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2020 VT Spring Team Preview - South Burlington

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Luke Guyette led South Burlington to a 12-5 record in 2019, with the season coming to an end in the state quarterfinals.

“We return most of our defense and all of our pitching from that team,” pointed out Guyette, who has a 114-66 record since he took over the program in 2010. “Pitching and defense was our strength last year, we’ll see if as we get older if we hit better.”

Jack Ambrosia is a great starting point for South Burlington with the 69th-ranked senior in New England beginning his fourth year on the varsity. The Holy Cross commit, who also plays infield, has thrown 106 innings in three years with the Wolves.

Three additional key seniors are back from the 2019 squad in catcher Seamus McGrath, shortstop Nolan Antonicci and third baseman Mason Klesch.

McGrath, called by Guyette “a true leader”, was the catcher in the 2018 state championship win by the Wolves. The uncommitted McGrath also pitched 35.1 innings a year ago as well as catch.

The left-handed hitting Antonicci is a three-year varsity player who bats at the top of the order while Klesch is a middle-of-the-order guy for Guyette.

“Nolan is a great player with smooth hands and is real quick,” Guyette said. “Mason is a solid defensive player who hit pretty well last year.”

A trio of underclassmen also bring experience to this year’s squad, all left-handed pitchers. Ethan Moore, the 358th-rated New England junior, also plays first base while Shane Burke and Sully Beers, the 39th-ranked 2021, are both outfielders when not on the mound. 

“Staying healthy is the key to moving in the right direction,” concluded Guyette, who points to defending champion Champlain Valley, last year’s state runners-up Mt. Mansfield along with Essex, St. Albans and Colchester as teams to watch out for this season with private schools St. Johnsbury, Rice Memorial and Burr and Burton Academy others that will be contenders. “We just want to try and get better every day.”

The program has won five state titles in school history, with Guyette taking South Burlington to the Final Four three times in the past six years.

“We have a lot of support in the community,” Guyette said. “From a family perspective, we hit academics and strength training for long periods of time. It’s year ‘round without being just about baseball.”