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Coventry Looks To Be Formidable Opponent Once Again

COVENTRY, R.I. - Although the prospects for success were strong at Coventry in 2020, head coach Leo Bush admits 2021 should be a really good season after missing out on getting on the field a year ago due to Covid.

“We still have some horses in the stable,” noted Bush, who has a roster featuring four players that were major contributors as freshmen when the Elephant lost to South Kingston in the 2018 state finals.

Jayden Voelker, an Old Dominion commit, and Will Turner, a football commit to WPI, are senior right-handed pitchers that will anchor the staff. Devyn Vezina, a Massachusetts-Dartmouth commit ranked 28th among 2021 third basemen in New England, is a four-year starter while Matthew Durkin, a senior shortstop, is a three-year starter.

Making his high school debut this season is Tommy Turner, Will’s sophomore brother who is committed to Houston. The sixth-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in New England will also play first base or outfield, while Will Turner will also see time in left field and Voelker at first base.

“Our pitching is going to keep up in games,” noted Bush, who is planning on senior right-hander Jason Sarapiglia in a closer role while also playing DH.

Senior outfielder Jason Desjarlais, who missed his sophomore season due to an injury, brings speed and a left-handed stick to the lineup. Junior infielder Adam Vesey and junior catcher Jared Vadeboncoeur, the 41st-ranked 2022 backstop in New England, are other players being counted on by Bush, now in his 22nd season at the helm of Coventry.

“Health would be our number one concern,” Bush said. “Not just being healthy going in, but maintaining throughout and being able to avoid the virus.

“Pandemic aside, we’ve got an experienced bunch that has experienced winning. Our freshmen and sophomores were part of the Little League World Series team from four years ago and they’re in our program now. The future looks good.

“We’re optimistic about the season, but having lost last year we missed out on scouting other teams and knowing tendencies of pitchers and hitters,” added Bush. “But we’re all starting off the same.”

Plans in Rhode Island are to stay regional when it comes to schedules according to Bush, who is also coaching the girls volleyball team at Coventry.

“If I could jump back to two years ago when we left the field at Bishop Hendricken, the strength of our team was pitching and defense to keep us in games,” Bush said in reflecting back to a 1-0 second-round tournament loss in 2019. “The one thing that haunted us all year was that timely hit.

“Now that we have a senior and junior heavy roster, if we can be a little more productive moving runners and driving in runs we’ll be a tough opponent.”

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