Stoughton High Baseball Looks to Make Some Noise in 2012

Looking to bounce back from a , the baseball team aims for a postseason tournament berth in 2012 with a roster full of youth and experience, touting plenty of talent and depth.

Captains Brian Kaplan, Mike Connelly and Pat Jackman will lead the team this season.  

Stoughton coach Mike Armour is impressed with how Kaplan, a senior, has "delved into a leadership role." On the field, Kaplan will pitch.

"He's confident; he's got the presence," Armour said. 

Meanwhile, Connelly (catcher) and Jackman (shortstop and pitcher) are ready to assume leadership positions as juniors. Both have been key contributors since they were freshmen. 

"Not only are they very good players, but they're great kids and I really feel like they're ready," Armour said of his junior captains.

The team lost six players to a year ago - Adam Kenney, Kevin Linehan, Eric McPherson, Sean O’Malley, Atticus Rentsch and Luca Venterosa. Alex Fernandes and Frankie Morris, both starters from a year ago, are also not returning.

Still, a core of players are back who have varsity experience. 

Mike Gallagher, a sophomore, and Will McGrath, a junior, can both pitch and play the infield. Seniors Jamie Connors, Kenny Boykin, Cam Colson and Brendan Malley also return. 

Adding to the team's youth are sophomores Zach Gibb, Pat Raeke and Jovani Pires. Junior Mike Dixon makes the jump from JV to varsity.

"There's a collection of young talent. It's too early to tell who's going to step up but collectively...it's an exciting group," Armour said. 

Then there's a mix of seniors who are either starting their first year of varsity ball or are returning after a hiatus - Alex Kimball, Matthew MacDonald, Sean Flaherty and Thomas Berntsen.

Stoughton and hopes to return to the state tournament this year.

"We got a taste of it a couple of years back and that's where we want to be," said Armour, .

The Black Knights start a 20-game regular season schedule Tuesday at Foxboro. Stoughton has its home opener the next day when the team hosts Quincy on April 4.

"[We'll be an] easy team to root for. You're going to like these kids and how they approach the game," Armour said.