Sports
Season Preview: Lynnfield Baseball Eyes Return to Tourney
The Lynnfield High baseball team finished 10-10 last season to make it into the MIAA tournament. The Pioneers will look to make it two years in a row as they welcome back a ton of returning talent.
The Lynnfield High baseball team is back and is looking better than ever.
After finishing an impressive 10-10 in the tough Cape Ann League last season, the Pioneers were awarded a preliminary round bye in the Div. 3 North Sectional as the 11th seed.
But while Lynnfield lost in the first round to sixth-seeded Greater Lowell, 2010 definitely proved to be a step in the right the direct.
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Returning Talent
This year the Pioneers welcome back a slew of starting talent, including senior captains Rick Berardino (2B) and Chris Klotbier (C) and junior captain Pete Franchi (OF/P) and senior starting pitcher Ben Kendrew.
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“We have five or six guys returning that played a lot of innings... so we should be competitive I hope,” said head coach John O’Brien. “We expect them to be a little bit better and get some of the kinks out.”
Also returning to the lineup are seniors Joe and A.J. Sartorelli, Anthony Bagliari, Evan Gard, Pat Yee and junior short stop B.J. Neil, who started every game at the six spot last year as a sophomore.
Pitching, Speed Will Be Important
Along with Kendrew on the mound, Lynnfield will be relying on the arms of Ben Spencer, Dylan Costa (P/3B), and Franchi, who also plays outfield.
“I think we have some good sticks and we have some pretty good speed,” said O’Brien. “If the guys are capable of pitching like they have in the past we might be alright.”
Rivals Will Be Competitive This Year
Lynnfield will have a lot to contend with in the competitive Cape Ann League. With teams like Div. 2 North champion Masconomet (who went undefeated before losing in the state finals), North Andover (16-4) and Georgetown (14-5), the Pioneers will need all the help they can get from their senior leadership.
“Every year is different,” said O’Brien. “The Cape Ann has traditionally been a pretty strong league. As you can see most of the teams in the state or eastern Mass. finals are from the Cape Ann League.”
Lynnfield kicks of its season on Tuesday, April 12 when the Pioneers host Bedford at 3:45 p.m.
