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2020 VT Spring Team Preview - Champlain Valley

HINESBURG, Vt. - A large senior class back from last year’s Division I state championship brings strong expectations at Champlain Valley Union High School this season.

“We have potentially 10 or more seniors returning from last year, so senior leadership should be a strength,” noted head coach Tim Albertson, now in his 12th season as head coach at the school. “We have a great core of players in the outfield and infield so we should be strong defensively and we return a good amount of experience at the plate.”

Five key seniors are back for Champlain Valley in Baker Angstman (C/SS/RHP), Jonah Roberts (OF), Jacob Boliba (OF), Ryan Anderson (IF) and Union College commit Storm Rushford (IF/P).

Junior second baseman Ryan Eaton and sophomore first baseman/right-handed pitcher Ryan Canty also return for Alberston, who has an overall record of 153-51 and been Coach of the Year in the state four times during a 17-year coaching career.

“Our ability to throw strikes and keep hitters off guard will be a key to success this season,” explained Albertson, who has been part of three state championships along with a runners-up finish. “We have some new arms that will be in the starting rotation mix, so we will depend on multiple pitchers each game.”

Ian Parent, the Gatorade Player of the Year and Metro Player of the Year who is now at Endicott College, will be the biggest loss on the mound from a team that concluded last year with an 18-1 mark, the best record in program history.

Third baseman Aidan Johnson, the team leader in home runs and RBIs, is another key loss from a year ago along with second baseman Tyler Skaflestad, outfielder Brendan Tivnan and utility player Jacob Murphy.

A program with seven state championship appearances, five Vermont Metro League titles and four D-I state crowns (2003, 2012, 2013, 2019) to go along with a pair of runners-up finishes (2007, 2015) has additional keys to getting back on top this season.

“Defensively, we need to minimize our mistakes and make the routine plays,” Albertson said. “On offense, the key will be our ability to score runs.”

A balanced Metro League makes the task ahead even more difficult according to the Champlain Valley head coach.

“South Burlington, Mt. Mansfield and Essex return a lot of players from last year’s team,” noted Albertson, whose Redhawks defeated Mt. Mansfield 5-2 in the 2019 state title game. “Our goal this season is to enter the playoffs playing at our highest level. We always try to finish the regular season as one of the top four teams in the state.

“Our ultimate goals each year are to win the league and a state title,” continued Albertson. “If in doubt, improve every day and enjoy playing the game of baseball.”