The baseball team has high expectations entering the 2007 spring season, and with eleven returning players, along with two PG’s, the team is rich with experience and talent. Under the leadership of Captain Sam Conte ’07 and six other seniors, Andover is more than capable of winning a Central New England championship for the first time since 2002. Last year, Andover had a terrific baseball season, finishing in second place and qualifying for the post season tournament. The team made it all the way to the semi-final playoff game, where it suffered a tough loss to the defending champion Cushing team. Now, a year later, Andover feels it can build off of last year’s impressive run. “With a strong core of kids who were able to get experience during our playoff run last year,” said outfielder Joe Smith, ’07 “we will be able to draw from that experience while working to make an even stronger push this season.” Although the team is not yet set in stone, Andover’s potential this season is certainly overwhelming. “Losing only three players from last year, our team will be more experienced and just as talented,” said Conte, adding that Andover has “depth in the pitching staff, solid defense, and a strong batting order from top to bottom.” This year, Andover adds PG’s Brian Thompson ’07 and Jack Dilday ’07, to boost an already impressive pitching staff. The season kicks off on March 31 against Noble & Greenough. Andover has a challenging 16 -game regular season, highlighted by two match-ups against arch-rival Exeter, a team that got the best of the Big Blue three times last season. If everything goes as planned this year, Andover could very well be the best team in its Central New England Prep School League. It is one of the most experienced and balanced teams Andover has had in the past few years and most likely in years to come. “This year’s team should be the best in a while,” said Smith. “I know that we believe that we can return to the playoffs…and bring home the championship this year. As far as we’re concerned, there will be no excuses for falling short of that goal.”
