Brandon McSorley’s game will continue in 2021
Published May 8, 2020
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BRANDON MCSORLEY (left) and fellow captains Cole Lepler, Matt Morrisey and Cam Gorman were ready to lead the 2020 campaign for the Red Raider baseball team. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE—There are many casualties of the lost spring varsity sports season of 2020 and perhaps for Melrose, one of the biggest is the absence of Melrose Red Raider baseball.
This year, Melrose was expected to roster another playoff-bound team, and senior captain Brandon McSorley was slated as their ace on the mound. The hurler made the most of his junior year—and thank goodness he did—as a junior he was one of Melrose’s starting aces and was at the helm of last year’s Red Raiders playoff game, a near upset 3-2 loss against Greater Lowell Tech that went extra innings.
It only took one year of McSorley guided under new coach Scott Searles to draw eyes from college scouts. Last year, McSorley committed to play Div. 2 baseball at Catawba College in North Carolina. There, he will be coached by Jim Gantt and compete in the South Atlantic Conference. So, while it’s no doubt a strange and disappointing to end to his Melrose High baseball career, he has a bright future ahead. Says McSorley, “At the end of my junior season, my high school coach [Scott Searles] had asked me about college baseball and if I was interested in playing. He then put me into contact with the coach from the school he played at Catawba College. I flew down to visit the campus and pitch in front of their coaching staff and ended up committing soon after.”
McSorley falls in the footsteps of many Melrose hurlers who advance to collegiate play. He’s Melrose’s second ace to commit to Div. 2 college ball in a year—teammate Harry Kelley (MHS 2019) pitches for Bentley University. McSorley is no doubt devastated that his final season as Melrose’s #1 ace won’t happen, but he was quick to stay in touch with his teammates, in particular, his co-captains Cole Lepler, Matt Morrisey and Cam Gorman.
“We were always talking before this all happened and immediately reached out to one another once we found out the season was canceled,” he says. “Everyone was devastated, but we’re hoping to organize some sort of event or meeting to bring everyone together once this is all over.” Collectively, this team’s goal was to win as many games as possible. “And definitely make a run in the playoffs,” he confirms.
And even though he won’t be working out as a Red Raider this month, he needs to stay in shape to prepare for his stint as a future Indian. While it’s a challenge, he’s getting it done. “I’m just trying to do as much as I can with the restrictions applied,” he says. “Not being able to go to an indoor facility or gym makes things more difficult, but I’ve been able to get into a routine where I can keep up with my throwing and working out. I’m just hoping everything will be back to normal for the fall semester.”
He echoes a sentiment that is probably a popular one among the student body. “I am hoping that graduation will not be virtual,” he says. “I’d love to have it on the Fred Green football field, but anywhere is better than online.”
And while the world doesn’t know how long COVID restrictions will last, he offers words of encouragement to other students struggling in this new strange environment. “Don’t let this bring your spirits down and continue to do the things that make you happy, with whatever restrictions or modifications there may be.”
McSorley, son of Joe and Tanya of Melrose and sister to Ava, appreciates all the coaches, mentors and teammates who have helped him along the way. “I’d like to thank my family and teammates for being supportive of me throughout my high school sports career, and all that they’ve done to allow me to be able to play the sports I love. Also a big thanks to Coach Searles. Although he only coached me for a year, he has given me enough advice and opportunities for a lifetime and I hope nothing but the best for him and the Melrose Baseball future.”
