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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Pinkerton Academy (NH)

DERRY, N.H. - Is a third consecutive trip to the state finals in the offing for Pinkerton Academy?

“The last couple of years we’ve been very strong on the mound and defensively we’ve been solid,” noted head coach Steve Campo, whose squad played Londonderry in the title game the past two years, winning in 2022 and losing this past season. “This year we want to repeat that same formula with a lot of our guys returning.

“But we lost a lot of senior leadership, good leaders on and off the field. It will be interesting to see who steps up.”

The infield looks imposing with Brendan Horne back at shortstop, Josh Jones at third base and Jackson Marshall at first.

Horne, the 79th-rated junior shortstop in the nation, is a Vanderbilt commit, Jones, a senior signed with Mitchell, and Marshall, a two-time all-state honoree headed to Southern New Hampshire. Horne batted .341 with a .439 OBP, three home runs, 22 RBIs and 24 runs in earning first-team all-state recognition a year ago. Marshall had a .348 average, .522 OBP with four doubles, two homers, 23 RBIs and 10 runs scored while Jones hit .297 with a .413 OBP.

“We are excited to have Jackson back for his senior season,” Campo said. “Jackson is a big bat in the order that has the ability to lose the baseball at any time. He will also be taking on a bigger role on the mound this season.

“Horne has been our starting shortstop since he arrived on campus two years ago. Having a guy there three years as a junior with his caliber takes a lot of pressure off the defense.
Campo is counting on Jones to step up as well for his final year with the Astros. 

“Josh worked hard last year to earn a starting position for us,” Campo pointed out. “He has gap to gap capability and plays a solid third base.”

Two other returnees are expected to aid the offense, Elijah Sharp and Cyle Archer. Sharp is an Eastern Connecticut State signee and Archer a Wentworth commit.

“Eli was huge for us during the playoff run last season,” Campo said of the senior who will move from left field a year ago to catcher this year. “Cyle was instrumental for our success last season after moving to right field about halfway through the season. He’s a great contact hitter that will be playing center field.”

Junior Cole Eaton and sophomore Hayden Marshall are pushing for playing time behind the plate with Eaton also seeing time on the mound for a staff that features a one-two punch of Leo Boucher and Mike Cioffi. Boucher, the 14th-rated junior right-handed pitcher in New England who is committed to Penn State, had 39 strikeouts in 22.1 innings last season while Cioffi allowed just four earned runs in 21.1 frames, fanning 31.

“Leo and Mike both had huge sophomore years and will be tasked with anchoring the pitching staff this year,” Campo related. “They have worked hard at attacking the zone and both guys have strikeout capabilities.”

Jake Adrien brings another strong arm to the Astros. A senior who also plays first base, Adrien is a Plymouth State signee who surrendered just three earned runs in 17.1 innings a year ago when Pinkerton finished with a 19-5 record.

More depth on the mound comes from sophomore Hunter Brasier, who could also see time in a corner outfield position, and junior Jake Welch.

“I think we’re returning a good group of guys with serious varsity innings,” Campo noted. “The key is getting ahead of batters and not allowing free bases.”

Marshall, the first baseman, is expected to have a role on the mound this season as well with Adrien and junior John Hanlon others that could play first for Pinkerton.

Junior Preston Libby, who started at third base at the end of last season when Josh Jones was injured, will be at second base.

Boucher and Brasier plus juniors Anthony Caruso and EJ Baker and senior Bryce Cooper, are all potential outfielders surrounding Archer in center.

“I like the experience we bring and that the group is determined,” Campo explained. They’re playing with a chip on their shoulders. They know how good we can be, the question is can we get there.

“Throwing strikes, trusting the defense and coming up with timely hitting will be keys. We lost a lot of offense with the seniors from last year.”

Six starters graduated including catcher Cole Yennaco and outfielder Jacob Albert, both now at Merrimack. 

“Division 1 looks to be deep and competitive this season,” Campo concluded. “We’re returning a lot of guys with big-game experience. We will rely heavily on challenging batters and solid defense. If we can get some big hits we should have a pretty good season.”

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