Austin Prep Baseball Ops Delivers a Professional Game Day Experience—Run Entirely by Students

This story was contributed by Austin Prep, a Patch Community Partner. The views shared reflect the author’s perspective and feature real experiences from the Austin Prep community.

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READING, MA— At Austin Prep, baseball games are more than the innings on the field. Behind the scenes, a student-run Baseball Operations program manages every detail, from music and media to statistics and hospitality. Led by English faculty member Michelle Flaherty, with full support from Head Baseball Coach JP Pollard, the program has developed into a comprehensive, hands-on experience that mirrors the structure and expectations of high-level college athletics—an experience few college programs offer. For the students involved, it is a direct pathway into real-world roles in sports.

Built From the Field Up

Baseball Ops began as a small initiative within the baseball program and has grown into a structured system that now connects to both a Sports Operations club and a Sports Management course. Each year, students expand the program, adding new layers of responsibility and execution.

“The goal is hands-on learning for kids who may have an interest in sports management,” Flaherty said. “They can try different aspects and see if an area clicks with them, and see the actual impact of that.”

On any given game day, students are responsible for every operational element. They collect team lineups, manage music and announcements, track live statistics, coordinate hospitality, and produce content in real time. The experience reflects the pace and expectations of higher-level athletics.

“Players and members of the program say, wow, our social media page looks like a college page,” Flaherty said.

Katarina Burke ’27: Making Real-Time Statistical Decisions

For Katarina Burke ’27 of Reading, Baseball Ops centers on statistical tracking and decision-making that directly impacts how the game is recorded and understood.

“It’s really just us trying to get our faces into the sports from a more behind-the-scenes look,” Burke said.

Using GameChanger, she tracks every play in real time, recording pitch-by-pitch data and determining whether a ball in play is scored as a hit or an error. Those decisions require knowledge, confidence, and quick judgment.

“You have to trust your knowledge and make those decisions at a fast pace,” Burke said.

Her work feeds directly into the official statistical record that players, coaches, and families rely on.

“I think of it as a privilege,” she said.

As a lead within the program, Burke also helps guide younger students and supports overall operations across multiple areas.

Flaherty points to her leadership and reliability as defining traits.

“She’s just a really strong leader and does pretty much everything,” Flaherty said. “She’s reliable, she follows up, and she brings other students into the program. She’s someone we can count on in any situation.”

Lucas Ortiz ’26: The Voice of the Austin Prep Cougars

For Lucas Ortiz ’26 of Stoneham, Baseball Ops has become a platform to develop his craft as a live game announcer, serving as the voice that defines the energy and rhythm of each game.

“I realized that my favorite thing to do is talk about sports, watch sports, cover sports,” Ortiz said.

Now, Ortiz manages the full scope of in-game announcing, from pregame introductions to live updates throughout each inning. He studies lineups, confirms pronunciations, and adjusts in real time as the game evolves, bringing consistency and personality to every game he calls.

Flaherty also highlights his personality behind the microphone, where his humor and natural flair come through during each game.

“He’s our announcer, so he’s always on the mic,” Flaherty said. “He’s just naturally good at it. He has a natural voice for it, and he turned out to be really, really good. He gets excited about announcing his peers, and he has his own unique way of doing it.”

Sophia Fanuele ’26: Curating the Game Day Soundtrack

For Sophia Fanuele ’26 of Wilmington, the game day experience begins with sound. She is responsible for managing every player’s walk-up music and building the soundtrack that carries throughout each game. She manages the entire operation from her iPhone.

“Learning what goes on and how the game works behind everything was really interesting,” Fanuele said.

Her role requires both preparation and real-time execution. Before the season, she gathers player song selections, organizes them, and builds out the full music system for game day. During games, she executes each walk-up song with precise timing, adjusting instantly for substitutions and lineup changes.

What separates Fanuele is her command of the details. She knows every player’s walk-up song off the top of her head, allowing her to operate seamlessly without disrupting the flow of the game.

“Being super attentive is really the only way that it’s going to work out,” she said.

Flaherty highlights both her composure and leadership within the program.

“She’s a very calm presence, and she’s great at encouraging younger students who are just learning,” Flaherty said. “She runs the walk-up songs, plays the anthem and times it exactly right, and builds the playlists—making sure everyone has the music they want.”

Abby Ventullo ’27: Running the Scoreboard Without Missing a Pitch

For Abby Ventullo ’27 of Burlington, the scoreboard is her responsibility, requiring constant awareness of every pitch, count, and situation.

“It’s a lot of the background work… the stuff that elevates the game,” Ventullo said.

From balls and strikes to outs and inning transitions, she ensures that players, coaches, and fans always have accurate, real-time information. A current scoreboard not only enables players to track pitch counts and the score, but also allows parents and fans to stay engaged with the game as it unfolds. Her role demands focus and a strong understanding of the game itself.

“You just have to be paying attention to everything that’s happening,” she said.

Through the experience, she has developed a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind the scenes.

“You don’t realize how much work actually goes into it,” Ventullo said.

Flaherty emphasizes her confidence and versatility across multiple responsibilities.

“She has a strong understanding of the game, so she runs the scoreboard really well and always knows what’s happening,” Flaherty said. “She’s very confident and reliable. I can give her something and she’ll take it and run with it.”

Building Toward College and Careers in Sports

For the students involved, Baseball Ops is more than an activity. It is a launch point for future academic and professional pursuits. Through announcing, game management, music production, and statistical analysis, students gain direct experience in areas they are considering studying in college.

Whether pursuing interests in sports media, broadcasting, business, or analytics, they are building practical skills that translate beyond the field. They learn how to communicate, make decisions in real time, manage responsibilities, and work as part of a team under pressure.

The experience gives them clarity on what they want to pursue next—and the confidence that they can succeed when they get there.

See how Austin Prep students gain real-world experience through programs like Baseball Ops, where they build skills in broadcasting, statistics, event operations, and leadership. Learn more about clubs and student activities that connect academics and athletics, or complete our inquiry form to begin your journey.

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