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Trio Back To Lead South Kingstown

WAKEFIELD, R.I. - Jm Sarno believes a lot was missed out on at South Kingstown with no 2020 high school baseball season.

“I think we had a good shot with a veteran team,” related the long-time head coach of the Rebels. “With Hunter Roberts and Sam Craven, we had a pair of special all-state players.”

Not getting an opportunity to see the two now-graduated pitchers perform is only part of what did not take place at South Kingstown a season ago.

“We lost a year of player development,” Sarno noted. “So that will bring some surprises in many different ways this year, some good and some maybe bad.”

Only three varsity players are back with experience in seniors Jack Wentworth and Zac Zyons, both of whom started on the 2018 state championship team as freshmen, and junior Ben Brutti, who pitched in the state semifinals in 2019. Wentworth, the 11th-rated 2021 outfielder in New England, is a Seton Hall commit while Zyons, the 13th-ranked senior shortstop, is headed to Bryant. Brutti, the 116th-rated 2022 RHP in the nation, has made a commitment to the University of Rhode Island and is expected to lead the way on the mound and play first base when not pitching.

“Our biggest concerns are the bullpen and second and third starting pitchers because we don’t have a lot of experience,” explained Sarno, who has been coaching since 1997 with state titles in 2002 and 2018. “Second base and third base and also a backup shortstop are all needed because Zac Zyons can pitch.”

Scott Cromack, the 36th-rated 2021 second baseman in New England who is going to Massachusetts-Dartmouth, has some part-time varsity experience and is being counted on to fill one of the infield question marks. Andrew Mosher, a senior committed to Endicott College, has also seen playing time in the past and will pitch, play outfield and first base.

Eric Lindley, rated 107th among 2022 right-handed pitchers, will play corner infield and pitch with senior southpaw Owen Caldwell bringing depth to the mound. Colin Mecir will catch, senior Trey Young will be in the outfield or DH and junior Noah Brunelle will play outfield. Conor Kelly, the fifth-ranked 2023 outfielder in New England “who would have started last year” according to Sarno, is another expected to have an important role this season.

“All are highly-committed, dedicated and big strong kids that work hard and love it,” Sarno related. “They come to get better every day. That’s nice because I don’t have to initiate, they want to do it. That’s when you know it’s a good sign.

“The key is that they can come together as a team with a lack of playing high school ball. We have to work as a team to be able to perform the game plan.”

In addition to a pair of state titles, Sarno has led South Kingstown to the Final Four 11 times and to the finals on seven occasions - 2002, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

“I’ve been blessed with a lot of kids that love baseball,” Sarno said. “They believe in the program and believe in the coaching staff.”

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