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‘Unbelievable Depth’ At Loomis Chaffee Prep

WINDSOR, Ct. - Seven college commits and more that are on the radar of those at the next level help form an imposing roster for the Loomis Chaffee Prep baseball program in 2021.

Head coach Donnie McKillop is not shy when talking about the potential with this year’s squad.

“This is one of the best teams I’ve ever coached here for sure,” McKillop said. “There’s a lot of talent and these guys have played a lot of baseball.

“I am really hopeful this team gets to display the hard work that has gone into prep for Loomis baseball,” continued McKillop. “The depth is unbelievable and it has created a culture of peer to peer competition and accountability that is helping our boys thrive in these weird times.”

A pair of seniors and three juniors are the top returning players for McKillop, now in his fifth year at the school and fourth as head baseball coach. Dawson Logie, a Stony Brook commit rated 27th among 2021 RHPs in New England, and Chandler Coe, a “Power Five-type arm” according to McKillop ranked third among sophomore pitchers in Connecticut, will headline the pitching staff for Loomis. Junior Davis Hanson, ranked 228th among New England 2022 players, will also help on the mound while solidifying the infield at shortstop.

Senior Kevin Luke, a West Point signee, and Payten Wawruck, a left-handed hitting junior, anchor the outfield, with Luke in center.

“I think we have college baseball players at every position including those backing them up,” McKillop related.

More pitching promise comes via senior right-handers Christo Garretts, an Elon commit, and Timmy Kenney, a Leigh commit. Senior Rory Lynch, the 35th-ranked 2021 RHP in the area, can also help on the mound as well as in the outfield while Jayden McMillan is a senior first baseman who is headed to Cornell as a preferred walk-on.

Southpaws Phin Scott (No. 12 2022 LHP) and Charlie Biskupiak (No. 25 2022 LHP) are juniors bringing  pitching depth along with right-handers Nate Amaro (No. 102 2022 RHP) and Evan Caulfield.

“Our bullpen is pretty impressive,” noted McKillop, who lists Kenney as the top reliever with Logie and Garretts the one-two starting pitchers.

Catcher/utility Thomas Cancian (No. 76 2022 catcher) and outfielders Matt Como (No. 40 2022 OF) and Nick Sticka (No. 64 2022 OF) add to the promise in the junior class.

Sophomore John LaFleur is a pitcher/infielder with an “absolute cannon” noted McKillop, who also hits from the left side of the plate as does freshman catcher/utility Gabriel Tirado, a UConn commit ranked first in the New England 2024 class. Jimmy Chadwell, a freshman middle infielder, rounds out the promising newcomers for Loomis.

“We have a lot of kids that have been featured in some good press, but we also have a ton of depth in our classes that have been in the program since their freshman year and many are waiting for that first opportunity to get out and play varsity baseball for the school,” pointed out McKillop, who in his time at Loomis has a 40-12 record with two league titles and 15 all-league players in three seasons of play. “So much summer baseball and winter facility training has gotten these guys hungry to go out and wear the whites on Sellers Field. We definitely have the ability to compete with anyone this year and will be a top quality product on the field.”

Scheduling plans are home and home games on Friday and Saturday, approximately 14 total, with no formal league play and championship this season.

“I love that we have 10 players that have been with me since freshman year that are juniors now,” McKillop concluded about what he likes most about this year’s team. “We have a core group of kids that have put in 1 1/2 years of offseason work together. It’s a cohesive unit ready to get on the field again.

This is a great group of kids who love baseball and are hungry to compete against anyone,” McKillop added. “They have a great work ethic and are really fun to be around. They are really motivated to play baseball for Loomis.

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