Spring means flowers, baby animals and baseball fans awaking from the long winter, hungry to watch their favorite teams out on the field again. The Malden High School Baseball team rises to the occasion and continuously makes Golden Tornado fans proud and with a current record of 4-1, it is clear that the team does not disappoint.
The team, consisting mostly of upperclassmen, is made up of several leaders, not only the senior captains Johnny Wilcox, Nick Powers, Chuckie Gibson but also other juniors and seniors on the team who set an example for all of the other players on the team. According to coach Kevin Carpentino however, the three captains were chosen because they “lead in their own way,” and are an asset to the team. Looking farther into the season, Carpentino hopes to win at least 10 games, thus qualifying them for the state tournament, and also to be able to claim the title of GBL champions. The team also has high hopes despite their one loss, and expects to overcome the speed bump in following games. Senior Kevin Ortiz states that “[he] expects [the team] to go far,” and that “[they] will work hard to get to the top.”
A sport like no other, the team depends on each other and work together to produce a strong and united force. Junior Phillip Glynn states that “[he] does what the coach tells [him]...[he will] help out wherever [he] can.” Ortiz shares that he also tries to help out others on the team, whether it be by “warming up a pitcher or boosting [the team’s] moral.”
According to Carpentino, the team, although strong, also has things they must work on. He states that this season, the team is young at first base and has a new catcher. He would also like to see the team “swing the bats better.” The team has plenty of pitching, but he is concerned about the run production, and hopes to improve it as the season continues. Carpentino believes that throughout the season, the team’s biggest rival will be Everett, who they have already played once and unfortunately.
The season is now in full gear and the team’s next game will be on April 24, 2013 versus East Boston, at East Boston. With the season already a success, it is clear that the team will only improve.