‘Canes are hoping for another deep playoff run

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 3/31/15

Last season, the Warwick Vets baseball team put together one of their best season’s in recent memory, finishing the regular season with a record of 12-4 and making it all the way to the region …

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‘Canes are hoping for another deep playoff run

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Last season, the Warwick Vets baseball team put together one of their best season’s in recent memory, finishing the regular season with a record of 12-4 and making it all the way to the region final – one win from the Final Four – before falling to Classical.

Fast forward a year later and the ‘Canes are feeling confident once again, as they believe that they have enough to make another deep run into the playoffs come early June.

Head coach Nolan Landy will bring back a senior-heavy team with a great deal experience, who will be looking to break through and earn an appearance to the Final Four and, hopefully, contend for a Division II title.

“We have a lot of seniors this season who played a lot for me last year,” Landy said. “I think that we’ll stack up very, very well. We have a lot of depth.”

The ‘Canes’ lineup will be highlighted by Austin Lamaire – a senior All-Division selection – who will play third base. Junior Chris Reid, another All-Division selection, will also provide some experience up the middle at second base.

At shortstop, Jesse Holland and Jarrod Houle will battle for playing time, while first base is up for grabs at the moment.

Behind the plate, Vets will return senior Tyler Dipetrillo, but he may miss some time to start the season with a hand injury. His injury will open the door for freshman Kyle Denis to get some playing time.

Denis has impressed Landy so far.

“He’s mature beyond his years,” Landy said of his freshman backstop. “I think he’ll sneak in and help us out.”

In the outfield, Jeremy Batista will return in left field, while Adam Dorsey will play center and there are a number of players competing for the last outfield spot in right.

Landy described the designated hitter role as a revolving door, as sometimes he will use it and other times he will allow the pitcher to hit – depending on who’s pitching.

But one of Vets’ strengths will be its pitching, with senior Shane Kittila stepping in to head the ‘Canes’ rotation this spring.

Lamaire, Holland and Bishop Hendricken transfer David DeFusco will also take on a number of innings on the mound for Vets.

Like other coaches in the state, Landy is struggling without a field to currently play on.

“We need some decent weather to dry it,” Landy said of Vets’ home field. “It’s going to be tough in late April and May because we’re going to have to play a lot of games.”

The ‘Canes have been doing the most that they can inside, with pitchers throwing live as much as possible in the cage. They’ve also been able to get outside some to take fly balls.

Landy is hoping that his team can get some practice time in outside on the field before game action, but that is highly questionable at this point.

Vets will open its season next Tuesday at West Warwick, with first pitch set for 3:45 p.m. Its first home game is scheduled for April 13 at 4 p.m. against Mount Pleasant.

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