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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Brookfield (CT)

BROOKFIELD, Ct. - The first state championship in program history will be difficult to follow. But with all but two players back from the 2023 squad, the potential to repeat is strong for the Bobcats of Brookfield.

“We have a good amount back, eight or nine that started,” noted head coach Matt Hart, who has been at Brookfield for eight years, with 2020 his first season in charge of the varsity team.

Prior to last year, Brookfield had never made it past the second round of the playoffs.

“Work ethic is the biggest thing the past few years,” Hart said of what he’s tried to instill since taking over. “It’s shown that giving the most effort and working hard will lead to the end goal.”

Matt McDowell, the number two pitcher last year behind Tanner Wall, an all-state player who has moved on to Western New England, will lead the way on the mound this season. McDowell, a hard-throwing right-hander, was 5-0 with one save and a 0.516 ERA in 2023, striking out 70 and giving up just 18 hits in 40 innings with a 0.811 WHIP.

Senior Nick Petta has been “looking great” and the Roger Williams University recruit is expected to be a major part of the pitching staff this season. Juniors Michael Graham and PJ Colla along with sophomore Thad Balzi are also being counted on to contribute on the mound as well as senior Matt Brooks, who has been an outfielder for the Bobcats. Balzi is the 32nd-rated 2026 RHP in New England while Colla brings the staff a left-handed hurler.

“I think we’re a bit deeper pitching-wise than last year,” pointed out Hart. “We have a lot of guys that can help out.”

Garrett McGovern, the 18th-ranked junior catcher in New England, hit .338 a year ago and returns behind the plate with Balzi back at first base. Balzi knocked in the go-ahead run in the 2-0 championship game win over Guilford.

“The stage is not too big for him,” Hart said of Balzi, who carried a .297 average as a freshman to go along with a 1-0 record and one save pitching.

Sophomore John Lopes and Colla add depth at first.

Junior Jack Murray will be at second base with McDowell anchoring the infield at shortstop. The top-ranked junior in New England batted .303 with a .418 OBP and .821 OPS, scoring 22 runs and driving in 10, hitting a pair of home runs. A UConn commit, McDowell is the 64th-rated 2025 shortstop in the nation.

Junior Jack Ponte will play short when McDowell pitches with sophomore Matt Ackerly bringing a lot of promise at third base after playing in 22 games as a freshman. Ackerly is the third-rated 2026 third baseman in Connecticut.

Sophomore Sam Consalvo will play center field and junior Connor Jordan right field after missing time last season prior to the playoffs. Jordan is the 48th-ranked 2025 outfielder in New England. Left field will be a rotation including Colla, a part-time starter a year ago.

“I think our defense can be our strongest suit,” Hart said. “We have a bunch of guys that have experience, so that will be key for us. They played together growing up and are always together with each other.

“The key to the season will be our consistency. If our pitchers are able to deliver like I think they can, we'll be okay. We just have to take it one game at a time. Our defense is good, but we’ve got to hit. We have guys that can do it. If we do what we need to do as players and coaches, we can get back to where we want to be.”

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