Last season, Swampscott’s baseball team – at times – showed its youth. This spring, although the Big Blue are still young, they return all but one senior (Nick Paradise), and head coach Joe Caponigro hopes the team can take steps in its development.
“Record-wise, last season was way down. We only had two players who had any varsity playing experience going into that season. This year, although we are still young, we do possess quite a bit of experience due to guys being thrown into the mix last season,” Caponigro said. “It is evident that many of our players have taken it upon themselves to work on their baseball crafts during the offseasons that they have – and they are ready to battle.”
The Big Blue are two weeks into practice, and if there’s one thing about early spring, it calls for cold evenings and some rain, making it hard for teams across the North Shore to find a real groove.
“Like everyone else, we have had to deal with the weather and field conditions, but we have been able to get outside for most practices and we have also had some scrimmages. We have 52 student-athletes in the program across three teams (freshman, JV, varsity) and the enthusiasm and commitment put in by the players and coaches have been terrific.”
Swampscott returns one of its top players in Nick Berube, and then there’s Jason Bouffard at first base.
“Junior shortstop and right-handed pitcher, Nick Berube, was our best player last year and a (Northeastern) conference All-Star. Senior first baseman Jason Bouffard also came on strong last season and was a conference All-Star,” Caponigro said. “We will be looking to our pitching staff consisting of Jack Spear (Swampscott’s starting quarterback), Jami Ford, David Palmer, Quinn Hitchcock, Quinn Fitzpatrick, Dawson Dibarri, and Jake McGonagle, to be the catalyst for any success.”
Despite all of the returning talent, Caponigro and his staff are still figuring out the strengths of this unit.
“Our coaching staff discusses this all the time, but I think that the verdict is still out,” he said. “We do feel that our competitive level will be strong, as we have many multi-sport athletes in the program who know what it takes to be successful in the NEC.”
Earlier in the week, Swampscott scrimmaged against Lynn English. The Bulldogs have some of Caponigro’s former players in charge, who he was excited to share the diamond with.
“It was great to get outside on a day when we were not freezing or getting soaked. It almost felt like spring. We were able to get nine innings in and we saw some positives from the scrimmage,” Caponigro said. “It is great to get with Lynn English as two former players of mine do a wonderful job of coaching the team. Head coach Esteban Paula and Brett Molea, one of his assistants, were excellent players for me and it warms my heart to see them coaching. I can’t forget their other assistant coach, Douglas Diaz, who is also a good friend of mine.”
On the topic of leadership, the Big Blue look toward captains Will Roddy, Bouffard, and Luca Croft.
“We obviously look for leadership, not just from our captains, but from all of our seniors. We expect that these guys will be role models for our younger players in the system and lead by example in the classroom, as well as on and off the field,” Caponigro said.
Step one sees Swampscott visit Salem this Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., a program with a new head coach.
“Salem has a terrific club with many players returning, and what better way than to start out against the defending champs of our division? Our guys are chomping at the bit to get into our season schedule,” Caponigro said. “Personally, I am excited to see Salem’s new head coach, Matt Hubauer, at the helm. Hubie was with us for a few years before he moved over to Salem with then-coach Matt Lessard. Hubie is a great guy and coach, and I know he will do an excellent job with the program.”
