St. John’s Prep, Lynnfield baseball teams gear up for the season

St. John’s Prep baseball coach Pat Yanchus is doing what every other high school coach is doing this week – he’s sizing up the talent and looking to fill the holes that need to be filled.The one difference, however, is that he’s getting to see his players showcase their ability on the baseball diamond and not inside a gym. The Eagles started the week outside thanks to the installation of a new artificial turf baseball field during the off-season.”It’s nice not being in the gym,” Yanchus said. “Although it still gets a little cold around 5:30 (p.m.).”St. John’s Prep went 12-8 during the regular season last year. The Eagles won their first game in the tournament (vs. Cambridge) before losing a heartbreaker to Westford Academy. Yanchus lost six starters from that team to graduation, including pitcher Jordan Edgett of Lynn, who is now playing at Bowdoin. Another pitcher, Matt Warden, graduated, as did catcher Trevor Manzi, who led the team in hitting with a .393 average. Also gone are shortstop Danny Hall (Wheaton) and Derek Coppola (prep school).The three returning starters, who share the captain’s role this year, are outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, who hit .390 in 2008 and is bound for Vanderbilt in the fall; pitcher Chris Carmain, who went 3-1 with a save last year (he also hit .379); and Peter Castoldi, who played third and shortstop last year; he hit .281. Carmain and Castoldi are both heading to Northeastern University in the fall.Carmain, Edgett and Warden were the mainstays of the Eagle pitching staff last year. Carmain started six games. Dan Eisenberg, who started two games, is back this year. Yanchus has quite a few players back who saw varying degrees of playing time last year, including catcher/first baseman John Vigliotta; third baseman Pat Connaughton; catcher T.J. Petrikas; second baseman Derek Dubois; and outfielders Garrett Folger and Greg Donahue. Nick Fabrizio, who was the top pitcher on the junior varsity last year, should also figure in the mix.”I think we have a pretty decent amount coming back. Hopefully, they’re all improved or will be improving ? Those who didn’t start many games are a little untested, but hopefully they’ll do well,” Yanchus said, adding he’s looking for Carmain and Yastrzemski to pick up where they left off last year.The Eagles open at home against Methuen.LYNNFIELDLynnfield High baseball coach John O’Brien has five returning starters to build around, including senior captains Garrett McNeill, a pitcher and outfielder; Matt Connolly, a second baseman and shortstop; and John Caruso, an outfielder. All three are three-year varsity players.O’Brien will also be counting on returning players Mike Lang, a senior second baseman/third baseman; Nick Roberts, a junior catcher who is also a captain; Dante Padovani, a shortstop and pitcher; Sam Oliveri, an infielder/outfielder; and Chris Grassi, a pitcher, shortstop and outfielder. Padovani and Roberts both started last year.”We’re definitely looking for another starting pitcher and we have some holes to fill in the outfield,” O’Brien said.The Pioneers are coming off a 7-13 season. Last year was the first time the team missed qualifying for the state tournament in eight years.”The kids are looking to get back to being a challenger in the Cape Ann League and have a chance to make the tournament,” O’Brien said. “The kids want to get back on the winning side of baseball.”O’Brien said he had 35-40 players trying out for varsity and another 20 freshmen. The Pioneers will tune up for the season with scrimmages against Wakefield, Stoneham, Everett and Belmont.