LYNN — The Futures Collegiate League season is just two weeks old and there is plenty more baseball to be played, but the North Shore Navigators are certainly happy with where things stand right now.
After failing to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history and finishing last summer with a 20-35 record, the Navs currently sit atop the seven-team league standings with an 8-3 record that includes three straight wins. North Shore will look to continue its best start since 2013 when Westfield visits Fraser Field Friday night (7).
“After the disappointing 2018 season, we knew we had to change our strategy if we wanted to be competitive,” said Assistant General Manager Joe Gill. “Coach Mike Odenwaelder has done a tremendous job of creating the cohesive clubhouse culture that has been absent for the past few seasons.
“This early success is not by accident. The players are arriving 3-4 hours earlier than they are required to make sure they get their work in. I am excited to see where this season brings us.”
The stars have been many for first-year head coach Mike Odenwaelder’s club, which has logged more than seven runs and 10 hits per game while compiling a .290 batting average that is 32 points better than second-place Pittsfield.
Five regular players are hitting at least .325, but no FCBL player had climbed higher in that statistic than former St. John’s Prep standout Tyler MacGregor (Columbia) entering Thursday. The Peabody native has broken out as North Shore’s primary third baseman, leading the FCBL with a .450 average (18-for-40).
MacGregor and second baseman Dominic Freeberger (UNC Asheville) have both reached base in all 11 games, with the latter riding an eight-game hit streak that is tied for the league’s best.
Outfielder Ben Malgeri (Holy Cross) leads the Navs with 12 RBI and 14 runs scored as a five-hit Sunday performance against Westfield helped his average climb to .357. Sean Lawlor has followed up a tremendous spring at Division II Flagler College by hitting .325 with 10 RBI and one of the team’s seven home runs.
MacGregor and Danvers native Andrew Olszak (Southern Maine) have driven in 10 runs apiece, while Austin Prep grad Logan Bravo has left the yard twice in just six games since completing his freshman year for Ivy League champion Harvard.
Catcher/outfielder Nolan Watson (Dayton) has helped the team generate offense as a result of five stolen bases in six attempts. Former Swampscott catcher Louis Olivieri (Central Alabama CC) provided one of the early highlights last Thursday, hitting a game-winning, 3-run home run in the eighth inning against Pittsfield.
“Our ability to capitalize with runners on base has resulted in tremendous run production so far,” said Odenwaelder. “With the way we swing the bat, we’re never out of a game no matter what the score is.”
Opponents have hit just .214 against a pitching staff that includes a few locals making regular contributions. Marblehead’s Beau Dana (Dickinson) has been dominant as the closer, totaling a league-high five saves ― more than every other FCBL team ― while allowing just three hits and two walks over 6 1/3 scoreless innings. Dana has struck out 13 batters using a fastball that has been clocked in the low-to-mid-90s.
Hamilton-Wenham product Hunter Wilichoski (Northern Essex CC) leads the league with a 3-0 record through five appearances after beginning the season on a temporary contract. Wilichoski has surrendered two runs on three hits in 11 innings of work. Swampscott’s Gavin Sullivan (Stetson) has worked out of the starting rotation, earning his first victory of the year last Sunday.
Trystan Sarcone (Dartmouth) and Arlo Marynczak (Siena) earned FCBL Pitcher of the Night honors after each of the last two games, respectively. Marynczak leads the Navs with 14 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings, six of which came during Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Bristol.
“Guys are beginning to fall into their roles and get comfortable with the positions they are thrown into,” said Odenwaelder of the pitching staff. “This is resulting in fewer walks and the ability to win close games.”
