Six years ago, Zach Faro was in middle school when his brother Jason and his North Andover High teammates beat St. John’s Prep to capture the Super-8 state championship.
The MIAA no longer has a Super-8 tournament, but that won’t take away Zach’s dreams of following in the footsteps of older brother and bringing home a title.
That mission starts on Monday when the Scarlet Knights take on MVC rival Lawrence in a Division 1 Round of 32 game.
“I think we have a chance to go far in the tournament,” said Faro. “We have the pitching, and we have the hitting.”
Faro has been a four-year starter for North Andover. The program has won 53 games since he took over the reigns as the team’s everyday shortstop back as a “real skinny” freshman.
“I have come a long way since my freshman year. I remember hitting ninth every game and all I did was bunt, or try to bunt,” he said with a laugh. “Now I’m (leading off) and ready to hit the ball every at-bat.”
Since that freshman year, Faro has added about 20 pounds of muscle onto his frame which the now 5-foot-9, 185-pounder says, “has helped me gain a ton of power.”
Last year as a junior, Faro was named an Eagle-Tribune All-Star after hitting .344 with 23 hits, while scoring 14 runs and driving in 11.
Just named MVC All-Conference for the second straight year, Faro will enter Monday’s game with a .329 average. Again he’s belted 23 hits, while scoring 16 runs and driving in 16.
“He did more than bunting that freshman year,” laughed head coach Todd Dulin. “He had plenty of big hits for us. I love Zach. He’s one of the best athletes in the building. He can fly (on the bases), he is great defensively and he’s an all-around great baseball player. He’s so strong. He just keeps getting better.”
Besides the potent bat, Faro is flashy with the glove too.
“There has to be video out there somewhere. You need to check out the diving stop of a wicked one-hopper in the hole by Knights’ shortstop Zach Faro. He popped up and got the Andover runner by a step. It was amazing, truly SportsCenter worthy,” wrote the Eagle-Tribune’s Hector Longo after North Andover’s walk-off win over Andover earlier this season.
“I love the plays when he comes in (on a slow ball) and throws on the run,” said Dulin. “Defensively, he’s excellent.”
Faro has committed to playing at Division 3 Keene State, but he’s in no rush of turning in his Scarlet Knights jersey.
“It’s been great here. It’s been quick but so much fun. Coach Dulin is the best coach I have ever had. He just keeps us up, keeps us going and he’s just great,” said Faro. “We all are excited about the playoffs and just have to keep doing what we have been doing.”