Peabody coach Bettencourt hopeful for Tanners’ chances in 2011

Year in and year out, the Peabody baseball team always finds a way to stick its nose squarely into the race for the NEC North championship. In Mark Bettencourt’s six years as head coach, the Tanners have won five league titles and will come into this season as the defending NEC North title holder.If the Tanners want to repeat their title, it will take finding several new starters in the field and on the mound.Click here for a photo gallery.Ever the optimist, Bettencourt doesn’t see that as a shortcoming for his team.”It gives more opportunity for kids to step up,” Bettencourt said. “If we are going to have an issue, I’d prefer it to be pitching, because that’s my strong suit.”Peabody finished 16-6 in the regular season last year and reached the Division 1 North quarterfinals before being eliminated by Lawrence. That team was led by a rotation of Joey Gruntkosky, Nate Hubisz, Ryan McCarthy and Pat Ruotolo.This year, Ruotolo is the lone returnee to the mound from that group along with senior Nick Allen. After that, Peabody will be looking for hurlers to eat innings.”We just want to find a kid that can get the ball over the plate and that we can play defense for,” Bettencourt said.The Tanners return most of their starting lineup as Wes Sanders moves from third to second and Ryan Noftle takes the first base spot. Genaro Ciulla and Bobby Losanno will man the catcher and right field spots.Centerfielder Ramses Vittini is also back to help shore up the Tanner lineup, which will have to replace its long-ball threats in Gruntkosky and Pete Sucharewicz.”This year’s team is more of a singles, doubles type of offense,” Bettencourt said. “When the dust settles, I think we will have a pretty good offense. We just need pitching and on the books the most inexperienced position is on the mound.”The Tanners’ schedule will pull no punches this season either as they open on April 5 with a game against defending North champion St. John’s Prep and then will take on state finalist Xaverian in game two. They also will host the inaugural Tanner City Baseball Classic that includes Masconomet, Everett and Andover.”It’s kind of a strange year,” Bettencourt said. “I don’t know of any big name senior pitchers in the NEC. I think there could be some parity in this league and that’s always fun to see.”