Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 12, 2019 MHS Golden Tornadoes baseball kickoff Face Lawrence High in fi rst road game of the season By Jason Mazzilli I t will be a mix of veterans and rookies for the Malden High School baseball squad embarking on a new season today on the road at Lawrence High School. While some experienced players top the roster, which is led by returning Northeastern Conference (NEC) All-Star pitcher Billy Stickney, there will be plenty of new faces this year when the Golden Tornadoes open today versus their non-league opponent. “Many of our starters were seniors last season and we have a lot of spots to fi ll this year,” third-year Malden coach Steve Freker said. “It will be a challenge, but there has been a lot of enthusiasm so far, and our players are excited about starting up the season.” In addition to Stickney, who went 4-3 on the mound with a sparkling 1.96 earned run average last season, Malden is also led by three other experienced seniors, who will join Stickney as captains: Christian Monahan-Dasilva, Cameron Oliveira and Ari Cohen. Monahan-Dasilva will return as the Golden Tornadoes’ shortstop and will also see time on the mound as a starting pitcher. Oliveira is Malden’s top returning outfi elder and will be in center field. Cohen is the starting catcher and will also be a pitcher in both a starting and relieving role. “Christian [Monahan-Dasilva] was a basketball All-Star, and he’s our best athlete and most experienced player, with three years of varsity baseball,” er coach Freker said. “Cameron [Oliveira] has improved every year, and we expect a lot from him this year in a full-time role. Ari [Cohen] stepped in and did a great job on the mound for us last year. This year we also need him behind the plate for us.” “We are going to really be counting on those guys,” coach Freker said. “Beyond those returning seniors we really do not have any varsity-experienced players. Our other players either played on the junior varsity or freshman teams last year, or are new to the school.” Coach Freker said there has been a stronger emphasis on teaching and the fundamentals this year than in others due to the overall inexperience. “We had to go way back to the basics for most of these players, and the ones who do have experience have really helped prepare us as well with their patience and attentiveness.” Malden will also be looking for some pitching depth from a pair of junior lefthanders: Ezra Kruckenberg and Devin Killoren. “Both of these players will also be in the lineup every day when they are not on the mound,” coach Freker said. “They are knowledgeable baseball players and we need them to step right in this year.” The Golden Tornadoes will also be looking for contributions from senior infi elder Danny Fuentes, transfer from Marblehead; junior infi elder Tom Curran, sophomores Clifton Noelsaint, Mike Mathes and Kevin Nguyen; and freshmen Shawn Bartholomew and Shai Cohen. Aluminum Everett 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 61 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 60 •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding ears! •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofng •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roo ng n • Fully Insured •• Replacement Windows Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com g Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum The Malden High School baseball squad starts their season today against Lawrence on the road. (Courtesy photo) Malden will playing in the always-tough NEC this year for the fi nal time, its third year overall. Malden and four other NEC teams (Everett, Medford, Revere and Somerville) are ending their relationship with the NEC at the conclusion of this school year and reconstituting the Greater Boston League (GBL) for the start of the 2019-2020 fall sports season. The GBL is expected to expand as more schools are added. “The NEC is one of the toughest baseball conferences in the state, so we will have our work cut out for us,” coach Freker said. “We are hoping to … get back to the postseason tournament this year.” The past two seasons Malden has fi nished 7-12 and 7-13, last appearing in the MIAA State Tournament in the 2013 season. *** After the season kicks off today, Malden will stay very busy during the upcoming April Vacation Week. On Monday, April 15, Patriots’ Day, Malden will host its home and NEC opener versus visiting Salem High School at 1:00 p.m. at Pine Banks Park. On Wednesday, April 17, Malden will host another league game versus Somerville at 10:00 a.m. at Pine Banks Park. **** Next weekend, Malden High School will host the Sixth Annual Christie Serino Baseball Tournament at Maplewood Park in Malden. The tournament was started in 2015 to remember former longtime baseball and hockey coach Christie Serino, who passed away in 2012. Coach Serino was beloved by many in the region for his outstanding coaching ability and compassion and concern for players from all teams, not just his own. Coach Serino’s son, Anthony, is a coach on the MHS staff . History of tourney champions 2014: Saugus HS 2015: Saugus HS 2016: Malden HS 2017: Malden HS 2018: East Boston HS 2019:? Spring!
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