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2020 MA Spring Team Preview - Doherty

WORCESTER, Ma. - Seven starters are back for Doherty head coach Ed Whalen, who has led the program to 13 Central Massachusetts Division I district appearances in his 14 years in charge.

“We consistently play a tough schedule,” Doherty said of what has benefitted the program in the postseason, listing St. John’s Shrewsbury (2), St. Peter Marian, Auburn, Algonquin, Wachusett, Holy Name (2) and Shrewsbury as teams on the Doherty regular-season slate.

Seniors Ricky Rushton and Dan Sheeran headline the returnees from last season’s 11-10 squad that lost 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh inning to Groton Dunstable in district play.

Rushton, the 10th-ranked 2021 shortstop in New England, is a Navy commit who plans to prep for a year before going to college.

“He’s one of the area’s top-hitting shortstops,” Whalen said of the speedy 5-10 160-pounder who took part in the New England Top Prospect Games in June, was a member of Team Massachusetts at the Future Games in August and most recently participated in the New England ProCase.

Sheeran is “one of Central Massachusetts’ top hitters,” Whalen said of the left-handed hitting infielder who is on pace to have the most hits in school history.

David Pedanou is a promising junior infielder ranked 398th in the 2021 New England class while DJ Parmpin is another junior expected to play a big role in the outfield this season after starting 15 games as a sophomore.

Chris Schoen, the top pitcher on last season’s team and now at Westfield State, is the biggest loss for Doherty.

Rushton will be the number one hurler in the rotation with Anthony Francis, a senior who has pitched for two years, next in line. Prampin, who throws 83-85 according to Whalen, brings added depth to the pitching staff.

Junior Grady Freeman gives Doherty a left-handed arm in addition to a stick from the left side.

“He’s a crafty lefty pitcher who will play outfield when not pitching,” Whalen noted. “He will solidify a spot at the top of the order with an excellent bat.”:

Another junior expected to help on the hill as well as at the dish is Thomas Murray, ranked 497th in the New England 2021 class.

“He’s a big, strong right-handed pitcher who has tremendous power from the right side of the plate,” related Whalen, who is also hoping a promising freshman class can make contributions for the Highlanders.