PEABODY — It’s been four years since the Peabody West 12-year-old all-star team last ran a victory lap with a District 16 championship banner.
Manager Shaun Coburn has high hopes that this year’s team is ready to pick up where that 2022 team left off.
“I am really excited to have the entire team back together this year,” Coburn said. “I’ve coached these boys since they were eight years old, and it’s great to finally have the full squad back together. As 11s, we made it to the championship game and lost to a very good Lynnfield team. This year, we have a very strong defensive team and a solid lineup from top to bottom. District 16 is extremely competitive, and the boys know the challenge that lies ahead. They are excited, motivated and ready to get started.”
Coburn plans to use a five-player pitching rotation consisting of Brayden Coburn, William Sabia, returning pitcher Connor Segee, 11-year-old Robert Stanziani and Jaxson Vallatini.
Brayden Coburn also will play the outfield and second base. Sabia will split time between first and third base, while Segee will also see action at shortstop and second. Stanziani is expected to play shortstop and catcher, and Vallatini also will see time at first base.
“All have strong arms and experience at this level,” Coburn said.
Tyler DeAmelio, who also played with the 12-year-olds as an 11-year-old last season, will play second and third base. Austin Burke, Gaetano Fodera, Julien Hendrick, Louie Ippolito and Jake Kalliandis are slated to patrol the outfield, while Ippolito also is in the mix at third base.
Cooper Williams, Burke and Fodera round out the catching rotation.
Shaun Coburn, who will be assisted by coaches Kyle Segee and Rob Stanziani, expects several teams are capable of winning the district title, starting with Lynnfield.
“Lynnfield has been the team to beat since this group was 10,” Coburn said. “They won the district as 10s and 11s, so I expect them to be the team to beat again. I also think Peabody, Winthrop and Swampscott will be very tough.”
Peabody West was slated to scrimmage Reading, Manchester-Essex, Melrose and North Reading. On Saturday, the team piled into a rented van and traveled north to Cumberland County, Maine to take on the 2025 Maine 11-year-old state champions.
“It was a great opportunity for the team to come together and see where we stand,” Coburn said. “We took away a lot of positives from the experience while also identifying areas where we still need to improve. These games will help us continue evaluating the team and finalize our starting positions.”
Peabody West opens District 16 play Tuesday against Winthrop at Swampscott. First pitch is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
“Last year as 11s we had a very tough game against Winthrop. We were down 7-2 when the game got called by rain and we had to come back the following day and were able to stage a massive come from behind win,” Shaun Coburn said. “I know that Winthrop has this game circled and will be coming for revenge. They were an extremely well coached team so I have no doubt they will be prepared and ready to go on Tuesday.
“The boys are excited to get back on the field. They have maintained a positive attitude throughout the process, and everyone is buying into their role on the team. They understand that embracing those roles will be crucial to maximizing our potential.”
