By HockomockSports.com Staff

2024 Hockomock League Baseball Preview

Attleboro

2023 Record: 10-12
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 32
Coach: Steve Dunlea
The Hockomock League is always a gauntlet but the Kelley-Rex division specifically has emerged as one of the most competitive groups, not just for baseball in the state, but across the state in all sports. After battling for a playoff berth last year, the Bombardiers bring back a talented and experienced group ready to compete with the top teams in the division.

A veteran group of pitchers gives Attleboro a leg up from the start with senior captain Jonny Pagano (UMass Boston), junior Tyler Dunlea (UMass Lowell), sophomore Ryan Landry, who started as a freshman, and senior Jackson Huntington (UMass Dartmouth). Pagano earned league all-star status in 2023 as one of the top pitchers in the league and Landry quickly established himself as a reliable arm for Attleboro. Dunlea made a mark as a freshman two years ago and is back on the mound after missing all of last year with an injury and Huntington gives the Bombardiers a veteran presence on the mound. Tyson Forte, Jacob Bettencourt, Jeremy O’Hara, Ethan Palmer, and Nick Daley are all good options in relief.

Senior captains Andrew Gorman and Matt Harvie will lead the way in the lineup for an Attleboro squad featuring a lot of familiar faces. Harvie is back to anchor the outfield along with Landy, Bettencourt, Huntington, and O’Hara while Gorman is the leader in the infield. Gorman (.979 fielding percentage) is one of the top defenders in the league at first pace and is joined by three-year starter Brody McKenna on the opposite side at third base. Transfer Mason Kolzcewski is looking to bring a boost to the offense and along and play defensively in the middle infield alongside Brady Erwin, Aiden Landers, and Liam Saltmarsh. Catching duties fall to senior Joey Castro and junior Antonio Bennett this spring.

“This year’s team has the deepest pitching depth I have coached in Attleboro,” said Attleboro coach Steve Dunlea. “We are returning a Hock all-star in Pagano, a D1 commit in Dunlea after losing him his sophomore season to UCL repair, and two additional pitchers who are expected to be impact arms in the Hockomock League.

“Transfer Kolzcewski solidifies an already talented infield. He adds to a strong top of the order along with Landry, McKenna, and Harvey. O’Hara, Castro, and Erwin will provide the pop in the lineup. We also have a ton of speed on this team and once on base they can wreak havoc.”

Canton

2023 Record: 8-13
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Preliminary Round
Coach: David Walsh
Following a playoff appearance in 2023, the Bulldogs will need some younger players to step up in order to get back to the postseason in 2024.

A combined seven seniors and juniors on the roster means head coach David Walsh will need some of the younger and inexperienced players to contribute to the lineup. Owen Lane highlights a four-member senior group and will patrol center field for the Bulldogs. Lane had a team-high in plate appearances and was one of the leaders in the Hock with 24 walks, scoring 18 runs for the season. He’s joined by classmates Brendan Clegg, Nick Gillis, and Josh Harris. Junior captain Kyle Redquest was just one of five Bulldogs (along with Lane) to play in all 21 games last year and is the top returner on the mound after tossing 34.2 innings last year with a 3.64 ERA and 19 strikeouts.

There will be plenty of opportunity in the lineup as Canton graduated five of its top seven leaders in hits. Besides Lane, the Dogs have sophomore Shane Kelleher back in the mix. As a freshman, Kelleher had at least one hit in 12 of the 15 games he played and could be a big piece of the puzzle offensively for Canton this season.

“We will be gritty, energetic, and competitive this season,” Walsh said. “The Bulldogs will play the game the right way through Being Humble! Being Accomplished! and Being Great!”

Foxboro

2023 Record: 15-8 (Davenport co-champion)
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Round of 8
Coach: Derek Suess
Despite graduating its two Hockomock League All-Stars from last season, Foxboro has a very strong core of players back, especially in key positions, as it looks to earn a second straight Davenport division title.

Sean O’Leary and Ryan LeClair highlighted a small but talented senior class from last season, a group that helped turn Foxboro into a contender that made memorable playoff runs in each of the last two seasons. With the majority of their lineup back, the Warriors intend to remain a contender going forward. A trio of juniors combined to make up the majority of innings pitched last year, including Nolan Gordon who already has two years and over 90 innings of varsity experience under his belt. Ryan O’Leary (27.1 IP, 0.26 ERA) and Tom Watts (17.0 IP) will join Gordon to provide head coach Derek Suess with a formidable and veteran rotation. Junior Danny Jacobs is in line for an increased role on the mound while sophomores Aidan Stow, Henry Griffin, and Trevor Frnaco are all in the mix in relief. Senior Pradyu Gubbala is working his way back from an injury with hopes of adding depth to the pitching group.

With 300 innings of experience behind the dish already, junior Mike Marcucella is back for another year behind the dish to work with that experienced staff and will be a key piece of the offensive lineup after hitting 0.306 last year. LeClair and O’Leary not only left a big hole in the lineup but also on the left side of the infield. Ryan O’Leary and Stow will take over while leadoff man Tyler Prescott returns to his spot at second base. Watts will also see time at first when he isn’t on the mound, sophomore Matt O’Keefe provides depth at the spot, and sophomore Harrison Lamson is a depth option in the infield. The Warriors will have a lot of athleticism in the outfield to help boost their defensive efforts with junior Ben Angelini (.319) in center and senior Shane Henri taking over in right. Gordon will be in left when not on the mound while sophomore Paul Moran provides outfield depth.

“Our standards and expectations have not changed, and we will look to build on the success we’ve had the last two seasons,” Suess said. “We are looking forward to the challenge our schedule presents and we will be battle-tested come tournament time.”

Franklin

2023 Record: 23-4
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Final (Kelley-Rex champion)
Coach: Zach Brown
Franklin has established itself as one of the top programs in the entire state and one of the reasons for that is the ability to reload year after year.

Despite graduating over a dozen seniors — including many starters — that led Franklin to consecutive state finals appearances and contributed to four straight Kelley-Rex crowns, this year’s roster features some key returners and a bevy of new faces eager to make their mark. Senior captain Henry Digiorgio (Northeastern) is back for his fourth year starting at shortstop and will be one of the top defensive and offensive players for the Panthers. He’ll be joined by senior captain Rex Cinelli, who worked his way into the lineup last year and anchors the Franklin outfield, as key pieces offensively. Senior captain Austin Campbell (UMass Amherst) is coming off a terrific junior year (9-0, 1.06 ERA) and will be one of the top pitchers in the league this year. Seniors Jake Shaughnessy (Eastern Connecticut) and Matt Miller — who both tossed 15.1 innings last year — are in line for expanded roles on the mound, giving Franklin three reliable arms.

When not on the mound, Miller will take over at the hot corner and be relied upon to give the offense a boost. Senior Michael Davide (Norwich) steps in behind the dish and is ready to work with a veteran staff. With a lot of the offensive production from last year gone, there is an opportunity for new faces to step into the lineup. Senior Ben Yuknis is a versatile athlete who can play in a variety of roles, senior Dom Caccavelli provides defensive flexibility, and junior Zach Winer gives Franklin a boost in the lineup and will also get some innings on the mound. Juniors Cole Sidwell (outfield) and Leo Meuse (pitcher) both missed all of last year and their return to the lineup is a welcome addition for head coach Zach Brown. Sophomore Sean Kryzak is another player to keep an eye on.

“We graduated a number of players from the 2023 season, but we have a solid core of returners back,” Brown said. “We are going to lean on our seniors and returners to provide leadership and a steady hand while our younger players get caught up to speed. This season will provide different challenges but we are excited to see this group compete and grow together throughout the season.”

King Philip

2023 Record: 17-8
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final
Coach: Jeff Plympton, Jr.
After back-to-back Division 2 state finals appearances, King Philip is now in Division 1 and the Warriors have a very solid group ready to compete in both a loaded Kelley-Rex division and the state tournament.

While the Warriors lost some of their top offensive producers from last year there is strength in numbers, and KP has a good number of good players back in the mix. Senior captains Max Robison and Tommy McLeish both bring a bevy of experience defensively and at the plate as three-year starters. Robison is one of the top defensive first basemen in the Hock and sets the tone for the offense from the leadoff spot while McLeish is a strong defensive shortstop who is a reliable option in relief on the mound and will be working in a closer-type role this year. Senior Travis Crawford, the 2022 HockomockSports Underclassman of the Year, is back after a year away and will be a welcome addition to the lineup. Senior TJ Ahern had a breakout season on the bump as one of the best relievers in the league and will look to continue that in 2024.

King Philip also boasts a strong junior class including starting pitchers Nate Pennini (44.1 IP) and Cam Hasenfus (39.0 IP), who will anchor the rotation. Drew Herlin is a reliable option at the plate with a powerful swing and Aiden Astorino is a strong outfielder that will pair alongside Herlin in the heart of the lineup to provide some big hits. Sophomore Leo Dowling is back behind the dish to work with an experienced group of pitchers and has shown great improvement throughout the offseason.

“I think we have a very strong defense and offense,” said KP head coach Jeff Plympton Jr. “Pair that with two returning starters on the mound, the team is looking solid. We have made the move to D1 this year which will add a new level of difficulty in the postseason. Being in the Hock always makes every team better. It is a difficult league that prepares you for the postseason. We have a great team to go and compete for a Hockomock League title.”

Mansfield

2023 Record: 16-9 (Davenport co-champion)
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 8
Coach: Chris Hall
A quick glance at the Mansfield roster reveals a lot of familiar faces from last year’s squad that shared the Davenport title, and this year’s group wants to make it two in a row atop the division.

The Hornets have returning starters on the mound and bring back seven of their nine starters in the lineup offensively from last year’s 16-win squad. It starts the the four captains: seniors Wyatt Bolduc, Connor Curtis, Matt DeShiro, and Jake Maydak. All four boast a lot of varsity experience and highlight a very deep squad for head coach Chris Hall. On the mound, Curtis (57 strikeouts) and Maydak (43 strikeouts) give the Hornets one of the most dynamic 1-2 starting pitcher combinations in the league while junior Luke Rogan is coming off a strong sophomore campaign. Seniors Yuv Sakhalkar and Ryan Jeans provide key depth for a Mansfield squad that has a loaded non-league schedule featuring two-time defending state champs Milton and D1 powers St. John’s Prep and Xaverian.

While the majority of the lineup is back, Hall has been pleased with the competition thus far through the preseason with new faces battling for at-bats. Maydak was also the leading hitter last year with a team-high 31 hits while DeShiro had a very strong year, hitting .321 with a team-high three home runs. DeShiro will be joined in the infield by Rogan, Drew Urban, Derek McGrath, and Matt Tryon while newcomers Charlie Decelles, Brendan Vokey, Luke McGuire, James Warren, and Sammy Dunn are all battling to contribute. Seniors Brian Butler and Anthony Saraiva are back to patrol the outfield and will look to build off solid 2023 campaigns; Joey McIntyre, Dylan Saraceno, Riley Sigman, Jered Gardner, and Nate Frenette will also factor in playing in the outfield.

“Playing in the Hockomock league puts you at a huge advantage come playoff time,” Hall said. “Being battle-tested every single day makes you a significantly better team throughout the season. This group thrives off competition and has what it takes to be successful. This year’s team is one of the most talented to come through Mansfield in the last five years. They are truly passionate about baseball and have become a tight-knit group who all buy into their roles. Most of them have at least three years of varsity experience and look to end their high school careers on a high note.”

Milford

2023 Record: 13-9
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Round of 16
Coach: Alex Dion
The Kelley-Rex division consists of the last two D1 state champs, the last two D1 state finalists, and the last two D2 state finalists and Milford has a roster aiming to compete with that talented group.

The Hawks showed great improvement last year including a playoff win and a near upset of St. John’s Shrewsbury (who reached the Final Four). Despite losing nearly a dozen seniors, there are a lot of familiar faces for sixth-year head coach Alex Dion. Starting on the mound, the Hawks boast a lot of experience with senior Damien Carter (Franklin Pierce, 43.1 IP), senior Anthony LaPierre (Babson, 26.1 IP), and junior Ian Carter (Bryant, 12.2 IP) while junior Nick Koch, who was a solid option in the lineup last year, provides a lefty option for Dion.

Damien Carter was also one of the best offensive players in the league last year with 25 hits and a .379 average while classmate Keith Lee (.300, team-high 19 walks) provides another steady presence at the plate and is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His experience behind the dish paired with Milford’s strong starting rotation should put the Hawks right in the mix in the Kelley-Rex division. Senior Sean McGee (Nichols) is back after leading Milford with 18 RBI last year, sophomore shortstop Joey McGee is poised to build on a breakout rookie year, and senior Louis Consigli was a very reliable option at the dish (.333).

“We are excited for the opportunity to once again compete in this great league,” Dion said. “This is a strong senior class that has worked hard over the last four years. They are fun to coach and we are looking forward to the season.”

North Attleboro

2023 Record: 8-14
2023 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 16
Coach: Mike Hart
North Attleboro had to battle through the gauntlet last year and the Rocketeers proved they were better than their record by making it to the Division 2 Round of 16. It will be another battle this year with a loaded division but North is up for the challenge.

Head coach Mike Hart, now in his sixth year at the helm, will need some new faces to step up this year. The Rocketeers lost over 100 innings of work to graduation including its two main starters while three of the top four leaders for hits are also gone. Hart will lean on senior captain Nate Kelly, who will return behind the dish to work with a group of new pitchers. Middle infielders Gio Martello and Zach Corsetti are also returners to the lineup in 2024.

Kelly, Martello, and junior Brady Paradis will be the driving forces offensively for North this year. Defense will be a strength with Corsetti and Martello anchoring things from the middle of the infield. Senior Luke Tufts, junior Ryan Bannon, and sophomore Bryce Silva will look to fill in the rest of the infield while junior Luca Crovo, junior Dillon Waterhouse, and sophomore Ethan Belanger are in the mix in the outfield alongside Paradis. On the mound, it will be more of the same with Martello, Corsetti, and Bannon as top options on the mound. Hart is looking for new faces to step up for relief options.

“We will look to lean upon our approach offensively to manufacture runs,” Hart said. “We are a competitive group who will continue to improve daily. Our guys understand the challenges playing in the Hockomock brings. They are bought in and ready to compete.”

Oliver Ames

2023 Record: 9-11
2023 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Joe Abarr
The Tigers finished just decimal points outside of a playoff spot a year ago so as Oliver Ames attempts to get back into the postseason, they know every single run matters.

OA had one of the better offenses in the league last year with almost six runs per game but also allowed just over six runs per game and ended the season at 9-11 and the 33rd ranked team in Division 2, one spot outside the playoffs. The Tigers graduated almost a dozen seniors from last year but have a strong nucleus back to contend for the Davenport division title in 2024. Senior Harrison Fitzpatrick returns after hitting .442 last year, which was second in the Hockomock League. He will patrol centerfield and will look to be a spark for the offense at the top of the lineup.

Merrimack commit Lucas Riley is at the top of the pitching rotation and will also play first base when not pitching. Senior Ian Kelly brings plenty of varsity experience and will also see a lot of time on the mound and in the outfield. Senior Matt Lawson was a regular in the lineup a year ago and will be joined by classmate Jake Willard on the left side of the infield. Both senior captains also have experience on the mound and will give the Tigers depth in the rotation.

“A lot of guys have been stepping up [in the preseason] and showing that they are ready to compete in a very strong Hockomock League,” said Oliver Ames head coach Joe Abarr. “We should play tighter defense this season based on our options and be able to limit our opponents with less scoring opportunities.”

Sharon

2023 Record: 3-17
2023 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Larry Yaffe
For the first time in nearly five years, Sharon will have home games as they enter a new chapter in program history.

Sharon High graduate Larry Yaffe takes over at the helm and brings an extensive coaching history with him. And with the new field finally ready to go, the Eagles will have home games for the first time since 2019, having spent the past three seasons permanently on the road. Yaffe, who has coached at the club level and was a longtime assistant at Dover-Sherborn, is hoping to steer the Eagles in the right direction following a tough 2023 season. This year’s squad features a core group of players who saw significant playing time last year, gaining invaluable experience in a loaded Hockomock League.

Senior captain Luke Meixel is a four-year starter for the Eagles while senior captain Liam Conway enters his third season behind the dish, giving Sharon a strong foundation to work off of. Familiar faces in the lineup include three of the team’s top four hitters from last year: senior outfielder Jake Loomis, junior Harry Librot, who can play both in the infield and the outfield, and junior outfielder Drew Yaffe; Soham Kulkarni will also compete for time in the Eagles’ outfield. In the infield, juniors Casey Stengel and sophomore Matt Berkley return to handle the left side; senior Jared Marcus, juniors Tim Broughton, Brody Lasser, Ari Grossman, Aidan McAuliffe, and freshman Mason Silverman are all in the mix to make contributions in the infield.

On the mound, Meixel will once again be the go-to option for the Eagles while junior Cole Arundale, who tossed the most innings for the team last year, will look to pick up where he left off. Grossman, McAuliffe, and junior Ethan Sparacino along with sophomores Matt Cronin and Will Tobey are all candidates for innings this year.

“We are going to be working on a daily process of improvement, and focus on core values in order to change our culture,” Yaffe said. “We have a really coachable group which makes it fun to be on our new field every day. Our field, Peckham Park, is being dedicated later this season and named after the late Sharon Varsity Baseball Coach, Joel Peckham. I am optimistic in that we have the right senior leadership, and a group of talented and competitive juniors and underclassmen where we can turn things around and be a competitive team in the best league in the state.”

Stoughton

2023 Record: 2-18
2023 Finish: Missed postseason
Coach: Kevin Carty
A mostly young and inexperienced Stoughton team struggled through the 2023 season but with the majority of the roster back for head coach Kevin Carty, the Black Knights are aiming for a bounce-back spring.

The Knights only graduated four players from last year and now have a large senior class looking to guide the team back into competition for the Davenport title. Senior Hunter Malkin is a four-year player for the Knights and is the top returning hitter. Malkin will anchor the pitching rotation and will play in the infield when not pitching. Senior Dom Belle is one of the more experienced players in the league and enters his third year on varsity; his leadership throughout the offseason and preseason has been crucial in getting the Knights ready for the season. He will start at first base and hit in the heart of the lineup.

The senior class also features returning catcher Ryan Summer and leadoff hitter Cole Franey, who will play in the middle infield. Liam Dunn and Joey McEachern will patrol the outfield while Ben Shirey and Quinn Fogarty will see time in the infield. On the mound, the Knights will look for James Spector (20 IP) to provide key innings on the mound. Junior Andrew Beder has a year of experience under his belt and will play in the outfield and pitch while sophomore Drew Geaney, who came up to varsity halfway through last season, is a reliable defensive option at shortstop. Sophomores Quincy Johnson and Mason Lessa, along with freshmen Gavin Alexson, Patrick McLaughlin, and Matthew Pritchard are all in the mix for varsity time.

“I am very excited to coach this team and start playing some baseball games,” Carty said. “They are a hardworking group with a lot of varsity experience. Through a couple of scrimmages this season they have already shown their experience. We have a lot of seniors that have shown great leadership with the younger guys we have playing up.”

Taunton

2023 Record: 21-4
2023 Finish: Won Div. 1 State Championship
Coach: Blair Bourque
The two-time reigning Division 1 state champions enter the season with a strong core intact and while a potential three-peat is a question for down the road, the Tigers are certainly in position to take a run at it.

Senior Brayden Cali anchors what could be a very dangerous lineup and will make the move across the bag from second base to starting shortstop. Cali, a UMass Lowell commit, led the Tigers in hits last year (37) and also a terrific postseason and had three hits and two runs in the state championship game. Seniors Andrew Cali (Assumption) and Dwayne Burgo (Wheaton) will patrol the outfield defensively and will be among the top bats in the Hock. Burgo was second on the team in hits (27) while Cali (.333) was a steady presence at the plate.

Despite back-to-back state titles, the Tigers haven’t won a Hock title since 2016. This year’s group is battle-tested and has shown great camaraderie and work ethic throughout the preseason. Speed, versatility, and athleticism will be keys this year while head coach Blair Bourque has been pleased with the competition so far at practice. On the mound, Bourque has some experienced arms. Senior Jack Cali (Wheaton, 47 IP), junior Johnny Escobalez (45.1 IP), and senior Brady Morin (Johnson & Wales, 22.1 IP) led Taunton in innings pitched last year, giving the Tigers one of the top staffs in the Hock.

“I’m excited to see this group grow and develop as a team over the next few months,” Bourque said. “We’re going to continue to focus on our preparation and being great teammates with the goal of getting better every day.”