Committed to play Division I Baseball at Georgetown University next year, Co-Captain and catcher John Simourian ’16 hopes to lead Andover Baseball to a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (Nepsac) championship this season after it fell to Worcester in the finals last year. Boasting a .520 batting average over eight games so far, the four-year member of the team has propelled Andover to a 6-2 record to start the season.
Simourian’s skill and poise as a baseball player and Co-Captain make him an easy member of the team to look up to.
Taylor Beckett ’17 said, “If you ever don’t know what to do, you can just look at Sumo because he is always doing the right thing. He leads by example.”
During practices, Simourian always pushes himself to his limits, helping others strive to do the same.
“Sumo arrives to the park each day ready to work,” said Co-Captain Payton Jancsy ’16. “His work ethic is contagious and truly fun to be around. He inspires the team to support each other and leave everything they have on the field.”
Post-Graduate and shortstop Richie Ciufo ’16 said, “I admire his work ethic. He’s never taken a pitch off and he always works hard. He always runs everything out.”
A four-year member of the team, Simourian uses his experience from past years to guide his team.
Beckett said, “He’s been around since his freshman year, so he knows what the program is all about. He takes his experience and helps the younger guys.”
During games, Simourian’s leadership shines through, as his team spirit never fails to rally his teammates regardless of the score.
Ciufo said, “It doesn’t matter if we’re up by 20, down by 20, up by one, down by one – he’s always enthusiastic and he’s always supportive of everyone on the team. It doesn’t matter if you make an error or get a great hit; he’s always there to encourage you.”
Simourian lets his success during games speak for itself. Currently leading the team with 13 hits, he has used his skill at the plate to establish himself as a valuable player behind Andover’s offensive production this year. In Andover’s most recent game, a 16-0 shutout over Pingree, Simourian batted in a run and scored two more himself.
Always encouraging and supportive, Simourian advises his teammates to help them produce their finest results every game.
“When you love the dudes you’re playing with as much as [Jancsy and I] do, the enthusiasm for playing just comes naturally,” said Simourian.
Ciufo said, “[Simourian] always has a smile on his face, he’s never down, he never thinks we’re going to lose, and he’s always positive. He’s really good at keeping us all engaged in the game. He’s a great leader. He knows how to get us fired up even when we’re playing a team that’s not so good. It doesn’t matter what’s going on during the game. He’s always cheering for us and always keeping us focused.
Simourian’s love for baseball and his team motivate him to be the best leader he can be.
Simourian said, “[Andover Baseball] is the greatest group of guys on campus with the greatest fans on campus.”
