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By Dylan Hefflinger, Dennis Healy, Trevor Brown and PBR Staff
Editor in Chief / Co-Director of Scouting

With the 2016 spring season right around the corner, PBR New England is eagerly anticipating bringing the New England states the best high school coverage throughout the region.

Starting February 1st, we began releasing team previews for teams across the state, leading into the Preseason All-State Teams as well as the Preseason State Rankings.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2016 Team Preview, click here.

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

2016 Massachusetts Spring Team Preview: Lawrence Academy

Team Name: Lawrence Academy
Head Coach: Chris Margraf
Division: ISL
2015 Record: 11-10
Conference: ISL
Returning Starters/Pitchers: 8/6

Overall Thoughts: Preparing to compete each and every day. Team is committed to one another. Will develop humility, selflessness, and hard work. We have solid pitching depth with three seniors - Jack Harlan (committed to Columbia), Josh Garber (committed to Union College), Mark Russell (committed to Bates College), Jake Cassidy (committed to St. Anselm College). Senior Liam O'sullivan (committed to St. Anselm) takes charge behind the plate. We have a solid group of sophomores and juniors who comprise the infield and outfield. One freshman, Tyler Gonzalez, will also have an immediate impact.

2016 Team Strengths:

• Senior leadership
• Pitching
• Defense
• Small ball
• Strong fundamentals.

2016 Team Weaknesses:

• Still need to hit better. Had a 1.31 team ERA last year, but only hit .231 as a team. 

Top Returning Players:

• Jack Harlan - LHP, 2016, 6-7/ 225 lbs, R/L, 4-year starter, signed with Columbia University as one of Coach Brett Boretti's top recruits.
• Liam O'Sullivan, C, 2016, 6-1 / 180 lbs, R/R, 2 -year starter (transferred to LA from Winnacunnet High School, will play for Coach Barry Rosen at St. Anselm's College
• Josh Garber, P, 2016, 6-1, 190lbs, R/R, 2-year starter, will play for Coach Paul Mound at Union College.
• Mark Russell, P, 2016, 6-0, 190lbs., R/R, 2-year starter, will play for Coach Mike Leonard at Bates College
• Luke Benoit, CF, 2017, 6-4, 180lbs, R/R, 3-year starter, being actively recruited by St. John's and Vanderbilt
• Zack May, SS/P, 2017, 6-0, 185 lbs, L/R, 3-year starter,most versatile player on team with tremendous upside. Will receive DI interest.
• Cam St. Amand, 1B/C, 2017, 5-10, 180lbs, R/R, 3-year starter, will receive D2/D3 interest
• Matt Killian, RF, 2018, 6-1, 175lbs, R/R , 2-year starter. Led team in hitting last season. D1 prospect.
• Jake Miller, 3B/OF/P, 2018, 5-10, 185 lbs, R/R, 1st year. Plays for New England Ruffnecks. Very strong arm and bat.
• Tyler Gonzalez, SS/2B, 2019, 6-0, 175lbs, R/R, 1st year. Father is Alex Gonzalez (Blue Jays / Cubs), tremendous talent and upside.

Top 2016 Players:

• Jack Harlan - LHP, 2016, 6-7/ 225 lbs, R/L, 4-year starter, signed with Columbia University as one of Coach Brett Boretti's top recruits.
• Liam O'Sullivan, C, 2016, 6-1 / 180 lbs, R/R, 2 -year starter (transferred to LA from Winnacunnet High School, will play for Coach Barry Rosen at St. Anselm's College
• Josh Garber, P, 2016, 6-1, 190lbs, R/R, 2-year starter, will play for Coach Paul Mound at Union College.
• Mark Russell, P, 2016, 6-0, 190lbs., R/R, 2-year starter, will play for Coach Mike Leonard at Bates College

Top 2017 Players:

• Luke Benoit, CF, 2017, 6-4, 180lbs, R/R, 3-year starter, being actively recruited by St. John's and Vanderbilt
• Zack May, SS/P, 2017, 6-0, 185 lbs, L/R, 3-year starter,most versatile player on team with tremendous upside. Will receive DI interest.
• Cam St. Amand, 1B/C, 2017, 5-10, 180lbs, R/R, 3-year starter, will receive D2/D3 interest

Top 2018/2019 Players:

• Matt Killian, RF, 2018, 6-1, 175lbs, R/R , 2-year starter. Led team in hitting last season. D1 prospect.
• Jake Miller, 3B/OF/P, 2018, 5-10, 185 lbs, R/R, 1st year. Plays for New England Ruffnecks. Very strong arm and bat.
• Tyler Gonzalez, SS/2B, 2019, 6-0, 175lbs, R/R, 1st year. Father is Alex Gonzalez (Blue Jays / Cubs), tremendous talent and upside.

Notable Alumni:

• Jonah Bayliss '99
• Tyler Beede '11
• Logan Gillis '09, Northeastern/Bentley
• Tony Deshler '07, Brandeis
• Max Tishman '12, Wake Forest
• Joe Napolitano '11, Wake Forest and St. John's
• Sean Mullaney '13, Bowdoin
• Alex Carafotes '13, Bard
• Aubrey Solomon '13, Stonehill
• Steve Drury '13, Fitchburg St.
• Paul Buckley '13, Merrimack
• Richie Cardillo '15, Trinity
• Sean Winthrop '15, St. Michael's