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Promising Outlook For Salisbury Prep

SALISBURY, Ct. - A new turf field is just one of the things that brings excitement to the 2021 Salisbury School Prep baseball season.

“We have balance this time,” explained head coach Kevin Huber. “I’ve been fortunate in my time here to be pitching heavy, but this year we have good infield defense and we’re athletic. But the outfield will be different this year with the turf.”

Fortunately for the Knights, the outfield appears to be very strong this time around led by center fielder Carlos Pena and right fielder Jake Brink, both of whom will also pitch. Pena, a Missouri commit ranked 38th among 2021 outfielders in the country, is a four-year starter and team captain called by Huber “one of the best offensive players around. He’s very team-oriented and loves to play the game.” Brink is the 64th-rated 2022 right-handed pitcher in New England who throws near 90 with a 100 exit velo that will bat in the middle of the order.

Four-year players David Clark and Chad Johnson also fit into the outfield plans with junior Jack Norris another returnee. Post-grad Parker Ward adds depth at corner outfield.

Cole Wojtkowski, who started at shortstop as a sophomore, anchors the infield with junior Hayden Miller at third base and post-grad newcomer Brendan Munnelly at second. Wojtkowski is the ninth-ranked 2021 shortstop in New England and a Bryant commit while Miller is the ninth-rated 2022 SS. Munnelly is a USNA commit.

James Patrick, another four-year player and a team captain ranked 14th among 2021 catchers, will be behind the plate along with Anthony Torreso, the ninth-rated 2022 catcher. Sophomore Rowan Schneider, from California, is a potential first baseman along with Patrick and Torreso.

“It should be an interesting year,” noted Huber. “We will infuse some new players with some integral returners. Carlos Pena and James Patrick are four-year guys that will be important to the offense and Cole Wojtkowski will lead a very talented and athletic group of infielders.”

Pitching should be a strong point led by Boston College commit JulianTonghini and post-grad southpaw Teddy Brennan, a James Madison commit. Brink, Pena, Ward and senior Owen Mulvaney add depth on the mound along with post-grad right-hander Colin D’Arcy and sophomores Cris Hernandez and Oliver Nordahl, who can also play middle infielder.

More team depth comes from junior outfielder Austin McNicholas, sophomore utility John Patrick and freshman RHP/utility Derrick Dellea.

An 18-game schedule is different from year’s past with Wednesday and Saturday league games to go along with a Monday non-league contest.

“The new turf field will be a welcomed change and help with some early spring weather,” pointed out Huber, a fifth-year head coach with a 39-13 record in his time at Salisbury. “Our guys are ready to go. They all have been working extremely hard together and can’t wait to get out on the field and compete.”

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