Nobody knows what’s going to happen Thursday night when the St. Mary’s baseball team takes the field against Hopkinton for the Division 2 state championship. But one thing’s for sure- I’m glad I don’t have to game plan for or play against this group of Spartans.
In order for a team to have success of any kind, it needs to be well-rounded. The Spartans are as well-rounded as it gets.
Pitching wins baseball games. When you think of St. Mary’s rotation, Bobby Alcock’s the name that jumps out first. Alcock’s the Spartans’ ace and he’s pitched like it through the postseason. Over his past two starts he’s been virtually unhittable, tossing 15 shutout innings. But he isn’t the only pitcher that St. Mary’s can throw to keep an opponent off the scoreboard.
From the outside looking in, freshman Aiven Cabral might seem a bit young for a No. 2 starter. But for those who wonder whether or not a freshman can handle that role, Cabral’s shutout win over St. John’s Prep answers that question. Cabral also gave the Spartans a quality start in their 2-1 semifinal-round win over Greater Lowell. Jared Coppola’s St. Mary’s No. 1 option out of the bullpen. Pitcher isn’t his natural position but Coppola has made the most of his opportunities on the mound. The senior right-hander has closed games and has given the Spartans boosts in relief.
Offensively, the Spartans have plenty of hitters who can get on base and help push runs across. Coppola, who’s having a phenomenal senior season at the plate, leads the charge from the No. 3 spot. Leadoff hitter Colin Reddy went 2-for-2 with two runs scored in Saturday’s 5-0 Division 2 North final win over Woburn. John Mulready delivered a clutch single that led to two runs via a Woburn error. Lee Pacheco, who hit a grand slam during the regular season, has come up with timely hits in key situations. The same goes for senior designated hitter DJ DiCenso.
As productive as they are individually, the offense is most effective when it works as a unit. St. Mary’s grabbed a 1-0 lead in Saturday’s game when Reddy led the bottom of the first with a walk, Kyle Ouellette bunted him over to second and Coppola knocked him home with a RBI single. It’s one thing to have an offense stocked with bats who can produce as individuals. When you have an offense that picks its teammates up, you’re bound to do something special.
Defensively, the Spartans have been sharp through the tournament. Outfielder Terence Moynihan saved two runs Saturday when he ran down a deep fly ball and made the catch on the warning track. Looking back on the game Woburn didn’t have many chances to score after that, making Moynihan’s catch even more crucial to the win. As Spartans coach Derek Dana said, “With this group of kids, they saw what can ultimately affect a game. One play, whether it’s in the first inning, second inning or 10th inning. You have to be focused on every pitch. The play that wins or loses a game doesn’t always have to be in the last inning.
“The kids come to practice every day and we talk about how every game we play is the most important game of the year,” Dana said. “I’ve told them that from the beginning of the year. In this setting, it is the most important game of the season. You either win or you go home. We’ve tried to apply that and kids have seen it. We have one more opportunity.”
This team’s journey to the 2019 state final, in my eyes, started last season. The Spartans’ 2018 tournament run ended in a 3-2 9-inning quarterfinal loss to (eventual) Division 2 North champion Beverly. At the time it might not have felt like a step in the right direction when the season ended in a heartbreaker. But I’ve always subscribed to the theory that in order for a team to accomplish something special, it has to experience the pain of defeat. St. Mary’s learned from its loss to Beverly and the Spartans have applied those lessons this postseason. Now they know how important each of the 21 outs are in a 1-0 or 2-1 game. Now they know the level of execution it takes to reach the state final.
Regardless of what happens Thursday the Spartans should be proud of themselves. As a team, one of your goals is to play as many games as possible and they’ve checked that box. It’s clear that these Spartans were built for something special. They’re one win away from reaching their ultimate goal and I’m glad I’m not in their way.