Hingham Baseball set to compete for the Patriot League Title

After combining for an impressive 30-10 mark during the past two seasons, the Hingham High School baseball team is once again a threat to vie for this year’s Patriot League title. Capturing the 2009 league title with a 17-3 mark, the Harbormen displayed another fine season on the diamond last year.  The Harbormen compiled a 13-7 mark and suffered a tough 6-4 eight inning loss to Plymouth North.

Now with a seasoned and experienced team to work, with coach Bob Rodgers is more than optimistic regarding his team’s chances of another strong campaign.

“The team is making good strides,’’ said Rodgers. “We have quite a few young players on our team but they are playing with a great deal of poise.  Our pitching staff is solid with five strong arms.  We still need to figure out the roles of each player.”

Leading the way for the Harbormen are senior tri-captains David Hogan, Tim Winter and Alex Pompeo. Hogan will rotate between starting pitcher and shortstop while Winter is penciled in as an infielder and relief pitcher. Known for his defense and strong throwing arm, Pompeo will be positioned in the outfield along the right field line.

Other key starters returning for the Harbormen include junior Rob Madden, who will switch off between starting pitcher and leftfield while sophomore Evan Flanagan has fared impressive.

In addition to earning a spot on the varsity roster, Flanagan could secure a spot as a starting pitcher, while trading off positions with Hogan at short.

Rotating between first base and pitcher will be junior Sean Greene while fellow junior Kevin Minassian is slated to man the dish as the Harbormen’s starting catcher.

As for  pre-season scrimmages, the Harbormen have fared impressive, cruising to an 11-4 win over Norwell last week.

“Our team needs to learn how to approach varsity pitching instead of just standing in the batters box without a plan,’’ said Rodgers.  “Our more experienced hitters like Dave (Hogan), Rob (Madden) and Alex (Pompeo) will be good leaders for our younger hitters to emulate.  We are constantly trying to get our guys to think baseball and raise their overall IQ.”

As for promising newcomers, Rodgers has been more than impressed with the efforts of sophomore Eddie Bowler and Stephan White.  

“Eddie Bowler who is only a sophomore will be our starting 3rd baseman and will likely hit in the middle of the order,’’ said Rodgers. “He is a big strong kid who can really rake.  He is also extremely coachable and is always getting better from one practice to the next.

White, who has emerged as a pleasant surprise during the brief pre-season, could be inserted as a valuable cog in the outfield.

“White who is also just a sophomore has been a nice surprise,’’ said Rodgers. “He has excellent speed and a strong throwing arm which will be a great asset in our outfield.  I am sure we will see him develop into an outstanding varsity player.

While Rodgers has penciled in Flanagan and Madden as the Harbormen’s top two starters, he’s well aware that a quality reliever and a spot starter is essential, especially with the potential of back-to-back games due to rainouts.

“Evan Flanagan and Rob Madden will be our top two starters and we are still trying to decide the makeup of the rest of the staff,’’ said Rodgers.  “We need to find a closer and a third starter.”

As for top teams, Rodgers expects Duxbury to be one of the top teams in the league to challenge for the league title. In addition to Duxbury, the Harbormen will also participate in a spring trip to Florida during April vacation, where they’ll face-off against three teams.

“The kids set as their number one goal to win the Patriot League title,’’ said Rodgers. “Making the state tournament and winning in the post season is also a top priority.”

While Rodgers is excited about  the upcoming season, it’ll be his last coaching the Harbormen as he’ll be appointed as the new Athletic Director at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School effective July 1.

“This will be my final year coaching baseball at Hingham,’’ said Rodgers. “I felt it was important to come back this season and do my best to keep moving the program in the right direction.  It is very tough to leave Hingham for so many reasons.  First and foremost I have great kids who work so hard for us.  There is such a passion for baseball among these kids and it is just so much fun going to practice every day.  From a competitive standpoint it is extremely tough to be leaving this team because there is just so much great young talent.”

Today the team will play their first regular season game at Sandwich High School at 4 p.m.