By Jake Elpi and Brody Fagan
After another successful winter season, we head into the warm weather hoping for a great start to the 2023 spring sports season. Branford High School is wishing luck to the baseball team, boys lacrosse team, track and field team, golf team, and the boys tennis team. For the latest schedule of all the spring teams click here.
Let’s dive into what the boys’ teams are looking like this year. To see the spring sports preview for girls’ teams, click here.
BASEBALL
Last year the Branford baseball team went an underwhelming 4-16 as they lost a few key seniors from that year they look to bounce back this year with a pretty solid roster. We talked to three varsity outfielders, Zack Turbert, Noah Volpe, and Michael Rebmann, and they predicted their record this year at 10-10. Noah Volpe also mentioned that their most anticipated matchup is against rival school East Haven. The Hornets and Yellowjackets meet twice throughout the season. The first matchup is on Monday, April 3, which ended in a 6-0 loss. The second time they meet will be April 26. Senior outfielder Zack Turbert was also most excited for this matchup and obviously would love to beat them. Zack said he isn’t nervous for the upcoming season and thinks “They have a good shot at making the tourney.” When looking at the squad this year you can easily tell that the 3 standout players are going to be junior Jack Smith (Outfielder, Pitcher), senior Sean Cleary (Catcher), and senior captain TJ Shields (Catcher). Like last year this team had 2 phenomenal catchers that play huge roles for this team. Both seniors, TJ and Sean, look to split playing time throughout the season. They are in an ongoing battle for the starting spot but it looks as if they will both be getting equal time. When asking TJ about his final season for the Hornets, he mentioned that he feels ready and has high expectations for himself and the team. The matchup he is most excited for this year is to play SCC opponent Xavier. The reason for this is that he has two very close childhood friends that live in Branford but decided to take their baseball talents to Xavier (Owen and Quinn Sotero). Notre Dame transfer Michael Rebmann is the starting right fielder for the Hornets. After last year, where he only got to play in 7 varsity games, he is planning on playing a full season as the starter. Michael has just one goal for him and he believes he can achieve this and that is making either first or second team All-SCC. His team goal and expectation is to just make it as far into the playoffs as they can.
Baseball schedule and results.
BOYS LACROSSE
After a successful 2022 season, the Branford Lacrosse team is looking to come back even better this season after being moved from Class L last year to Class M this year. This upcoming lacrosse season brings challenges the team hasn’t had to face for the past four years. For the first time since 2019, the Hornets have a new goalie, – Isaiah Forney. This is Isaiah’s first year playing goalie and 2nd year playing lacrosse but that doesn’t hold back his confidence for the upcoming season. Isaiah thinks the team can go 11-5 or better and become SCC champions. Isaiah knows it won’t be easy. ‘‘It will be hard as a first year goalie, but I trust my defense and think we have very good chemistry together.’’ We were also lucky enough to interview senior caption Matt Mcnulty who says is most excited for “cooking people 1 on 1.’’ Matt also says he can not wait to play Guilford this season which is also the first game of the season, which was a loss 16-5. The last person we talked to is Keene State College lacrosse commit Sean Bosworth. The Senior caption says he is very excited to score goals and have team dinners with the team. Sean’s most anticipated game for the season is the SCC championship game because he is so confident the team will make it.
BOYS GOLF
The boys golf team lost their number one golfer, Justin Acquarulo, to graduation, but he left the team in good hands with the new number one, captain Keegan Lalonde. Keegan and senior captain Matt Morgan look to lead the team to what he thinks can go an undefeated 16-0. After last year going 17-1 – only losing to Amity by one stroke – they look to avenge themselves on Thursday, April 6. This is only their second match of the year so there isn’t much time to get ready for this matchup. Last year the assistant coach stepped down and Coach Palluzzi who is a volunteer and first year coach says he is excited about helping out and he has always been passionate about the sport. He says “we want to make sure you don’t get a big number” and “it is okay to bogey.” He hopes to play a role in a few wins for the team even though he can’t do much on the course as it is up to the players at that point. Head Coach Jen Kohut is very excited for this season. The team has nine returning golfers and expect to make the SCC tournament. She doesn’t have as high of expectations as her 2 captains, but she thinks they can go 12-4. They did move up to Division I after having such a successful season competing in Division II. The four main golfers are Keegan, Matt , Colin Deane, and Mike Farriecelli. Coach Kohut says that the five spot is up for grabs but there are a few golfers that she feels comfortable in playing that role. Kohut wants Keegan to make it to the State Opens for the 3rd year in a row and expects him to do very well. She also mentioned that her players have been playing at their home course – Pine Orchard Golf and Country Club – during the warm winter when the course is closed. She was very happy to see this as she is hoping her golfers can perfect the nine-hole course. Last year the team was 6th in the Division II state tournament and is hoping they can excel in Division I this year. It is going to be a tough challenge for the team to take on but she believes in her two senior captains have been doing great jobs at getting the team together and encouraging them to play in the off-season.
BOYS TRACK
As the Boys Outdoor Track season approaches Avery Atkinson and Colin Donahue, two captains of the team, say they are ready to end their last high school season on a good note. Avery says he’s very excited for the season and can’t wait to face Xavier because Branford teacher Chris Stonier coaches at Xavier. Avery has personal goals of getting top three for all 3 of his events. He has team goals of winning SCC’s. Avery thinks him and his other three captions, Colin, Ryder Kropiwnicki and Evan Bouley all have tight chemistry. Ryder and Evan were both state qualifiers last year, Ryder in the pole vault and javelin, and Evan in the javelin. Ryder also competes in the decathlon. Colin recently committed to Division I and will be attending Bryant University to continue his athletic and academic career. He set the school record in the 400m during the indoor track season. Colin is very excited for the season and has personal goals of winning SCC’s and states for the 800 meters.
Boys track schedule and results
BOYS TENNIS
The boys tennis team lost a lot of its key players last year after losing their top four singles players to graduation last year from the squad that went 13-6. However, the team also gained a lot of new players including seniors Lucas Johnson and Jordan Bah. With a lot of freshmen on the team as well, they will be the future of success. Currently the number one singles player is Mathias Schalper, a freshman.
According to Adam Albrecht, a captain on the squad, the 18 matches for the team will be challenging but a great experience. “We hope to make it to states again this year,” Albrecht said. “But most importantly, enjoy the season and have everyone do well.”
Boys tennis schedule and results
For the most recent sports updates during the spring season, check out The Branford Buzz on Twitter @BranfordBuzz and The BHS Sports Insider Instagram page @BHS_insider23
One Reply to “BHS Boys 2023 Spring Sports Preview”
Comments are closed.