Published in the June 22, 2016 edition
THE 2016 PIONEER varsity baseball team finished a fine season as the Div. 3 North finalists in the state sectional championship game. The team’s final record of 19-5 included a 3-1 tournament run. Front row, from left: assistant coach Ryan Sheehan, Tom Anastasi, Steve Vaccaro, captain Nick Colucci, captain Spencer Balian, captain Dan O’Leary, captain Justin Juliano, Nick Theophiles, Jake Sheehan, coach John O’Brien. Back row, from left: Alex Boustris, Nick Aslanian, Fernando Gonzalez, Dan Jameson, Kyle Hawes, Bryant Dana, Mike Stellato, Andre Padovani, Nick Giammarco, Mike Federico. (Lisa Colucci Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
LYNNFIELD — In addition to finishing the 2016 baseball season as one of the top eight Division 3 teams in the state, the Pioneers had four players named to the Cape All League All-Star team.
All four of Lynnfield’s picks were named CAL First Team All-Stars, which was formerly called CAL All-League. It is comprised of the best players from both divisions.
Topping the list for the Pioneers was senior captain Nick Colucci, who played center field as well as pitched for the Blue and Gold, often in the same game. As a junior, he had been named a CAL All-Star, now referred to as the CAL Second Team All-Stars.
Three juniors also made the cut to the CAL First Team All-Stars. They are shortstop Justin Juliano, who is also the only junior to served as a team captain this year, as well as third baseman Mike Stellato and pitcher Nick Aslanian.
The varsity baseball team finished its league schedule tied for second place in the CAL large school Kinney Division. Both Lynnfield and Masconomet had league records of 13-3 for second place. North Reading took the league title with a league record of 14-2. The Pioneers handed the Hornets one of those two regular season losses late in the season, 5-4, on May 24.
Seeded third out of 22 teams in the Div. 3 North sectional at 16-4 (.800) on the strength of a 14-game win streak that ran from April 23 through May 27, the Pioneers earned a preliminary round bye and compiled a 3-1 tournament record to end 19-5.
Lynnfield opened its tournament bid with a first round 6-5 victory over Pentucket at home in the pouring rain June 5, and a 6-1 quarterfinal win over Boston Latin Academy, also at home, June 6.
The team won an exciting come-from-behind 8-7 victory over Austin Prep in the Div. 3 North semifinals played at Endicott College June 9. The season ended with a 5-1 loss to North Reading in the Div. 3 North championship game on June 11 at LeLacheur Park in Lowell.
