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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Woodland (CT)

BEACON FALLS, Ct. - It has been a remarkable two-year run by Woodland Regional and head coach Steve Bainer is looking for the same in 2024.

With just four starters back from a Class M state runners-up squad in 2022, Woodland managed the unthinkable last season, winning the Naugatuck Valley League Championship for the first time since 2007. The Hawks finished 18-2 in the regular season before losing to Foran in the state tourney to close out the year at 21-3.

“We have been fortunate as a school to have talented student-athletes who do not shy away from putting in the work necessary to be successful,” explained the Woodland Regional head coach in assessing recent success in the program. “As a Class M Public School, we have a lot of multi-sport athletes, so seeing our athletes working to prepare for baseball during their fall and winter seasons is a testament to their work ethic and commitment.

“As a program, we have focused on continuing to develop a strong culture of team-first baseball, while also working with our individual student-athletes to best develop their skills to be successful as student-athletes beyond high school. Currently we have around 10 players on college rosters across the Greater New England area playing NCAA Division I, II, III and NJCAA baseball. Our players have embraced a blue-collar approach, working everyday to get better, and taking pride in their work in the classroom and on the field.”

Four seniors, including two headed to play in college, are back for Woodland along with a pair of standout juniors and a returning sophomore. Michael Belcher, a Bryant commit, is back after going 6-1 with a 1.18 ERA, fanning 93 in 47.1 innings. Ethan Stepputtis, a Salem State signee, also returns after winning four of five decisions, striking out 24 in 25 frames with a 3.36 ERA.

Both were also strong with the bat, Stepputtis hitting .488 with 27 RBIs and 26 runs, and Belcher .414 with 22 RBIs and 17 runs. Stepputtis is a utility player while Belcher is an outfielder when not on the mound.

Center fielder Max Martin, who hit .254 with 22 runs scored, and first baseman Bill Untiet, who batted .329 with 18 RBIs, are other returning seniors for the Hawks.

Matt Silva adds depth on the mound after not allowing an earned run in 11 appearances totaling 12 innings a year ago while fellow junior Tyler DeCrescenzo returns at shortstop after driving in 22 runs and scoring 24 last season, compiling a .351 batting average.

Sophomore Erik Pulkkinen, a catcher/third baseman, is also back after hitting .364 a year ago.

“Our team learned a great deal from last season, and our biggest strength lies in our experience,” pointed out Bainer. “We have multi-year starters in Michael Belcher and Ethan Stepputtis, along with a bunch of players who got some experience under their belt in Max Martin, Billy Untiet, Tyler DeCrescenzo and Erik Pulkkinen. The experience on our team has prepared our program for what it takes to be successful throughout the regular season and into the postseason, and more importantly the effort and commitment it takes to get there.”

Darren Gasparri, a leadoff hitter and pitcher who is now at UConn Avery Point, must be replaced, however, as well as catcher Anthony Marsala (Western Connecticut State) and second baseman Caden O’Neil. Anthony Butkevisus, who missed last season with an injury, is another graduate gone on to pitch at Salem State.

“Our players need to continue to improve in all phases of the game from an execution standpoint,” Bainer explained. “Improving defensively and being able to execute in big spots will determine what this team is ultimately capable of.”

Bainer pointed to junior Jason Beaudry, a pitcher/utility player who transferred in from Seymour, as a newcomer to watch along with sophomore catcher Jordan Giambra, sophomore P/IF Jack Schwenger, and freshman pitcher Tyler Yoxall.

“Pitching and defense will define our season this year,” Bainer said. “Michael Belcher and Ethan Stepputtis have been a foundational part of this program for the last four years, and this season will be no different. Their wealth of experience, and overall ability to make an impact on the mound, in the field, and at the plate will lead this team.

“Last season we did not perform up to our standards defensively,” Bainer continued. “We expect to see a big jump from players like shortstop Tyler DeCrescenzo and third baseman Erik Pulkkinen having a year of experience under their belt. These are two players in particular that we believe have exceptional upside and the ability to become impact players.”

That will be vital with changes made to the NVL.

“The Naugatuck Valley League transitioned to a power scheduling model this season, so looking specifically at our division, there are a number of strong teams,” Bainer concluded. “St. Paul has been a very quality team, and coach Rinaldi runs a great program, competitive in both the NVL as well as in the CIAC State Tournament every year. The same can be said for coach Iannotti’s team at Naugatuck. They return a lot of pieces and also had some success in the CT American Legion tournaments last season. Wolcott played into the finals of the State Tournament last year, and Holy Cross always comes prepared to compete. The NVL has had strong teams and talent the last few years, and I expect this season to be no different.”

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