Anticipation Builds for upcoming Baseball Season
The Morgan Baseball team, led by captains Wyatt Luke, Dominic Larabee, Creighton Johnson, and Michael Ferraiolo, is already hard at work for what should be a promising season. In a recent interview, head coach Trevor Brown, and team captain, Wyatt Luke, shared some insight about preseason workouts, team dynamics, and their predictions for the season.
Preseason Workouts: Dusting off the Cobwebs
The Morgan team has recently started their optional preseason workouts at the start of January, held once a week on Sundays at the Breakers Baseball Facility in Old Lyme, a non-profit travel baseball and softball organization. According to Coach Brown, these workouts are “a great way to get players’ back into shape and provide valuable opportunities for team bonding.”
Wyatt says the preseason workouts “focus on weightlifting and skill development” with an emphasis on “strengthening arms and hitting mechanics” to prepare for the upcoming season.
“Our hitting isn’t bad, but we want to make sure we’re fully ready,” Wyatt explained. Coach Brown agreed with this, mentioning the importance of getting pitchers ready for the season. With a younger pitching staff this year, the team will focus on developing talent.
Adjusting to Changes and Fresh Talent
One of the team’s biggest challenges this season is replacing several key pitchers lost to graduation like Ross Treubig, Luke Powell, Ryan Donadio, Will Saunders, Luke Perrottii, Sean Green, Lucas Hoadly. Coach Brown acknowledged this challenge, but is optimistic about returning players, including standout pitchers, Nathan Levy, Creighgton Johnson, Jack Henry Palazzo, and Trevor Powell.
“Jack Henry gained great experience as a freshman last year, and Trevor brings toughness to our team,” Coach Brown noted. In addition, the team is welcoming two talented freshmen, Aeden Harkins and Cole Rockholz, one of whom has already joined preseason workouts, beginning to get adjusted to the team.
Goals and Team Strategy
Coach Brown, now entering his third year as the head coach at Morgan, following a sixteen-year college coaching career at multiple schools and eleven years with high school and travel baseball teams, has a clear vision for the season. “Our focus is on sound fundamentals and winning the games we are supposed to win,” he said.
The team’s strategy will center on three key areas:
1. Developing pitchers and building depth on the mound.
2. Utilizing team speed as their top tool to manufacture runs.
3. Getting players on base to maximize scoring opportunities.
Wyatt Luke and Dominic Larabee, two of the captains, are expected to anchor the top of the lineup, while sophomore Benjamin Brown, a defensive player, will play a key role as a run producer.
Leadership and Chemistry
The baseball team captains are chosen by the players and then approved by the administration. This season’s captains Wyatt Luke, Dominic Larabee, Creighton Johnson, and Michael Ferraiolo contribute commitment to leadership and hard work.
Sophomore Gavin Clow, a catcher on the baseball team, said, “Wyatt is a very good leader and captain because he gets everyone involved with the team and tries to pick everybody up. He is always available to help and answer questions about players swings, fielding, or for me catching. He is the type of captain who will stop whatever he is doing and take time to give you advice.”
“Our captains set the tone for the team,” Coach Brown said. “It’s great to see them stepping up during preseason workouts to lead by example.”
