With the 2016 spring sports season coming up, the Malden High School varsity baseball team are ready to compete towards winning the Greater Boston League and advancing into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament. An offseason filled with personal practice and working out has prepared each and every player, new and returning, for a promising season ahead. Senior captains Liam Elliott and Ronnie Luke along with sophomore captain Jared Martino look to lead to the Golden Tornadoes back to the tournament after a 6-14 campaign back in 2015. “We look really strong. All of our focus is just making the tournament and winning our league” says Luke.
Similar to last year, the team contains a roster of six seniors, which this year consist of Nicholas Andreucci, Brian Batting, Ronnie Luke, Liam Elliott, Christopher Ansaldi, and first year varsity player Miguel Ortega. Along with the captains, the seniors will be expected to have leadership as well for the underclassmen. This leadership, along with the skill level of the team, will combine to create a powerful team both on and off the field. Newcomers to the varsity team include freshman Reid Kankel and sophomores Michael Goroshko and Kevin Gilligan. Returning varsity underclassmen for the season include juniors Joshua Simon, James Pandolfo, Matthew Geer, and Kyle Twomey.
Both offensively and defensively the team has the confidence and skill that will enable them to go the distance. Defensively the team has pitchers who will be able to keep them afloat almost every game. Geer, a returning starter pitcher, had a stand out year last year on the mound having five out of the six wins. Behind the plate will be Elliott, a three year varsity player, creating an unstoppable battery. At the plate, the team has some key hitters returning including their very own captain Martino.
As a whole, the team chemistry is at an all time high. This chemistry will translate onto the field creating a solid core. “All guys on the team get along great and there’s no cancers that are gonna bring us down. I’m honored to lead this team and excited to get out there and make some noise” confesses captain Luke. MHS is excited to see how the boys do this season.
