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SenatorsBKUCE BURNETTBy STEVE SMITH Recorder StaffORANGE — It snows in Orange, too.The hometown of the Mahar Regional School baseball team was named after a portly lord who wouldn’t know the difference between a catcher’s mitt and a robin’s nest. The town’s name has nothing to do with fruit-bearing trees contrary to the opinion of the Hampshire League’s west county schools who have always thought that spring brings Florida weather to Orange. The Senators don’t get outside any earlierthan anyone else.“I can’t visualize being on the field anytime this week, certainly not till Saturday,” Coach Vic Colo said. ‘‘Even when the snow goes, the field will be pretty wet.”Generally speaking,” Colo added, “We have to transfer our (home) opener to a southern school like Smith f last year’s opener) eight out of 10 times.”Weather is more of a problem this year because Colo has a stable of young players—lacking varsity experience-fighting for four positions left vacant by graduations. Colo’s biggest worry is the middle of the infield. He lost shortstop Steve Sogard and second baseman Dave Gloski who occupied those positions for three years. Leftfielder Tony Aguda and rightfielder Chip Pond are also gone from the club that finished 16-6 overall. The 1976 rinb had a .shot at the league title until dropping the final three games. They settled for second place with an 11-5 record. The tourney hopes fell flat with a 6-1 loss to Lenox High School in the quarterfinals.Colo didn’t lose any pitchers to graduation but he may have lost one to the books. Richard Herk—who was one strike away from a no-hitter against Hopkins last year as a junior—has not reported to the team because of academic difficulties. He could become eligible at the end of the current marking session but Colo would rather not deal with maybes at this point.weather,tooPETESlJifeoNE20th ANNIVERSARYSenior captain Bruce Burnett and sophomore Jerry Canning will top the pitching staff.Burnett was named as the utility player to the Hampshire League all-star team last year. He opened last year’s campaign with a two-hit shutout over Smith. The right-handed hurler closed with a 6-1 record. He also led the club in hitting with a .338 average.Canning, a leftie, closed his freshman year with a 5-1 record, but suffered from control problems which Colo labeled as characteristic” of a freshman. He’ll certainly play a major role.Junior John Raughtigan, a right-hander, will have to fill the gap left by Herk. He’s seen little mound duty but has looked promising during the preseason.Junior Pete Spadafora, who throws right and bats left, returns as catcher. Colo said he expects Spadafora’s bat to help spark the team.Junior Pete Simeone was termed a “super defensive player” at first by Colo. There’s no problem there or at tliird where Burnett and HaUghtigan will share the duties when not pitching. The problem lies in the middle of the infield.“Pitching is always the number one problem because you can never get enough of it,” Colo said.but I think our second base-shortstop situation will be something I’ll have to devote my attention to immediately.”Sophomore Matt Gilmore and sophomore Mike Calcari are the leading contenders for second base. Junior Dennis Canning, who has seen some varsityaction, is battling for the shortstop duties along with sophomores Grit Ramsdell and Wayne Mailloux. Calcari is a possibility at short if Gilmore wins second base, according to Colo.Senior Burt Mailloux will be the only returnee to the outfield. The centerfielder could be joined by junior Jeff Coffin and Jerry Canning when he’s not on the mound.. A•JERRY f ANNTN'GHARLEY-DAVIDSONGRISWOLDHoriey DavidsonIt. 5 110 Benrardttor.. MeTel. 648-9302
Newspaper Details
Greenfield Recorder
Greenfield, Massachusetts, US
Wed, Mar 30, 1977
Page 42
Full Page
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