Everyone. Calm down. However, I believe that Torg will make the team. Maybe. But this is Chris and Reid’s team.
The Oliver Ames Baseball team had a great season with a sad disappointing loss to end it. They went to the South Final and lost to the eventual D2 State Champs in North Attleboro. Losing people like Matt Muir, Nick Zwerle, Mitchel Goulet, Michael Mulrean, Chris Perron and Mike Friel is a tough hit, but I can see this team going back to the South Final and maybe even one step further.
The season has not even started yet, and it is already off to a rough start. Chris “D1 Commit” Pearsons was injured in the most prominent basketball league in the United States by spraining his ankle. He should be back before the first game but hopefully he can get more than enough practices. I expect Chris to be a front-runner for Hock MVP (Knock on Wood), and be the leader this Tigers team needs.
The rest of the infield is actually totally up for grabs. I have no idea who will be the starters but my sources say that in the running will be Cam Perron, John Gomes, Jared Spillane, and Matt McCormack, just to name a few who could potentially fill those spots. Finally, we will talk about 3 year starter, Jake Erlich. Man this guy is a beast. One of the best catchers in the Hock. I see him having one of his best years ever.
Next up is the outfield, with returning starters in Sean “UMass” O’Brien, and C.J. Deveau, this outfield will have the varsity experience it needs. I also can confirm that Sean has been seeing a hitting coach this whole off-season, so maybe the first hit won’t come halfway through the season for him. All jokes aside, Sean’s defense is stellar, and no balls will get passed him at the Park. Deveau proved to have the clutch gene last year and can hopefully keep some of the magic in the box and in the field. The final outfield position is up for grabs. The upcoming juniors/seniors will fight for that position to complete the field.
The biggest worry for this season will definitely be the pitching. They have lost pitchers with some stellar games in Michael Mulrean and Chris Perron. Reid Latham will lead the charge after an amazing junior season where he pitched against a batter with a broken hand. I would put Matt McCormack here but if he threw a ball, the shoulder would go with it. I believe Tom Parker can bring back the magic he had in his sophomore year and can bring some of his baseball we have ever seen. Some up and comers from the other classes will have to step up to complete the rotation and the bullpen. However, with the batters they have, and the defense that could be an immovable object. This team might just do it.