Stoneham Baseball Rides Six-Game Winning Streak into State Tournament

The  baseball team got off to a rough 3-11 start to the 2012 campaign, but after a six-game winning streak to end the season, the Spartans have clinched a berth in the MIAA state tournament with a 9-11 record after beating Bedford 6-0 to win the Woburn Holiday Tournament Sunday afternoon. 

Captain admitted that it is a great feeling to know the team finished the season on such a high note.

“Our winning streak came at the best possible time and we are playing our best baseball right when it matters most,” Young said.

Young said that the team has been on a role as of late because they have finally figured out how to win.

“Early on in the season we weren't playing as a team and (were) somewhat selfish,” Young said. “The second half of the season was totally different and we played with a totally new mindset. We are playing team baseball knowing that we can only win if it is a team effort.”

It has been an all-around change in attitude for the Spartans and the offense, defense and pitching has been carrying the team in recent weeks.

“We have been able to move on after making physical errors and not dwelling on them, allowing us to play great defense,” Young said. “ and have been pitching phenomenal in the second half of the season and our defense and sacrifices at the plate in order to score runs has been tremendous as well.”

has stood behind the team the entire season, according to Young.

“Even when we were in a deep hole after the first 10 games, he never gave up on us and always believed in us,” Young said. “We have played every game like a tournament game and that is what has allowed us to turn our season around the second half of the year.”

Young is looking ahead to the tournament and just wants to last as long as the team can.

“We need to keep playing well and continue with our great baseball play,” Young said.

Meanwhile, fellow captain Andrew Cann believes the team is starting to get bounces that never seemed to go their way earlier in the season.

“Being on a six-game winning streak is unbelievable,” Cann said. “We knew we were due for a run like this and right now we’re on a roll and we know we can make a deep run in this tournament.”

The inexperience of the team has not stopped them from learning how to win after losing a few close games in the early going.

“Since last year and into the beginning of this year, we have lost a lot of tough close games,” Cann said. “We’re a young team and we’re finally putting it all together and learning how to win those close games. We’ve learned how to win and plan to make it a theme for the rest of the season and (in) the seasons to come.”

Cann points out that the main goal of the tournament is to just compete.

“We know, especially the way we’re playing as of late, that we can beat anyone we’re put up against,” Cann said. “We need to compete on every pitch and every play and we could make a very deep run in this tournament.”

Cann said he has the utmost respect for his skipper, adding that Yianacopolus is one of the top minds in the entire Middlesex League.

“Coach Yiana is unbelievable and he knew from the start of the season that we were right there and we were one bounce or one hit away from a run like this and he never stopped supporting us,” Cann said. “He consistently encouraged us throughout the season and since we’ve been on this winning streak, he has no let up. He keeps pushing us in practice to keep getting better and continue on this winning streak into the tournament.

“Coach Yiana is the heart and soul of our team and nobody wants to win more than he does. Our success is due to his dedication, encouragement and belief in us through the entire season,” Cann added.

The Spartans will play their first state tournament game Friday at 4 p.m.