After a successful spring training trip to Cocoa Beach, Florida and a 10-8 season last spring, Andover Baseball looks to come into the season strong. After last year’s great season, the team hopes to finish in the top four of its league and make it up to the semifinals. “With ten seniors on the team this season, not only will we have a talented core at the top of the lineup, but we’ll have a lot of experience,” said Captain Chris Cameron ’11. “This is a huge advantage given the complex offensive and defensive plans Coach Graber installed in his first year as Coach last year.” Heading into the new season, the team is looking strong and fine-tuned after a productive preseason down in Florida. Andover went 4-2 in their string of games over break, competing against other strong high school teams from around the nation. After losing seven players from last year’s team, the team will need multiple underclassmen to fill in the gaps. “The team is looking really strong after our Florida trip and with a great group of guys returning to the team we should be in position at the end of the season, to make a run at the New England Championship,” said William Poss ’12. Some key players that the team lost include Fred Shepard ’10, Sam August ’10, Jack Doyle ’10 and Bennett Carroccio ‘10. With several pitchers among this group, the pitching staff will need to step up big. Returner Thomas Palleschi ’12 will look to anchor this year’s staff and the team hopes newcomers such as Rory Ziomek ’13 and Derek Farquhar ’12 will help fill in the gaps. Along with Palleschi, Cameron, Brian Delaney ’12, and Zac Elder ’11 will be key components in leading the team to its second successful season under Coach Graber. They will unfortunately be without pitching ace Jeb Roberts ’11for the beginning of the season due to a fibula fracture he suffered this past winter. Delaney said, “The loss of Jeb [Roberts] was devestating however our time in Florida together, as a team, allowed some of the younger guys to really step up their game and really prove to the team they can fill his role. That being said, we all are anxiously awaiting Jeb’s return.” The team kicks off the season next Friday against Bridgton Academy.
