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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The spring of 2017 could have very well changed the dynamic of the spring athletetics season in Dover-Sherborn. A school normally known for its excellence in boys lacrosse come spring time, DS now has two spring sports with winning traditions after the Raider baseball team’s incredible run to a Division III South Sectional title last season.
Despite losing several members of its pitching staff to graduation last June in Ryan Sliwinski (Keene State) and Owen Webb (Swarthmore), as well as a big bat and dugout leader in catcher Jamie Wright (Fairfield), the Raiders return a surplus of talent in 2018 that coach Steve Ryan believes has a lot of potential.
“It’s tough to replace the pitching that helped carry us to the state title game last year,” said Ryan. “But, I believe the potential is definitely there with this year’s group.”
The Raiders will be led by four senior captains in Salve Regina-bound pitcher/center fielder Holden Ferrari, catcher Cole Condon, shortstop/pitcher Jon Musgrave, and second baseman/dominant relief pitcher Jake Scurrah.
Joining Ferrari, the staff ace, in the pitching rotation will be senior Chase Almy, junior Alex Waugh, and Scurrah as a sort of a starter/utility man out of the pen as the team’s designated closer.
One area of the field where Ryan believes DS will be above average this season is behind the dish.
“We are particularly strong at catcher again this season despite losing Jamie [Wright],” said Ryan. “We have three guys coming back in [Cole] Condon, senior Trevor Bowman, and junior Shane Devine that will make big impacts.”
As for corner positions, the Raiders will need players to step in and fill the holes left behind by Webb and Sliwinski, but DS has several members of its junior class ready to take on the tasks, according to Ryan.
“Patrick Wright should play a major role for us at third base with Jamie Wirth at first,” said Ryan.
Joining Ferrari in the outfield on days when he is not on the mound will be seniors Nick Marken and Graham Campbell. The Raiders also have several sophomores and freshmen that Ryan believes will be able to crack the lineup and make key contributions throughout the season.
The Raiders will open up their season at home against non-conference opponent Weston on April 4 at 4 p.m.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0, or read his blog at www.flannylive.wordpress.com.
