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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
In 2017, the Walpole High baseball team will look to continue their long tradition of success within the Bay State Conference and, hopefully, make a long postseason run in either the State Tournament or the Super Eight.
Leading this band of Rebels will be a trio of senior captains in left fielder Cam Martin, who helped guide the Walpole hockey team to the school’s first ever Super Eight berth this past winter, second baseman Charlie Auditore, and pitcher Brian Gaughan.
Martin and Gaughan agree that this team has a ton of potential.
“With the team we have this year, we can make a serious run into the playoffs,” said Gaughan. “Whether that be the State Tournament or the Super Eight, we definitely think we have the ability to win a championship this year.”
“I see a lot of great potential on offense throughout our lineup this year,” said Martin. “Our main goals for this season are to win the league, position ourselves as a contender for the Super Eight, and keep the Walpole baseball winning tradition.”
The Rebels possess a great amount of speed in the legs of Martin and Auditore, but another name that Martin says to look out for at the dish this season is that of Bryan Kraus.
“We are a quick team, which will make us very dangerous on the base paths in particular,” said Martin. “I see Charlie (Auditore) and Bryan Kraus having a big impact at the plate for us this year.”
On the mound, Gaughan says that the Rebels are extremely deep with guys such as Cam Schlittler and Matt Donato (both sophomores) rounding out the rotation.
“Cam and Matt are both really solid pitchers,” said Gaughan. “They each carry with them some nasty stuff and make our rotation as deep as it’s ever been.”
Chemistry should not be an issue for this year’s group of Rebels, as Martin says that despite having only five seniors on the roster, this Walpole team is very familiar with one another after growing up and playing together their entire lives.
“This is a very small senior class compared to others in the past,” said Martin. “Ever since we were in Little League, all of us were friends and pushed each other to be better year after year.”
The Rebels will travel to Bay State rival Wellesley on April 6 to kick off conference action.
