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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Canterbury (CT)

NEW MILFORD, Ct. - “It was a different place 10 years ago.”

That is how Canterbury head coach Todd Mathewson views the baseball program after being in charge since 2014.

After a 2-12 first season, records of 7-8, 7-9 and 6-9 followed before a 16-5 year in 2018. There has not been a losing mark since, with the past two seasons a combined 32-10 record.

“Last year is the closest we’ve come,” Mathewson said of a 16-3 campaign that ended with a loss to Salisbury in the Western New England championship game.

With co-league Pitcher of the Year Andrew Rondoni back to go along with a host of other returnees, Mathewson is hoping this is the year to bring home a title.

“Our entire league will be pretty solid this year,” noted Mathewson, who pointed to Salisbury and Millbrook as tough divisional opponents, with Cheshire Academy the favorite in the other division. “We just need to control the things we can and do the things we preach - pitching, play solid defense, get guys on base and continue to have quality at-bats from an offensive standpoint. If we do that we have a shot at it. Take it one game at a time. Take care of what's right in front of us.”

In Rondoni, Canterbury has the fifth-rated senior RHP in New England, a William & Mary commit who was 4-1 with a 0.80 ERA last year, striking out 58 and allowing just 15 hits and six walks in 35 innings.

Rondoni, who threw six shutout innings in scrimmages this spring in Florida, will have a lot of assistance on the mound this year led by fellow seniors Billy Batson and William Nardella. The 18th-rated 2024 left-handed pitcher in New England, Batson is a Rollins signee while Nardella, the 25th-ranked senior southpaw in New England, is going to Union College. Batson was 4-1 with a 1.50 ERA last year, fanning 42 and walking 15 in 32.2 innings while Nardella was 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA, recording 17 Ks in 21.1 frames.

Evan Rossi, the 62nd-ranked 2024 RHP in New England who is a Bentley commit, adds depth to a staff that has some uncertainty with Ithaca recruit Jack Cunningham currently out with an injury.

What is certain is that shortstop will be a strong suit with Cole Silvia returning after hitting .346 with a .386 on-base percentage and .790 slugging percentage. The top-rated senior shortstop in New England is a Pepperdine commit.

Silvia is slated to bat second in the lineup behind Tyler Harmony, the 18th-rated junior SS in New England who will play third base. A left-handed hitter, Harmony is a Northeastern recruit.

Other seniors back from a year ago are DH/left fielder Jake Towey and utility player Bryce Isquith, who is signed to play for Lasell University. Tyler Kisling, the sixth-rated junior outfielder in New England who can also pitch, is another returnee along with sophomore Logan Martel, the second-ranked 2026 catcher in New England who will move behind the plate this year after being the DH last season.

Post grad Myles Gythfeldt is a strong addition to the program as a three-hole hitter playing second base. The 41st-rated senior in New England, who can also pitch, is a Colby commit.

Sophomore Carter Heagle will play first base and bat cleanup while bringing another potential arm to the mound.

Another post grad, Jackson Powers, will play center or right field. Currently uncommitted and considering hockey and/or baseball at the next level, Powers will also be the backup catcher and can play infield and pitch.

Junior Aaron Morice will bring speed somewhere in the lineup, with more roster depth coming from Seth Schullery and sophomore Christian Milligan.

“The biggest thing we have is great athleticism and team speed,” noted Mathewson. “This is one of the most athletic groups we’ve had here. Our infield defense is quick and the same with our outfield defense, they can run and go get the baseball.

“I also like our pitchers as a whole. Their strike percentage was really good on our Florida trip.”

It has Mathewson excited about the next team set to represent the baseball program at Canterbury.

“Our core value is CPR - compete with passion and be relentless,” Mathewson explained. “From a mental state, we have guys that wear their mental state on their belts to know how to deal with adversity and how to respond.

“As we continue to grow over the past 10 years, we’re growing guys that want to do well in the classroom and on the field and they want to play at the next level.”

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