Seacoast high school baseball 2024: What to know about every local team and key players
Here's a look at each Seacoast high school baseball team and the outlook for the 2024 season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
DIVISION I
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Scott Dubben, third season.
2023 record: 9-11, lost to Winnacunnet in Division I first round.
Top returning players: Ryder Aubin, sr., C; Charlie Kubiet, jr., P/IF, Alex Cook, sr., P/OF.
Other key players: Will Angers, jr., SS; Jon Dumais, sr., P; Ryan Sullivan, sr., 1B; Jacob Mangum, sr., 2B/C.
Season outlook: The Green Wave will have some good pitching this season, and the bats aren't far behind. Can those two things help Dover get over the first-round hump and make a run into the later rounds of the Division I tourney? ... "I think we've got a good shot at competing throughout the year to get into the playoffs," Dubben said. "And with the depth of our pitching staff, anchored by (Kubiet and Cook), we have a chance to make some noise for sure." ... Kubiet and Cook, both committed to Division I collegiate programs, may wind up being one of the top starting pitcher duos in the state. ... Mangum showed last year he has pop with the bat, and will be a key contributor, as well as multi-sport athlete Aubin, Sullivan and others. ... The front end of the season will test Dover as eight of its first 11 games are on the road - including four straight at Bedford, Windham, Bishop Guertin and Manchester Central-West ... If Dover can weather that 11-game storm, it will position the team well down the stretch when it plays six of its final nine games at home ... Dover opens the regular season at home on Monday, April 8 against Merrimack.
EXETER HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Bruce Joyce, third season.
2023 record: 16-4, lost to Concord in Division I tournament first round.
Top returning players: Cam Keaveney, sr., P/OF; Jacob Brown, sr., P; Hayden Schimoler, jr., SS/P; Cam Piwnicki, jr., P; Finn Adams, jr., C.
Other key players: Shea LaFleur, sr., 1B; Evan Louie, sr., P; Mike Caron, jr., MI/OF.
Outlook: Keaveney (Division I all-state first-team), Piwnicki (all-state second team) and Schimoler will headline what could be one of the best pitching staffs in Division I. .... Exeter returns eight players with extensive varsity experience. ... "Offensively, we return a lineup that was very productive last year and able to do many of the little things right like moving runners, running the bases, and hitting with runners in scoring position," said Joyce, who was named Division I Coach of the Year. "We'll need to do all of that and more this year as everyone in the league has solid pitching and scoring runs will be at a premium every game." ... Joyce named Londonderry, Pinkerton, Bedford, Goffstown and Dover as Division I preseason favorites ... Exeter opens its regular-season schedule on Monday, April 8 at home against Timberlane.
PORTSMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Tim Hopley, 29th season.
2023 record: 15-6, lost to Pinkerton in Division I quarterfinals.
Top returning players: Jake Carlisle, sr., 3B/P; Tucker Huskey, sr., OF/P; Gar Hindle, jr., SS; Devin Driscoll, jr., OF/2B; Ryan Clark, jr., C; Joe Zingariello, jr., OF/P; Zavier Lampert, soph., 1B/P.
Other key players: Finn Melchior, sr., MI; Patrick Bancroft, jr., OF/3B/P; Nick Gladu, jr., F; Andrew Hudlin, jr., OF; Porter Lalime, soph., OF/P; Nathan Delaney, soph., 1B/P.
Outlook: The new-look Clippers have to make up the loss of 10 players from last year's team, including three Division I all-state selections in first-team players Elliot Miles and Matthew Minckler, and Boden Driscoll, an honorable mention pick. ... "We'll be younger and look to gain experience as this season goes along," Hopley said. ... Carlisle was Division I all-state honorable mention player last season and has committed to play next year at Saint Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. He will headline a pitching rotation that returns just 39 2/3 innings ... "There are pieces there from which to build, however," said Hopley in reference to Hindle, Driscoll and Zingariello ... The Clippers open the season at home on Wednesday, April 10 against Manchester Memorial, but will be on the road for its next three games.
More: Who are the top Seacoast high school baseball pitchers in 2024? Here are 8 aces to watch
SPAULDING HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Brad Taylor, first season.
2023 Result: 5-13, did not qualify for the Division I tournament.
Top returning players: Darien Mercedes, sr., OF/P/IF; Owen Nesbitt, jr., P/CF; Wesley Alfonso, sr., 1B; Dawson Calero, sr., SS
Other key players: Aiden Locke, jr., C; Trevor Cormier, jr., 2B/SS; Hunter Trueman, sr., RF
Outlook: Though there is a new coach leading the Red Raiders, there are a lot of familiar faces returning to the lineup ... Pitching has been the strength in recent years for Spaulding, but with Taylor putting heavy emphasis on improving the team's hitting, the Red Raiders could look different this year ... "We've been working on that a lot," he said. "I'm actually pretty optimistic we're going to score more runs this year." ... Mercedes, Alfonso and Calero in the middle of the lineup will be difficult for pitchers ... Spaulding's pitching was hit hard due to graduation, but Taylor believes he has a true ace in Nesbitt ... Spaulding opens its regular season on Monday, April 8 at Manchester Memorial.
WINNACUNNET HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Aaron Abood, seventh season.
2023 record: 16-6, lost to Goffstown in Division I quarterfinals.
Key returning players: Miles Pratt, sr., OF; Jackson Larck, sr., IF/P; Timmy Knight, sr., SS/P; Brady Thompson, sr., IF/OF; Zach Conlon, sr., OF; Alex Santora, jr., C.
Other key players: Cash O’Hara, sr., P; Jones Vicinus, sr., IF/P; Mason McDonald, jr., IF/P; Connor Fowler, jr., IF/P.
Season outlook: The Warriors have averaged 16 wins a season over the past three years, and Abood believes they will be competitive again this year. “With Division I being so good, there’s probably 16 or 17 teams that can beat you on any day,” Abood said. “I am hoping to finish in the top half and be competitive; do what we’ve done in the past few years and give us a shot to win in the playoffs.” ... Pratt was a Division I all-state first-team selection last year, and Larck was on the second team. The two combined for 62 hits and 53 runs at the top of the Warrior lineup. ... Knight threw only 7 innings last year, but will lead a revamped Winnacunnet pitching staff. ... Larck, O’Hara, Vicinus, Fowler, and McDonald should all see time on the mound. ... Winnacunnet opens its 20-game regular season on Wednesday, April 10 at Keene.
More: 25 Seacoast baseball players to watch from 12 high schools in 2024
DIVISION II
OYSTER RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Cam Calato, fifth season.
2023 result: 5-11, didn't qualify for the Division II tournament.
Top returning players: Colin Klein, sr., C; Cam Sengenberger, jr., IF/P; Louis Goldberg, jr., IF.
Other key players: Owen Jacques, soph., CF/P; Landon Wolusky, jr., P/1B.
Season outlook: Th Bobcats were young and hit by the injury bug last season, but they return roughly 80% of their pitching, as well as Klein, a Division II all-state honorable mention selection. ..."Obviously we weren't successful last year, but we're hoping to grow and mature from the experience," Calato said. "Bringing a lot of the team back and hoping to get some wins this year." ... Calato said the biggest learning lesson he wanted the team to get from last year was just learning how to win at the varsity level ... "Learning how to close and what it takes to win a game," he said. "Experience can be a big deal, and we're coming into this year with experience and some growing pains from last year. Hopefully, the kids figure out how to be an effective varsity baseball player." ... Oyster River opens its regular season on Wednesday, April 10 at Coe-Brown.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Coach: Carson Cross, third season.
2023 result: 14-5, lost to Hollis-Brookline in Division III semifinal.
Top returning players: Sam Grondin, sr., P; Jeffrey Luchsinger, soph., P; Timmy Avery, sr., IF; Mike Skowron, sr., IF/P.
Other key players: Charlie Covert, sr., OF; Cade Murphy, sr., 1B/P.
Outlook: The Saints expect to be a legitimate contender again this year as they return two Division II all-state first-team players in Avery and Grondin, second-team picks Skowron and Covert, and Murphy, who was an honorable mention selection. ... "We're very excited about the maturity level of this group," Cross said. "We strive to be a playoff team and will look to find individual roles that helps us accomplish this goal. " ... Grondin, who is one of the best pitchers in Division II, and Luchsinger carried the bulk of the innings in 2023, and Cross said the staff will look for them to continue this year. ... Though the Saints will be among the top of the class, Cross said Division II is wide open this year ... "It all comes down to who's playing quality baseball in May and June," Cross said. ... The Saints open their regular-season schedule on Wednesday, April 10 at Sanborn.
DIVISION III
SOMERSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Brian Bussiere, second season.
2023 result: 6-10, lost to Prospect Mountain in Division IV tournament first round.
Top returning players: Kaden Bickford, sr., P/SS; Logan Perrault sr., CF/P; Lukas Kelly, sr., OF; Carter Morgan, sr., LF; Cam Dubois, sr.,1B; Eric Goodrich, sr., RF/1B/P; Simon Grandmaison, jr., IF/P; Will Sneddon, jr., OF; Thurston Boilard, soph., 2B/P.
Other key players: Jack Rossiter, soph., 1B/P; Camden Pettingill, soph., 3B/P; Jackson Dumont, soph., C; Zephan Grandmaison, soph., 2B.
Season outlook: Bussiere said the Hilltoppers are still trying to find their identity. ... "If we can come together as a team and play selfless, we'll be just fine," Bussiere said. "(We're) at our best if we are playing for each other, stick to the fundamentals, and do the little things correctly. We could be a team that can make some noise in the tournament come June." ... The Hilltoppers return a good nucleus of last year's team, including Kelly, a Division III all-state honorable mention selection. ... "Down the road we'll need some strong leadership to keep guys engaged especially in those tight ballgames," Bussiere said. "We benefit from a lot of guys with varsity experience, and we have some exciting new young guys. We made a lot of growth last year and are off to a great start this year; our outlook is bright.” ... Somersworth opens its regular season at home on Monday, April 8 against Berlin.
DIVISION IV
NEWMARKET HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Stan Jurkoic, 13th season.
2023 result: 18-2, beat Littleton in Division IV state championship.
Top returning players: Cam Moran, sr., C; Parker Sweitzer, sr., 1B.
Other key players: John Schlieder, jr., P; Jack Ferrelli, fresh., 3B; Evan Sheehan, fresh., P/IF; Matt Napoletano, soph., IF/OF; Jackie Prompradit, soph., IF/OF.
Outlook: Can the reigning Division IV state champs do it again? ... The Mules will have a lot of young pitching, but return Moran and Willerer, two Division IV all-state first-team picks. ... "I am always positive and hopeful about our team's performance," Jurkoic said. ... Jurkoic expects the team to be solid defensively ... "The key to success is how well our inexperienced pitching comes along," Jukoic said. ... Division IV should be stacked again this year as Jurkoic named Littleton, Woodsville, Colebrook and Sunapee as strong teams ... The Mules open their regular season on Monday, April 8 at Portsmouth Christian Academy.
PORTSMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Coach: Derek Summers, second season.
2023 result: 11-5, lost to Woodsville in Division IV first round.
Top returning players: Kian Littlefield, jr., P/SS; Cai Summers, soph., IF; Isaac Kohl, sr., CF/SS/P.
Other key players: Jason Ludwig, sr., OF/P; Brayden Leland, soph., OF/1B/P; Andrew Earwood, soph., OF/P; Grady Howe, fresh., C/1B.
Outlook: PCA put together a good season a year ago, and has the talent to have another good run in 2024 ... "Even though we're fairly young, there is a lot of talent and experience on this team," Summers said. "A lot of versatile players, and we should have a tougher lineup at the plate this season." ... Cai Summers led the team in batting average, hits, runs and stolen bases and was a Division IV all-state second-team player as a freshman last year, and Howe is a power threat. ... Littlefield led the team in doubles last year ... The Eagles open their regular season on Monday, April 8 at home against Newmarket.
MAINE
CLASS A SOUTH
MARSHWOOD
Coach: Eric Wells, fourth season.
2023 result: 12-7, lost to South Portland in Class A South semifinals.
Top returning players: Noah Fitzgerald, sr., P/CF; Tyler Hussey, jr., IF/P; Liam Tiernan, jr., IF.
Other key players: Charlie Hudson, jr., P; Ronan Garrett, jr., P/IF, Riley Parnham, sr., 1B; Ronan Casey, sr., OF; Silas Reimals, jr., utility.
Outlook: The Hawks return many players from last year's semifinal team. ... Marshwood is poised to be another tough team in 2024 ... "I think the guys are hungry to make a deeper playoff run last year, and hopefully see what it's like to play in the final four," Wells said. "If you ask the guys, they're dedicated and ready to break through and try to compete for a state championship." ... The Hawks lost in the Class A South quarters in 2021, and in the semifinals the last two seasons ... Fitzgerald is one of the best pitchers in Class A South, and will look to continue his dominance, with good depth behind him in the rotation ... The Hawks can hit and can quickly put up a crooked number in any given inning with bats like Parnham, Hussey leading the charge. ... Marshwood begins the regular season at home on Thursday, April 11 against Biddeford.
CLASS B SOUTH
YORK HIGH SCHOOL
Coach: Nick Hanlon, fifth season.
2023 result: 9-8, lost to Greely in Class B South preliminary round.
Top returning players: Ben Brown, sr., OF/P; Brody Gullison, sr., SS/P; Leo Sullivan, sr., 1B/P; Jakob Bergeron, sr., OF/P; Bradley Carr, jr., C; Jack Joyce, jr., OF/P; John Jacobsohn, jr., OF/P; Lucas Ketchum, jr., 1B/P.
Other key players: Alex Taylor, jr., SS/P; Connor Fell, jr., 3B, Robbie Hanscom, soph., 2B.
Outlook: All-conference players in Jacobsohn (first team), and Brown (second team) headline a deep returning core for the Wildcats ... York returns all its innings pitched from a year ago and eight of the nine lineup players are also back, which is a great thing as Hanlon said it's a "tight-knit" group ... "The key to this season is combining that team chemistry with all of the experience that players got last year as juniors and sophomore," Hanlon said. ... It's a deep conference as Hanlon said Greely, Yarmouth, Cape Elizabeth and Freeport will all be competitive. ... Carr is great behind the plate, who has the ability to slow down runners on the base paths ... York opens its regular season at home on Thursday, April 11 against Yarmouth.
CLASS C SOUTH
TRAIP ACADEMY
Coach: Alex Foye, second season.
2023 result: 2-14, didn't qualify for Class C South tournament.
Top returning players: Colby Christiansen, sr., P/3B; Alec Webster, sr., P/1B; Caleb French, sr., INF; Quinn Alessi, sr., OF; Jack McNamara, sr., OF; Owen McNamara, sr., OF/3B; Colin O'Loughlin, jr.,1B/P; Jack Downs, jr., C.
Other key players: Phin Fifield, jr., OF; Chris Ballano, jr., 3B/OF/P; Max Jordan, soph., utility; Seamus Berry, soph., C/OF; Beaoudh McEllin, soph., OF; Sean Webster, fresh., SS/P; Anthony Skowronski, soph., OF.
Outlook: "After playing a good amount of close games last year, our goal this year is to string together more complete baseball games hoping that leads to more wins," Foye said. ... That goal will looked to be accomplished by Christiansen and Webster, the team's top two pitchers last year, and a 'good group of seniors.' ... "We have a handful of returning players from last year's team ready to step into starting roles," Foye said. ... Foye said the top team in the conference remains Sacopee Valley, which appeared in last year's Class C South final. ... The Rangers open their regular season on Thursday, April 11 at home against Sacopee Valley.
-Capsules compiled by Seacoast Media Group staff writer Brandon Brown
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH ME high school baseball teams and key players for 2024
