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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.

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2020 MA Spring Team Preview - Austin Prep

READING, Ma. - Jonathan Pollard takes over the reigns at Austin Prep with plans to continue the strong success the Cougars had under former head coach Steve Busby, who was in charge of the program for nine seasons.

“We preach ‘we not me,’” Pollard said of the philosophy he is bringing to the baseball program after serving as the school’s athletic director from 2014-19. “It is the coaching staff's responsibility to make sure every player on our varsity roster has a role in the success of our program. Regardless how big or small that role is, it is each of our player's responsibility to play that role at the highest level they are possibly capable of and to be ready at a moment's notice to step in and execute.”

Division 3 state champions in 2018, Austin Prep went 19-1 in the regular season a year ago while also winning the Catholic Central League for the fifth season in a row.

The new head coach, formerly with USA Baseball in Cary, N.C. where he led teams to a gold medal at the PanAm Games in Toronto and two silver medals at the World Games in his time in charge, has a strong group of returnees looking to put the Cougars back on top.

Virginia recruit Evan Blanco, a left-handed pitcher ranked number one in New England’s 2022 class, is one of five returnees that have already committed. Left-handed hitting shortstop Jake Elbeery, a junior headed to the University of Richmond and rated 65th in the 2021 class, is another key underclassmen back for Pollard.

A trio of seniors also return in Andrew Croteau, Stephen Agrippino and Tim Norton. Croteau was 7-0 as a pitcher his sophomore year before moving to second base as a junior. The Nichols College commit is ranked 301st among 2020 players in New England. Agrippino is headed to Roger Wiliams while Norton, a 6-4 200-pound left-handed pitcher rated 437th, is a St. Anselm commit.

Outfielder Damon Kruppa, the leadoff hitter who had the top batting average last season, is ranked 540th among New England seniors. Ronan Noke is an additional senior that Pollard is looking at to help Austin Prep make another state championship run.

But the Cougars will have to play this season without a pair of graduates now at UMass-Lowell, ace southpaw pitcher Cam Seguin and shortstop Jonny Gilbride. Also gone are pitchers Jason Grongrande, now at LaSalle, and Colin Jaena, currently with Stonehill College. . 

The Cougars have a 103-17 record since 2015 and have gone 52-4 during the five-year conference title run.