Veteran coach John Kearney has Trojans pointed at back-to-back OCL titles; Auburn Rockets fueled by Leroux.
A four-run, second inning outburst told most of the story for Bridgewater-Raynham (7-1) in its recent 8-4 win over Attleboro. Drew Larson legged out an RBI double and just three pitches and three batters later, Mike Connolly hit a sacrifice fly followed back-to-back homers to right by Ed Campbell and Tyler Waterman and the Trojans never looked back.
B-R's rich history has been forged by such legendary coaches as Hank Pearson and Stan Holmes, and by several MLB draftees: Glenn Tufts, No. 5 pick of Cleveland in 1973, Mickey Pina, Rick Smith, Bridgewater State head coach (400-game winner); and Rich Dubee, current pitching coach for the world champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Trojan head coach John Kearney (11 years) is trying to guide the Trojans (7-1) to a defense of their 2008 OCL title and return to the Division 1 playoffs for a ninth straight year after a 2008 campaign in which they were 17-6, advancing to the South Sectional semifinals.
Larson, a senior centerfielder, and pitcher/third baseman Ed Campbell stand out. Larson, a four-year starter headed for Franklin Pierce College next year, is hitting almost .450 and has a .600 on-base percentage.
"He makes things happen for us," says Kearney, noting Larson's daring steal of third base helped break open a tie in a prior game, a 4-2 victory over Division 2 powerhouse Plymouth North. "He scores a ton of runs."
Campbell, a junior lefty, has a 17-1 career record and is 4-0 this season with a 0.40 ERA and has 39 strikeouts in 24 innings.
"He is our ace of the staff," Kearney said. "But he has been our most consistent hitter, too, and has had 12 RBIs and two homers this year."
Also on the mound is another lefty, junior Mike Duran (2-0) along with righty closer Greg Leger who has three saves and has commited to Cortland State.
Other seniors include infielders Anthony Tempesta, Tyler Irving and Kyle Smith as well as Tyler Dennis and Donnie Doroni.
"The OCL has only five teams but it is very competitive," Kearney said. "Dartmouth leads the league and is the only team that beat us (6-5). Taunton, Barnstable and Attleboro always have strong teams and a lot of very good players.
"Our first goal is to win the OCL and then think about the state tournament. We are really hungry after reaching the semifinals last year (9-2 loss to Walpole). Pitching and defense is what we preach the most."
Auburn shuts out Uxbridge
Things are going right at Auburn High School, especially its modern building (2006) where student-athletes also take advantage of FieldTurf facilities for football and field hockey, a state-of-the art rubberized track and new baseball and softball fields and tennis courts.
But things are going right on the diamond, too. A combined one-hitter by hurlers Curtis Lebeau (four innings) and Chris Halliday, Ben Libuda and Jeff Croteau, along with a triple, double and two singles and six RBI by Northeastern-bound catcher Jon Leroux, sparked the Rockers to their seventh straight win, 10-0 over host Uxbridge.
Auburn's fifth-year head coach Eric Swedberg, former Worcester State and Gardner High School standout, strives for perfection, relying on an aggressive philosophy and having fun, a style preached by renowned Worcester State coach, Dr. Dirk Baker. It is not unusual to have players looking at PowerPoint presentations.
"We teach them how to run well, tune their swings and pitch efficiently," Swedberg said.
Pitching aces are Croteau, a senior, and sophomore Tyler Beede.
"Jeff (Croteau) is an experienced captain who never gets rattled," Swedberg said. "He is not afraid to pitch in tight spots and does what a good high school pitcher needs to do."
Middle reliever Chris Halliday, Brian Sullivan, Lebeau and Libuda round out the staff.
The squad's heart and soul is senior catcher Leroux, averaging over .440 for his four-year career. He was also the quarterback of the two-time Super Bowl championship squads and participates in basketball.
"Jon just has uncanny communication with his pitchers," Swedberg said. "And he is one of the premier athletes of the school."
Other strong players include leadoff hitter Nick Natoli along with sophomore second baseman Steve Wallace, Evin Pluff at shortstop and third baseman Shane McNally. The outfield consists of Connor Beach, Sullivan, and Wallace or Brendan Van Beekom, a cleanup hitter who hit .455 last season.
"Northbridge has always been one of the best teams around and Grafton and Millbury are strong this season," Swedberg says of South Worcester County East League competition. "Leominster, Wachusett, St. Peters and St. John's (Shrewsbury) around here are consistently overlooked and put out a lot of great players and teams. Algonquin has been a powerhouse and Hudson has been strong, too."
Despite losing a 1-0, 10-inning game to Plymouth North in the state finals a year ago, they will play the Eagles again in a regular-season finale.
"Our philosophy is that we preach efficiency and not endurance. We always have a plan and the kids know it," Swedberg said.
Perhaps that plan will result in another Central Massachusetts crown and a trip to the finals.
"Our major goal is to help each kid get into a school and make a decision to get a college degree."
