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04/25/2021 12:00 AMThe Hand baseball team is off to one of its best starts in recent history with its record of 7-0 this spring. Last week, the Tigers served notice to the rest of the state when they earned a 12-6 win against an Amity team that was ranked 2nd in Connecticut, followed by victories versus Xavier and Cheshire to remain unbeaten on the season.
Hand had previously claimed wins against Wilbur Cross, West Haven, Notre Dame-West Haven, and North Haven. On April 19, the 4th-ranked Tigers traveled to Woodbridge to face Amity and doubled up the Spartans by a 12-6 score. Hand went on to notch a 3-2 home win over Xavier on April 23 and a 12-3 road win against Cheshire the following day.
Several players have been making a big impact for Hand this spring. Head Coach Travis LaPointe said that captains Anthony DePino and Jack Pireaux are helping the Tigers reach the pinnacle of their performance. DePino is a third baseman, and Pireaux plays shortstop.
“Anthony DePino and Jack Pireaux are our captains. Their leadership skills are off the charts. They have the respect of every single person in their program, and they are in the process of leaving a legacy that will be cemented in Daniel Hand High School baseball history,” Coach LaPointe said. “They are role models and are so easy to root for. They set the tone for how to practice and that transfers to everything else we do. Both guys have my complete trust.”
When Hand faced Amity, junior outfielder/pitcher Jeff Pinover delivered a crucial hit with the Tigers down 5-3 in the top of the fifth inning. Pinover came in off the bench as a pinch hitter and knocked two-run single that tied up the game.
Hand went on to score three runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh to get the 12-6 victory.
In addition to Pinover’s big hit, senior first baseman Danny Weinstein went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI for the Tigers. Pireaux went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, while DePino and senior Eli Davies each had two RBI. Senior Matt Carone got the win on the mound by pitching the last four innings for Coach LaPointe’s squad.
“We have just played sensational team baseball so far. We have played well in every facet of the game—pitching, defense, offense, and baserunning,” said LaPointe, whose Tigers are now Connecticut’s top-ranked squad. “I also love that we have already won games in several different ways. In our first three games, we got leads early and never relinquished them. In our game versus Amity, we were up 3-0 and then were down 5-3. In the final three innings, we scored nine unanswered-runs when our backs were against the wall. That is the sign of a special team.”
Three days later, the Tigers were locked in a tight contest with Xavier, but ultimately hung on for a 3-2 win over the Falcons. Senior Mike Engelhart earned the win by pitching four scoreless innings, and Carone threw the final two innings to get the save. DePino hit a solo homer and drew two walks, while senior catcher Chris Engelhart also hit a solo shot for Hand. Weinstein added a single with an RBI in the victory.
Hand finished off its week with a 12-3 win at Cheshire on April 24. The Tigers jumped out to an 8-0 lead by scoring three runs in the first inning, three more in the second, and two in the third on their way to the lopsided win.
Coach LaPointe is thrilled with his team’s stellar start to the season. In addition to the wins, LaPointe is happy about way that his players are approaching the game on a daily basis.
“Our expectations are to play hard, fast, and with a high baseball IQ,” LaPointe said. “I want these guys to cherish every moment together, play without fear, and create some memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. If we do all that stuff, the wins will probably come. And if not, at least we will know that we laid it all on the line with no regrets.”
Hand has been competing with a limited number of fans in attendance at its home games this season. However, Coach LaPointe said that is not having a negative affect on his squad, because everyone is maintaining high intensity in the dugout.
“It will not have an impact. Our team brings the energy every day,” said LaPointe. “Our dugout feels like we have a sold-out crowd, because of their activity and enthusiasm on every pitch. These guys just love hanging out and playing baseball.”
Above all, LaPointe feels grateful that his team is able to compete amidst the COVID-19 pandemic this spring. LaPointe loves to see the Tigers creating a family atmosphere on the field.
“The fact that we have been able to have a full spring season is an incredible gift. Everyone is making sacrifices off the field with social gatherings and things like that, but any void has been replaced by the family environment that these guys have created,” LaPointe said. “They love each other, and the pandemic has given them an opportunity to bond together and enjoy being around one another. Just like the game of baseball, we can only control what we can control and take it one day at a time.”
Hand’s roster for the 2021 season additionally includes senior right fielder Giovanni Roman, senior center fielder Colin Telford, and senior pitcher James Arida
The other juniors on the club are pitchers Ryan Knight and David Antonetti, second baseman Evan Mastrobattisto, infielders Will Kranzler and Ben Lyons, outfielders Jack Kayal and Axl Pildner, catcher Connor Powell, and catcher/first baseman Will Bazenas.
Sophomore Hudson Geremia is a sophomore on the Tigers’ roster. Fellow pitcher Johnny Reh is a member of the team as a freshman.
LaPointe’s coaching staff includes assistant coaches Justin Kaeser, Kyle Heins, and Bill Daunais.
“I just want to say that I am blessed to coach these guys. They bring joy to my life, and I am so grateful for every one of them. I love them like family, and I am their biggest fan. They are easy to root for,” Coach LaPointe said. “I also want to make sure to shout out my coaching staff. In my opinion, I have the best staff in Connecticut. We get along well, laugh often, and balance each other. They deserve the majority of the credit.”
One player that Hand is missing this year is senior pitcher Danny Carbone, who is out for the season after undergoing arm surgery. Coach LaPointe said that Carbone, who is slated to pitch at Central Connecticut State University next year, is still making a huge difference for the Tigers while sidelined this spring.
“He is the heart and soul of our team, despite not being able to play,” LaPointe of Carbone. “He is a key piece of our dugout and has taken on a player-coach role to help our pitching staff while he is limited physically. He is a huge reason why we are successful.”