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03/30/2014 12:00 AMAfter taking a division title a year ago, the Hand baseball team feels the potential for its next level of postseason success is boundless.
Travis LaPointe enters his third campaign as skipper, assisted in the dugout by Travis Gulick, Bill Daunais, Jake Ryder, and Paul Coppola, following a season that saw Hand capture its first SCC Hammonasset Division championship in 15 years. LaPointe professes that the Tigers’ keys to prominence will be playing like winners 24/7.
“This year's team is going to be a fun group to watch play. They are a fun group to watch practice, and there is a lot of talent on this roster,” said LaPointe. “If we stay healthy, work hard, and do things the right way, the sky is the limit for Hand baseball this year and in the years to come. Our goals are to get better every single day, be physically and mentally tough, carry ourselves with character and integrity, and be positive role models in our community. If we do those things, the winning will take care of itself.”
Leading Hand around the base paths will be a pair of senior outfielders as captains with Scott Braren (.358 average; All-SCC Team, co-MVP for 2013) in center and Josh DeMartino manning right. The tandem brings multiple tools to the squad, but each of them additionally provides the leadership that is crucial to victories.
“Scott is one of the best hitters in the SCC and the state. He is also an excellent defensive center fielder with a strong throwing arm. He has above average speed and is a smart base runner as well. Scott is also a great leader and will be vocal member of our team who carries a great deal of respect with his teammates,” said LaPointe. “Josh is a speedy outfielder with great range and a strong throwing arm. He may be the fastest player on our roster, and we need him to get on base often. He can shoot the ball from gap to gap and is a very dangerous hitter who can hit for average and, at times, for power. Josh is also a great leader who leads by example on the field.”
The Tigers also return a strong infield with seniors of pitcher/infielder Reed Smith and catcher Blake Egan, alongside juniors with hurler/infielder Brian Anderson and sophomore Ray Miklos at the hot corner.
“Ray is an emerging player and will begin to get some recognition throughout the state of Connecticut soon. He gets better and better every day due to an incredible work ethic,” said LaPointe. “Reed is an essential piece of this year's team. He is our number one pitcher and needs to pitch like an ace this year if we are going to be successful. Brian is our No. 2 pitcher who has shown an increase in velocity, and he has some devastating off-speed pitches. He got a lot of experience on the mound during his sophomore season and that is going to help him a tremendous amount. I believe we have the best defensive catcher in the SCC [with Egan]. Blake is intelligent, takes control of the game from behind the plate, and has great arm strength and accuracy.”
The depth of the ball club goes even further down the lineup with seniors Jack Pancak, Danny Gardner, Sean Scoopo, and Andrew Card; plus additional help from juniors of shortstop Bobby Lanza, pitcher/first baseman Drew Harmon, and hurler Joe Hill.
“They all have to have key roles on this year's team if we want to have any chance of winning our division and competing for a title,” said LaPointe. “Bobby Lanza and Drew Harmon will also need to play a big role on this year's team. Joe Hill will have an opportunity to pitch a lot of innings for us.”
The Tigers begin their slate with a road matchup at Oronoque Division-opponent Cross on Wednesday, April 9, yet big contests with Hammonasset rivals Guilford, Law, and Foran will prove pivotal in Hand’s quest to retain its division crown.