Southwick-Tolland pitcher Andrew Mitchell winds up on the mound. (File Photo by Chris Putz)
SOUTHWICK – Last year, the Southwick-Tolland Regional High School baseball team lost a heartbreaker to Greenfield, 5-3, in the Western Massachusetts Division II semifinals.
The Rams are seeking to further their efforts this season, and with a solid foundation returning, that goal may be a real possibility.
Southwick returns a wealth of pitching – junior Bob Haskell, sophomore Andrew Mitchell, and seniors Nick Masarelli and Brian Sheil – that combined for more than half the team’s wins in 2013.
Southwick’s Vinnie Fortini, rear, attempts to chase down a Hampshire Regional runner during a 2013 regular season game. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Haskell, Mitchell, and Masarelli are expected to figure heavily into the pitching rotation this season, Southwick coach Tim Karetka said. Sheil, who clinched the team’s tournament berth against Hampshire in ’13, will anchor the bullpen with reliever duties and spot starts.
With most of the infield still intact, and Masarelli patrolling the center field grass, the defense figures to aid the pitchers in their quest.
Last year’s top four hitters by average, Haskell, shortstop Vinnie Fortini, catcher Jake Goodreau, and Mitchell are all back. Fortini and Goodreau also led the team in RBIs.
“Our expectations are to make the tournament and hope to make it a little bit further than last year,” Karetka said.
Southwick will open the 2014 season against Monument Mountain April 5 at 2 p.m.
