Follow @pbrnewengland

Interested in attending a PBR New England event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

To view the commitment tracker, click here.
To view the uncommitted spotlights, click here.

Upper Cape Cod Tech

BOURNE, Ma. - For seven years in a row Upper Cape Cod Tech has made the postseason tournament. It is an accomplishment that makes veteran head coach Gabe Coutinho proud.

“Our school is about preparing kids to go out and make money,” the 18th-year head coach explained about a school that offers 15 vocational areas of study. “We have a different dynamic here.”

It is a challenge that Coutinho meets head on.

“You just keep smiling .. keep taking care of the kids and understand what the kids need from a personal level and try to make them buy into team first,” Coutinho said. “That goes a long way.

“The kids that want to play baseball here are dedicated. They represent us really well.”

Many of those are back from a 10-10 team that won in the preliminary round game in the playoffs before losing in the quarterfinals a year ago.

“We hope to get kids that like to compete and want to make a commitment,” Coutinho said.

One of the top two pitchers on last year’s squad returns in senior right-hander Tyler Earle, who led the 2018 team with a 6-2 record.

Depth on the mound comes from a number of two-way players starting with junior Riley Thornhill. The 171st-rated 2020 in New England is expected to be the number two hurler. A second baseman when not on the mound, the 5-7 162-pounder bats left and throws right.

Senior Jared Westgate, a corner infielder in addition to pitcher, is also being counted on to help replace the loss of Jake Marino to graduation. Daniel Willett, a senior righty who was hurt a year ago, adds to the depth that also includes junior Kane Burkhead, who could see time in the outfield as well.

Senior catcher Joseph Mcardle returns for the Rams giving Coutinho a great starting point in the lineup.

“He’s a clutch player. When you need a hit or need this or that, he’s the kind of player that gives it to you,” Coutinho noted. “He has a chance to be one of the best around.”

More experience comes with the return of starting shortstop Connor Reidy, the 376th-ranked 2020 in New England. Fellow junior Joseph Coelho, a third baseman/catcher, adds promise to the Upper Cape Cod Tech lineup as does senior outfielder James Gracie.

A pair of sophomores, Orland Guadalupe and Blake Martin, are expected to play key roles as well. Guadaupe, the starting right fielder a year ago, will man center field this spring while also helping out the pitching staff. Martin is a middle infield prospect.

“Everything is wide open,” Coutinho said. “If a kid looks like he can play, we’ll give him a shot.”

The head coach of the Rams is optimistic in looking toward the 2019 campaign.

“We’re going to have a true ace, we’ve got a good catcher and a good center fielder,” Coutinho said about the strengths of this year’s team. “We’ve got the key positions back with good ability there. If we can keep our attitudes in check, these kids can go out and win some games.

“But our pitchers need to stay healthy,” Coutinho added. “I think our defense is going to be good, I just hope the offense can keep up.”

After placing second in the Mayflower Small League to Old Colony a year ago, Upper Cape Cod Tech has aspirations of reaching the top in 2019.

:”We’re hoping we can take the league, get into states, have a home game and represent the school in a positive light,” noted Coutinho.

The last league title for the Rams came in 2016.

“We have a fun rivalry with Old Colony,” Coutinho said. “We need to win at least one of our head-to-head matchups with them and I’m sure they’re saying the same thing about us.

“We just need to play one pitch at a time and stay together as a team, support each other and have fun. If we’re not having fun, what are we doing out there?”