On paper, Andover baseball is loaded. The 2025 roster has five players committed to playing at the collegiate level including two going on to Division 1 collegiate programs next year in pitcher Chris Jaillet (UMass) and outfielder Will Norris (Wofford College). Both are seniors and returning Eagle-Tribune All-Stars.
Both Jaillet (3 wins, 3.54 ERA) and Norris (.417, 15 RBI) were selected to Team Massachusetts last summer, playing against the other top juniors in the country. Outfielder Sean Napolitano came out of nowhere last year and batted.347 with 18 RBI, while other returners are catcher Ryan Jaillet, a second team all-star, and Alex Berman (21 RBI).
Senior Drew Pulsifer was terrific last year posting four wins on the mound, including two complete game shutouts, giving the Golden Warriors a terrific 1-2 punch.
“We have a great group of players with tremendous work ethic, and who have played a lot of baseball together,” said head coach Dan Grams. “We are looking to improve on last year’s record. Pitching will dictate our fate this season in a very competitive Merrimack Valley Conference.”
Many new faces on Raiders
Last year, was an up-and-down season for Central Catholic. The team finished with 12 wins and qualified for the postseason, but along the way were struggles at the plate and fielding the ball. The majority of that experience has graduated, including five players moving onto collegiate programs, leaving the Raiders young and inexperienced all over the field.
Head coach John Sexton will look for his captains Matthew Botto, Jason Gendreau and Jonathan Marcotte to lead the way.
“We are extremely young. We only have three seniors and nine freshmen/sophomores up on the varsity. We are very inexperienced, and each day is going to be full of lessons. They have worked very hard so far and hopefully that continues throughout,” said Sexton.
Hillies need to find arms
Haverhill enjoyed a terrific regular season, improving from six wins in 2023 to 11 in 2024, capped off by pitcher Nick Terrilli’s no-hitter in the Memorial Weekend tournament. Terrilli as well as three other key fixtures on that roster have since graduated.
Head coach Paul Sartori has some bats coming back with two-time league all-star second baseman Tucker Grant (.343) and power hitter Jeremy Aquino Rosario (.339 with four home runs) but will need to find some arms – who can provide a lot of innings. Seniors Brendan Doody, Nicholas Schraffa and Linus Abreau will be in the mix.
“We have strong senior class leadership, both on and off the field. We also have sophomores and juniors competing for playing time. Excellent atmosphere (thus far),” said Sartori.
New head coach at Lawrence
Lawrence was one of the better stories in 2024, putting it together down the stretch before losing to Franklin in the state tournament. Head coach Alberto Abreu has since stepped down, and William Carrasco, a 2007 Lawrence High graduate, has taken over. Carrasco spent the last three years as an assistant and also spent two years as the freshmen coach and four years as the freshmen football coach.
“I look forward to putting my all into the program and for our student-athletes,” he said. “We had a good first week (of practice) and I look forward to building off that throughout the season.”
The new coach will look to four-year veterans Yendry Rivero and John Hidalgo to lead the way. Hidalgo has great speed, plays solid defense in the outfield and can pitch. Jayden Minaya, a pitcher/infielder, returns after being named second-team all-star and Christopher Berroa is back after batting .295 with a .448 on base percentage.
Rangers hoping to take next step
In 2023, Methuen advanced to the state semifinals. The team’s entire pitching staff then graduated, leaving last year’s roster filled with inexperienced guys, who were thrown into the fire. The Rangers struggled, winning just two games.
“Our goal is to bounce back from a down year in 2024 and play much cleaner baseball games,” said head coach Cam Roper. “Our pitching staff will be more experienced, led by (Kyle) Notenboom, (Joey) Tavares, and (Kevin) Nestor). Offensively, we’re looking to be more aggressive both at the plate and on the bases. Junior Alex Santiago is the catalyst of our lineup, followed by 2024 All-Conference selection Nolan Smith. Senior captains (AJ) Guillermo and (Freddy) Batista look to solidify the middle of lineup.”
North Andover has pitching and a lot more
North Andover took a major step forward last year, winning the league title and advancing to the second round of the state tournament. A handful of talented players are back including ace pitchers Cole Mullen and Dylan Lawrence, defensive whiz and Eagle-Tribune All-Star Zach Faro (.344 average) at shortstop, as well as catcher Mike Phelps (.290), first baseman Jake Jackson (.339) and second baseman Jeff Lavolpicelo (.333).
Mullen and senior Luke Yorba combined for five wins on the hill, and Lawrence had an area-leading eight saves.
“We have a veteran team this year, and we are excited to see what they can do. They have worked hard in the offseason to get better,” said head coach Todd Dulin.
A Familia player returning to Reggies
Greater Lawrence will once again be led by Brad Familia, a returning CAC All-Star second baseman, who is coming off a sensational season batting .352 with three home runs, while swiping 19 bases. Randy Fernandez will join Familia as the 1-2 punch on the mound.
“With just a few starters returning, it opens up opportunities for the strongest freshmen class we have seen with four players, who will start most games and all look to establish themselves in the pitching rotation,” said head coach Chris Cyr.
Those four freshmen consist of Andy Segura (p/of), Josue Reyes (1b/p), Jerlin Melo (3b/p) and Kewdy Ceballos (c/2b/p).
Deziel to again lead Whittier Tech
Whittier enjoyed an 11-win season including a first-round tournament win over Haverhill before falling to Taunton. Senior shortstop and Eagle-Tribune All-Star Corey Deziel is back for his third varsity season. It’ll be tough for him to improve on last year’s incredible numbers of .406 batting average with 28 hits and 14 RBIs.
“Every coach wants a player like Corey. He is a leader who puts up his best effort in every game and is there for us when we need him most. He is the benchmark for the team,” said head coach Peter Arsenault.
Deziel is not the only talented ballplayer returning. Senior Brandon Fasulo will be the ace on the staff, and he’s coming off tossing 31 innings as a junior, while batting .283.
“Brandon provides us with a stable presence on the mound. He competes every time he’s on the field, has effective command, and can contribute at the plate. He will be important to our success,” said the coach.
Seniors Caleb Vicente (p/inf) and David Tateosian (of) will be looked upon to step into bigger roles this season.