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By Dylan Hefflinger, Dennis Healy, Trevor Brown and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief / Co-Director of Scouting

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR New England is eagerly anticipating bringing the New England states the best high school coverage throughout the region.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

Interested in attending a PBR New England event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2016 Connecticut Spring Team Preview: Hamden HS

Team Name: Hamden
Head Coach: Christopher Borelli, 24-57
Division: Southern CT Conference
2015 Record: 9-12
Conference Record: 4-4
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 3/3

2016 Team Strengths:

• Starting Pitching: We have three left-handed pitchers who look like they will compete for the majority of the varsity innings led by senior Ron Grant (2-2 2S 2.25), a CCSU commit, who struck out 31 in 31.1 innings last season.
• Team Speed: We have excellent team speed this year which will impact our offensive philosophy.
• Selflessness: Our players realize that team is first and individual accolades are more meaningful when accomplished with team success.

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Leadership: We graduated 9 seniors and replacing that leadership will be challenge but we have players who have already stepped up to fill the void.
• Infield Defense: We graduated three of four starters in our infield last year. We have some new faces and it will be an adjustment but I'm looking forward to watching our new guys grow into their positions.

Top Returning Players:

• Ron Grant, LHP/1B, 2016, 6-3 /180, 2-year starter, CCSU recruit, 2-2 2S 2.25 ERA, 31 K in 31.1 Innings pitched, .405 BA
• Mike Ferrett, SS/RHP, 2018, 5-11/180, 2-year starter, started every game as a freshman last year at 3B, moving to SS this season, .319 BA
• Avery Shugrue, LF, 2016, 5-10/170, 2-year starter, .303 BA, 19 R 

Top Underclassmen:

• Andrew Kirschenbaum, LHP/RF 5-10/170, may be the most versatile player on our roster. Three sport varsity athlete at HHS (soccer, basketball, baseball). Emotional leader.
• Anthony Sitro, LHP/OF/1B, 5-10/170, 20 innings pitched last season and struck out 20 batters. Earned one save. Moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season.
• Trevor Brandi, 2B/SS, 5-10/135, Moves from JV SS to varsity 2B. Athletic and versatile. Can play anywhere in the infield.