Foxborough Baseball Preparing For New Season

Despite some uncertainty at a few positions, the Foxboro High School baseball team is in a better place than last season.

With a year under his belt, coach Billy Sittig has noticed that the bad habits that existed in his first year are not around at the start of his second year at the helm.

“We’re excited. We got most of our lineup back,” Sittig said. “You can see their confidence is the biggest thing. You can see that’s improved.”

After a season of multiple one and two-run losses, that confidence is going to be needed to get those close wins that evaded the team last year.

“We were in a lot of tight games that young teams don’t really win, but I think we’re a more experienced team and I think we win those games this year,” Sittig.

On the mound, Brandon Fowler is expected to be the team’s top pitcher. The senior captain is expected to give the team a boost when its his day to pitch.

“I think he’ll be one of the best pitchers in the Hock this year,” Sittig said. “We need him to kinda give us a chance to win every time he goes out there.”

Nolan Clagg and Josh Patkin round out the pitching rotation. Freshman Doug Fisher may also see some time at the mound.

Fowler’s fellow co-captain Jimmy Flaherty will be moving back to third base after volunteering to play catcher last season when the team lacked a varsity ready player at the position. Taking his spot will be sophomore Owen Campbell and football captain and quarterback Nick Sestito who returns to the team for the first time since freshmen year.

Brett Cresey and Mike Slaby return to the middle infield along with Tim O’Halloran who is coming off a breakout year in basketball.

Because of an ACL injury to Nick Couroupacis during basketball season, the battle for first base has come down to Mike Cappadona, Alex DeSenzo, and Fisher. Sittig has showed some excitement over the 6-foot, 5 inch Fisher, who has showed some potential at first base.

Clagg is expected to return to right field, when he is not pitching, while Patkin and Cappadona will share left field. Looking to fill the gap in center field left by Stevie Fitzmaurice will be Tim Freitas who comes up from junior varsity.

Lacking a slugger, small ball is going to be the main emphasis at the plate. There is going to be plenty of bunting and squeeze plays as the Warriors are looking to be aggressive on the bases.

“We wanna run a lot, put the ball in play. I think we’ll be able to run on a lot of team,” Sittig said. “Once you put pressure on the defense its tough to make the plays when people are moving.”

The Warriors open up the season on today at home against Stoughton High School.