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2022 New England High School Team Previews

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2022 Spring Team Preview: South Kingstown

WAKEFIELD, R.I. - The ability to send out the number one pitcher in the state is quite a luxury for South Kingstown first-year head coach Keith Vellone. Add in two other pitching standouts and it only adds to the possibilities for a program that advanced to the state semifinals a year ago.

“Our pitching with Brutti, Lindley and Rodman is definitely the strength of our team,” Vellone said in reference to Ben Brutti, Eric Lindley and Gavin Rodman. “We’re very fortunate to have those three.”

Brutti, a South Florida signee rated 124th in the nation among 2022 right-handed pitchers, is the staff ace after missing all of last season. Lindley, who will alternate with Brutti at first base when not on the mound while also seeing time as a DH, is a Stonehill College commit while Rodman is a junior transfer from LaSalle. All are right-handers.

“Gavin was at LaSalle the last three years but is from South Kingstown,” related Vellone, who has taken over for long-time head coach Jim Sauro who retired after more than 20 years at the helm, winning state titles in 2002 and 2018 and finishing as runners-up four times.

Junior Rian O’Rourke and sophomore Patrick Ruhle bring depth to the staff.

“Those five will do the bulk of the pitching,” noted Vellone, who had been coach at Narragansett High School since 2000, winning a Division II championship in 2013. “They all throw very well. They throw three pitches for strikes and all know how to pitch. They have a lot of baseball smarts.

“They also play multi-positions which helps with moving parts. All five can also swing the bat well so that’s a plus.”

Rodman plays second base, Ruhle is at third and can also move to second while O’Rourke plays outfield and third base in addition to pitching.

Sophomore Brandon Westerfield will be at shortstop and likely lead off with center fielder Conor Kelly, the 16th-ranked 2023 outfielder in New England, another potential bat at the top of the lineup.

Senior captain Colin Masseur will catch with Declan Wholey in right field and Koko Kassabian in left.

Outfield depth comes from sophomores Liam Sagal, Tat Kassabian and Ryan Fuscaldo, who can also pitch.

“All are talented with great speed,” Vellone pointed out.

Senior Ryan Camp is competing for time at second and third base after missing time with shoulder surgery while junior Graheme LaPlante is the backup catcher and can also play outfield.

A trio of freshmen add to the talent on the Rebels, in Jonah Monnes (LHP/OF), Nolan Urian (RHP/OF) and Mark Hutchins (MIF/RHP).

“I think we’ll put runs on the board,” Vellone assessed about the season. “I like how they swing the bats.”

Concerns come in another area.

“I want to make sure our infield is able to play solid defense,” Vellone said. “I think we will, but so for we need to do a better job of that.

“But I like these kids,” Vellone concluded. “They are here to play baseball every day. They’re into it. And how can you not love the pitching staff? It’s nice to have pitching, it’s something you can never have enough of in baseball.”

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