Follow on Twitter- @PBNewEngland
Follow on Instagram- @PBNewEngland

Interested in attending a Prep Baseball New England event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

2025 New England High School Team Previews

To view our complete list, please CLICK HERE.

2025 Spring Team Preview: St. Sebastian’s (MA)

NEEDHAM, Ma. - It was a memorable first year as head coach at St. Sebastian’s for Matt Duffy, capped off by an Independent School League championship.

“I was happy for the kids,” Duffy reflected about winning the first year the ISL had playoffs, a 2-0 victory over Lawrence Academy. “We came in as a one seed out of eight that made the playoffs.”

Pitching and defense was the formula for success according to Duffy, who expects to follow the 2024 season up with another strong year.

“I like that we have pitching back, plus we’ve added one more arm,” explained Duffy, who led the Arrows to their first championship since 2018. “We have a lot of starters returning.”

It begins with Gavin Wainwright, the league MVP as a freshman a year ago. The fifth-rated sophomore shortstop in New England had the lowest ERA in the league and is back to anchor a staff after not permitting an earned run in 28.1 innings during the regular season with a 4-0 record in 2024, then recording two wins and a save in three postseason games allowing one run in 15 innings. 

Number two pitcher Connor Crane also returns for St. Sebastian’s, bringing more promise to the upcoming campaign.

“He’s a big reason why we had great success last year,” Duffy said of Crane, a senior right-hander.

Jaxon Fulginite, the fifth-rated sophomore RHP in New England, gives the Arrows another solid arm after missing last season due to an injury.

A starter since eighth grade, Brett Gallo will again be behind the plate with the fourth-rated junior catcher in New England being one of the captains this season. Gallo is a Northeastern commit.

Wainwright will be at shortstop when not pitching, with Brendan McHugh, “a jack-of-all-trades” playing every day, either at short, third or second base. McHugh is the 28th-ranked 2026 shortstop in New England.

First, second and third base will be filled by “returning bench guys or someone in tryouts” according to Duffy, with the outfield loaded in 2025.

Tyson Ciongoli, a Princeton football recruit, is back for his third season starting in center field with junior Jack Kelleher returning to play left. Fulginite and senior Cole Pastore, a starter last season, are battling for playing time in right with sophomore John Dorsey filling the role of utility player.

“We have a good mix of young and old guys,” Duffy noted. “I like that we have returners from the winning culture of last year. Hopefully, we can carry that forward.

“Our pitching is strong and our catching is strong. Offensively, we’re scrappy. We put the ball in play and have team speed.”

But Duffy, who points to Lawrence Academy, Belmont Hill, Milton Academy and Governor’s Academy as teams to contend with in the league this season, understands 2025 will not be the same as last season.

“I think we snuck up on some people last year after losing a lot the year before,” Duffy admitted. “Now we’re not going to sneak up on as many. We have a bullseye on our back.

“But if we can pitch and play defense, we can be a contender. We’re not necessarily the favorite. There’s so much talent in the league.”

Recent Articles