The Londonderry High School baseball squad made it to the Division I championship games in both 2013 and 2014, falling to the Exeter High Blue Hawks in the earlier year before besting the arch-rival Pinkerton Academy Astros in the big contest two years ago.
In light of those facts, the Lancers’ 2015 finish – a 13-8 record and ninth-place tournament seed with a season-ending loss in the tourney quarterfinals – was something of a disappointment.
But despite the fact that the Spaulding High Red Raiders rose to the top of the division and grabbed the crown last spring, the Division I field appears to be wide open this season. And longtime LHS coach Brent Demas would like nothing more than to see his promising crew bust through the crowded field and get back to the title contest again.
“There really isn’t a team this year in Division I that is head and shoulders above anyone else. The parity this season should make things very interesting,” said Demas.
The 2016 Lancer crew features a mix of veteran talent and promising newcomers that has mentor Demas excited about what could come to pass.
“We have a solid defense and deeper pitching than most teams, two key areas to be strong in,” said Demas. “Offensively, we need the boys to be smart and students of the game. This team has good athleticism and is already coming together nicely. We have experience in key positions and youthful talent in others, and this should be a fun year.”
The squad’s returning starters include seniors Jim Zimolka (center fielder), Nick Musto (pitcher/ first base), and Tim McEachern (outfielder/ pitcher/catcher), and juniors Jon Meskell (third base) and Brody Dupuis (infielder/pitcher/designated hitter).
Other varsity returnees include seniors Cam Fennell (outfielder) and Noah Tavano (pitcher) and juniors Xander LaPlante (catcher/pitcher) and Nick Salcito (pitcher/shortstop).
The crew of newcomers includes senior outfielder Troy Nielsen, juniors Marc Brickley (catcher/designated hitter) and Tom Houston (second baseman), and sophomores Nate Sullivan (shortstop/ pitcher), Dakota Johnson (shortstop/outfielder/pitcher), Rick Perry (second baseman/pitcher), and Anthony Piriolli (first baseman/pitcher/designated hitter).
The Lancers will begin their new campaign by playing host to the defending D-I champs from Spaulding on April 13.
Lancer baseball’s promising newcomer Rick Perry warms up during batting practice at the ballfield recently. Photo by Chris Pantazis