Season Preview: Pitchers Aplenty for Medford Baseball

If the saying “pitching wins championships” has any truth to it, then the 2011 Medford High baseball team certainly has a lot to look forward to this season. 

The Mustangs finished 16-4 last season and grabbed to fourth seed in the Div. 1 North sectional, only to lose 7-3 in the first round to 13th-seeded Westford Academy. 

Returning to avenge the early tournament loss will be senior pitcher and Greater Boston League all-star Danny Gilchrist, whose pitching prowess landed him a spot on the Franklin and Pierce roster next season. 

Joining Gilchrist on the mound will also be senior captains Andrew Ferrazzanni and Chris Salvati (also a GBL all-star) along with sophomores Corey Devlin, Chris Hayes and John Lavoie. 

“We have a heavy pitching staff this year,” said first-year head coach Mike Nestor. “We have more than enough senior veterans and sophomores that hopefully the seniors can help out. I’m really pleased with the amount of underclassmen and sophomores stepping up. They’re going to play a huge part in this season, especially pitching. We have more pitching this year than we’ve had in previous years. It’s exciting to see.”

Senior second basemen and Thomas Flores will be returning to the 4 hole and aside from pitching, Nestor will be relying on Salvati to fill in several roles vacated by last year’s seniors, including one of the most important spots that has yet to be filled: catcher. 

“He is going to help out with catching do to the loss of Danny Gunn who moved on to Suffolk. “We’re looking at him to fill in behind the dish and maybe work out in the middle infield positions. He’s one of our more important assets. He’s one of those kids that’s a tough, hard-nosed player.”

Even with Salvati offering to take over catching duties, Nestor has is eye on a promising younger player named Tyler Mclean, who may wind up setting up behind home plate this season. 

“He could end up being a diamond in the rough,” said Nestor. “He started out as a freshman catcher. He’s going to definitely come with us during tryouts. His potential is very good. He’s a very good player.”

As a first-year head coach, Nestor isn’t planning on making any major changes to the Mustangs and is hoping his aggressive style of play can help Medford make it back to the MIAA tournament for the fourth year in a row. 

“I like to play the game, bunt, steal, hit-and-run, make the kids move, make the kids think,” said Nestor. “The kids really enjoy playing... so hopefully with the talent we have this year we can do that.”

But while there is more than enough talent on this year’s team to make a state title run, there are always those familiar obstacles to get over. Namely, league rivals Everett and Cambridge, two teams that Medford went 1-3 against last season. 

“It’s going to be tough,” said Nestor. “Everett is going to be tough, they have a lot of people back this year and Cambridge is going to be tough. We have to play as a team and put individual goals aside. If we play as a team I think we can do very well in the league. We did well last year and I think with another year of maturity with this senior pitching staff I think this year can be a special year.”

The 2011 Medford baseball season kicks off on Monday, April 4 with an away game at Stoneham. The Mustangs’ home opener will be on Thursday, April 7 at 4 p.m. against Winchester.