Follow @pbrnewengland

With the 2020 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.

If you are a coach and haven't filled out your 2020 Team Preview, click here.

To view the whole list of 2020 Team Previews, click here.

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

2020 CT Spring Team Preview - Amity

WOODBRIDGE, Ct. - Could this be the year Amity wins state title number seven in baseball?
“I definitely like their work ethic which would make it such a shame if they don’t play this year,” head coach Sal Capolla said about this year’s Spartans.

The top pitcher, number two hitter and the left side of the infield must be replaced from a 19-7 team that suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Southington in the Class LL state semifinals.

“We definitely have good team speed and we have pitching depth,” noted the 27th-year head coach, who last led the program to a state championship in 2016.

While John Lumpinski (64.1 innings, 9-3, 2.17 ERA), now at Siena, and Michael Shepa (41 innings, 6-2, 1.71 ERA) are no longer Spartans, Jack Ranani and Will Rotko are experienced right-handers ready to lead this year’s staff. Ranani was 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA in 35.2 innings while Rotko pitched 23.1 innings in 11 appearances with a 2.40 ERA.

“We have five or six guys fighting for innings,” Capolia said. “We have a lot of pitchers that can throw. We’re hoping someone steps up to the level of Lumpinski last year. We’re still waiting to see.”

A trio of left-handers are also in the mix in seniors Pete Giaquiento and Ethan Kaempffer as well as sophomore Martin Zheng, who according to Capolia “has turned some heads throwing over 80 miles an hour. College coaches are following him. Between the three of them maybe one or more will have a positive impact.”

A strong group of players must help fill the void for the loss of outfielder Cole Kuchachik, who led Amity in runs scored with 28 while averaging . 363  with 22 RBIs last season. Shortstop Sebastian Formica (.238) and third baseman John McNellis (.355) also graduated.

“We will have a new third baseman and shortstop and possibly a new second baseman,” noted Capolia. “This year more than others, pitching and defense will be keys.”

Babson College commit Tanner Santos, who hit .232 and started at second in 2019, may move to short this year while junior Sebastian Holt, a 6-3 218-pound left-handed hitter, returns at first base after averaging .280.

Senior Mateo Delsanto will be a co-captain this year after hitting. 250 playing first and DH in 2019 with junior center fielder Julian Stevens also a co-captain. The 22nd-rated junior in New England had a highly productive season as a sophomore with six home runs, 12 doubles, 36 RBIs and 27 runs scored while batting .348.

“UConn’s recruiting him, Boston College is looking at him and Wake Forest also,” noted Capolla.

Ranoni led last year’s squad in batting average at .383 and will provide the Spartans another strong stick with junior Jacob Crowe, a .313 hitter last season, returning behind the plate to play catcher.

“Our number one goal has always been to have fun and get better,” Capolia said. “We want the season to be enjoyable. We want them to go out and compete so they can have a chance to play at the next level.”

There is one major concern for Capolia even if the season is played. What will the late start to the schedule mean to the program?

“Usually one of our strengths is who we put on the field at the end of the year is not who we had there at the beginning of the year,” Capolia related. “A shorter season will hurt that.”