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2024 New England High School Team Previews

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2024 Spring Team Preview: Cheshire Academy (CT)

CHESHIRE, Ct. - There is no doubt that Cheshire Academy is loaded with talent. After all, 18 players on the roster, including three juniors, have already committed to play at the next level.

“We do everything together, we rise as one,” head coach Anthony Giano said about what he likes about this year’s squad. “The guys are always doing baseball activities together. They all have the same mission, the same goal. Everyone wants to win a championship and go on to play in college. There are no egos.”

A year ago The Cats finished 14-2, losing to Salisbury in the state finals.

“Last year we had a lot of power,” Giano noted. “This year we have more spray hitters and speed.”

League Player of the Year Anthony Tirado is among the key players lost to graduation, with AJ Soldra (NJIT), Ryan Perez (Longwood) and Jack Andrews (Delaware) joining last year’s shortstop for Cheshire at the next level, Tirado at UMass-Amherst.

The cupboard is far from bare, however, as evident by the number of college-bound players on the roster headlined by junior pitchers Garrett Snyder and Tyler Stone. Snyder, a Notre Dame commit and the top-ranked 2025 right-handed pitcher in Connecticut, was 2-0 last year and is now throwing close to the mid-90s according to Giano. Stone, the divisional Pitcher of the Year in WNEPBL with a 5-1 record, is a Virginia Tech commit and the sixth-rated junior RHP in New England.

“We will be okay pitching the next two years,” Giano said in an obvious understatement.

This year the pitching will certainly be among the best in New England, with Zach Worzel, a UConn signee rated seventh among senior left-handers in Connecticut, ready to contribute in 2024. Christian Rasmussen, who was 4-1 a year ago, is a 6-4 210-pounder headed to Hofstra while senior Evan Clark, a UMass-Lowell recruit, brings another southpaw to the mound.

But the depth does not end there, with junior Dan Margolies, sophomore Will Margolies and seniors Mason Breton, Jeff Kraus and Ryan Bulger others that are looking to make an impact. The third-rated 2025 LHP in New England, Margolies is a UConn commit while Will Margolies is the fourth-ranked 2026 lefty. Breton is the 12th-rated 2024 third baseman in New England and a Long Island signee who throws 90, Kraus is a St. John Fisher commit rated 54th among right-handers in the senior class of New England and Bulger a righty recruited by Western New England University.

“We have guys that throw strikes, which is important,” noted Giano. “We have guys that want to pitch. I’ll take my staff versus any in New England. I think my staff is second to none.”

Many are two-way players as well, with Snyder and Dan Margolies capable of playing first base. Snyder hit .375 with three home runs and 17 RBIs last year.

Sebastian Sampieri is an Anna Maria commit at second base with Joe Booska, a senior going to Salem State, and Chase Mendelia, a reclass junior rated 12th in the 2025 class of New England shortstops, battling for time at short.

Jayden Novak, the third-rated senior catcher in Connecticut, will be behind the plate after batting .300 with 20 RBIs a year ago, with the College of Charleston signee also capable of playing third base when regular third baseman Breton pitches. Stone is another potential third baseman with Brian Hersh, a Bentley recruit, the backup catcher who can also fill in at third and the outfield.

Dylan Kennedy-Fujah, the sixth-rated senior outfielder in New England and a St. John’s signee, will be in center field with Villanova commit Pat McKenzie in right. Seniors Zak Morales and Kirk Ortega, a Tampa signee, will both see time in left.

“Getting on base will be the key,” Giano said about the 2024 season. “If we can get timely hits we can be really good. Pitching is our strength, with timely hitting the key for success.”

A tough out-of-conference schedule will make for an interesting season.

“We want to make sure the kids are prepared for the next level,” Giano said about playing teams like Putnam Science, Brunswick, Hamden Hall and Hopkins in non-league games. “That’s my goal. I want to get them ready.”

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