Spring Season Outlook

Westminster Sports Information Director Betsy Tanzosh takes a look at the spring season ahead:

First Baseball
First Baseball commenced their 2009 campaign with a trip to Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Twenty-five Martlets made the trip, and the boys had a productive and fun few days filled with baseball and sunshine. With 10 lettermen returning, experience along with some new talent should anchor the team. Offensively, the squad will look to captain Charlie Keegan ’09 and Mike Hallisey ’09, who batted .400 and .375 in 2008 respectively, to provide leadership from the plate. On the mound, postgraduate T. J. Hickey will have an impact. Hickey was the starting pitcher on his public high school’s state championship squad in 2008. Sharing duties from the rubber will be Keegan, Hallisey, Matt Leach ’11 and Mack Lauzon ’10. While the team is confident of their defensive capabilities, their potential from the plate is unknown, though early indications show the Martlets could be dangerous offensively and defensively. The regular season commenced for the squad April 1 against Kent at Osborn Field.

First Softball
First Softball enters the 2009 season with some big shoes to fill. With an undefeated season and a Western New England Championship in 2008, a high bar has been set for the program. The good news is that a number of key players are returning, and some impressive newcomers join them. Standout pitcher Brittany Sutton ’11, who had 10 shutouts and two perfect games in 2008, will return to the mound for the Martlets. Joining her and providing leadership in the infield are captains Avi Greene ’09 at second base and Sara Ugalde ’10 at shortstop. Amanda Boulier ’11 will move from the outfield to third base. These three Martlets along with Tori Pizzuto ’10 will be the core of the batting lineup. Corinne Werner ’10 will anchor the outfield. The team hopes to continue its tradition of not only being incredibly difficult to score on but also having impressive offensive firepower. This combination is likely to cause trouble for many of Westminster’s competitors in 2009.

Golf
After a 2008 season that featured some impressive individual results for the Martlets, the Black and Gold golfers are again well positioned for some big finishes at the top. Captain Will Smith ’10 was the medalist in the 2008 Founders League Tournament and the 2008 Kingswood Oxford Invitational, and will once again vie for prominence among New England’s best prep school golfers. Harry Richards ’10 also had a number of strong performances and will provide experience and talent at the top of the ladder. Newcomer Eliza Breed ’11 has had impressive results in the past and should make an impact on the links for Westminster. With a number of lettermen graduated, the squad will look to both new faces and players from the second team to fill out their ranks.

First Boys Lacrosse
Coming off an 8-7 season, First Boys Lacrosse is looking to capitalize on its quickness, experience, and leadership in order to have a successful season. The Black and Gold defense, led by All-American captain Kieran McDonald, will be tough to beat. Postgraduate Will Manning who was the Nassau County (N.Y.) Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 joins McDonald. Captain Harry Radovich ’09, Matt Mahany ’10 and Colby Mauke ’09 will anchor the midfield, and the offense will look to captain Kirby Zdrill ’09, the second leading scorer in 2008. While a number of starters graduated, the squad is excited about some of the new blood and talent that has taken the Hill. A large contingent traveled to Florida for preseason practice.

First Girls Lacrosse
Having lost only a few players to graduation, First Girls Lacrosse will look to its experienced team members and some able newcomers for success this season. Captains Caroline Scott ’09, Liz Cole ’09 and Emily Walsh ’09 will lead the seasoned group. After a rebuilding year in 2008 with a number of new players, this young, athletic team has the potential to become a powerful offensive and defensive force this year. It is quick, and with many players now having at least one season under their belt, it is ready for the challenges ahead.

First Girls Tennis
First Girls Tennis returns a core group of starters from last year's team, one that finished just under the .500 mark. Three of the four singles players are back, including Izzy Melhado '09 who played the entire 2008 season at number one. Also returning is three-year letter winner Chanler Murphy '09. Overall there are seven girls back from last year, all of whom have some experience in either doubles or singles. If the team can stay healthy and the doubles teams click, the girls have an opportunity to post a winning record in a very competitive league. Captains Melhado and J. Simons ’09 are setting a nice tone early in the season. Other returning players are Anna Boborodea '09, Colby O'Neil '10, Sara Nolan '10, Carolyn Zimmer '10, and Olivia Frank '10.

First Boys Tennis
First Boys Tennis will be replete with new faces this spring. Led by captain Mac Cahill ’09, the squad will be strong at the top. Cahill proved to be one of the best players in New England in 2008 and will clearly lead the charge for the Martlets at the top of the ladder again along with Jake Lowenstein ’10. Ben Park ’10 and Jacob Lee ’11 also return from last year’s team and will provide solid play in the middle of the lineup. The Black and Gold will face some challenges as it incorporates new players, figures out doubles teams and faces stiff competition, but undoubtedly all of the effort will result in good, exciting tennis this spring.

Track and Field
Westminster Track and Field will be small in numbers and very young, but a hardy core of returning athletes and newcomers should produce some exciting results. Captains Alex Martin ’10 and Kathryn Brady ’10 will lead the determined squad. Stalwarts Eddie Gentle ’10, Rafi Rojas ’10, Vanessa Larracuente ’11 and Zari Boggs ’10 will make up the heart of the team and will be good role models for a young band of Martlets. Postgraduate Mike Dudley should help significantly in both sprints and weights as well. This eager group will have a number of opportunities to prove itself and make progress.