Last year, the boys baseball team struggled to achieve a much needed rhythm due to a myriad of injuries. By the midpoint of the 2015 campaign, all three of the captains either could not play or were severely limited due to muscle strains. When the “Big Three” captains Kevin Agostinelli, Cooper Gavin, and Ryan Havey were healthy enough to join the rotation together , the Storm was nearly unstoppable, as evidenced by its 5-1 record when all three played.
Junior captain Mark Agostinelli and Senior captain Jared Joy will be vital to the team’s success this year as they work to establish chemistry and create a sense of urgency in this young team. Jared Joy, ace pitcher, is the only senior to have started at the varsity level; and this lack of veteran experience will require the entire team to step up and lead each other.
The storm’s success will also be impacted by several other key players. Returning to the team is sophomore All-Cape and Islands second basemen Joey Colesano, who took the league by storm en route to a .339 batting average with 21 hits and 21 runs.
Possible X factor, junior Alden Hackler, looks to make his mark this season as he steps into his role as a starting pitcher for the Storm. When asked about his hopes for the team this spring, he responded, “We are a very young team this year so we really have to build a rapport early on. If we can establish this chemistry and sense of urgency among the younger players and the more experienced players, I think we have a very good chance of making a deep run in the state tournament.”
The Storm begins its season on March 31 with its home opener against rival Sturgis West at Barnstable United Field in Marstons Mills. Mark your calendar now for the Sturgis East vs. Saint John Paul II match to be held on Tuesday, April 28, at Lowell Park in Cotuit at 4:00 p.m.! Go Storm!