Locals prepare to shine

Rich Zalusky, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·5 min read

Apr. 9—Here's a look at our seven local high school baseball squads that started their respective seasons this week.

LYMAN MEMORIAL

Coach: Marty Gomez ( 35th year).

Key returnees: Sr. P/ C Joshua Person, Sr. OF Daylan Griffin, Sr. OF Bennett Murphy, Sr. 2B Nick Ortiz, Jr. P/3BN Ben Darrow, Jr. SS Mike Incontro, Jr. 1B Owen Zimnock, Jr. 2B/3B Jacob Citro, Soph. C/3B/P Jared Russo, Soph. OF/ P Jeremiah Bobbi, Soph. P/1B Alex Ortiz.

Newcomers: Soph. P/ SS/2B Aiden Zimnock, Fr. P/SS/2B Nick Chalifoux, Jr. C Hunter Bittman, Jr. 2B/P Don Zimnock, Soph. 1B/P Travis Hill.

Outlook: The Bulldogs have plenty of experience back with the majority of their starting rotation from last season. Person and Darrow lead the pitching staff with Aiden Zimonck, Bobbi and Russo providing depth.

Griffin, a CIAC Class S All- State selection as a junior, will be unable to pitch due to shoulder issues but is a potent offensive threat.

Gomez likes his team's depth along with the flexibility in positions as the group has committed a wealth of time to the game outside of the high school season.

RHAM

Coach: Bill Eller ( First year).

Key returnees: Sr. P/ 3B Mike Poncini, Sr. 1B Brad D'Amico, Sr. OF Chase Melzen, Sr. 2B Patrick Miller, Sr. OF Garrett Nicol, Jr. SS Ethan Polochanin, Jr. P Chase Massey, Soph. OF Sean Connolly.

Newcomers: Sr. SS Ethan Munroe, Fr. P/1B Fayz Baig, Fr. C Joey Tyler, Jr. 2B Aiden Zern, Jr. C Max Nylen.

Outlook: Eller, who previously coached at Rocky Hill, takes over for long- time head coach Paul Steiner.

The Raptors, who look to build on last year's 12- win season, graduated their top two pitchers in Ryan Schultz and Matt Milone but will benefit from the return of Poncini, who will be the ace of the staff. Eller is hopeful that Baig, D'Amico and Massey can help eat up innings on the mound.

RHAM also graduated Class L All- State selection Dan Orzech.

E.O. SMITH Coach: Mike Susi ( Ninth season).

Key returnees: Sr. OF Parker Woodmansee, Sr. P/ INF Nolan Klimkiewicz, Sr. 1B/P Diego Mercado, Jr. P Aidan Gilbert, Jr. INF/P Joey Winakor, Jr. C Colin Sheardwright Newcomers: Jr. OF/P Luke Jones, Soph. P/ OF/ INF/ C Cole Rogers.

Outlook: The key this spring for the Panthers involves the offense. " As long as the offense goes ... we will go," said Susi.

Positive signs for offensive improvement include the return of experienced players along with the athleticism of the group throughout the lineup.

BASEBALL, Page 10

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Baseball Previews

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Woodmansee was an all- conference pick as a junior.

E. O. Smith will play defending CIAC Class M state champion East Catholic on Monday at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, a contest that will also serve as a fundraiser for the MS 4-MS organization (Mission Stadiums for Multiple Sclerosis).

WINDHAM

Coach: Mike Haggerty (Fifth season).

Key returnees: Jr. C/P Jack Valliere, Sr. Tyler Walter, Sr. Alex Ortiz, Jr. Victor Mejia, Soph. Chase Collins.

Newcomers: Jr. SS Jack Jenkins, Soph. Elphin Alphonso, Fr. Chris Brito, Fr. Armani Crespo.

Outlook: The Whippets return six varsity starters from the sophomore and junior class with the team's goals including its ability to compete in each game and build on that long- lost Windham toughness.

There was plenty of excitement in preseason with over 30 kids coming out for the program, including 14 freshmen, and Haggerty says the fun, likable group has bought in to winning and creating a hard-work atmosphere.

Several members of the CIAC Division V state champion boys basketball squad are out on the diamond as well. Pitching depth will be one area where Windham will look to improve.

WINDHAM TECH

Coach: Bill O'Connor (18th season).

Key returnees: Jr. OF/ P Trey Lindsey, Jr. OF/P Brody Belanger, Sr. INF/ P Ben Gardner, Sr. INF/ P Danny Meikle, Sr. INF/ P Dylan McMahan, Sr. OF Galen Dumont, Jr. INF/ P Austin Ducot, Jr. OF Mason Miller, Soph. C Tyler Tashe.

Newcomers: Soph. OF/C Devin Lemire, FR. INF/ P Chase Plourde, Fr. OF Ben Broderick, Fr. OF Bryce Lynn.

Outlook: The Mighty Tigers, who won seven games last year and fell to East Catholic in the first round of the CIAC Class M state tournament, look to finish over .500 this season.

COVENTRY

Coach: Ryan Giberson (18th season).

Key returnees: Sr. 2B Matt LaFountain, Sr. P A.J. Rooks, Sr. P Vinny LoRicco, Jr. C Austin Jonas, Jr. 3B Mason Godi, Soph. P Ethan Hunt, Soph. OF Gavin Covell, Soph. OF Jacob Wojtkowiak, Soph. SS Evan Menzel.

Newcomers: Soph. 3B Aidan Hecht.

Outlook: The Patriots have a pair of experienced pitchers back in Rooks and LoRicco.

LaFountain has started since his freshman season back in 2019 when Coventry won the CIAC Class S state championship.

Giberson hopes that his young group will jell throughout the season and peak things move closer to the postseason.

PARISH HILL

Coach: Scott Yeo ( Second season).

Key returnees: Sr. P/ SS Joseph Landolphi, Sr. OF David Hill, Sr. P/1B Alex Gruwell, Sr. OF Jason Salois, Soph. P/INF Thomas Bray.

Newcomers: Jr. INF/ OF Michael Monroe, Sr. INF/ OF Isai Diaz-Hernandez.

Outlook: The Pirates will look to build on last year's 5- win season with seven seniors on the roster along with last year's entire pitching staff.

Yeo says the team is enjoying a positive sense of chemistry on and off the field.

Parish Hill is aiming for a winning record along with a run at qualifying for the Capital Region Athletic League tournament as well as the CIAC Class S tourney.