By FREDERICK POCKETTE
BRANDON—The Otter Valley Otters varsity baseball team is back and looking for the success that slipped through their fingers last year. A dozen of this year’s members played on last year’s squad and are working hard to improve greatly on their 6-11 results from 2022.
“The guys are buying in,” coach Mike Howe commented. “They don’t like losing and the commitment level is pretty good right now.”
“Our pitching and defense are solid,” Howe continued. The Otters’ top two innings guys from 2022, Jordan Beayon and Andy McEnerny, return to the mound this year as seniors with a year of experience they can build on. The strength on the hill doesn’t end there. Lucca Polli, who according to Coach Howe has worked hard to get stronger this off-season is slated to throw a number of innings as well. “It’s not just about throwing with these guys anymore; it’s about pitching,” stated Howe.
It’s not hard to get even more optimistic about their pitching when you look at the catcher who will be leading their staff. Luciano Falco returns for another year behind the dish and continues to develop as a catcher. In addition to his physical skills, Falco is now learning the mental aspects of his demanding position, which should only make him and the pitchers he leads even stronger.
When asked about the rest of the starters, Coach Howe said basically that they’re still figuring that out as a group by pushing each other and competing with each other during practice. Some things are known though, and those decisions seem to come from a point of strength, not inexperience. For example, the second, third, and shortstop positions will be filled by three-year starters. “I don’t want to say every day will be different,” declared Howe, “because it won’t. But guys are fighting for spots right now and that’s great because it makes us better.”
When I asked Coach about this year‘s offense, his response was right to the point: “If the guys buy in on executing all the little things that are necessary for baseball, and needed for baseball, I think our production will be up considerably this year.”
This year’s team will be tested with a schedule that includes three Division 1 opponents. That test begins this Saturday in Bellows Falls against a Terrier squad that was a #3 seed in last year’s playoff. None of that fazes coach Howe. “I am confident that if we execute, and do the things we are capable of, we can play with any team in the state,” he said.
In addition to this year’s team, the numbers to keep this thing going look pretty good. There are currently 26 players in the middle-school program and in the senior-high program, meaning the Otters will be fielding a seventh-grade team and an eighth-grade team, along with the junior varsity and varsity teams. If you like baseball, come on out and support the Otters. They will not disappoint you.
