2020 MA Spring Team Preview - St. John's Prep
March 19, 2020
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2020 MA Spring Team Preview - St. John's Prep
DANVERS, Ma. - St. John’s Prep had an outstanding season in 2019, but if the 2020 year eventually takes place the Eagles could be even better.
Six Division I commits highlight the returnees from a 21-6 squad that won the Catholic Conference championship and finished as runners-up in the Super 8 Tournament, losing 6-0 to North Andover in the title game.
Four of those coming back are pitchers in seniors Ryan Bradley (rated 103rd), Zach Fortune, Matt Remley and Joe Castrichini (rated 141st). Bradley, a left-hander signed by Bryant, was 3-1 with a 0.69 ERA while Fortune, another southpaw committed to UMass-Lowell, was 2-0 with a 1.19 ERA. Remley finished 2019 with a 3-2 record and 1.29 ERA with Castrichini, a two-way college recruit and, like Remley, a Holy Cross commit, was 1-0 with a 2.10 ERA.
“Team chemistry and pitching are the team strengths along with offense,” said head coach Dan Letarte, who has been coaching at St. John’s for 26 years, with this being his seventh as varsity coach.
Senior Will Frain, a first baseman/outfielder committed to UMass-Amherst, averaged .390 with 18 RBIs a year ago while Rich Williams, an outfielder going to Maine, had 20 stolen bases.
“It’s too early to tell, but speed could be a weakness,” noted Letarte, who has a 115-39 record in his time at the top of the St. John’s Prep program.
Evan Doheny, a senior first baseman/third baseman, is a newcomer to watch after missing all of last season with an injury.
“The key to success is a healthy pitching staff,” pointed out Letarte, who must replace three key graduates in catcher Alex Lane, Bryant University; pitcher Max Gieg, Boston College; and shortstop Will Potdevin, Bucknell.
“We are the defending champions and expect to repeat as league champions,” Letarte proclaimed. “We hope to qualify for the Super 8 Tournament for a record seventh time.”