2026 SALEM NEWS BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CORMAC HENEY
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Pitcher/Shortstop
The Triple Crown — leading Major League Baseball in batting average, home runs and RBI — is a rare accomplishment, happening just once in the last 60 years. In The Salem News readership area, a Triple Crown hadn’t been won in at least 15 seasons … until this spring.
Hamilton-Wenham senior captain Cormac Heney topped the local leaderboard in batting average (.464), home runs (4) and runs batted in (32). It may as well have been a quintuple crown, as the two-time Cape Ann League Baker Player of the Year also led the North Shore in total hits (39) and runs scored (38) … posting an exceedingly rare 30-30-30 stat line.
“Cormac is an absolute dog,” Hamilton-Wenham coach Reggie Maidment said of his ace’s competitiveness. “He was MVP last season and came back for his senior year hungrier. He got a lot stronger over the winter and it showed at the plate.”
Chosen as a Mass. Baseball Coaches Association All-State Senior All-Star, Heney’s powerful right arm also pitched the Generals to six wins. He struck out 55 batters in 46 innings of work with a 1.22 earned run average. A masterful eight-inning complete game with 14 strikeouts against Sandwich in the state quarterfinals was his best work of the season and he also fanned 10 to beat Division 5 state champion Georgetown.
A slugging machine, Heney had more total extra base hits (20) than he had singles (18), which was good for an .827 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.348. Remarkably, he began the season with RBI in nine consecutive games.
The first player to repeat as Salem News Baseball Player of the Year since the 2015-16 seasons, Heney will play at Division 3 powerhouse Salve Regina next year.
THE ALL-STARS
BRADY BALDASSARE
St. John’s Prep Senior
Outfield
Consistent threat at the top of the order for the Eagles … Ranked second on the North Shore with 25 stolen bases … Scored 21 runs … Catholic Conference all-star had 20 hits … Also drew 15 walks for a .513 on-base percentage … Excellent range in outfield … Batted .351 with three doubles to slug .404 … OPS was .917 … Knocked in the lone run of an ALS Awareness Game win over Xaverian … Had two big hits in win over St. John’s Shrewsbury … Danvers native is headed to TNX Academy in Florida for a post-grad season.
TYLER BOVIARD
Pingree Senior
Pitcher/Outfield
Commands five pitches in his arsenal and dazzled the opposition … Threw 30 innings for the Eastern Independent League champs and New England quarterfinalists … Posted an earned run average of 2.10 with 39 strikeouts … Tossed a combined no-hitter against Portsmouth Abbey … Earned an All-New England nod after hold opposing hitters to a .200 batting average … Chipped in at the plate with a .293 average and seven RBI … Two-time Salem News all-star is a captain-elect for next season.
CHASE CANN
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Catcher
Defensive rock for the Cape Ann League Baker champs, catching 156 out of a possible 161 innings … Gunned down eight runners and picked off another … A force at the plate, ranking the top five on the North Shore in batting average (.440), total hits (37) and runs scored (29) … Drove in 21 runs as H-W set a school record for wins (23) and reached the D4 state final … CAL all-star … Had four hits and two doubles in state semifinal victory … Totaled eight doubles and slugged .556 … Plans to study at Boston University.
JACOBY CASINELLI TARASUIK
Essex Tech Senior
Shortstop
Set a new standard for Hawks baseball in the first player in program history to be selected first-team All-Conference in the Cape Ann League, which in earned in back-to-back seasons … Led Essex Tech with a .400 batting average and 26 total hits … Scored 17 runs and knocked home 14 … Delivered three hits with four RBI in victory over Manchester Essex … Stole ten bases … Great discipline, striking out out only six times in 82 plate appearances … Excellent quarterback was Essex Tech’s nominee for the Salem News Student-Athlete Award.
JACOB CROCKER
Peabody Senior
Shortstop
First-team All-Northeastern Conference selection led the Tanners in just about every offensive category … Totaled up 22 hits with five doubles and a triple, batting mostly in the leadoff spot … Batted .342 with an OPS of .869 … Scored 12 runs and stole eight bases … Pitched in some high leverage spots as a reliever, collecting a three inning save against Lowell … Struck out 20 in 16 innings pitched … Handled the shortstop position well for Peabody … Outstanding in the classroom and will attend Boston College.
JACK CURCURU
Danvers Senior
Outfield
Stole 28 bases, the second most in a single season by a Danvers player in the 21st century … Was caught just twice all season … Scored 28 runs, ranking in the North Shore’s top five in that category … Earned Northeastern Conference all-star nod … Hit two home runs, against Peabody and Swampscott … Helped Falcons win two playoff games for the first time in four years … Batted .288 and had a .950 OPS … Ideal leadoff man posted .510 on-base … Fielded at .943 clip … Three-year starter graduates with more than 50 career thefts.
KYLE DANIELS
Pingree Senior
Catcher
All-Eastern Independent League pick had a breakout season at the plate while leading the Highlanders in average, on-base percentage and slugging … Hit .436 to rate among the region’s leaders … Totaled 17 hits to go with one homer and eight RBI … Struck out just twice in 45 trips to the plate … Keyed Pingree’s run to the league title and a New England tourney spot … OPS was 1.026 … Also a Salem News all-star in football … Hamilton native is headed to study at Villanova.
DYLAN DiFILIPPO
Swampscott Senior
First base
Clean-up hitter for the Northeastern Conference Lynch champs led his league with a .453 batting average … Ranked second in the region in that category … Had 29 total hits … Well rounded athlete scored 21 runs while driving in 20 … Had four hit games against both Salem and Lynnfield … Knocked home a pair of runs in victory over rival Marblehead … Helped Big Blue win its first league title since 1997 … Excellent defensively at first base with both reach and picks … Will play at Northern Essex Community College next year.
JAMISON FORD
Swampscott Senior
Pitcher
Horse on the mound for the NEC Lynch champs posted a 7-1 record … Tied for second in the region in wins … Best outing was a shutout of Gloucester that helped clinch Swampscott’s first NEC title since 1997 … Earned run average for the season was 1.98 … Struck out 59 batters in 56 innings pitched … Had one home run and drove in 15 runs, with a bases clearing double helping spark a sweep of rival Marblehead … Northeastern Conference all-star will pitch at Suffolk next year.
DREW GUSTAFSON
Masconomet Senior
Pitcher/First base
The North Shore’s King of K’s for 2026 with 84 strikeouts … All-Northeastern Conference fanned 15 in an eight inning win over Danvers … Punched out 13 and blanked previously unbeaten Gloucester and also fanned 13 against Swampscott … Had a 3.32 earned run average across 52 2/3 innings … Upset Minnechaug in first round of D2 playoffs … Also one of Masco’s most productive hitters with 20 RBI … Slugged .420 with a .746 OPS … Repeat Salem News all-star has heavy, plus fastball and will pitch for D2 World Series qualifier Bentley University next year.
ANDREW KIRICOPLES
Bishop Fenwick Sophomore
Pitcher/Shortstop
The Crusaders’ team MVP was also chosen as a Catholic Central League all-star … Dual threat made eight pitching starts, wining four games and striking out 49 batters … Dazzled Malden Catholic with 11 K’s in a six inning win … Batted .360 with 27 total hits … Scored 23 runs and knocked in 16 … Had five doubles, two triples and slugged .520 … Homered in a win over Spellman … OPS was healthy .976 … Stole 11 bases and was only caught once … Tremendous all-around athlete also quarterbacks the Fenwick football team.
GREYSON LEVENTHAL
Marblehead Junior
Shortstop
Enjoyed a breakout junior year in which he led the Northeastern Conference in hits with 33 … Ranked eighth in the region with a .429 batting average … First-team All-NEC honoree for the Dunn Division champs … Clubbed nine doubles and 11 total extra base hits while slugging .582 … OPS was 1.082 … Drove in four runs in win over Peabody … Totaled 20 RBI and scored 26 runs … Stole 10 bases … Helped Magicians win a Division 2 playoff contest before falling in the Round of 32.
MATT MARTISAUSKAS
Bishop Fenwick Junior
Outfield
Athletic outfielder caught fire in the second half of the season and earned Fenwick’s Offensive Player of the Year honors … Catholic Central League all-star had a team-best .368 batting average … Excellent base-runner scored 23 times and stole 12 bags … Drew 20 walks, getting on-base at a .538 rate … OPS was .942 … Played gold glove caliber defense with .935 fielding percentage … Had three hits and four RBI in win over Salem … Had a seven-game hit streak to help Fenwick post its most wins (16) in ten years.
CHRISTIAN McCARTHY
St. John’s Prep Senior
Shortstop
Handled the middle infield duties for the Eagles nearly flawlessly while earning Catholic Conference all-star honors … Batted .403 and ranked among the North Shore’s leaders in hits with 27 … Blasted two home runs and led St. John’s with 18 RBI … Had four doubles and a triple to slug .582 … OPS was 1.094 … Also stole 11 bases and drew 15 walks … Singled and scored in win over D1 state champ Catholic Memorial … Had three hits in ALS Awareness Game against Xaverian … Danvers native will play club baseball at Clemson.
NICK McFADDEN
Bishop Fenwick Junior
Pitcher/Third base
Emerged as an innings eater and a horse in the rotation, winning his last six decisions and posting a 7-1 record … Fenwick’s Defensive Player of the Year and Catholic Central League all-star ranked second on North Shore in victories … Earned run average was 0.88 over 39 2/3 innings … Struck out 38 … Threw complete game win against Arlington Catholic … At the plate, hit .310 and knocked in 13 runs … Knocked in pair of runs against powerhouse Hamilton-Wenham … Very consistent on the mound and displayed great control.
JON REYES
Beverly Senior
Shortstop/Pitcher
Four-year varsity contributor for the Panthers and a defensive wizard who helped turn eight double plays … Selected first-team All-Northeastern Conference … Had 20 total base hits and posted a .328 batting average … Hit six doubles while slugging .459 … Belted triple to key comeback win over Salem … Stole a dozen bases … Struck out eight in four inning relief outing against Gloucester … Had a 1.24 earned run average across 17 innings pitched … Excelled under pressure … Will play baseball at Lasell next year.
CADEN ROSS
Swampscott Senior
Shortstop
Straw that stirred the offense for the Big Blue was selected for the Mass. Baseball Coaches Association’s Senior All-State all-star team … Agganis all-star and first-team All-Northeastern Conference pick … Tied for the area lead with four homers … Hit .382 while posting 26 hits, scoring 25 runs and driving in 22 … Knocked in four runs in win over Masconomet that clinched Swampscott’s first NEC title since 1997 … Struck out only three times all season … Will play at Northern Essex Community College next year.
CADEN SCHROCK
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Outfield
Led things off for the North Shore’s premier offense … Ranked second on the North Shore in runs scored with 36 and third in stolen bases with 20 … Hit an even .400 while getting 28 hits … Drew 25 walks for an on-base of .596 … Caught stealing just twice … Homered in wins over Manchester Essex and Georgetown … First-team All-CAL selection … Doubled in extra inning playoff win over Sandwich … Helped H-W set school record for wins (23) and go undefeated at home … Rushed for 1,000 yards in football and scored 1,000 points in basketball … Will do a post-graduate year at Phillips Andover.
JACK SPEAR
Pingree Junior
Pitcher
All-New England righthander allowed only one earned run the entire season … Had a North Shore leading 0.27 ERA … Struck out 56 batters … Averaged more than 15 K’s per seven innings … Batting average against was only .168 … Allowed fewer than one baserunner per frame with a 0.88 WHIP … Didn’t allow a run for the first 20 innings he pitched this spring … Team MVP was brilliant against top competition such as Kents Hill and Govs … 4-0 in decisions … Talented quarterback has Division 1 collegiate offers from Maine, Central Conn. and Stonehill.
COLLIN THORNBURGH
St. John’s Prep Junior
Pitcher
Righthander with good power and biting off-speed stuff emerged as one the state’s best against top competition this spring … Struck out 10 to beat D1 state champion Catholic Memorial … Also blanked Xaverian with 11 strikeouts … Went 7-1 overall, tied for second in the region in victories … Struck out 62 batters across 50 innings pitcher … Earned run average was 1.12 … Allowed a shade over a baserunner per inning with a 1.10 WHIP … Batting average against was .177 … Catholic Conference all-star.
OWEN WADDELL
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Pitcher/Shortstop
Righthander finished as the North Shore’s leader in wins with eight … Third in the region with 70 strikeouts and posted an ERA of 1.22 … Brilliant in D4 Final Four win over St. John Paul II with 10 Ks over 6 2/3 innings … Punched out 12 in complete game win over Pentucket … Range at shortstop saved a few games for the Cape Ann League Baker champs … All-CAL first-teamer batted .436, ranking third in the region in hits (34) and second in RBI (29) … Had a hit in all five state tourney games for the D4 runners-up … Captain’s OPS was 1.078 … Will study at Miami (Ohio) next year.
TIM WALES
Marblehead Junior
Outfield
Excellent hitter ranked fifth in the region in total base hits with 30 … Knocked in 23 runs, which ranked sixth among North Shore sluggers … All-Northeastern Conference first-teamer had .390 batting average … Homered and collected four RBI in win over Manchester Essex … Opened season with a 12-game hit streak for the NEC Dunn champs … Had eight extra base hits, slugged .575 and posted 1.023 OPS … Had four outfield assists against just three errors … Also a standout football player for Magicians.
CAL WEIDMAN
Masconomet Senior
Shortstop
One of the most effective leadoff hitters in Eastern Mass. got on-base at a .442 rate … Ranked fourth on the North Shore with 18 stolen bases … Also rated in the top ten in hits with 28 and the top five in runs scores with 28 … Batted .346 and hit four doubles with two triples … Had three hits in key early win over Beverly … Captained Chieftains to D2 state quarterfinals and had two RBI in road playoff win over Nashoba … Three-sport standout was Masconomet’s Salem News Student-Athlete Award nominee … Will play football at Bentley next year.
BECKETT WODARSKI
Danvers Senior
Pitcher/Second base
One of the most efficient hurlers on the North Shore, winning seven games … Struck out 62 batters over a North Shore best 64 1/3 innings … Posted 1.63 earned run average in nine starts … Had four complete games … Went the distance in road playoff win over Swampscott … Captain struck out 10 and pitched into the eighth against NEC Lynch champ Gloucester … Had complete game win against Peabody … Was at his best in 3-hit shutout of Masconomet … NEC All-Conference pick and Danvers’ co-MVP … Agganis all-star … Chipped in at plate with 15 runs and a .710 OPS … Will play at Suffolk University.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Beverly: Cal McCay, Sr. OF; Mikey O’Leary, Sr. C; Danny Pierce, Sr. 2B.
Bishop Fenwick: Odin Garron, Sr. OF; Jason LaRosa, Sr. C; Nathaniel Pena, Sr. 1B; Henry Van Faasen, Jr. IF/P.
Danvers: Chase Richmond, Sr. IF; Colby Medeiros, Jr. OF; Jason Walters, Sr. SS; Dylan Weeks, Jr. P
Essex Tech: Declan Feeney, Jr. 1B; Tommy Grant, Jr. 2B; Xavier Parsons, Sr. 3B; Liam Waterman, Jr. LHP/OF.
Hamilton-Wenham: Matt Coughlin, Sr. IF; Ryan Fazio, Sr. 3B; Griffin Hawkins, Sr. P/1B.
Ipswich: Ethan Boleski, Soph. P; Aaron Guarino, Jr. OF; Brady Merry, Jr. P; Charlie Pezza, Sr. SS.
Marblehead: Owen Coyne, Jr. OF/P; Madden Lyons, Soph. P; E.J. Wyman, Sr. C.
Masconomet: Aidan Brown, Sr. 3B; Drew Nelson, Sr. C; Zack Ward, Soph. P.
Peabody: Pedro Flores, Sr. OF; Max Silvia, Sr. P; Liam Smith, Jr. P; Ethan Waybret, Sr. C.
Pingree: Mateus Feick, Sr. 2B/SS; Aidan Horgan, Jr. C; Matt McDonald, Sr. 1B; Drew Mullaney, Sr. SS; Jonah Richardson, Sr. OF/P.
Salem: Sandy Arendall, Jr. SS; Shea Christel, Sr. C.
St. John’s Prep: Jimmy DiCarlo, Jr. 2B; Owen Flanagan, Soph. P; Maxwell Parent, Jr. C/OF.
Swampscott: Michael Collins, Sr. C; Connor Chiarello, Sr. OF; Chase Groothuis, Sr. P/IF.