Loaded with talent and led by Co-Captains Robert Cerulle ’17 and Taylor Beckett ’17, Andover Baseball is looking to win back-to-back Central New England Prep Championships this season. In preparation for the season, the team travelled down to St. Lucie County, Fla. last week, playing a total of six games, and finishing the week with a record of 4-2.
Andover’s training began during the Winter Term with optional practices indoors every Thursday and Sunday. While this helped each athlete develop in the off season, the team was happy to finally be out on the fields, according to team members.
Upon arriving on Sunday night, the team got right to work with a two hour practice. The next day Andover began routinely practicing and had its first game. Although the team had a rigorous schedule, it did have a slight respite.
Kai Marcos ’18 said, “Everyday we at least played one game and practiced, each two hours long. We had one off day where we went bowling and sat by the pool.”
According to team members, one of the highlights of the trip was Andover’s game against the Etobicoke Rangers, a team based in Ontario, Canada. After losing to the team last year, Andover was determined to win.
Marcos said, “We pulled out the team win with contributions from freshmen to seniors.”
Some of Andover’s success was due to its strong group of Upperclassmen athletes.
Coach Graber wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “Although [the Uppers are] a small group, it’s one of the strongest classes of baseball players we’ve ever had at Andover.”
Andover’s strong start during preseason might signal another deep run into the playoffs this year. Andover has won 10 league championships throughout its history, and the team has attended the Final Four eight consecutive times.
When questioned about this year’s season, Lucas Stowe ’20 said, “So far we had a lot of fun and team bonding in Florida, but we are not yet perfect. There is still a lot of work left to be done over the course of the season in preparation for where we want to be at the end of the season.”
Andover Baseball is scheduled to play St. John’s Prep this Saturday in its first game of the season.