Varsity Baseball: Season Outlook

The St. Luke’s varsity baseball team enters the 2022 spring season hoping to defend its Fairchester Athletic Association title. Last year, the Storm clinched its first FAA Championship in 16 years, with a 10-3 win over Hamden Hall Country Day School, to cap off a tremendous first full season under head coach Sam Colon.

Colon knows it won’t be easy to repeat the championship win, especially since some key Storm players graduated last year. However, the head coach is confident his current crop can challenge for honors: “Our goal is to be competitive every time we step on the field. We want to defend our title and win the FAA league again. I expect every team we play to be a challenge. We know it will be difficult, but I trust this group of players.”

This year’s team is captained by Teddy Cashman ‘22, Everrett Andersen ‘22, and Justin Higgins ‘23. Colon will rely on the trio’s experience to guide the team: “I expect Teddy, Everett and Justin to lead by example and go out there every day and work hard, play hard, and show the younger players what a St. Luke’s player is all about.”

The team’s preseason preparations have been hindered somewhat by frigid temperatures, although Colon hopes to have his team ready for its first FAA contest against King School on Tuesday, April 5. 

The team had a competitive scrimmage against Iona Preparatory School on Friday, March 25, with Cashman hitting two home runs. The Storm followed up that scrimmage with another tough game against Cheshire Academy on Wednesday, March 30. They face Harvey School at home on Friday, April 1.

Colon has been impressed with Cashman and a number of other players during preseason: “Teddy has adjusted well to playing in the outfield and continues his good work at second base. His two home runs in the scrimmage are an indication of the work he has put in during the offseason. Ethan Righter ‘23 does all that we ask of him and looks good. Whether he’s pitching, playing the infield, or hitting, Ethan has been great. We are excited to see his contributions this year. We are delighted to have Tripp Beasley ‘25, who is a new addition to the roster. Tripp has good speed, a good glove, and a good bat. I look forward to coaching him the next four years.”

The 2022 season sees the return of the FAA tournament and New England Prep School Athletic Council tournament, which Colon hopes his team will qualify for. There is a lot of baseball to be played before then, and the head coach expects his players to work together as a team throughout the season: “There is only one way to play this game and that is putting your team first. I expect every single player to do that.”