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04/07/2019 12:00 AMLast year was a landmark campaign for the Hand baseball team that was filled with new achievements and fantastic finishes. As the 2019 season gets underway, the Tigers feel confident that they have a talented roster full of versatile athletes who can carry them to an even higher threshold this spring. Hand is out to a solid start with a record of 2-0 after earning wins versus Waterford and Guilford during the first week of action.
In 2018, Head Coach Travis LaPointe’s squad finished the regular season with a record of 16-4 and also claimed the SCC Hammonasset Division title by going 7-1 in the division. After that, Hand posted victories versus Guilford and Branford in the SCC Tournament to reach its first conference final, where the Tigers took a loss against Fairfield Prep. In the Class L State Tournament, Hand defeated East Haven and then lost to New Fairfield to finish the year with an overall record of 19-6.
Hand started off its new season by earning a 2-1, nine-inning home win over Waterford that was followed by a 19-13 road victory against Guilford last week. Coach LaPointe said the Tigers are not only looking to cultivate a championship-caliber club this year, but also one that represents itself in a way any community can be proud of.
“Last year, we made some incredible strides. We are just looking to build upon that and keep growing as program. We have four core values that we are always working towards in respect, tenacity, work ethic, and team. If we get those things right, then we can live with any of the results that come our way,” said LaPointe. “We all believe that we have the chance to be one of the best teams in the SCC and the state. We want to represent our community and make everyone proud of our baseball players in Madison. Our players work so hard, and the coaches will do everything we can to lead them and help shape them as strong men.”
Senior co-captains Julian Banerji and Jake Crawford are guiding the Tigers into battle on the diamond. Last year, Banerji was an All-SCC Team selection after batting .347 to go with three home runs, 22 RBI, and seven stolen bases. He also had a 1.000 fielding percentage as the Tigers’ center fielder.
“Julian returns as our starting center fielder and may be the best one in the state of Connecticut. He has five-tool potential and is at his absolute best when the pressure is the greatest,” Coach LaPointe said. “He has a strong arm, has excellent speed, and has gap-to-gap power at the plate. He is an exceptional leader, makes everyone around him so much better, and has been a pivotal part of putting our baseball program on the map.”
Crawford will take the mound as the ace of Hand’s pitching staff. The senior southpaw went 7-1 with a stingy 1.28 earned-run average in the 2018 campaign. Coach LaPointe said that Crawford also helps his own cause by showing some pop at the plate.
“Jake has electric stuff and a bulldog mentality on the mound. He leads by example and is probably the hardest worker I have ever seen come through the program. He is tenacious and loves pitching in big spots,” said LaPointe. “Jake will also be a factor offensively. He is a left-handed hitter that can hit for average and power. He also is a great defensive first basemen. Jake sets the tone for the rest of the pitching staff and is the leader of that group. If everyone follows his example, we will be tough to beat.”
Hand’s senior class also features catcher Kevin Girardi and left fielder Will Kleinhenz. The Tigers’ junior class is led by utility man Phoenix Billings, No. 2 pitcher Liam Wallace, and catcher Austin Doyle. Billings batted .409 with 22 RBI and five stolen bases to make the All-SCC Team last season. Sophomore Anthony DePino is manning the hot corner at third base for the Tigers.
“Kevin commands the respect of all of his teammates and has taken on a leadership role this season. He is probably the strongest player in the SCC and will spend most of the season as our cleanup hitter. Will has a great glove and a strong throwing arm. He will spend time as our leadoff hitter,” said LaPointe. “Phoenix is a dynamic, five-tool player. He might be the fastest player in the SCC and has great instincts on the base paths. Liam has great stuff and pound the zone with several pitches that move. Austin is a line-drive hitter with a great skill set behind the plate. Anthony has immense power and the ability to go gap-to-gap.”
Coach LaPointe also noted that Hand has depth at several positions this year. The Tigers will look for contributions from senior second baseman Brad Cosgriff, senior outfielder Kevin Tracy, junior first basemen George Anastasio and Tucker Godiksen, junior middle infielder Jared Kuryan, junior outfielder Ken Nuzzi, and sophomore outfielder Giovanni Roman.
Hand’s pitching staff additionally features Tracy, Kuryan, Anastasio, and fellow senior Jake Salutari, along with juniors Aiden Patrick, Mikey Catalano, and Charlie Wilson.
The Tigers started off the 2019 season by earning a 2-1, nine-inning victory against Waterford in Madison on March 30. Roman had the game-winning, walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to lift Hand to the victory. Crawford and Wallace combined to allow one hit over nine innings with Wallace picking up the win in relief. Banerji, Girardi, and Anastasio all had two hits for the Tigers.
On April 1, Hand prevailed by the final score of 19-13 in a slugfest at Guilford. Girardi had four hits and six RBI, Banerji had three hits with two RBI, Billings collected three hits and had an RBI, plus Doyle added two hits with an RBI to lead the Tigers’ offensive outburst. Kuryan notched the win on the hill for Hand.
Coach LaPointe knows that any baseball season is an exciting journey that’s filled with peaks and valleys. While he believes his team can achieve great things, LaPointe simply wants to the Tigers to enjoy the ride and embrace all the challenges that come along the way.
“I expect that this season is going to be so much fun. Our team has a real family atmosphere, and the guys are so much fun to be around. I just hope that season extends as far as it can into June,” said LaPointe. “I just want every player on the team to learn from mistakes, work hard, and keep fighting through adversity. Through that, we will find our identity and better ourselves.”
From the Sidelines
Travis LaPointe returns for his eighth season as head coach of the Hand baseball squad.
Bill Daunais (14th season), Nick Merullo (5th season), Kyle Heins (4th season), and Justin Kaeser (2nd season) are serving as Hand’s assistant coaches this year.
The Tigers are competing in the SCC Oronoque Division with Hamden, Shelton, West Haven, and Career.