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Pentucket Baseball Preview

2007 record: 13-8, lost in Division 2 North first round

Returning starters (6): Mike Sloban, Sr., P; Bobby Maguire, Sr., P; Peter Creamer, Sr., C; Jordan Silva, Jr., SS; Harry Shipps, Sr., OF; Justin Bolla, Sr., OF

Returning lettermen: Billy Beaton, Sr., 2B; Jamie Ryan, Sr., 3B; Joe Martin, Sr., P; Nathan Poretta, Sr., P/OF

Newcomers: Dan Johanson, Jr., 2B/P; Sean Milley, Jr., SS; Nick Mottola, Jr., 3B/P; John Piccolomini, Jr., 1B/P; Chris Modlish, Jr., Of/P; Bobby Disorbo, Jr., OF; Dan Dragon, Soph., C; Zach Eddy, Soph., P/OF; Mike Brennan, Soph., OF/P; Adam Newell, Frosh., P/1B

Candidates in all grades: 70

Captains: Harry Shipps, Mike Sloban

Returning leaders: Peter Creamer, .302 avg., 11 RBIs; Justin Bolla, .290 avg., 17 runs, 12 RBIs; Harry Shipps, .259 avg.; Jordan Silva, .247 avg., 15 runs; Mike Sloban, 6-0 record, 33 Ks, 1.56 ERA

Returning honorees: Mike Sloban, Eagle-Tribune honorable mention

Assistants: Tim Cavanaugh; Justin Spurr (JV); Tim Sciuto (Frosh.)

Opener: April 12 at Amesbury, 10 a.m.

Odds and ends: Pentucket's 13-8 mark was its best since 1995. ... The Sachems, who took the Division 3 state title in 1994 with a 22-3 mark, last won a tourney game in  2004. ... Four of last season's top five pitchers return for the Sachems led by unbeaten Mike Sloban.

Coach Tom L'Italien (5th year, 43-39): "This is probably the deepest team I've had in my five years here. It's been really competitive with three or four positions up for grabs. We have leadership at pitcher, with Jordan Silva in the infield, Peter Creamer's a good catcher and Harry Shipps is a three-year starter in center field. There's no egos and this is a tight group that cares about playing winning ball. We've got some early season injuries that we have to overcome, but this group has realized a lot of potential."