ATHOL — Wins are rolling in for the Athol baseball team to open the spring season.
Part of the team’s success comes from the powerful right arm of pitcher Mark Ferrari.
“Our chemistry is really good,” Ferrari said. “And we added a few really good players.”
Ferrari is a power pitcher with a curveball and is working on changing speeds to deceive.
“I have been working on throwing in my changeup,” Ferrari said. “I didn’t really have one last season. It’s something I want to progress on for sure.”
The command of the staple off-speed pitch has not been there yet for Ferrari.
But for now, the four-seam and two-seam fastball can continue to overpower hitters early in the count.
But when a talented hitter is at the dish, a good old hook is the strikeout pitch of choice for Ferrari.
“It depends but I would most likely go curveball,” Ferrari said. “But I could also spot up outside and blow it right past them.”
Ferrari is closing in on 150 strikeouts for his career as a junior.
So far in the season, Ferrari has two starts for the Red Raiders and two relief appearances.
“It doesn’t matter where I pitch,” Ferrari said. “Just as long as we win.”
Against South Hadley, Ferrari struck out 13 batters in the win for Athol, but he also had seven walks.
“It was tough finding my fastball,” Ferrari said. “My command was off the whole game.”
Ferrari then started against Frontier, giving up three walks and two hits in the first inning.
The game was suspended due to rain in the third inning.
“It was a big game with a lot of hype around it,” Ferrari said. “It was tough conditions.”
For some reason, Ferrari has struggled in the first innings of games during his baseball career.
“It’s always been my worst enemy,” Ferrari said. “But once I get through the first inning, I start pumping and I feel better. Maybe I get in my own head in the first inning.”
Ferrari is also doing damage at the plate for the Red Raiders, with eight total hits in five games.
Finding a spot on defense for Ferrari when he isn’t pitching was something that was in question before the season.
“After I throw, my arm hurts a lot,” Ferrari said. “Even three days after, I have to keep icing it.”
First base is a viable option, as it limits throwing and gives his arm a chance to rest.
Ferrari also plays basketball and soccer for the Red Raiders.
Ferrari was the leading scorer for the Athol basketball team and plays defense in soccer.
The points came often for Ferrari who scored in a variety of ways: from behind the 3-point line, going to the basket and turning his back to the basket to take advantage of size advantages.
A 35-point effort against Hopkins Academy highlighted his individual output.
“It’s a fun sport (basketball), I love it,” Ferrari said. “I think baseball is my main sport so I like to focus my attention on that. Since I was young I’ve always been better at baseball.”
Ferrari and the Athol baseball team are keeping goals short-term.
“As a team, we want to go game by game,” Ferrari said. “But like any other team, we want to be successful in the postseason.”
As of publication, the Red Raiders were undefeated through five games.
Favorite Food: Spaghetti and meatballs
Favorite professional athlete: Tom Brady
Favorite social media: Snapchat
Favorite show: I don’t really watch television.
Favorite vacation spot: Ogunquit, Maine
Role model: My father.
Favorite movie: The Sandlot
Pet peeve: Acronyms (LOL, LMAO)
Career aspirations: Business
Favorite website: ESPN.com
Favorite animal: Cheetah
Best pizza in Athol/Orange: Tool Town
Gameday ritual: Sweating a lot so I am ready on the mound. Work with bands.
Current sneaker brand: New Balance
Favorite music genre: Hip hop
Favorite artist: Juice WRLD
Best school subject: Math
Worst school subject: Science
Special talent: N/A
If I had a million dollars I would: Take care of my family.
