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The Plan Is The Same As Always For Staples

STAPLES, Ct. - The plan is the same as always for Staples and head coach Jack MacFarland.

“We expect to compete for the league and state championships,” related MacFarland.

That is nothing new for a program that has made the state finals three of the past five years, claiming Class LL state titles in 2017 and 2019.

A 2020 crown was not out of the question before Covid changed those expectations according to MacFarland.

“We had a great senior class and probably the best outfield in Connecticut,” noted MacFarland. “We had a chance to defend our state title.”

A trio of senior captains, all college commits, brings hope once again in 2021.

Right-handed pitchers Carter Kelsey and Justin Lessing along with southpaw Alex Deutsch will certainly make Staples a formidable opponent with their ability on the mound. Kelsey, a 6-4 225-pounder rated 18th among RHP in New England, is a Seton Hall commit while Lessing, ranked 120th in the 2021 class, is headed to Middlebury College and Deutsch to Wesleyan.

Lessing is a two-way performer as a pitcher/infielder with Alex Oppenheimer and Chris Kennedy juniors expected to also assist the cause in the infield. Oppenheimer is ranked 136th among 2022 players in New England while Kennedy is 181st. Both also pitch.

“The key to our season is staying healthy,” pointed out MacFarland, who has a 244-116 record since taking over the program in 2005. “If we stay healthy the team is built around pitching, defense and baserunning.”

When last taking the field for a game, Staples defeated Southington 3-0 to bring home the Class LL state championship.

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