LHS baseball has big shoes to fill for 2018 season

Published in the March 11, 2018 edition

LYNNFIELD — Last year’s edition of Lynnfield baseball went down as one of the best season’s in program history. The Pioneers went 18-2 during the regular season and their 15-1 CAL record was the best in school history. Gone are 10 seniors from that team. It was a talented group, but more importantly, it was a competitive group full of great leaders. Let’s just say the door is open for whoever wants to be up next.

The 2018 Pioneers might not have the same number of senior leaders on this team, but they will return plenty of talent and have a couple of commanders of their own who should provide guidance for some younger Pioneers who will need to step up.

For that, look no further than returning left fielder Cooper Marengi. “Coop” will once again provide plenty of power in the middle of the lineup, after hitting six homers last year, and the senior captain should move up to the three spot to anchor the Lynnfield offense.

The two other captains will be senior catcher Nick Giammarco and junior Jonathan Luders.

Giammarco replaces the graduated Bryant Dana behind the dish, after patiently waiting his turn in the system. He will be immediately counted on to steady the young pitching staff and provide some punch as a hitter.

Luders will move from right field to shortstop this season. Last year’s leadoff hitter, the speedy Luders will stay atop the batting order and be counted on to spark plenty of rallies this year. Luders did get some experience at short when last year’s captain and CAL MVP Justin Juliano left his usual post to pitch. Luders looked plenty comfortable up the middle during those tests.

Junior Matt Fiore will most likely return to first base this season. He is a candidate to appear near the top of Lynnfield’s batting order.

The pitching staff, missing ace Nick Aslanian who is now suited up for Salam State, will be led by junior Fernando Gonzalez.

Much of Lynnfield’s lineup mystery will be solved on opening day as rival North Reading came to town on Tuesday after press time, but the truth is that it will be a season-long endeavor to see who will step up to become Lynnfield baseball’s next great heroes. The door is open.