Experienced roster, deep pitching staff set to lead Pats

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 3/31/15

With a largely inexperienced squad a season ago, the Pilgrim baseball team put forth a respectable season, closing their slate with an 8-10 record.

But with much of the same personnel returning …

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Experienced roster, deep pitching staff set to lead Pats

Posted

With a largely inexperienced squad a season ago, the Pilgrim baseball team put forth a respectable season, closing their slate with an 8-10 record.

But with much of the same personnel returning for this season, Pilgrim’s expectations are considerably higher than a season ago, with all of Pilgrim’s starters returning except for vacancies at first base and left field.

With last year under its belt, head coach Scott Bailey is confident that Pilgrim is ready to take the next step.

“I think we’ll match-up well,” Bailey said. “We’ll know how to compete and prepare.”

The Pats will be anchored by their pitching staff, as ace Elijah Dressel – a First Team All-Division I-South selection last year – as well as Chris Duchesneau, Mike Broccoli, Dan Reph, Robert Garceau and Darren Grant are all back from last season’s team and will provide some much-needed experience on the bump.

“Our biggest strength will be our pitching and defense,” Bailey said.

There’s no question that Pilgrim will be strong in the field, particularly at middle infield, where Tyler Perry and Brandon Paiva will return at shortstop and second base.

Paiva was a First Team All-Division pick last season as a junior and will be a key contributor again this season at the dish and defensively.

Evan Broccoli will reassume his duties behind the plate for the Pats.

Pilgrim has some questions in terms of starters at the corner infield positions, but it also has some depth.

At first base, Pilgrim will use a combination of Garceau, Devin Ramos and Chris Ray, while Bailey will play Ray and Anthony Russo at third base.

In the outfield, Duchesneau will patrol centerfield in addition to his pitching duties and Mike Broccoli will do the same in right field.

The left field position is up for grabs, but Bailey believes that junior David McMullen could be the answer in that spot, as McMullen played some as a sophomore last season.

All in all, Pilgrim believes that it’s in good shape to compete with the top teams in D-I this season.

The Pats are scheduled to open their season at Middletown at 4 p.m. on Thursday, with the game set to be played at Gaudet Middle School. The Islanders were 6-12 last season in D-I-South.

Pilgrim will then get a big test next Wednesday, when it takes the short ride up Warwick Avenue to take on defending state champion, Bishop Hendricken. First pitch for that game is also set for 4 p.m.

The Pats’ home field is in rough shape, but luckily for them, their first home game isn’t until April 16 against Lincoln.

Whether the field will be ready or not for then is still up in the air, but many of Pilgrim’s home games are in May, so the field should be well-prepared by then.

In the meantime, Pilgrim is making the most of its situation indoors – like every other team in Rhode Island.

“We’re getting antsy,” Bailey said of practicing indoors. “We’re getting cabin fever. Our field is in terrible shape. When it’ll be ready depends on the weather. We’re ready to get outside.”

The Pats will have that opportunity on Thursday, as they’ll look to start the season on a winning note.

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