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Hand Baseball Sees Continued Success on the Field

One year after winning a Class L state title, Hand baseball Head Coach Travis LaPointe didn’t want to put any added pressure on the Tigers as they entered the 2022 season. LaPointe wanted the Tigers to simply focus on getting better every day. This year’s team succeeded in that goal and, through its growth both on and off the field, Hand made another deep postseason run by reaching the semifinals of the Class L State Tournament this spring.

Hand finished with an overall record of 15-10 for the 2022 campaign. The Tigers went 12-8 during the regular season on their way to qualifying for both SCCs and states. Hand then won its first three games in the Class L bracket to advance to the state semifinals.

Whether his club won or lost, Coach LaPointe attributed much of the Tigers’ success to the consistency that they displayed this season. LaPointe said that his players were locked in and focused on achieving their goals from the beginning of the year. That mentality started in practice and made its way on to the diamond for every one of Hand’s contests.

“I was so proud of my team. We were so consistent. I knew what I was going to get from my team every day,” Coach LaPointe said. “Our practices were intense and competitive. We played the same way on game day.”

After winning 12 games in the regular season, Hand secured a berth in the SCC Tournament as the No. 5 seed. The Tigers took a 4-1 loss at Lyman Hall in the quarterfinals of the conference tourney.

The Tigers went on to compete in the Class L State Tournament as the No. 12 seed. Hand won its first three games by defeating No. 21 Ellis Tech (3-0), No. 28 Pomperaug (7-5), and No. 29 Middletown (7-1) to make it to the semifinal round. The Tigers then took an 8-0 loss against eventual Class L champion Windsor in the semifinal game at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on June 7.

Coach LaPointe noted that the Tigers played one of the toughest schedules in the state of Connecticut this year. As a result, LaPointe felt that Hand was battle-tested heading into the State Tournament. The Tigers put on some great performances in states with LaPointe calling their quarterfinal win over Middletown the best game they played all season. In all of Hand’s games, LaPointe saw the Tigers battle until the final out and prove that they were a formidable opponent for anyone.

“We had one of the most difficult schedules in the state of Connecticut based on our previous years of success. We were challenged all year,” said LaPointe. “When we went into the Class L State Tournament, we went in with high expectations. We didn’t feel like an underdog. We felt like we were really well-prepared. We played really well.”

Coach LaPointe credited the athletes in his senior class for building the team’s camaraderie throughout the season. LaPointe said that all 11 seniors would stay after practice just to spend time together. From day one, LaPointe saw his seniors create a culture of inclusivity among the Tigers and set the tone for what the season would be like. For all the strengths the Tigers had on the field, Coach LaPointe felt that the way they bonded off the field, led by the 11 seniors, is what helped Hand put together another strong season in 2022.

Evan Mastrobattisto and Connor Powell served as Hand’s senior captains this year. The Tigers’ senior class also included Ben Lyons, Ryan Knight, Jack Kayal, Axl Pildner, Jeff Pinover, David Antonetti, Andrew Earl, Will Kranzler, and Will Bazenas.

Mastrobattisto, a second baseman, led the Tigers with a .418 batting average on 28 hits to go with 18 runs, 17 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. Powell, a catcher, hit .292 with 21 hits, 25 runs, 13 RBI, and 7 stolen bases on the year.

Coach LaPointe said that Hand’s captains always did the right thing and were strong leaders in all regards for the Tigers.

“They’re just the best kids. You can’t pick better captains to lead your team. They did everything the right way,” LaPonte said. “They’re wonderful human beings and excellent students. They’re just excellent people.”

On the mound, Hand was led by seniors David Antonetti and Ryan Knight this season. Antonetti earned All-SCC First Team accolades after pitching to a 5-3 record with 38 strikeouts over 52.2 innings. Knight threw 36.1 innings for Hand and finished the year with a 5-1 record and a team-high 45 strikeouts.

Coach LaPointe said that the seniors were the leaders of Hand’s pitching staff and that Antonetti took on a captain-like role amongst the Tigers’ throwers. One of those throwers was Brandon SanMarco, a sophomore who stepped into a big role on the hill this year. SanMarco posted a record of 3-2 with 20 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.

Sophomore center fielder Ben Kuja made the All-SCC Second Team for Hand this season. Kuja recorded a .406 batting average with 28 hits, including 3 triples, to go with 16 runs, 16 RBI, and a team-high 17 stolen bases. Kuia was the team’s leadoff hitter and “lightning rod” for the Tigers’ offense, according to LaPointe.

Senior Will Kranzler was Hand’s starting shortstop this year. Kranzler, who LaPointe called the “ignition” for the Tigers, batted .373 with 25 hits, 11 runs, 14 RBI, and 7 stolen bases. LaPointe also praised Kranzler for his excellent defensive play at the shortstop position.

Senior third baseman Jeff Pinover and junior first baseman Troy Piascik were also key contributors for Hand’s offense. Pinover hit .333 with 24 hits, 13 runs, 17 RBI, and 9 stolen bases. Piascik finished the season with a .306 batting average on 19 hits to go 12 runs scored and 15 RBI.

Coach LaPointe said the biggest key for the Hand baseball team this year was making sure that his players grew as people. LaPointe felt that the Tigers succeeded in that goal and then some, proving that their hard work on the ballfield was only matched by the citizens they became away from the field.

“The most important thing coaching high school baseball is developing these kids into really good people, great students, and wonderful people in the community,” LaPointe said. “This year’s team was the best I’ve ever had in terms of their citizenship, work ethic, and everything they did after the baseball field. I was so proud of that group just for that. We got better every single day.”

Graduating 11 seniors, Coach LaPointe understands that his team will be fairly young next season. However, he also believes that the returning Tigers have the experience that they need to be successful. Just like his team did this year, LaPointe will be looking for next season’s squad to improve as the year goes on and continue demonstrating the strength of the Hand baseball program.

“A lot of people thought we were going to be young this year. We were inexperienced, but we weren’t young,” said LaPointe said. “Next year, we’re going to truly be young, but we’ll have more experience than we did this year. Next year, by the end of season, we’re going to look like a top-10 team. We’ll have to find out our identity in the first half of the year, but we have a lot of talent next year.”

The Hand baseball team’s varsity roster for the 2022 season featured senior captains Evan Mastrobattisto and Connor Powell; seniors Ben Lyons, Ryan Knight, Jack Kayal, Axl Pildner, Jeff Pinover, David Antonetti, Andrew Earl, Will Kranzler, and Will Bazenas; juniors Jacob Rachler, Cole Daignault, and Troy Piascik; sophomores Johnny Reh, Ben Kuja, Christian Kells, Payton Powell, Tai Nuzzi, Owen Scarice, Brandon SanMarco, Vincent Benevito, Will Patla, and Nick Antonetti; and freshman Paul Calandrelli.