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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 in Late-January, 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 2017 Team Preview, click here.

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

2017 massachusetts SPRING TEAM PREVIEW: BRaintree

Team Name: Braintree
Head Coach: Billy O'Connell
Division: Public
2016 Record: 19-6 1A State Champions
Conference Record: 15-5
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 5/1

2017 Team Strengths:

• Many returning positional players
• big game experience

2017 Team Weaknesses:

• Pitching Depth
• Varsity Innings as a staff

Coach Outlook: "The Wamps are two time Division 1A Super 8 State Champions. Braintree has appeared in three consecutive Super 8 finals. Braintree has won 62 games and have a 9-2 record vs the catholic schools in the last three seasons. Expectations are high as the Wamps look to contention for a third state title."

PBR Outlook: Braintree is always in the mix for the championship at the end of the year. They are well coached and play well when it matters. This year should shake out the same way for this club.

Top Returning Players:

• Justin Files, Sr, 6-1, 185, CF, Capt., .324, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 4-yr starter
• Alex Kennedy, Jr, 6-2, 185, C, .392, 1 HR, 10 RBI
• Joe Vannelli, Sr, 6-1, 215, 1B, .291, 10 RBI
• Kyle Gray, Sr, 6-1, 175, P, 4-1, 2.65 ERA, 37 IP, 29 K

Top Underclassmen:

• Alex Kennedy, See Above