The Malden High Baseball family posing for a photo. SHUYI CHEN
Expectations have been shattered by the Malden High baseball team this spring. With a 15-4 record, they were looking to make a state tournament push after breaking their 11-year tournament drought last season.
Two seasons ago, the team managed only four wins. However, a strong core has allowed them to elevate each year, winning 11 games in 2023 and now a chance to take 16 with a win against Revere.
The team opened the year up with a big win over Salem Academy Charter who is managed by former Malden assistant Mike Barbati. Somerville handed the Golden Tornados their first loss. After a rebound victory against Chelsea, Malden managed an 8-6 victory over Lynn Classical at Fraser Field, the team’s first win against any Lynn opponent since the pandemic. They then dropped a game to Revere before finishing out the week with a Chris Serino Tournament Championship, handling both Greater Lawrence Tech and East Boston with ease
The next week, the Golden Tornados struggled with two close losses to Lynn English and Medford. Still, they took a big victory over Everett during the stretch. Sitting at 6-4, not many would have guessed what followed.
Over the next few weeks, Malden took down all of their GBL opponents, including league champions Somerville, Lynn Classical, Everett, Medford, Lynn English, and Chelsea. This impressive nine-game win streak solidified a second-place GBL finish for the team, which they have not done in a long time.
Led by Coach Steve Freker and senior captains Ryan Coggswell, Ezechiel Noelsaint, and Jake Simpson, there have been vast strides in all areas of the game. The team has received great pitching from Jake Simpson, freshman Ryan Bowdridge, and sophomore Ryan McMahon. Junior Chris MacDonald and sophomore Billy Gavin have picked it up with the bats this year. Junior Bo Stead has been excellent behind the plate, preventing scoring chances all over the field
Captain Ezechiel ‘Zeke’ Noelsaint highfiving teammates. SHUYI CHEN 
Freshmen Ryan Bowdridge stepping up to the plate. SHUYI CHEN The Malden High Baseball family posing for a photo. SHUYI CHEN 
Junior Christopher Macdonald giving a thumbs up to the bullpen. SHUYI CHEN 
Captain Ryan Cogswell receiving his senior night flower with teammates. SHUYI CHEN 
Junior Bo Stead ready for action. SHUYI CHEN 
Sophomore Ryan McMahon pitching. SHUYI CHEN
The team is also successful in the classroom. Freker notes that the team had one of the highest average GPAs in the state. Coggswell and Noelsaint were named to the National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Academic Team, an incredible accomplishment that honors their determination within the sport.
For the first time in a long time, Malden has a chance to do some damage in the MIAA Tournament in the upcoming weeks. Their second-place GBL finish shows that Malden baseball is back on the map.
