In just his second season as the head coach of the Pinkerton Academy varsity baseball team last spring, Londonderry native Steve Campo saw his Astros get within a single victory of the program’s first state championship in nearly 30 years.
The third-seeded Astros dropped a 4-1 decision to the fifth-ranked Londonderry High Lancers in the Division I title contest last June, and the academy side had some important players graduate from its roster.
However, Campo has a big bunch of key players back from that runner-up squad this spring, and there doesn’t appear to be any reason for opponents to think the academy team will be anything short of dangerous during the 2015 campaign.
The team’s list of returning starters includes seniors Mike Albetksi (infielder), Riley Cahill (outfielder/ pitcher), Tom Diskin (IF), Joey Murphy (IF), and Chace Spears (OF/P), and wildly-versatile junior John Polichetti (IF/OF/P).
Other returning letter-winners from the 2014 crew are seniors Zach Lippert (OF), Jericho Howell (P/IF), and Kyle Albertelli (catcher).
The Astros’ promising newcomers who are intent on stepping in and helping where needed include senior outfielder Brett Cherbonneau, junior infielder Caleb Eaton, junior outfielder/ pitcher Ben Curry, and junior infielder/pitcher Tucker Obrey.
When asked what he thinks his team’s keys to success will be this spring, Campo said, “Our focus this season needs to be pitching and defense. If we pitch and play the field at the level we are capable of, then we should be able to compete this season.”
The Astros are slated to get their new season rolling officially Monday, April 13, when they visit the rival Londonderry High Lancers in a rematch of the 2014 Division I championship game.
The team also has a scimmage scheduled on Friday, April 10, at 4 p.m. against Hollis-Brookline High School at home.
