Timothee Pierre and Joel Stevenson
The Malden High School baseball team had a rough start to their season last year, but due to hard work they were able to pull it around to qualify for states. Their entry into states was a short lived one due to their loss in the first round against Westford Academy with a score of 4-2. This year, the team is coming together once again with returning faces including senior Eliezer Hernendez. Some new members to the team include sophomores Matt Delaney and Alex Carstensen This year, the team has high hopes of making it back to states as stated by assistant coach Matt Chabre, “[To] make it back to states again, and have at least 10 plus wins this season.”
With determination comes hard work. Last year, captain Kevin Valley and other seniors have been key assets to the team. With the disadvantage of missing these members, the team will have to work their hardest if they want to make it “leadership on and off the field, and [makes] sure they have their work done in school,” said coach Chabre with a nod.
Coach Chabre explained that they will have a repetitive training which is “Ground balls, Fly balls,” which would be for the catchers of the team and for the players at the bases, and then the pitcher has to “…throw in their pens,” with a set plan for practice including “…fielding and batting exercises, [and]… pitching exercises,” stated Eliezer Hernedez when asked what do you do at the practices the plan would be that they will be ready for the games and the season starting March 19, 2012. With Everett being their main rival when the season starts, “to beat Everett” will be their current main goal.
In addition, the team has to have “determination” if they want to get a win from Everett.
The MHS baseball team has a long way to go if they want to make it to states, but with determination and doing hard work on and off the field then anything can be possible for them.
