The Hand baseball team made a deep State Tournament run last season and enters this year featuring several key components returning from that club, as well as a bunch of burgeoning underclassmen with limitless potential. That’s why the Tigers have high expectations for an even lensgthier postseason stay in the spring of 2016.

Skipper Travis LaPointe and the Tigers finished 8-12 for the regular season last spring, but still won the SCC Hammonasset title by going 5-1 in division action. After losing to Notre Dame-West Haven in the SCC Tournament, the 30th-ranked Tigers knocked off Wilcox Tech and Pomperaug before losing to eventual state champion North Haven in the Class L quarterfinals. While LaPointe knows his ball club will have to traverse competitive waters within the conference, he also feels confident about the cast of characters in his dugout.

“We have an incredibly athletic team that can play the game at a high level. We are loaded with talent in our freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. There are exciting things happening throughout our baseball community and we are definitely moving forward in the right direction. I am hoping that we are going to be one of the most-exciting teams to watch in the state for years to come,” said Coach LaPointe, who begins his fifth campaign at the helm and will be assisted by Nick Merullo, Bill Daunais, Kyle Heins, and Pat Loftus. “This year, I expect we will have an even balance of sophomore, junior, and senior contributions to our varsity team. I also think that our freshman and JV teams have a chance to contend as one of the best teams at their respective levels. We are facing, arguably, the most-difficult schedule in the state this year. We can match up with any of those teams, but every single day is going to be a grind. I believe we have the ability, athleticism, depth, and toughness to compete with any team in the state. We are going to be a very dangerous team to play when the State Tournament rolls around in late May.”

Hand’s captains will man the corners of the infield with three-year starter Ray Miklos holding down the hot corner at third and Drew Harmon at first. Mikos will play at Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 and Harmon is also a pitcher who tossed a no-hitter against Wilcox Tech in states. Harmon will continue his baseball career at Lafayette College.

“Ray has is one of the best players in the SCC. He will be one of the most-feared hitters/defenders in the state of Connecticut this year. Ray has the potential to carry our team with his overall ability. It will be difficult to get him out this year if he maintains his discipline at the plate. He is an exceptional person. He is a leader and a role model for all of his peers. He sets an example for his teammates by working as hard a she possibly can each day and by making all of the right decisions off of the field,” LaPointe said. “Drew has been a two-year starter at first base and in our starting rotation. Drew continues to get better each year and will be force in the center of our lineup and on the mound. He has the ability to carry our team, as well, with all of the versatility he brings to the field. He can hit for average, power, and gets on base often due to great plate discipline. He is tough on opposing hitters because of his accuracy, velocity, and mental toughness. Drew has as much character and integrity as any player I have coached. He is a terrific captain and sets the standard for how to prepare each day. Drew is an active member of the community and is a great role model for all of his peers.”

The Tigers also sport plenty of talent in multiple classes, led by senior infielder/outfielder Andrew Fitzgerald (who’s committed to Pace University) and junior middle infielder EJ Mastronardi, along with sophomores in pitcher Kyle Schaefer (4-1 record, 3-0 in divisional contests in 2015) and outfielder/hurler Eddie Sweeney.

“Andrew is one of the best athletes in the SCC. He will likely be our leadoff hitter and has a chance to be a game-changing offensive or defensive player. His speed and athleticism separates him from most of his peers. EJ will likely be a starter in our middle infield and will hit towards the top of the lineup. He is athletic player with speed, quick hands, versatility, and lots of toughness,” said LaPointe. “Last year, Kyle became our most-dependable starting pitcher. If we are going to have a chance to win lots of games this year, we are going to need Kyle to be great on the mound. He is fearless and does not get rattled. His ability to change speeds and hit spots makes him a tough challenge for any opposing team. Eddie has been one of the most impressive players in our program throughout the first few weeks of our preseason. He will have a chance to hit in the middle of our order, start in our outfield, and be one of our starting pitchers. He is a dynamic athlete and is really fun to watch.”

A trio of Hammonasset adversaries are circled on Hand’s calendar this season, although the Tigers will additionally entertain several formidable interdivisional adversaries in their quest to not only win ball games, but also grow into well-rounded individuals.

“There are no easy games on our schedule. Every single game is going to be difficult. Our divisional games [Law, Foran, and Guilford] always carry the most importance. We play [2015 SCC and Class LL state champion] Amity, [SCC runner-up] Fairfield Prep, Notre Dame-West Haven, and [defending Class M winner] Sheehan twice. We also play Xavier once. All of those teams may find their way into the top 10 this season,” said LaPointe. “We want to help the players develop into strong, young men that conduct themselves with character and integrity on and off the field, to practice and play as hard as we can every opportunity that we get, to compete every single day and never back down from adversity, to be role models for others in the community and around the school, especially the younger baseball players that look up to them; to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat, and, finally, to become better baseball players as individuals and as a team from one week to the next.”

2016 Hand Tigers Baseball Schedule

Tuesday, April 5: vs. Amity at 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 7: vs. Fairfield Prep at 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, April 9: at Darien at 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 13: at Guilford at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, April 15: vs. Hamden at 4 p.m.

Monday, April 18: at Notre Dame-West Haven at Quigley Stadium at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20: at Branford at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, April 22: vs. Foran at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, April 25: at Law at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, April 29: at Amity at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, May 2: vs. Guilford at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4: vs. Branford at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, May 6: at Sheehan at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, May 9: at Foran at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 11: vs. Law at 3:45 p.m.

Friday, May 13: at Hamden at 4 p.m.

Monday, May 16: at Fairfield Prep at Fairfield University at 4 p.m.

Wednesday, May 18: vs. Notre Dame-West Haven at 4 p.m.

Friday, May 20: vs. Sheehan at 3:45 p.m.

Monday, May 23: vs. Xavier at 3:45 p.m.