Melrose opens at home Tuesday against Lexington
Published in the April 6, 2018 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—Fresh off a thirteen win season in 2017, the Melrose Red Raider baseball team returns to the diamond in 2018 looking to pick up where they left last year when they advanced to quarterfinals in the Div. 2 North playoffs.
Last season, Melrose excelled as a defensive and pitching squad, and this year, expect that trend to continue. Pitching remains their strong suit as they enter the season with returning starters and a new prospect.
Senior captain Mike Muscarella returns after a standout junior season in which he went 6-2 and helped lead Melrose to the Div. 2 North playoffs. Also returning on the mound is senior Will Dolaher, who comes with big game experience, and junior hurler Harry Kelley, a speedy pitcher who should also see time at third base. Look for Joe Stanton and Rob Mele to help round out what should be an overall solid pitching staff.
THE MELROSE Red Raider baseball team opens at home on Tuesday, one year after another playoff appearance in Div. 2 North. (file photo)
“I think pitching will be our strength this year, as it was last year,” says Melrose head coach Bill Hirschfeld, whose squad finally got outside practice time last week. “We had 70 kids try out and were limited to indoor practice all pre-season. But we did scrimmage against Everett over the weekend and I was glad to get them to hit off of live pitching.”
This season Melrose will be lead by senior tri-captains Jack Sullivan, Charlie Stanton and Mike Muscarella. “These are three very experienced players on the team and great kids,” says the coach. “Charlie is our catcher and anchor on the field, Mike is a real strong pitcher and Jack is a great competitor and hitter. We’re in good hands with them.”
Last year, Melrose finished a thirteen-win season and enjoyed a pivotal, first-round playoff victory over Reading, topping Northeastern-bound pitcher, Corey DiLoretto in a 2-1 pitcher’s dual. It was one of Melrose’s best-played game in years and something the Red Raiders aim to match this year. Having lost ten seniors to graduation last year, there is plenty of opportunities for players. Look for batters such as Jack Sullivan, Mike Koytikh and Charlie Stanton to represent the heart of the lineup, as the three were potent in last season’s playoff run. Shortstop will be manned by Joe Stanton and outfielders include Mike Fennell, Matt McDonough, Dylan Kaliris, Jack Whitley, and Mike Koytikh. Meanwhile, around the horn look for Jack Sullivan, Liam Crovo, Derek DiRaffaele, Cam McKenzie and Zac Maguire to keep Melrose’s defensive reputation intact.
On Saturday, Melrose scattered 15 hits off the Crimson Tide, a good sign for batting production. Striking the right balance between sharp defense and clutch hitting will be key to Melrose starting 2018 on a winning note. The Raiders open their season on Tuesday against Lexington, a team Melrose has prevailed over in consecutive meetings. And while Melrose faces ML Large teams out of the gate, like Arlington, Reading and Lexington, those are teams they have beaten in recent outings. Thus, there is no intimidation there. “We always enjoy good games against them,” says the coach.
Overall Melrose is ready to grind out wins, come rain or shine, this early season.
“This is a playoff-experienced team with a group of seniors who want to win,” says Hirschfeld. “And those who are new on the team are multi-sport athletes with a winning mindset. We’re ready to get down to business.”
