Pats hoping to make playoffs with experienced roster

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 4/2/15

Pilgrim head coach Bill Aquilante establishes high expectations for his team prior to every season.

So last season, when the Pats finished the regular season with a record of 7-9 in D-II, forcing …

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Pats hoping to make playoffs with experienced roster

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Pilgrim head coach Bill Aquilante establishes high expectations for his team prior to every season.

So last season, when the Pats finished the regular season with a record of 7-9 in D-II, forcing them out of the playoff picture, there was no doubt that there was some disappointment throughout the team.

But heading into this season, Aquilante and the Pats are looking to get back into the playoffs.

“Our expectations are always high, so we were a little disappointed with last season,” Aquilante said.

Pilgrim lost some key offensive pieces from last year’s team, but it feels that its defense is much improved.

The Pats should have enough back – seven starters from last year’s team – in addition to some significant newcomers, to right the ship this season.

Anchoring the Pats will be senior captain Ellen McDonnell – who has signed to play at Division I Lafayette College next year.

Battling through some injuries last spring, McDonnell primarily caught for the Pats when she was healthy, but will move to shortstop to provide some experience and stability up the middle.

McDonnell is set to eclipse the 100-hit plateau and will be targeting Katelyn Reph’s team record of 119.

Allowing McDonnell to make the move to shortstop is standout freshman Olivia King, who will start behind the plate for the Pats this season.

King’s presence also allows for Madison Balutowski, Pilgrim’s catcher after McDonnell went down with an injury last season, to move to centerfield. Balutowski gives the Pats an upgrade in the outfield with her speed.

Because of these moves, in-particular, Aquilante is confident in his team’s defense heading into Pilgrim’s league slate.

Morgan Almon – a sophomore – will do a bulk of the pitching for the Pats, but McDonnell can also log some innings if needed.

Aquilante isn’t quite sure as to which player will play where yet, but Jeriann Evans and Victoria Blanchard will occupy second and third.

Senior Tayla Ferreira will take on starting duties at first base.

Freshman Karly Evans is also in the mix at first base and in the outfield. Aquilante has been impressed with her glove and her hitting, so she should find a way into the lineup somewhere.

Other than Balutowski in center, senior Erin Isherwood has secured a spot in left field and should provide stability out there.

There’s a battle going on in right field, with Karly Evans, senior Loren Saucier and sophomore Taryn Stringfellow competing for innings.

The Pats also have an injured freshman pitcher that may make an impact towards the end of the year – Katrina Kazen.

Pilgrim will have three freshmen swing between junior varsity and varsity this season – Cassidy Tentoco, Rachael Serra and Emma Hlavacek.

The Pats have been doing their best to prepare for the season – coming up with creative ways to work on things indoors that they wouldn’t normally be able to.

They’ve set up an infield in the gym to work on defensive plays, and have also had the pitchers toss live in the cage.

Aquilante is hoping that what his team is doing will put them a step above the rest to start, as he knows that everyone else is in the same situation.

Helping Aquilante this season are varsity assistants John McDonnell and Rob Muzzi, as well as junior varsity head coach Hugh Cabana.

The Pats’ season will get underway today, when they travel to Classical for a 4 p.m. game.

Pilgrim has had to alter much of its early schedule, but the game at Classical will go on no matter what, as it plays on a turf field.

Aquilante knows that his division will be tough, but believes that his team will be up for the challenge. He believes that St. Ray’s and North Providence are the early favorites.

Pilgrim will get a better gauge of where it’s at once games get going, but for now, everything is trending in the right direction.

“We have depth at multiple positions,” Aquilante said. “Our defense is a lot better. We lost some power in our lineup, but we’re quicker and will be able to get on base and make things happen.”

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