RallyNorth.net

Andover Baseball Preview

2007 record: 14-8, lost in Division 1 North quarterfinals

Returning starters (4): Mike Taylor, Sr., 2B; P.J. Farnham, Sr., CF; Sam Clark, Sr., 1B; John Hennessy, Soph., SS

Returning lettermen: Kevin Hitchko, Sr., 3B; Zach Burdeau, Sr., P; Shawn McDermott, Sr., OF: Ryan Walsh, Sr., P; Mike Morander, Sr., C

Newcomers: Eric Chu, Sr., P; Dan Gusovsky, Jr., C; Shawn Carlson, Jr., P; John Farrell, Jr., P; Robin Lowe, Jr., P; Max Nolin, Jr., SS; Erik Geffken, Jr., OF; Steve LaFortune, Jr., DH; Alex Patti, Soph., OF; C.J. Leary, Soph., C; George Flanagan, Jr., OF

Candidates in all grades: 150

Captains: P.J. Farnham, Mike Taylor, Sam Clark

Returning leaders: P.J. Farnham, .324, 18 runs, 13 RBIs; Mike Taylor, .382, 12 runs, 20 RBIs; Sam Clark, .323, 13 runs, 14 RBIs; John Hennessy, 47 putouts, 44 assists.

Returning honorees: P.J. Farnham, All-MVC

Assistants: Kevin Rourke, varsity assistant; Kevin Shepard, pitching coach; Dan Grams, JV; Rich Robinson, Frosh.

Opener: April 10, hosts Cambridge

Odds and ends: The Golden Warriors have won four straight MVC large titles. ... Andover returns a paltry 12 1/3 innings of mound experience, meaning pitching is a giant question. ... Andover lost a heartbreaker in the Division 1 North quarters  to eventual state champ Lincoln-Sudbury. .... P.J. Farnham has committed to Merrimack. ... DH Mike Pierce, a two-year starter (.250, 19 runs, 13 RBIs last year), has switched over to lacrosse. ... Promising young outfielder Christopher McConnell has changed baseball cleats for track spikes. He was the All-State indoor 55-meter champion.

Coach Ken Maglio (16th year, 223-116): "I like this team, and I think we'll be OK. We graduated an awful lot, but these guys have worked hard to keep up the tradition of Andover baseball. That and our team speed should be our strengths. We just don't have a lot of varsity experience."