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Bishop Hendricken

WARWICK, R.I. - Most teams would like to have seven potential pitchers on the roster. Bishop Hendricken not only has seven pitchers, but all are returnees from last year’s team that was the number one seed in the playoffs before elimination hit in the state semifinals.

“We have a large group of seniors back that were on the varsity team last year,” explained head coach Ed Holloway, referring to 15 seniors along with one junior returnee. “We have a lot of experience with a good and deep pitching staff with seven returning. That should be the strength of our team.”

A trio of left-handers along with a pair of righties, all college commits, will anchor the impressive staff of the Hawks, which had a final record of 17-6 a year ago.

Randy Reyes, Kyle Marrapese and Matt Smaldone are the southpaws that Holloway will be counting on in 2019. Reyes, a 5-11 175-pounder ranked 106th in the New England 2019 class, is a Central Connecticut commit. A closer and spot starter a year ago, the 5-10 165-pound 122nd-ranked senior Marrapese is a Hartford signee who was 4-1 with a 0.71 ERA as a junior. Smeldone is a two-way standout that had a 5-0 record on the mound while earning all-state honors with a .400 batting average. The Sacred Heart recruit also plays a gold-glove first base according to Holloway.

Right-handers Jordan Marot and Blake Roberge add to the problems opponents will face against the Bishop Hendricken pitchers this season. Marot, a 6-4 230-pound Franklin Pierce commit rated 70th in the New England 2019 class, was 3-2 with a 1.21 ERA last season. Roberge, a 5-11 190-pound Springfield (Ma.) College recruit, is ranked 300th after posting a 0.88 ERA in 2018.

“Pitching is definitely our strength but we’ve got to fill a couple of positions, especially shortstop,” Holloway noted. “We also need to hit better. Last year in the semis we faced good pitching and struggled. We didn’t come through in the clutch and lost in 10 innings. We’re looking to do better in clutch situations this year.”

A deep lineup features center fielder Tucker Flint, a four-year starter committed to Maryland. The fifth-ranked senior in New England, Flint is a 6-2 200-pound left-handed hitting two-time all-state performer that averaged .360 a year ago.

Dave Bordieri is a three-year starter at second base that hit .330 in 2018. The 123rd-rated senior in New England is a 5-10 160-pounder going to Fairleigh Dickinson. More firepower comes from senior right fielder Kevin Colwell, a. 380 hitter last season who is a UMass-Amherst commit.

Matt Venuto and Will Panarello give the Rams a pair of standout backstops after sharing catching duties a year ago. Venuto, a 6-0 190-pound left-handed hitter, is rated 83rd and headed to Fairfield while Panarello, a 6-4 230-pounder ranked 222nd, is going to Saint Anselm.

Another returnee is third baseman Braydon Dolbashian, a Merrimack commit. The 5-11 185-pounder ranked 292nd, did not start at the beginning of last season but came on to hit .414.

“We have some talented younger guys as well that can step up to do the job,” added Holloway, a graduate of Bishop Hendricken who has kept up the strong tradition during his quarter century as head coach.

“I had a great experience as a student here, but when I graduated I never thought about coaching,” explained Holloway. “But I got involved coaching Babe Ruth League and I really enjoyed it. The high school coach at the time got appointed basketball coach and AD at Stonehill and I was recommended by the guy after and took the JV job.

“It’s special coaching where I went to school,” Holloway continued. ”I’ve had a lot of talented players and quality kids to coach.”

That continues with this year’s squad, which looks to make another strong run in 2019.

“There are a lot of good teams in Rhode Island this year,” Holloway said. “We just have to get off to a good start, play good defense and keep improving every day of the year. Hopefully we’re playing our best ball come playoff time.”