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2022 New England High School Team Previews

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2022 Spring Team Preview: Austin Prep

READING, Ma. - “We have no excuses not to be competitive.”

Those are the words of Jonathan Pollard when assessing the 2022 season at Austin Prep.

“We did not lose a senior pitcher and we played a competitive schedule,” Pollard said of a 19-2 season a year ago that came to an end in the second round of the postseason. “I like that we have really really high-character kids. They work hard and are genuinely appreciative of their teammates. They like to compete and they really push each other to do their best.”

But like with any coach, there are always concerns for a team that must replace infielder Jake Elbeery, who is now at Richmond.

“We have a lot of seniors so making sure we stay in the moment and not get distracted with what comes along during senior year is my biggest worry,” Pollard admitted.

Matt Chatelle, a 6-3 220-pound Southern Maine commit, will anchor the infield at catcher for the Cougars with Will Burns, who hit .500 as a sophomore, playing first base. Team captain Ernie Little, a commit to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, will be at second base with Josh Keith the shortstop. Third base is an uncertainty.

Nick Saunders, the 170th-ranked senior in New England, will be in center field with Dom Gabardi, the eighth-rated 2023 outfielder in the area, in a corner outfield position.

A pair of southpaws headline the pitching staff with Evan Blanco, a Virginia commit rated 34th in the nation among senior left-handed pitchers, the ace of the Cougars. Stonehill College signee Jack Iannibelli is back as the number two hurler with Jake Zawatsky, the 10th-ranked sophomore right-handed pitcher in New England. another arm being counted on by Pollard.

Gabardi and left-handed senior Chuck Gagnon are others that will see time on the mound along with junior Jansen Landen, a transfer from St. John’s Prep.

“Our offense was special last year and our defense was strong as well,” Pollard said. “We should be good in all facets of the game this year, there are no excuses not to be competitive.

“We do have a lot of young guys competing. We kept seven freshmen up last year for environmental experiences. Now it’s their time to compete.”

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