HATFIELD — The specter of losing in the state final does not hang over Smith Academy’s baseball team.
How could it?
Only five players from that roster will suit up for the Falcons in 2016, and only four of them played against Saint John Paul II for a state championship.
“I’ve been referencing a lot of positive things about the past couple years. In the same token, there were things we could have done better (last year),” Smith Academy coach Jeff Pluta said. “Us not winning our last game of the year speaks to that. I don’t think there’s any baggage, even with the old group coming back. I don’t think they would use that to motivate them, necessarily.”
Instead, the Falcons are looking at the matter more practically.
The loss isn’t discussed with regret. It’s been analyzed.
“It’s brought up in the way that even though we were very successful, we did not reach our overall goal,” junior John Ferrara said. “We’re working on the things to be able to get there, the things that we didn’t accomplish last year, we’re working on this year.”
Three errors hurt Smith Academy in its state final loss.
The Falcons also gave up the most runs of their season at the worst time.
So Pluta will turn to his mantra, the two pillars he’s built his program on the past four years — pitching and defense.
“I believe that if we can make nine out of 10 easy plays, like routine plays, we’ll be in good shape,” Pluta said. “At this level it’s all about pitching. We’ve got that.”
Even without David Longstreeth, the Falcons’ longtime ace bound for Quinnipiac after a postgraduate year at Suffield Academy this season, Smith can hand the ball to either senior Kevin Banas or Ferrara.
Both featured into the Falcon rotation last year.
Ferrara earned eight wins, while Banas had three.
They both posted earned-run averages under 1.00 in 2015.
“There’s nobody I would rather have as my one and two than any of those two,” Pluta said. “I think they’re the two best pitchers in our league, and they’re both on Smith Academy, which is pretty sweet.”
Banas has waited for his opportunity to regularly take the ball near the top of the rotation.
He learned from Longstreeth and the Falcons’ large 2015 senior class but relishes the chance to step into a leadership role.
“Since I’ve been on varsity, I’ve been the younger kid, and everyone one grade ahead of me led the team,” Banas said. “It’s going to be kind of fun to switch roles. I guess lead by example, I’m not a big vocal guy.”
Neither is Ferrara.
He commanded respect from the mound last season as a sophomore with his play and demeanor.
That role will only increase as a junior.
“He was one of our de facto captains as a sophomore,” Pluta said. “He sets the tone pretty clearly.”
The approach from Pluta’s voice resonates with the team on the field.
The Falcons want to put zeroes on their half of the scoreboard.
Banas and Ferrara provide a solid foundation to their half of the pitching and defense equation. The newcomers are starting to settle into the fielding bit.
“It’s a lot easier to pitch when you don’t feel the pressure that if they make contact, it’s not OK. It’s OK to pitch to contact,” Ferrara said. “I’m not like a ‘contact pitcher,’ but I’m not afraid to pitch to contact.”
If contact is made, the Falcons just need Pluta’s nine-out-of-10 plays.
“If we can make some routine plays, no one needs to be diving off that dyke (in the Smith Academy outfield) making plays. If we can just make the ball 6-3 when the ball is hit to us we’ll be in good shape,” Pluta said. “Last year we scored a lot of runs, but that’s not really the plan. I pride myself as a coach on being able to manufacture runs to make things happen with certain guys and how we make the lineup up.
“One or two runs, our coaching staff will figure out. If we can pick the ball up and make the out, I think we set ourselves up to be favorites again for Western Mass.”
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.
BASEBALL
Amherst Regional
COACH: Greg Vouros, eighth year
LEAGUE: Valley League
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-9
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost 4-3 to Central in the WMass Division 1 finals
RETURNING STARTERS: Juniors — Jake Balderston, OF; Will Budington, OF/P; Max Hopley, IF; Nathan Masteralexis, IF/OF/P;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior — Saul Ayala, IF/P; Juniors — John Bella-Hunter, IF/P; Seth Bella-Hunter, IF/P;
NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Tosh Foerster, C; Keegan Madden, IF; Rohan Mody, OF; Jason Papakonstantinou, OF; Juniors — Julian Burgoff, IF; Alex Cantour, IF; Dylan Donoghue, OF; Trevor Edwards-Kemp, IF/P; Jonah Kane, IF; Stephen McCudden, OF/P; Sophomore — Brett Evans, IF;
OUTLOOK: Eight players are back from last season’s finalist team, but only two started. “We’re an unproven group. I think there’s a lot of potential for this group, but it’s unproven at this level,” Vouros said. “That’s what we have to figure out.” Amherst’s primary test will be to see if the new guys can hit against varsity-level pitching.
Belchertown
COACH: Tony Pierno, third year
LEAGUE: Hampshire West
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 7-12
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2013, lost to Athol 4-1 in WMass Division 2 first round
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Johnny Camerota; Mike Clark; Jackson Dziel; Jason French; Jonathan Ingram; Jack Kamins; Carl Teschke; Juniors — Tanner Clark; Jackson Leduc; Sophomore — Mitch Medina;
NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Ethan Barry; Jackson Dziel; Brian Perlok; Juniors — Hayden Bennes; Scotty Kopacz; Cameron Supple
OUTLOOK: Few familiar faces will don black and orange on the baseball diamond this season. Only Clark and Kamins saw regular time, while Teschke filled in occasionally. Kamins and Teschke pitched in addition to playing the field. The Orioles will face a tough test playing in the Hampshire West with the likes of Frontier, Hopkins and South Hadley.
Easthampton
COACH: Ed Zuchowski, 18th year
LEAGUE: Hampshire East
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-7
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, Lost 3-1 to Wahconah in WMass Division 3 quarterfinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Brandon Bennet, IF/P; Hunter Leveille, OF/P; Jamie Ryan, IF/OF/P; Shy Torres, IF/OF; Tyler Vishaway, IF;
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Liam Healy, OF; Juniors — Ian Adams, OF; John Bara, C/OF; Sophomores — Austin Kuenzel, C; Lance Parrish, IF/P; Dawson Wolcott, IF/P; Freshman — Mike Ryan, IF/OF;
OUTLOOK: After improving to 12-7 last season following a 6-12 campaign in 2014, the Eagles are looking to establish themselves as a postseason mainstay. They have a group of five senior starters back, including three strong pitchers in Bennett, Leveille and Ryan. “This is going to be their big year,” Zuchowski said. “They should be the reason we’re able to win a lot of games.”
Frontier Regional
COACH: Chris Williams, first year
LEAGUE: Hampshire West
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-11
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost 5-4 to Mohawk in WMass Division 3 first round
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Noah Barnes, OF/P; Brandon Bryant, IF; Evan Bourque, OF/P; Nolan Muzyka, IF/OF; Nate Patterson, OF/P; Baily Powers, C; Juniors — Kade Gewanter, DH/IF; Seth Gewanter, IF; Sophomore — Ben Arnold, 2B;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Justin Farrick, OF; Jake Rowe, OF; Tyler Unaitis, C; Junior — Kyle Spencer, IF/OF/P; Sophomore — Ben Litskoski, P;
NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Riley Baker, DH/OF; Dylan Husted, OF; Juniors — Liam Falla, IF; Scot Pelis, IF
OUTLOOK: A postseason walk-off ended the Red Hawks’ season last year. They bring back nine starters, including six seniors. Patterson will be the staff’s ace. “Bryant and Seth Gewanter make up the burliest left side of an infield that I have ever been around,” Williams said.
Gateway Regional
COACH: Jared Heeter, second year
LEAGUE: Bi-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 9-11
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2014, lost 6-5 to Hopkins in WMass Division 4 semifinals
ROSTER: Seniors – Brian Battles, Kyle Bean, Tyler Heeter, Tom Ruffo, Joe Rutherford-Bean; Juniors – Trevor Bruno, Joe Jones, Shane Mastello, Jake McKittrick, Brett Turban, Josh Webster; Sophomores – Garrett Bean, Brandon Daniels, Jayden Marge; Freshman – Anthony Piqette;
OUTLOOK: Gateway missed qualifying for the postseason by one game in 2015. Ruffo and Turban return for the third year in the Gators’ starting lineup. They saw postseason experience in 2014 but just issed last year. Gateway will carry experience into its attempt to reach the playoffs.
Granby
COACH: Jim Woods, 14th year
LEAGUE: Bi-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-9
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost 1-0 to Smith Academy in WMass Division 4 quarterfinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Matt Bleakley, OF/P; Joe Laporte, IF/P; Juniors — Joe Bessette, IF/OF; Noah Bleakley, IF/P; Joe Desormier, IF/P; Tom Rezzani, IF/P; Ben Rokowski, U; Mike Sosa, IF; E.J. Wiley, C;
NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Tristan Guzik, OF; Dom Rosazza, IF/P; Tyler Sullivan, U; Jack White, P; Sophomores — Joel Bryant, C; Matt Buxton, OF;
OUTLOOK: The Rams will try to play cleanly with a small group of experienced players. “We’re not a big, strong group, so we’re going to have to be as mistake-free as possible,” Woods said. “We’re going to have to play small ball.” Both Bleakleys, Desormier and Rokowski contributed significantly last season and will be counted on again.
Hampshire Regional
COACH: Bob Dombkowski, fifth season
LEAGUE: Bi-County South
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-5
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost 11-0 to Mount Greylock in WMass Division 3 final
RETURNING STARTERS: Senior — Brandon Weyant, OF/P; Juniors — Noah Batchelder, IF/P; Ben Fitzpatrick, IF; Garrett Kowal, OF/P; Riley Provost, IF; Steve Moussette, IF/OF; Max Weir, OF; Sophomores — Everett Warner, C/IF; Matt York, OF/P;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors — Matt Babyak, IF/OF; Greg Laroche;
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Austin Wing, C; Juniors — Connor Bryant, OF/P; Camden Kelly, IF/OF; Sophomore — Jordan Washburn, IF/OF/P; Freshman — Jake Batchelder, IF;
OUTLOOK: Fresh off its first WMass final appearance in 26 years, Hampshire Regional brings back nine players from that squad. The Raiders plan to rely on their defense and athleticism in the field after losing their top pitcher, catcher and shortstop to graduation. “Last year, a big thing for us was our defense. We played terrific defense, and I’m hoping for a smooth transition,” Dombkowski said. “The shortstop position is going to be key.”
Hopkins Academy
COACH: Daniel Vreeland, second year
LEAGUE: Hampshire West
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 16-4
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost 14-7 to Turners Falls in WMass Division 4 semifinals.
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Matthew Garand, C; Brett Morrison, IF; Junior — Trevor Fil, IF/OF; Sophomore — Jon Morrison, P;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Patrick Michalak, OF/P; Caleb Wiatsch, OF; Zach Yahman, IF/OF; Sophomore — John Earle, C/IF;
NEWCOMERS: Seniors — Brandon Bushey, OF; Riley Morse, IF; Liam Peterson, OF; Antonio Torres, OF; Sophomores — Justin Butterfield, IF; Mike Curran, IF; Freshman — Nick Delaney, IF;
OUTLOOK: Even if the faces are new to the varsity squad, they’re familiar to second-year coach Vreeland, who previously worked with the JV. Hopkins graduated nine players last season but returns a dominant starting pitcher in Jon Morrison. “I’m forever excited by what he can bring,” Vreeland said. The Golden Hawks will lean on pitching and defense to win games but can get runs “any way (they) need to,” Vreeland said.
Northampton
COACH: Mark Baldwin, 18th year
LEAGUE: Valley Wheel
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-13
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2013, lost 2-1 to Cathedral in Division 1 WMass quarterfinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Cody Cleveland, IF/P; Pat Grygorcewicz, IF; Tim Horton, SS; Hunter Salem, IF/OF/P; Junior — Will O’Connor, IF/OF/P; Sophomores — Andy Grygorcewicz, IF/P; Devin Kellogg, IF;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Hector DeJesus, OF; Tylor McCallumore, OF; Andrew Serio, C;
NEWCOMERS: Senior — Brandon Zaikowski, P; Juniors — Zac Brittain, U/P; Beau Garbarini, IF; Robert Kirvin, U; Ian McNamara, P; Joe Pion, C/OF; Sophomore — Aidan Chapdelaine, IF;
OUTLOOK: Tim Horton and Salem will lead the Blue Devils as senior captains. Both were selected to all-league teams last season. Northampton returns three starting pitchers and strong defense up the middle.
Smith Academy
COACH: Jeff Pluta, sixth year
LEAGUE: Hampshire East
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 22-3
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, Won WMass Division 4 Championship 1-0 vs. Tuners Falls; Lost 8-6 to Saint John Paul II in state final
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Kevin Banas, OF/P; Ben Bruscoe, IF/P; Juniors — John Ferrara, OF/P; Jack Hession, C;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior — Harry Adams, DH/IF; Junior — Thomas Hammond, U;
NEWCOMERS: Sophomores — Troy Benedict, OF; Matt Bouley, IF; Chris Darragh, C/IF; Xander Finch, OF; Liam Pitrat, IF; Freshmen — Owen Barnowski; Jack Zigmont, P; Eighth grader — Colin Ferrara, IF;
OUTLOOK: Dominant starting pitching should anchor the Falcons’ attempt to repeat. Banas and John Ferrara posted earned-run averages under 1.00 last season. Look for Ferrara to slide into the ace role vacated by the graduated David Longstreeth. Smith Academy’s youth will give the Falcons early opportunities to develop.
Smith Vocational
COACH: Carl Cyr, fourth season
LEAGUE: Tri-County
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-17
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2010, lost to Gateway 11-1 in WMass Division 3 quarterfinals
RETURNING STARTERS: Seniors — Manny Madera-Therrien, OF; Kevin Wackerbarth, IF/P; Brandon Wendolowski, C; Juniors — Hunter Brooks, IF/P; Sean Gross, IF/P; Matt Hewes, IF/P; Stone Mitchell, IF; Ryan York, OF/P; Sophomore — John O’Connell, IF/P;
RETURNING PLAYERS: Juniors — Mason Lewis, IF; Greg Mott, OF/P; Hunter Roberts, C/OF;
NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Jordan Andrews, C/IF; Drew Brida, OF;
OUTLOOK: The Vikings bring back all nine starters in Cyr’s fourth season. It’s an experienced group that has learned together through extended varsity innings from young ages. “They know my expectations. It’s been kind of the same in terms of the rules and whatnot for the team and getting better every year,” Cyr said. “The first couple years there were a lot of kids who had never played baseball before. This is the first year we’ve had to make some cuts.”
South Hadley
COACH: Matt Foley, 20th season
LEAGUE: Hampshire West
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 12-10
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: 2015, lost to Mount Greylock 13-3 in WMass Division 3 semifinals
RETURNING PLAYERS: Seniors — Ismael Diaz, IF; Alex Dragon, IF/P; Ethan Fleming, P; James Foley, IF; Justin Kleeberg, OF; Mario Oliveira, IF/OF; Colin Paleolgopoulos, IF/OF; Adam Pilachowski, IF/P; David Pratt, C; Thomas Shea, OF; Juniors — Ryan Mooney, IF/OF/P; Teddy Doyle, IF/OF/P;
NEWCOMERS: Juniors — Chance Almonte, IF; Nehemiah Wilson, IF/OF/P; Nate Poirier, IF/P; Kyle Gemme, IF;
OUTLOOK: The mild spring weather allowed South Hadley to practice outside for much of its preseason and early season group. The Tigers brings back 10 seniors from last year’s squad that reached the sectional semifinals. The Tigers will rely on a deep roster of pitching arms but needs to develop their offensive consistency.