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2026 New England High School Team Previews

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2026 Spring Team Preview: St. Joseph’s (CT)

TRUMBULL, Ct. - With the return of a number of players with big-game experience, St. Joseph’s has a lot of optimism at making another run at a state title.

“We are a very veteran team,” pointed out head coach James Chaves, who has led St. Joe’s to three state championships, 2013, 2019 and last year. “We’re junior heavy, but these guys have played lots of games and have tournament experience.”

The 16th-year head coach, who comes into the season with 220 overall wins after the 18-9 year in 2025 that ended with a Class M state championship, sees two players leading the way in 2026.

“We know we have a bonafide ace in HT Jones and our shortstop, Jake Rios, will be one of the top players in the league and the state,” Chaves said.

Jones, the 28th-rated junior right-handed pitcher in New England, was 7-3 with a 1.11 ERA and 0.98 WHIP last year, striking out 68 in 63 innings. A three-year starter, Rios, the seventh-ranked 2027 SS in Connecticut and a Brown commit, hit .310 with a .400 OBP, scoring 20 runs, stealing 19 bases and driving in 14.

Four more juniors bring experience to the Cadets, Gavin Rovinelli, Nate Walsh, Drew Traverso and Jake Failla.

The 33rd-rated 2027 shortstop in New England, Rovinelli, a three-year starter who will play third and pitch, batted .262 with 20 RBIs and 14 runs scored last season while Walsh, a two-year starter who can pitch and play anywhere, averaged .375 with a .500 OBP. Traverso, a catcher, drove in 10 with a .324 batting average and .419 OBP, while Failla, a center fielder who is the 55th-ranked junior outfielder in New England, stole 22 bases, scored 19, drove in 11 and had a .303 average and .394 OBP.

Adam Chaves, the four-hole hitter and main relief arm who is now playing at Bridgeport, is among the key losses from a year ago along with pitcher Connor Fahey (5-2, four saves, 1.17 ERA, 65.2 innings, playing football at Trinity) and outfielders Alvin Rosario and Jesse Covino.

“We lost lots of innings from last year between Connor Fahey, Martin Mitev and Adam Chaves, but we feel we have the guys to replace them,” the head coach said. “However, they haven’t gotten the varsity experience yet.”

Senior Josh Green, who has missed the last two years due to injury, and junior outfielder Connor Rouse are two newcomers that Chaves is counting on to continue the success of the program.

“We are known for getting better and stronger as the year goes on,” Chaves noted. “We play aggressive and usually have strong offensive teams.”

There is a lot to like about this team according to the veteran coach, who is also in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the Bridgeport Barnums in the CT Collegiate Baseball League.

“We have high-character guys who really enjoy being around one another and playing for the program,” Chaves related. “The keys to success will be pitching depth, it needs to be there, and our defense needs to be strong like last year. Our offense should be good.”

Playing in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference is always a challenge according to Chaves.

“The FCIAC is always strong and will be again with teams like Staples, Warde, Ludlowe, Norwalk, Trumbull and the likes all returning high-quality teams,” Chaves concluded. “It’s one of the best conferences in New England. We expect to contend for both FCIAC and state championships.”

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