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2026 New England High School Team Previews

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2026 Spring Team Preview: Cumberland (RI)

CUMBERLAND, R.I. - Cumberland first-year head coach Matt Allard is not new to success on the ball diamond.

A high school and American Legion coach for the last 26 years, Allard has led Upper Deck Post 14 to seven Rhode Island state legion titles in nine years at the helm, including the last four, while compiling a 166-52 record. Allard has also been an assistant varsity coach at Cumberland for three years, highlighted by a Division 1 state title in 2023.

Winners of nine state titles, Cumberland made it to the state finals a year ago with a team featuring 10 seniors on the roster, losing to Bishop Hendricken in the best-of-three championship series.

“Our program has always been known as a gritty, tough team to play,” pointed out Allard. “We have a really good youth program in our town, from Little League through middle school. Our high school program is, and wants to be, involved as much as possible with those programs. Those players are our future Clippers, and we want them to get as much support as we can give them. Our program has had a lot of success in D1 and we look forward to keeping that going year after year.”

While there are many holes to fill from a 19-6 squad last season, Allard is hopeful the 2026 Clippers can continue a long tradition of success. 

“Our strength this year, based on returning players, is we have players who have been key members on varsity for three or four years, so that experience will help us,” Allard noted. “We have some returning players who will have the opportunity to earn a starting spot, and we like the younger players who will be coming up in our program. We have some really good numbers with freshmen trying out, so we are looking forward to seeing what they’ve got.”

Southern New Hampshire commit Liam Monahan, the top-rated senior right-handed pitcher in Rhode Island, will be the ace of this year’s staff. Second-team All-Division in the state a year ago, the 32nd-ranked 2026 RHP in New England fanned 54 in 52 innings with a 1.62 ERA.

A trio of hitters brings more experience to this year’s lineup - Ryan Harris, Micah Cousineau and Chase Austin.

A Rivier College signee, Harris, who drove in 11 runs with a .235 average a year ago when starting at second base, has versatility to fill whatever infield position is needed this time around. Cousineau is back to play third base again this season while also contributing on the mound. The junior hit .284 with 17 runs and 11 RBIs, while also striking out 15 in 16.2 innings with a 3.78 ERA. Austin, the 14th-ranked junior catcher in New England, batted .300 with 14 RBIs in 2025.

“The key to success for the season is to get the new starters ready for varsity baseball,” explained Allard, who must replace the likes of first team all-state pitcher Ben Jahnz (URI), right fielder/closer Andrew Nocera (Central Connecticut State), third team all-state center fielder Brody Enos (Western New England) and third team all-state outfielder Aiden Ray. Starting shortstop Owen Kozera along with Tyler Hurteau and Josh Lyon are others that have graduated.

“This level is a lot different from what they will be used to, so it’s important for us as a coaching staff to prepare them for it,” Allard said. “Our coaching staff is made up of alumni, college, and pro baseball players. Addison Kopack, who graduated from Cumberland in 2019 and went on to play at URI, was drafted by the San Diego Padres organization, is a great addition to our staff. 

“Joey Molis also graduated from Cumberland in 2019, then went on to have a successful college career at Bridgewater State. Joey has also been involved with the Northeastern and Brown coaching staffs with their analytics department. Jared Cardoso, who coached the Cumberland varsity team from 2021 to 2024 and was at the helm when our program won our first state title in 30 years in 2023, is back on a part-time basis, while Matt Laroche will be our JV head coach again this year.”

Allard believes that kind of experience will be beneficial in a program that is among the best in the state.

“Our expectations remain the same for all the teams I have coached, to make the playoffs and win as many games as we can to get the highest seed we can get for the playoffs,” Allard related. “Then, once in the playoffs, our goals will change a bit.

“We also want to see all our players in our program improve from day one till the season is over. We take a lot of pride in developing players both on and off the field at Cumberland.”

A strong work ethic will be vital.

“Division 1 baseball is always very competitive, so we expect challenges from every team we play this season,” Allard concluded. “Bishop Hendricken is the defending champ and always one of the top teams in Rhode Island. Like us, many teams will be looking to have a different champ this year.”

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