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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Dexter Southfield (MA)

BROOKLINE, Ma. - “We have a good nucleus of arms and one of the best catchers in the country.”

High expectations are nothing new for Dan Donato, now in his 18th season as head coach at Dexter Southfield.

“We graduated a lot of talent but we have a lot of good young guys coming in,” Donato said in looking ahead at the 2024 campaign.

Hopes for continued success start behind the plate with Matt Conte, the 19th-rated senior catcher in the nation. The Wake Forest signee will have a lot of help led by a pair of juniors that have committed to Boston College, center fielder Gabriel Malaret and pitcher Chase Hartsell. Malaret is the third-ranked 2025 in Massachusetts and Hartsell the 14th-rated junior RHP in the state.

The 11th-ranked 2025 right-handed pitcher in Massachusetts is Sachin Gopal, who brings depth to a deep staff that also includes sophomore Matt Blanusa, a highly-regarded shortstop.

Junior Lorcan Lee, whose “breaking ball is unhittable” according to Donato, and sophomore Jett Little, the grandson of former Astros and Red Sox pitcher Joe Sambito. Both pitched in relief last year. Little is the eighth-rated 2026 RHP in New England.

Dillon James, a Babson commit who is the 74th-rated senior RHP in New England, along with Owen Gray, the 73rd-ranked 2024 righty in New England who is signed with St. Lawrence, are other pitchers for Dexter Southfield.

“We have a bunch of 88-90 guys that are hard to hit,” pointed out Donato.

Another St. Lawrence commit, Eddie Morrissey, will be at first base with another Babson recruit, Ben Valente, in right field.

Tyler Koski, the fifth-ranked freshman in New England and the third-rated 2027 second baseman in the country, is a middle infield prospect given high praise by Donato with Alex Cantwell another promising newcomer. The sixth-ranked sophomore catcher in New England will play third base or outfield while also serving as the backup behind Conte.

“If it comes together we can be really good, but we have to figure things out defensively,” Donato said. “The strength of this team is definitely up the middle with catcher, pitcher and center fielder.

“Even though we’re younger at some positions, with our pitching depth and the ability to shut down running games we’re going to be in most games. The concern is will we have enough firepower to win league games.”

Last year Dexter Southfield lost to Worcester Academy in the Central New England Prep School League championship game.

“The highlight was beating Thomas White in the semis,” noted Donato about getting past the second-rated 2023 in the country, who was a first-round selection by the Miami Marlins.

The team finished with a 17-6 record last year and the Dexter head coach is looking for even more this year.

“I love their attitude,” Donato said. “They come to the field with a great sense of purpose. They love to play. They want to play the highest level of baseball they can. I love the approach these kids are taking.”

As for the league, Donato points to “the usual suspects .. it will be a coin toss” according to the Dexter mentor, who listed Worcester, Deerfield, Andover and Exeter as other contenders.

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