Championship
Coach: Blair Bourque
The defending Division 1 state champions enter this season with a massive target on their back, but Taunton has the majority of its talented lineup back in the mix and is ready to take on all challengers, including a very competitive and skilled Hockomock League.

Athleticism, competitiveness, and experience will all be strengths for this year’s Taunton squad which has a lot of familiar faces in it including last year’s league MVP Ryan MacDougall, who had the game-winning home run in the state final against rival Franklin. The left side of the infield might possess the best duo in the state in seniors Braden Sullivan, a UMass commit with a strong bat that plays third base, and Dawson Bryce, a slick-fielding shortstop with consistent offensive production that is also going to play at the D1 level at Merrimack. That trio makes up the heart of the lineup for the Tigers and will make life difficult for opposing pitchers. Junior Brayden Cali, who started at second in the championship game, will be another key piece offensively for Taunton.

MacDougall also led the Tigers in innings pitched during the regular season, and classmate Shawn Cali was right there with him, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.60 ERA, striking out 27 in 35 innings of work. That gives Taunton a strong 1-2 punch in its rotation, but there’s also room for opportunity with the graduation of Evan Cali, who went 3-0 in the regular season and started the state championship game.

“The majority of our guys are multi-sport athletes who love to compete,” said Taunton head coach Blair Bourque. “And since many of our starters from last season are returning, they know the challenges of playing in arguably the most competitive league in the state as well as how to manage playing in the high-stress environment that is the post-season. Taunton has never been in a position with such high expectations so as a coach, I’m excited to see how my kids respond. This is a close-knit group and even with all the talent, they have great camaraderie.”

04/05/202204/07/2022

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Attleboro

2021 Record: 5-11
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round
Coach: Steve Dunlea
With a good mix of new faces and experienced veterans, Attleboro is aiming to be in the mix of a loaded Kelley-Rex division. For the Bombardiers, it will lean heavily on a deep pitching staff.

It starts with seniors Billy Saltmarsh, who is committed to UMass Dartmouth, and Cian Kelleher, who is committed to Stonehill. They’ll be joined in the rotation by junior lefty Danny Johnson while senior Jamie Bloch and junior Sean O’Hara lend strength to the relief corps. Sophomore Matt Harvie, sophomore Johnny Pagano, and freshman Tyler Dunlea will also be in the mix to see innings on the mound.

Senior captain Owen Taber (UMass Dartmouth) will be an anchor of the Bombardier defense at second base while juniors Peter DelPozzo and Cooper Johnson, along with Pagano, look to fill in at shortstop as senior captain Evan Houle works his way back from an injury from basketball season. Johnson, DelPozzo, and Dunlea are in the mix for the starting job at third while Bloch (committed to UMaine Farmington) and Christian Dame provide depth at first base.

In the outfield, senior Nate George will cover a lot of ground from his spot in centerfield, and the Bombardiers will rotate between Parket Sacket, Hayden Hagerty, Ben Hochwarter, Danny Johnson, Brody McKenna, and Harvie for the other two outfielder spots. Junior Aidan Hochwarter provides a steady presence both at the dish and behind the plate at catcher.

“The strength of this team is its chemistry,” said Attleboro head coach Steve Dunlea. “We have a great group of returning players who have really worked hard to build a team bond through the pandemic. I give a lot of credit to the captains from last year and this year. Despite the challenges they faced with COVID, they were able to rebuild the chemistry of the Attleboro baseball program that was lost when the 2020 season was canceled.”

Canton

2021 Record: 8-7
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South First Round
Coach: Ben Shuffain
Canton got off to a great start to the 2021 campaign, winning six of their first seven games but ended up with a first-round exit in the playoffs. With a strong core of returning players plus a couple of promising young players, the Bulldogs are aiming to get back to the postseason again this season.

The Bulldogs certainly have some holes to fill with the loss of a talented senior class and the departure of ace Andrew Middleton. Fourth-year head coach Ben Shuffain will lean on captains Andy Butler and Matt Chafin to lead the charge this season, along with three-year players Nico Bonanno, Matt Quan, and Zach Peters. Chafin was one of the best offensive players in the league last year, finishing second with a 0.442 average.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Shuffain has a lot of options for pitching, with at least a dozen choices to fill out the rotation and relief corps. Jay Kelleher, Hayden Rose, and Owen Lane will all be in the mix for innings on the mound. Matty Lesser, James Young, Jack Digirolomo, and freshman Kyle Redquest will work the infield while the catching duties will fall to Sean Sullivan and Matt Hart.

“We are a very experienced team with a lot of guys with a lot of innings pitched from last season and wins under their belt,” Shuffain said. “With a few of last year’s backups moving into starting roles and the addition of a few younger guys and the experienced upperclassmen this team should have a good season as they will continue to work hard on the field and in the weight room.”

Foxboro

2021 Record: 5-10
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 3 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Derek Suess
Foxboro has some of the top returning talents in the league but will look for some of its younger players to provide the depth needed to compete for a division title this season.

Junior captain Sean O’Leary is one of the top arms in the league and has a lot of varsity experience under his belt already. He will be the ace of the staff that will also feature junior Mathieu Sullivan, who made his varsity debut last season, and freshman Nolan Gordon, who has impressed during the preseason. Pitching depth will come from seniors Andrew Peterson, Tom Marcucella, Liam Mulkern, and junior Alex Stern.

Senior captain Tom Marcucella is one of the most experienced players in the league and his versatility gives head coach Derek Suess a lot of options in the infield. Marcucella can play at any of the four infield spots but will spend the majority of his time at first base. Junior Ryan LeClair is back in the mix at shortstop after a breakout season a year ago, sophomore Tyler Prescott is back for his second year with the squad, and freshman Ryan O’Leary offers a solid bat and glove. Senior Kyle Smith and junior Josh Connolly provide solid depth in the infield.

Senior captain and three-sport star Jack Watts will patrol center field for the Warriors and will be flanked by juniors Kenny Mello and Louis Carangelo, all three looking to make an impact with their bats this season. When not pitching, Gordon will also be in the mix for some innings in the outfield and sophomore Shane Henri gives Suess another solid option. Mulkern is the starting catcher with freshmen Ben Angelini and Mike Marcucella in the mix as well.

“We have great leadership from our captains and upperclassmen which has set the tone for the rest of our guys,” Suess said. “The underclassmen have bought in and can contribute right away. We must embrace the daunting challenge of playing in the Hock, and compete with confidence to give ourselves the best chance to reach our goals.”

Franklin

2021 Record: 16-2
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Final
Coach: Zach Brown
Franklin graduated some of the best players in the league after last season, but the Panthers still have a loaded lineup and a deep and talented pitching staff that could result in a very deep playoff run.

Not many teams could lose one of the best hitters in the league (Nate Cooke, 0.429) and one of the best catchers in the league (Jake Fitzgibbons, 0.353) and still boast one of the best lineups in the league but that’s how deep the Panthers are. Jack Marino, Ben Jarosz, and Chris Goode were all among the league leaders offensively a season ago, and Franklin also has sophomore Henry Digiorgio and junior Eisig Chin back after picking up a year of varsity experience. Junior Ryan Gerety, a Northeastern commit, is one of the best fielders in the region and is very dangerous at the plate.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

And after surrendering a league-low 40 runs last season, Franklin returns its entire rotation. Jacob Jette had a great junior season and will be one of the best pitchers in the Hock while junior Alfred Mucciarone will look to build upon a solid sophomore campaign. Relievers James Kuczmiec and Ethan Voellmicke dominated last season, coming in time after time and shutting opponents down.

King Philip

2021 Record: 8-8
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round
Coach: Jeff Plympton, Jr.
It was a good start for head coach Jeff Plympton as the Warriors won eight games last season and went to the playoffs, bowing out to eventual state champions Xaverian.

King Philip has the majority of its lineup back and will be looking to make some noise in a very competitive Kelley-Rex division. After averaging almost five runs a game last year, the Warriors have some key bats back in the lineup this year. Senior Shawn Legere is a returning league all star that starts at shortstop and is coming off a season in which he hit 0.386 and scored a league-best 16 runs. Rudy Gately had a breakout sophomore season and will be a key bat in the lineup again this year.

Gately will also be a go-to option on the mound for Plympton after going 4-0 last season, striking out 33 in 34.1 innings of work with an impressive 1.03 ERA. Tommy Martorano also gained a lot of experience last year as a sophomore and will give the Warriors a solid 1-2 punch for its starting rotation.

“We have a lot of arms to roll out if we need them which is great,” Plympton said. “Shawn Legere provides great leadership to the team and demands hard work at practice and games. Our fielding should be strong this year but I’m looking forward to watching our offense. Last year we struggled at the plate but this year looks promising. Last season we notched our first playoff win in over a decade and we look to keep those strides moving forward this year.”

Mansfield

2021 Record: 8-8
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round
Coach: Chris Hall
With a talented and experienced pitching staff and a list of players eager to make a name for themselves at the dish, Mansfield enters the season with the goal of challenging for the Kelley-Rex division title.

The Hornets were young last spring, and a lot of players earned their first varsity starts on the mound and at-bats. Mansfield has the majority of its team back and will be looking to turn that valuable experience into a successful 2022 campaign. They certainly aren’t shying away from testing that talent with defending state champions Xaverian, Maryland powerhouse Archbishop Spalding, and other top teams on its schedule along with a loaded Hock schedule.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Seniors Anthony Sacchetti, Aaron Blinn, Jimmy Gilleran, and Colby Geddis highlight a deep and talented pitching staff for the Hornets. All of those arms got their feet wet during last year’s season and now give head coach Chris Hall a lot of flexibility with his rotation. There won’t be a drop off as the games go on with four solid options.

The big challenge for the Hornets a season ago was offense, scoring a division low 57 runs. With a strong offseason under their belts, there are a lot of names eager to step up and improve that number. Sacchetti, Gilleran, Geddis, and classmates Andrew Slaney and Jared Fraone will try to lead the way while juniors Conner Zukowski, Sam Martin, Caden Colby, Aidan Jones, and Rocco Scarpellini are all in the mix. Sophomores Connor Curtis and Jake Maydak both played varsity last year and could be impact players right away. Behind the dish, Aidan Jones and Wyatt Bolduc are battling for the starting spot at catcher after the Hornets lost senior Liam Anastasia to an injury.

“The keys to success this season rely heavily on every player doing their job,” Hall said. “The Hornets bring a well-rounded roster to the table and expect to compete all season long. Pitching and defense continue to be a strength for the Hornets. Offensively, the Hornets look to use a variety of talent to score runs and win baseball games.”

Milford

2021 Record: 5-9
2021 Finish: Missed Postseason
Coach: Alex Dion
There were some growing pains for the Hawks a season ago with a young squad, but with just five players graduated from a year ago, the Hawks are hoping to be a contender in a deep Kelley-Rex division.

Head coach Alex Dion plans to get contributions from all four classes this season, starting with a strong group of seniors that cover the field. Tyler Lane and Grant Scudo will see time in the outfield, Justin Luchini mans first base, Alex McColl can play in a number of spots in the infield, Cole Forrest is a versatile weapon, and John Denegris is an option on the mound.

The rotation will be anchored by junior Evan Cornelius, junior Tyler Caldon, and sophomore Anthony LaPierre. Cornelius started every game for the Hawks last season and will play at first when he’s not on the mound. Caldon and LaPierre, both right-handed pitchers, are up from the JV squad and have impressed in the early going.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Offensively, sophomore Keith Lee picked up valuable experience after starting nine games as a freshman last season. He will start behind the dish and be one of the most important bats in the lineup. Sophomores Damien Carter and Sean McGee also started last season and will make up Milford’s middle infield.

“I am excited about the potential that this group has,” Dion said. “With strong senior leadership and varsity players in all four grades we have an opportunity to compete this year and for years to come. This is a great league and I have a lot of respect for the other teams in it. It starts on the mound and if we can get quality pitching out of the arms that we have here we have a chance to compete. We will have to win games in a variety of ways and I believe that we have the athletes to do that.”

North Attleboro

2021 Record: 12-5
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Semifinal
Coach: Mike Hart
After splitting the division title a season ago, the Rocketeers enter the 2022 campaign with a chance at winning back-to-back division titles for the first time in 30 years.

Replacing ace Dennis Colleran won’t be easy but North Attleboro has some solid arms on the mound including senior Danny Curran and senior David Floyd, who missed last season. Curran went 2-0 last year and struck out 22 in 23 innings of work with a 3.65 ERA. Head coach Mike Hart also has pitching options in senior Anthony Wescott, and juniors Jordan Paradis, Derek Maceda, and Ayden Delaney.

One of the big reasons the Rocketeers had such success last season was their offense, which scored a Davenport division 110 runs. Maceda was one of the best bats in the league and will patrol the outfield for the Big Red along with Curran, Paradis, and senior Christian Bates. In the infield, Floyd will be joined by classmates Brody Rosenberg, Gavin Wells, and Nik Kojoian, and senior Tyler Bannon will patrol shortstop. Junior Aidan Conrad had a breakout season starting behind the dish a year ago.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

“We’re going to look to put a lot of pressure on other teams offensively,” Hart said. “We have many capable pitchers who can provide quality innings. We feel our defense will limit mistakes and not give many runs away. If we want to have a successful season we will need contributions from everybody on the roster on a daily basis. We will rely on our senior leadership and experience to guide us through the season. We need guys to excel in their role and focus on the job at hand.”

Oliver Ames

2021 Record: 9-6
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South First Round
Coach: Joe Abarr
After earning a share of the Davenport title last season, the Tigers have the pieces in place to make another run at the division crown this year.

A combination of veterans and new faces eager to make an impression gives head coach Joe Abarr a nice mix to work with. Offensively, the Tigers will look for their senior captains to lead the way. Jake Waxman will play first base and potentially some outfield and is one of the best bats in the Hockomock League while Joe Cicchetti could also see time at first as well as the outfield, and is a strong two-way player. Patrick Finnerty is back in the mix after a strong junior season.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

On the mound, OA has a pair of lefties at the top of the rotation. Nick Clark (3-0, 2.78, 32K) and Jack Richardson (2-2, 2.07, 21K) are both coming off great junior seasons and will give the Tigers a solid 1-2 punch on the mound this year. Richardson will also see time in the outfield and will be a key piece of the lineup offensively.

“We have a good mix of returners and young talented players looking for opportunities to help our team win,” Abarr said. “We are excited for a full ‘normal’ season back in the Hock.”

Sharon

2021 Record: 3-12
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Andrew Poliferno
Sharon enters the season with a roster eager to compete among the Hockomock League’s top teams, but the Eagles will have to do so all on the road this season. With the construction of the new high school currently underway where Sharon’s field was, it will be all road trips for the Eagles this season.

It will start with the 10 seniors on the team, including captains Dan Okstein and Dylan Labbe. Okstein is back after an injury limited his time a year ago and will be a key piece in the lineup offensively. He will be the anchor of the outfield, playing mostly in left but could also see time in center. Labbe has a ton of varsity experience and will be the ace of the pitching staff this year. Also on the mound returns sophomore Luke Meixel, one of the league’s breakout players last year as a freshman. junior Alex Coughlin, Ryan Baker, Zach Loomis, Jack Broughton, and Okstein will also be in the mix for innings on the mound.

Offensively, Nate Yaffe is back after a great year at the dish a year ago and will take over at shortstop. Not only is Yaffe consistent with the bat, but he’s also very dangerous on the base paths. Another speedy option at the dish will be Palash Raina and the Eagles are hoping to get key contributions at the plate from Okstein and varsity newcomer Connor Blaney. Liam Conway takes over behind the dish and Will Hippler, Owen Kevorkian, Eli Greenfield, Josh Tolentino, and Jake Loomis are all in the mix for spots in the lineup as well.

2022 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

“As a second-year varsity coach, I couldn’t be prouder to see how ready our players are to play their 2022 season,” said Sharon head coach Andrew Poliferno. “It is evident our players worked hard during the off-season to prepare to compete in the Hockomock. Our players are gritty, determined, and not afraid to put in the hard work that it takes to improve. In addition to their drive to succeed, the team vibe is positive and players go out of their way to encourage one another. I believe we have the makings of a very talented and passionate group of players ready to make noise for their 2022 season.”

Stoughton

2021 Record: 4-10
2021 Finish: Missed Postseason
Coach: Kevin Carty
There will be a lot of new faces in the Stoughton lineup this season, and that goes for the dugout too as Kevin Carty takes over for Mike Armour, who was the longest-tenured coach in the Hockomock League.

Carty is going to lean heavily on his seniors, who make up over half of the Knights’ roster. There is a lot of versatility among the senior class as well with players like Joe McNulty and Jonah Ly, who could see time in the outfield, the infield, on the mound, and in McNulty’s case, even behind the dish. Brad Franey, Anthony Girolamo, Anthony Tilton, James Price, and Owen Wiesnberger are all seniors that are in the mix for infield spots.

Girolamo, Ly, and Price will be joined by sophomore Will Worsley, junior Jeriel Cuello, junior Sean Farley, junior Joe Rush, and sophomore Hunter Malkin as options on the mound for Carty.

“We have a deep group of seniors that will carry us this year,” Carty said. “These seniors are very athletic and can play anywhere on the field. They have the ability to be great leaders for the younger players. We will go as far as they carry us.”

Taunton

2021 Record: 13-5
2021 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Semifinal
Coach: Blair Bourque
Replacing a league MVP is never an easy task as the Tigers have to do with Danny MacDougall, but Taunton has a lot of depth and a lot of new faces looking to make a name for themselves as they help Taunton challenge for the Kelley-Rex title.

The strength of the 2022 Tigers will be offense and defense. Taunton has already lost some pitchers to injury so it will be a group effort on the mound this season. Coming off a season in which they scored 119 runs (nearly 7 runs a game), the offense will once again be a key component. Dawson Bryce had a breakout year after hitting 0.341 and driving in 12 runs a season ago, and junior Ryan MacDougall is one of the best power hitters in the league.

Seniors Evan Cali, Colby DeCouta, Colin Botelho, and junior Braden Sullivan are all very experienced at the varsity level and head coach Blair Bourque will lean on their leadership this season.

“Unlike in years past, we don’t have any true pitchers; our pitching staff consists of position players who will need to step up and give us an opportunity to compete,” Bourque said.”Offensively, we’ll look to have productive at-bats, be patient, and take advantage of mistakes. We should have one of the more productive offenses Taunton has had in some time. Although we’ll continue to play fundamental baseball, we hope to be able to capitalize when opportunity presents itself.”