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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Bishop Hendricken (RI)

WARWICK, R.I. - The philosophy seems simple at Bishop Hendricken.

“We emphasize pitching and defense,” explained long-time head coach Ed Halloway. “We try to give no more than 21 outs a game. And we need timely hitting. That’s basically our philosophy.”

It has worked out well, with trips to the Division 1 finals in Rhode Island two years ago and the semifinals during last season’s 23-3 campaign.

More success is expected this year, though two key players must be replaced in Alex Clemmy, a left-hander now at Vanderbilt, and Matt Jarmie, the closer a year ago who is at UMass-Dartmouth.

“I think we have a lot of potential on the mound but we need guys to step up for us,” noted Halloway, who has been the head coach at Bishop Hendricken since 1996. “Griffin (Crain) was excellent last year but we need others to step up.”

Crain, the number two starter a year ago and a Louisville commit as an outfielder, is “regarded as one of the top players in the state” according to Halloway and expected to be the ace with the “rest of the staff up for grabs.”

Ryan Thompson, the second-rated 2024 first baseman in New England and a Rhode Island commit, is one of the potential pitchers along with seniors Braxton Pearson, Ben Picone and Jack Larose as well as junior Cooper Maher. Pearson is a Maryland signee and the top-rated 2024 RHP in Rhode Island and Larose the third-ranked senior shortstop in New England and a UConn recruit. Maher, the top-rated uncommitted junior in New England, will play second while moving to short when Larose pitches.

Junior left-hander Patrick Clemmey, a Vanderbilt commit, had Tommy John surgery last April and his status is questionable.

Braden Campbell, the number two junior catcher in New England, returns behind the plate with the Binghamton commit seeing time in the outfield with junior Jack Depalma the backup catcher.

Thompson, a “gold glove defensive player and one of our better hitters” according to Halloway, will be at first after earning first-team all-state honors last season.

Christian Butera, a senior headed to Catholic University, can play every infield position as well as pitch and is penciled in at third.

Frank Tillinghast, who was called by Halloway “the biggest surprise on the team as a sophomore”, will be in left field after hitting .400 in 2023, with the 44th-ranked junior outfielder in New England also having the ability to play third base. Crain will be in center backed up by sophomore Will Mascena with senior Cole Camara, a Clark University signee, in right with the potential to also play infield.

Senior Blake Lukens, an OF/P/1B, junior Jacob Montenegro, an OF/DH rated the 48th best 2025 outfielder in New England, and sophomore Parker Boyd, an IF/OF/C, are also expected to contribute.

“I like that we’re experienced,” Halloway explained. “We basically have our starting team back except for pitching. We’re expecting some arms to come through and step up as seniors. I like our defense, our work ethic and that we’re very talented.”

It adds up to another potential strong season for the Hawks.

“It’s all about pitching,” Halloway said about the key to success. “Pitching is the name of the game. We need guys to come through for us. If we get good pitching we can make that run and be a contender.

“We’re strong defensively up the middle,” Halloway concluded. “We have a shot to be very good, it depends on the pitching staff and the improvement made from last year and the improvement that is made through the season.”

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