Saugus hopes to ride ‘boys of ’03’ to winning season

SAUGUS – The Saugus High baseball team will have plenty of familiar faces in the lineup this spring with 15 returning varsity players on the roster.The Sachems, who finished two wins shy of qualifying for the state tournament last year (8-12), feature a veteran group that includes eight seniors, all of whom coach Pat Petrone expects to contribute.”The good thing about it is that they’re all good enough to see some action,” Petrone said.The senior class includes pitcher/outfielder Mike Silva, who Petrone said will be his No. 1 on the mound; Joe Meuse, an outfielder, and second baseman Matt Fraser.The remaining five seniors are familiar to anyone who followed the 2003 Saugus American Little League All-Star team that made it to the Little League World Series. Although one player from that team, Mike Scuzzarella, graduated from Saugus High last year and a couple are at St. Mary’s, five are wrapping up their high school baseball careers at Saugus this year – outfielders Dave Ferreira and Ryan Bateman, catcher Tyler Calla, and pitchers Mark Sacco and Craig Cole. Cole, who also plays shortstop, is actually new to the lineup, having spent his first two years at Malden Catholic and last year at St. Mary’s.”He’s a good player,” Petrone said. “He’s a legitimate good player and a good kid. These are gifts you don’t usually get.”Petrone was counting on Sacco to be his No. 2 pitcher, but Sacco is “on the shelf” with arm trouble.”He would have been our second pitcher,” Petrone said. “Sacco had three super efforts last year and he pitched very well in the summer. He got bigger and stronger.”If Sacco, who also plays first base, isn’t available, Petrone said Cole will likely move into the No. 2 spot with John Moore and Cameron Maguire rounding out the rotation. Freshman Tyler Kennedy should also be available in relief (and at second base).Vinnie Talluto is back at third base, Paul Andrews, a junior, is the backup catcher and a first baseman and Nick Scenna can pitch and play short. Christian Fabrizio and Kenneth Mills round out the varsity roster.The Saugus American contingent should also give the Sachems a boost at the plate. Bateman batted a little over .300, Petrone said, and Calla hit .450.”If we were playing tomorrow, Cole would lead off, Bateman would hit second, Ferreira third and Calla fourth,” Petrone said. “I think they’ll have an impact. They’ll do well.”