Medway/Millis May 2016

Page 22 Local Town Pages www.millismedwaynews.com May 2016
Sports
Redemption Will Be a Factor For Medway Nine
By Ken Hamwey
The 2016 edition of the
Medway High baseball team is
looking to qualify for the playoffs,
advance as deep as possible
and to contend for the Tri Valley
League title. The Mustangs are
also looking for redemption.
Last year, when coach Mike
Coppinger began his rookie season,
Medway was rolling along,
compiling a 9-6 record and needing
only one win in its last five
games to qualify for the tourney.
Then, the unthinkable occurred
— the Mustangs dropped their
final five contests.
“It was disappointing,’’ Coppinger
said. “We faced some topnotch
pitchers, lost a couple of
close games and played poorly
against teams we should have defeated.
I really felt badly for our
four seniors. This time around,
we’re focused on making the
playoffs, making some noise in
the post-season, and we’re also
hoping to contend for the league
crown.’’
The Mustangs, who had a 1-1
record at Local Town Pages deadline,
should be a top-echelon
team this time around because
they have more assets than liabilities.
“We’ve got experience with
eight seniors returning and a
total of 11 players back with
varsity credentials,’’ Coppinger
said. “Our depth is good, our
hitting and pitching are strengths
and we’ve got speed and a high
baseball IQ. Where we need to
improve is on defense. We can be
better in the field.’’
Medway’s infield will include
senior Devin Nealon and Brian
Culcasi at first base, senior Jake
Brodeur at second, sophomore
T.J. Nelson at shortstop and senior
Jeff Costello at third. “Devin
is consistent at the plate, has a
good approach and can field,’’
Coach Mike Coppinger (back row at left) with the seniors whom he started with as freshmen.
They are, front row from left, Jake Brodeur, Jeff Wenzel, Jeff Costello, Brian Culcasi and Seth Coppinger.
Back row from left, Coppinger, Devin Nealon, Pat Harrigan, Tyler Monahan, Joe Downing and Matt Dwyer.
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Coppinger said. “Brian has great
hands in the field and at bat. Jake
is a competitor, a take-charge
guy who has a strong arm, good
range and can hit for power. T.J.
has great hands and good footwork.
He’s a scrappy hitter who
makes good contact. Jeff is the
ultimate leader. He’s versatile,
has a strong arm and he’s got
gap-to-gap power.’’
Coppinger has two top-notch
catchers in senior Tyler Monahan
and junior Matt Brown. Monahan,
who last year hit .295 and
had five home runs, can also play
first, third or assume the role of
designated-hitter.
“Tyler led the league in home
runs for half a season last year,’’
Coppinger recalled. “He’s excellent
on defense, blocks the plate
well and he calls a good game.
Matt also is solid on defense and
he’s got a cannon for an arm. He
settles down pitchers well and
he’s worked hard to improve his
hitting.’’
Medway’s outfield will be in
capable hands. Junior Sean Petinge
is in right, senior Jeff Wenzel
patrols center and senior Joe
Downing, who hit .371 and stole
14 bases last year, handles the
chores in left. Sophomore Nick
Assad, who also is a pitcher, can
fill in at any of the outfield slots.
“Sean hit .303 last year after
returning from Tommy John surgery,’’
Coppinger noted. “He’s
versatile (outfield or infield) and
he’s a terrific athlete. Jeff is fast,
has range and is a good contact
hitter. His speed enables him to
steal a lot of bases. Joe is one of
our best hitters. He’s got power
to the gaps, moves well and is
engaged on every pitch. Nick is
very athletic and gives us quality
depth.’’
Coppinger likes his three starting
pitchers — senior lefty Pat
Harrigan, senior right-hander
Seth Coppinger (brother), and
Assad, a hard-throwing righthander.
“Pat mixes his assortment
nicely,’’ Coppinger emphasized.
“He’s got a good fastball, curve,
slider and change-up. A threeyear
varsity player, his control is
excellent. Seth relies on a fastball,
curve and change-up. His control
is very good and he hits his spots.
Nick has good off-speed stuff and
a dependable curve. He’s working
hard to improve his control.’’
Last year, Harrigan compiled
a 3-1 record and had an E.R.A.
of 2.52 while Seth Coppinger
was 4-3 with an E.R.A. of 2.88.
Junior Jake Melo is Medway’s
closer, Petinge will start and also
see action in middle-inning relief
and Nealon is able to fill either
role. “Jake has a good fastball
and slider and throws hard,’’ said
Coppinger, a former Medway
diamond star who played at Merrimack.
“He’s improved his command.
Petinge’s best pitch is his
fastball and his control is good.
Nealon provides depth and he’s
got a fastball that moves well.’’
Coppinger paid his dues before
taking the varsity reins. A
pitcher-infielder at Merrimack,
he later coached there before becoming
the junior-varsity coach
at Wellesley High. Serving one
year as Medway’s freshman
coach, he later became a varsity
assistant before taking the varsity
post. His assistants are Paul Francesconi,
Andrew Miller (jayvees)
and James Nix (freshmen).
“Medfield will be very good,’’
Coppinger said. “They’ve got
quality pitching. Ashland also has
mound depth and no one should
count out T.J. Chiappone’s Bellingham
squad. As for Medway,
I firmly believe we’ll earn that
playoff berth. I can see it in our
kids’ eyes.’’
Redemption may not be visible,
but it’ll likely play a role.