Follow on Twitter- @PBNewEngland
Follow on Instagram- @PBR_NewEngland

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

2024 New England High School Team Previews

To view our complete list, please CLICK HERE.

2024 Spring Team Preview: Lawrence Academy (MA)

GROTON, Ma. - After “a transitional year” in 2023, Chris Margraf is hoping that 2024 can duplicate the league championship season of 2022.

“We didn’t lose a lot of seniors,” pointed out the 26th-year head coach, who is 161-96 overall including a 14-10 mark a year ago. “Plus, we brought in three key middle infielders that will solidify us.”

Jordan Henriquez, the 37th-rated junior shortstop in New England, sophomore second baseman Dan Nuti and freshman SS/2B Will Broderick, whose older brother James played for Margraf at Lawrence Academy and is now at Elon, are penciled in to help the cause up the middle for the Warriors.

Owen Brazze, a senior headed to Baldwin Wallace, will catch with Jack Janowsky, the 37th-ranked junior outfielder in New England, moving from right field a year ago to center to help strengthen the middle of the Lawrence Academy defense.

Brazze is one of three captains on the squad along with third baseman Ted McLaughlin and DH/left fielder Otto McLaughlin.

“I like that some of the guys were here when we won the championship two years ago,” noted Margraf. “The three captains inherited some strong leadership that we’ve had and this group is doing a great job.”

Three-sport standout Daven Allard, the 11th-rated junior first baseman in New England, is slated to play first for the Warriors with sophomore Ryan Blaisdell, junior Boden Belanger and senior Kota Marsteiner seeing time at corner outfield.

Belanger adds depth behind the plate as well as on the mound, where junior John Paone is the ace of the staff. The second-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in New England and the 83rd-ranked junior RHP in the nation, is a Duke commit.

Junior Laz Giardina, senior southpaw Greg Salvucci and Union College commit Micah Bennett, a senior RHP who was a spot starter last year, add more pitching to the roster with Henriquez slated to hold down the closer role.

“Laz needs to step up,” noted Margraf, who will be without four key graduates from last year in SS/3B Brian Downing (Merrimack), RHP Justin Morris (UMass-Amherst), OF Keagan Ryan (Bates) and 1B/DH Tommy Whitlock (Salve Regina). “We’re a little thin in the pitching department so we may need to have our positional players pitch.”

Brazze can also move from behind the plate to the hill to throw, with junior Sam Campbell adding depth on the mound and infield.

“What I love about this group is they’re cohesive,” Margraf related. “The older kids are setting a good example for the younger kids. They’re very inclusive.”

The veteran head coach, who has won two ISL titles in his previous 25 years of coaching, is hoping the tightness of the team pays off this year in a league that for the first time will include playoffs.

Margraf pointed to Belmont Hill and St. Lawrence as two of the favorites with Governor’s Academy and Milton Academy additional top teams the Warriors must contend with in 2024.

Recent Articles