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04/08/2024 10:23 AMThe East Haven baseball team scratched and clawed its way to a state tournament berth a year ago. Now, with a much more veteran-savvy group that ended up being one-and-done in the playoffs, they have a great hunger and focus to clamp down on a championship.
In 2023, Head Coach Butch Johnson and the Yellowjackets finished the regular season with an even split as far as their record with a 10-10 mark. Earning the No. 23 seed for the Class L State Tournament, East Haven traveled to No. 10 Berlin and fought valiantly before a close 3-2 loss in the opening round to finish 10-11 overall.
One postseason draw the Yellowjackets did not gain entrance to was the SCC Tournament. As a result, Johnson explained that his boys certainly want to become one of the elite 8 in one of the best conferences in Connecticut, and they additionally want to up that win total and take it all the way.
“One of our goals is to get to around 12-14 wins,” said Johnson. “We also want to win the division, and the SCC as well as state tournaments.”
East Haven boasts quite a veteran club this season with several returning upperclassmen, highlighted by a four-man front of senior captains. PJ Carangelo will be behind the dish at catcher, while a tandem of hybrid infielders and pitchers in Mason McCarroll at first and Peyton Torre over at the hot corner will join him. Jose Hernandez will bring his expertise and garner great leadership in the grass as outfielder.
“PJ Carangelo was a junior All-Star catcher last year. He is an outstanding defensive catcher with a rocket of an arm. He is a good hitter with outstanding speed. He knows the game and handles the pitching staff well. Jose Hernandez is a great outfielder who did not commit any errors last year. He has a cannon of an arm and is a strong player with good power and speed,” Johnson said. “Mason McCarroll is a solid hitter with good power. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, we are expecting him to throw this year. He has a fastball in the low to middle 80s with a nice slider and curve. Peyton Torre has a strong arm at third and on the mound. He shows great control as a pitcher with good power at the plate.”
Devoid of background, skill level, or field assignment, Johnson commended his captains for showing great qualities all around the squad while serving as instrumental mentors to the underclassmen.
“Each captain brings leadership on and off the field,” said Johnson. “They work well with the younger players and lead by example.”
Not to be outdone, the junior class showcases some stars who will look to enhance the Yellowjackets’ aspirations for the spring. Shortstop and hurler Bill Barthell hit to the clip of a .406 batting average to top the team last year. Janvier Diaz will complete in the middle infield at second base while toeing the rubber on the mound. Israel Ramos also looks to snag some bags while flashing the leather.
“Bill Barthell is moving to short from the outfield. He has a strong arm on the mound and will provide valuable innings,” Johnson said. “Janvier Diaz has command of three pitches with velocity in the mid to upper 80s. He also has a strong bat with power. Israel Ramos is a great defensive outfielder with tremendous speed, while being a base-stealing threat and contact hitter. All have great work ethics and are total team players.”
East Haven will compete in the SCC Hammonasset Division for the campaign alongside rivals in Notre-Dame-West Haven, Xavier, Hand, and Shelton. The Yellowjackets will also have pivotal non-divisional duels against the likes of Wilbur Cross, North Haven, and Branford.
Johnson concluded that not only does the squad hold experience in numbers throughout the roster, but it additionally maintains the right mindset to become a championship-cladded club when the dust settles on the 2024 slate.
“We finished strong last year and are returning most players,” said Johnson. “The team has a good attitude and expects to compete and win every time out.”
The 2024 East Haven baseball team roster is comprised of seniors Torre, Carrangelo, McCarroll, Logan Kline, Dom Perillo, Joel Alvarado, Hernandez, Jason Kapinos, Sergio Ramirez, Tin Trinh, John Vega; juniors of Diaz, Brendan Sturgess, Nick Johnson, Jadier Dominicci-Mercado, Barthel, Ramos, Cameron Lacroix; sophomores Randall Sotaski, Blake Charboneau, Griffin McCarroll, Adam McIntyre, Anthony Lacen, Julian Rodriguez; plus freshmen Chase Bussert, Jayden Clark, Nikolas Franco, Emiliel Garcia, Tyler Ho, and Alexis Rivero Sucre.
Johnson has now been the skipper for the Yellowjackets for 25 years. His assistant coaching staff consists of 20-year veterans in JV Coach Dan Gleason and Freshman Coach Gary Brasile, along with Tom Charboneau (in his third campaign).
2024 East Haven Baseball Regular Season Results and Schedule
Friday, April 12: vs. Shelton at 3:45 p.m.
Monday, April 15: vs. Notre Dame-West Haven at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17: at Cheshire at 4 p.m.
Friday, April 19: at Cross at Rice Field at 3:45 p.m.
Monday, April 22: vs. Hand at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24: at Bassick at University of Bridgeport at 4 p.m.
Friday, April 26: at Branford at 4 p.m.
Monday, April 29: at Law at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1: vs. Xavier at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, May 3: vs. Bassick at 3:45 p.m.
Monday, May 6: at Shelton at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8: at Notre Dame-West Haven at Quigley Stadium at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, May 10: vs. Cheshire at 4 p.m.
Monday, May 13: vs. Cross at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15: at Hand at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, May 17: vs. Law at 3:45 p.m.