ATHOL — The Athol varsity baseball team finished last season with a 7-12 record, but a good mix of talent, confidence and chemistry on this year’s team has ninth-year coach Josh Talbot believing his team has a good shot at winning the Hampshire East.
“I love this team,” said Talbot. “This is a team that is working really well together. Their attitudes are good, they’re having a lot of fun. I think that we would be a tough team for anyone in our league and anyone in our schedule.”
The team returns one first-team All-Western Mass. player in sophomore Nicholas Bousquet, while then-juniors Robbie Nelson, Kris Selanis and Joey Lehtomaki all earned second-team honors.
“Kris and Joey, I think, hit about .650 combined in the second half of last year,” said Talbot. “They both have a lot of power, a lot of pop. Kris and Nick are, in my opinion, the two best hitters in the league and Joey is right behind them. Robbie had some injuries last year and I’m hoping he takes a big step forward. It’s potentially the best lineup we have had in awhile.”
Bousquet will be at the top of the lineup. He hit .482 last season with 14 runs and nine RBI. Selanis and Lehtomaki will be at the heart of the order. Selanis, the team’s primary catcher, hit .346 last season with eight doubles, six runs and nine RBIs. Lehtomaki hit .289 with three doubles and six RBIs. Nelson, the team’s starting shortstop after last year’s starter Tyler Lutz graduated, will also factor into the lineup.
James Laford will man second base and will see some time batting in the second spot. Freshman Keegan Lutz will take over duties in left field, while Sophomore Maysin Tarbell returns in center field. Freshman Noah Pottinger factors into seeing some time in left field as well as first base. When Pottinger is in the outfield, Lutz will move into the infield. Junior Anthony Oro will start as the team’s third baseman.
Talbot hopes to get freshman Tim Casavecchia into the mix defensively as well.
“He looks like he is going to be a very good defensive player,” said Talbot. “As a freshman right now, one of the best gloves we have. Hopefully we can get his bat caught up.”
Dakota Williams will start as the team’s designated hitter. Jon Mahony will spend time in the outfield.
“We really have 12 guys that will mix around in a few spots,” said Talbot.
Bousquet and fellow sophomore Mark Ferrari will anchor the team on the mound. Bousquet struck out 30 batters in 20⅓ innings along with a 1.27 WHIP. When he is not on the mound, he will play first base.
“Nicholas Bousquet and Mark Ferrari are kind of our 1A and 1B,” said Talbot. “Mark had a lot of success last year. Nicholas went down as a freshman with a little arm problems, so we kind of shut him down. So we are hoping he kind of bounces back. Those two are two of the best pitchers in the league in my opinion.”
Outside of the team’s two starters, Oro will see time on the mound as well as Pottinger and Laford.
The team begins their season Thursday on the road against Turners Falls High School. Their home opener is scheduled for April 10 against South Hadley.