FILE PHOTO
Andrew Selima and the Eagles are hoping for a strong season on the diamond this spring.
By STEVE KRAUSE
DANVERS — When we last saw the St. John’s Prep baseball team in action, the Eagles were a hard-luck loser to Braintree High in the state Division 1A final.
The Eagles lost to Braintree and pitcher Scott Creedon, 3-2, on a ninth-inning walkoff. It was the second year in a row where The Prep lost to Braintree and Creedon, prompting Eagles coach Dan Letarte to joke, “maybe we have a chance this year” as Creedon is now in college.
That doesn’t detract from the fine year St. John’s had in 2016. The Eagles were 20-8 and, after dropping the first game of the Super 1A tournament to Braintree, climbed all the way to force a winner-take-all game.
This year, the season starts early for the Eagles –April 3 at Catholic Memorial. Two days later, they’re home against Malden Catholic, and the following Saturday they’re at Peabody.
“We were outside today (Wednesday),” said Letarte. “We had a couple of nice days this week, but it got real cold out there. Lots of kids in ski masks.”
The Prep players went indoors Wednesday night to hit in the batting cages.
Letarte is optimistic this season.
“I think we have a solid club,”he said. “We have some experience, good defense, and hitting. We also have some pitching. We should be able to compete pretty well.”
Peabody’s Tyler Mcgregor is penciled in as the starting third baseman. Also, Letarte has some legitimate thumpers coming back. Senior Andrew Selima had five homers and hit .320 last season. Junior Michael Yarin, who was the football team’s quarterback last fall, has already committed to the University of Connecticut. He’ll probably play second this year. A season ago, Yarin hit .320 and had 25 RBI.
Letarte is expecting big things from shortstop Chris Francoeur, who, in addition to being a defensive wizard only had one error in 28 games in 2016, is among the area’s best high school golfers.
“His defense is going to be a key for us,” said Letarte. “We had another good one in Max Burt (now at Northeastern). It’s so important.”
Also back is right fielder Frank DiOrio, who also had five homers last season and knocked in 22 runs,
As for pitching, the Eagles are going to be young this season, with Letarte looking down the road at a very good staff in the next few years. There’s Jack Sanderson, a junior, “and he’s throwing 88 right now, and has seem some Division 1 interest. Casey Bussone, who will attend MIT, also throws in the high 80s.
“Other than that,” he said, “we have a bunch of rookies.”
Still, Letarte isn’t backing down from The Prep’s usual high expectations in all sports.
“I would like to see us get back to the Super 8,” he said, “and this time, frankly, win and close it out. We haven’t been able to do that.
“I don’t think that’s being cocky. It’s a very realistic goal.”
The Catholic Conference will be among the strongest leagues around, if not the strongest. Letarte said BC High, Xaverian and Malden Catholic are always strong.
Also in the higher Division 1 echelon are St. John’s of Shrewsbury, Walpole and Lincoln Sudbury.
“They’re all going to be in the hunt, and we play them all.”
