Two-time M.L. Freedom division champs seek to defend their crown
TIM HURLEY, a senior captain (left), returns to play shortstop this spring and was one of Wakefield’s top hitters a year ago with a .356 average. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the April 6, 2017 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High baseball team has accomplished much over the past two seasons with two straight Middlesex League Freedom division championships and back-to-back springs with 15 wins or more.
However the one thing that has eluded the Warriors is a victory in the state tournament and that alone should give Wakefield an incentive not to rest on its past laurels.
Wakefield finished with a 17-4 overall record a year ago to have one of its best seasons ever in school history with a senior laden team. However those 12 players have all graduated and the Warriors will have some new faces on the diamond.
The cupboard isn’t exactly bare, however, as Wakefield returns its starting left side of the infield, two pitchers, and an outfielder from a year ago.
There will be some new members to the team that saw little or no varsity action a year ago. But many of those players will be up from a JV team that posted a winning record in 2016
“I think going into this year not as much is expected from us,” said coach Keith Forbes, in his fourth year. “The expectations are high. The players expect a lot of themselves and they just want to get out and play.”
Due to the rainy, wet conditions this early spring, Wakefield scrimmaged just once against Lynnfield and played eight to nine innings said Forbes. The Warriors have also been outside once to work on fly balls. They have done some long toss in practice as well. However, most of the preseason has been spent inside.
“That’s Northeast baseball. Every team is in the same boat unless they have a turf field,” said Forbes. “We have done some live hitting. The weather has made it tough to get our scrimmages in.”
Wakefield will be led by senior co-captains Tim Hurley and Mike Guanci. They will play shortstop and third base, respectively, which results in plenty of varsity experience on the left side of the diamond.
Both also were good hitters in ‘16. Hurley batted .356 with 16 hits in 45 at bats. Hurley had two doubles and a triple and drove in 10 runs. Guanci batted .365 with 19 hits in 52 at bats. Guanci also had two doubles and nine RBIs.
The other three returning seniors are Ben Coccoluto, John Evangelista, and Will Shea.
Coccoluto will play first base and pitch, Evangelista is a pitcher, and Shea returns to the outfield where he played mostly in right field a year ago.
Coccoluto, a right-hander, had an 0.00 ERA in 20 and two-thirds innings pitched. He posted a 3-0 record a year ago giving up eight hits and no runs. Cocculuto struck out 21 and walked five.
Evangelista is another experienced right-handed starter and he posted a 3.17 ERA in 17 and two-thirds innings pitched. He had a 2-0 record with 16 strikeouts and four walks.
Shea is the lone starting outfielder from last year’s team and batted .241. He did drive in nine runs and scored 11 runs last spring.
The rest of the Wakefield roster consists of players that saw some varsity playing time or played JV ball in ‘16.
Kyle Grossi, a senior, and Brendan Coughlin, a junior, are both catchers and will look to fill the void behind the plate left by three-year starter Matt Mercurio.
Jake Nardone and Kevin DeLeary, both juniors, will help shore up the right side of the infield. Nardone will play either first or second base, while DeLeary can play second base and shortstop.
Senior Brett Maloney can also play second base. But he will also DH and is a right-handed pitcher.
There are three more seniors and all are outfielders including David Melanson, Nick Porter, and TJ Sellers. Porter can also play first base and Sellers can pitch as well. Sellers, a right-hander, will most likely pitch in relief.
There are three more juniors on the varsity roster and they are all outfielders as well. They are Tyler Pugsley, Pat Roche, and Robert Shaw. Roche and Shaw, both left-handers, are also pitchers.
“Coming in we knew we would have have two new outfielders with one starting outfielder returning,” said Forbes. “We also have two catchers that will have to step up for Matt Mercurio, who was our catcher for three years. Andrew (Auld) played first base mostly for us last year, but Jake and Ben can both play first.
“We have more seniors and juniors, but not a ton of varsity experience,” continued Forbes. “They’ve been great in practices and have worked hard.”
With the graduation of Auld and Corey Imbriano, Wakefield lost two of its best pitchers from a year ago. But Forbes is confident that Coccoluto and Evangelista can step into the top two spots in the rotation.
“Ben had a 0.00 ERA and John pitched well for us,” said Forbes. “They are both mature seniors. Right now we’re looking for a third starter and our main relief pitchers. Roche, Shaw, Maloney, and Sellers are expected to step up for us.”
Forbes also pointed out that Wakefield will maintain its aggressiveness this season.
“We have a lot of athleticism and we’re going to stay aggressive,” said Forbes. “We’re still going to work on making the plays and coming up with the timely hits. Our philosophy is the same. If we win the battle making the plays then it will give us an opportunity to be successful.”
The Warriors were scheduled to open the season tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. against Austin Prep at Austin Prep in Reading, but that game has been postponed.
