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Season Review: Boys’ outdoor track yields success

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The team / Photo by: Sue Moss

The boys’ outdoor track team went 3-2 this spring.

For head Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ outdoor track coach Stephen Schlicting, it was tough to ask for a better campaign from his squad.

“This was a very successful season, in my opinion,” said the second-year head coach. “We started the season with over 70 boys on the roster and we finished with 60 active members. Recruiting and keeping a large number of athletes who strive to improve is a key to a track and field program remaining competitive in this league. Those athletes had hundreds of improvements over the course of the season. That’s how I gauge the team’s success.”

In the Panthers’ last three dual meets of the season – which featured wins over Duxbury (75-61) and Silver Lake (73-63) and a loss to Hingham (103-34) – athletes improved more than 50 times

“Our goals going into the season were to recruit a larger number of athletes than in the previous years,” explained Schlicting. “We wanted those athletes to improve. We wanted to participate in the major invitational meets (state relays, Patriot League meet, Div. 2 state meet and the MSTCA decathlon.) All those goals were met.”

The Panthers’ win/loss mark wasn’t too shabby either, as they finished the spring 3-2.

“We had a great group of boys on this year’s team,” said the coach.

Senior captain Dan Kline was named the team’s MVP after having a monster spring in both the 110-meter hurdles and javelin, while also contributing in the 400-meter hurdles.

“[He] was our best 110 high hurdler and javelin thrower,” Schlicting said.

Sophomore Theo Kamperides improved on an impressive freshman season, setting personal bests in both the 1- (4:45) and 2-mile run (9:58.37) en route to being tabbed a league all-star.

“He’s our team’s best 2 miler,” Schlicting said. “Theo came in first in the 2 mile at the Patriot League meet and had a great run, personal record of 9:58.37 at the Division 2 state meet.”

Junior Cullen Poth burst onto the scene in the discus and shotput, filling two major holes for the Panthers. His 39-foot-9 shot put throw and 117-foot-5 hurl of the discus were both personal bests this season.

“Cullen was our best discus and shot put thrower,” Schlicting said. “He was co-winner of our most improved award this year.”

Senior captains Shane Schraut (400-meter hurdles and 4×400 relay) and Billy Martell (100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4×100 relay) were also key.

“The aforementioned seniors, Dan Kline, Shane Schraut and Billy Martell, will be missed in terms of the points they earned at meets,” Schlicting said. “Their leadership and spirit will be hard to replace.”

Freshman Jake Caterer will not be missed, however, as he’s just getting started with his W-H track career – and in a big way, setting the freshman school record in the 100-meter dash and tying it in the 200-meter dash.

“Jake is a freshman sprinter and jumper,” Schlicting said. “He [also] ran on the 4×100 relay team that qualified to compete at the state Division 2 meet. Jake is an excellent high jumper and long jumper [also].”

Schlicting said he’s already looking forward to next season.

“My hope is that the strength and spirit our seniors brought to this year’s team will be replaced and surpassed as the underclassmen step forward to lead next year’s team,” Schlicting said. “Some of those others who will step forward will also include Pat Bui, Brandon Hager, Graham Stewart, Nick Hanley, Dyllan Burns, Mike King, Chris Blackman, Nathan Tassey, Will Stafford and Zachary Standish.”

Hanson’s Sam Mewis nets a pair in Women’s World Cup debut

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It was tough to ask for a better Women’s World Cup debut for Sam Mewis.

The Hanson native struck for two goals and dished out two assist as the U.S. romped Thailand, 13-0.

Mewis netted her first goal in the 50th minute to put the U.S. ahead, 4-0.

 

Four minutes later, she made it 6-0.

Read more about Mewis in last week’s Express: 

In midst of ‘biggest accomplishment’ yet, Hanson’s Sam Mewis reflects on where it all started

In midst of ‘biggest accomplishment’ yet, Hanson’s Sam Mewis reflects on where it all started

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2019 USWNT Studio Shoot of Sam Mewis

W-H alum Sam Mewis made the US women’s national team’s roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

Named to the U.S. women’s national team’s roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in France, Sam Mewis often reminisces about her days playing soccer at Whitman-Hanson Regional High.

“I remember winning South sectionals and the joy of winning and how fun it was to do something that had never been done before,” said the Hanson native. “I still look at pictures from that game and I just remember how goofy we were and how much fun it was.

“Once on the bus we had this stupid trophy, we like taped a squirrel to it, and it was like a really weird thing and one time we left it in a restaurant after a game and Mr. [David] Floeck like stopped the bus and went back to go get it,” she added. “Those are the things that kept it so fun for us.”

For the 26-year-old Mewis, who was indulged in traveling with youth national soccer teams back in her teens, such times strengthened her passion for the game.

“I think that had the program not been so much fun, and had I not had such good friends on the team, I might have started to get stressed about soccer and maybe approach the game with a little more gravity,” Mewis said. “What Whitman-Hanson varsity soccer taught me was the best thing about it was I get to be outside playing with my friends, laughing, enjoying it. I should be my best self when I’m playing. I should enjoy it. I should want to laugh and smile when I’m playing. My memories there were so ridiculous, like in the locker room hall singing and dancing and we would throw glitter around.”

Mewis said her time playing at W-H has carried her to where she is now.

“I could have started to approach the game differently as I got older but because of the way the program handled me and handled the team, I was able to keep enjoying it and keep playing soccer with a smile on my face,” Mewis said

“I’m always able to bring that sense of freedom I had playing there with me, and I think that’s really when I play my best.”

She’s also injected that feeling of joy and freedom into her teammates.

“Now before national team games, I’m dancing and singing in the locker room and trying to make other people laugh and make sure everyone’s loose because I know that that’s what works for me,” said Mewis, who first made the U.S. U-17 women’s national soccer team in 2008.

But Mewis said her days at Whitman-Hanson most importantly helped instill a sense of confidence — that she can accomplish virtually anything she sets out to do.

“Coach Floeck and coach [Tom] Zamagni are two people who have told me I would get here from the beginning,” she said. “I think that is quite rare, to have people who have never doubted you. I really just feel like the people from Whitman and Hanson just always thought that I would make it. They’re not the people who doubted me, they’re the people who have been on my team the whole time.”

After all, making USWNT’s Women’s World Cup roster has been Mewis’ dream since watching the U.S. win the cup in1999.

“I kind of slowly made steps toward it,” she said. “Making youth national teams was an important step and then committing to play soccer at UCLA was another step. I had all these small steps along the way. I knew really early on that this was what I wanted to do and kind of just took the steps to get there.”

As she prepares for her first Women’s World Cup, Mewis, who scored twice in a U.S. friendly win over South Africa on May 12, said she would be content helping her team in any way she can.

“Whether that’s playing a role coming off of the bench and hopefully bringing the team some energy or just being the best teammate I can be, I really just want to make sure that I’m in a position where I’m healthy and available for selection and ready to help the team if they need me,” Mewis said. “I’m really just focusing on playing the role I’m given and trying to contribute positively to the team environment so we can succeed.”

The Women’s World Cup begins Friday, June 7. Team USA’s first game is Tuesday, June 11 against Thailand.

“Making the roster – to date – I think is probably my biggest accomplishment,” Mewis said. “I feel like this journey – the past couple of weeks – I have reflected a lot on really where it all started.

“I think that sharing the accomplishment with all of the people who have made it possible is probably what is so special,” she added. “I think that kind of reflection and appreciation from where I’ve come from and all the people who have helped me get here has been huge and really what has made this so monumental for me.”

For girls’ tennis team, making history ‘feels great’

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The girls’ tennis team. / Photo by: Marcus Casey

Girls’ tennis wins its first tourney match ever.

A few minutes into the Whitman-Hanson Regional High girls’ tennis team’s Division 1 South preliminary round match against Bishop Feehan, athletic director Bob Rodgers took off.

He hurried up the hill to the school to paw through some yearbooks in the library. He had a feeling the girls were on the precipice of something special. They were.

Roughly two hours later, the 15th-seeded Panthers secured the girls’ tennis program’s first tournament win on record when the first doubles team of Kyla Faghan and Rylie Harlow notched a 6-3 victory to push W-H ahead 3-0 en route to a 4-1 triumph over Bishop Feehan on Monday.

“It feels great,” said W-H head coach Sue Sookiasian. “These girls work so hard — tirelessly. It was a belief that they could do it. They put in the time, the practice and they have the skills.”

The Panthers’ second doubles team, consisting of Chloe Wilson and Divya Kumar, put them on the board early, making quick work of their opponents in two sets, 6-4 and 6-1.

Abby Pulling was the second point with 6-2 and 6-1 victories in second singles.

Faghan and Harlow followed with set wins of 6-4 and 6-3 wins.

After Lexi Connolly was upended in first singles, 2-6 and 5-7, Julia Benvie capped the match with a win in a tiebreaker.

“They fight as a team,” Sookiasian said. “A lot of times tennis is characterized as an individual sport, it’s not. It’s all about No. 1 to No. 18.”

The youngest of three, freshman Annie Cook carrying on her siblings’ legacy

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Photo by: Sue Moss

Freshman Annie Cook is continuing her siblings’ success on the dimaond.

After a brief meeting in left field at the conclusion of her game last week, Annie Cook, a freshman on the Whitman-Hanson Regional High softball team, didn’t waste any time.

She hurried into the dugout, placed her bat, glove and helmet into her bag, and trekked a diamond over — to the baseball field that is, to catch the final out of her brother Mike Cook’s game. A senior and four-year varsity player, three-year starter at second base and two-time Patriot League All-Star for the Panthers, Mike is in the midst of another All-Star season, hitting at a .356 clip. Since being inserted into the lineup every day, Mike, who is headed to play baseball at Babson College next season, has never hit below .300 (.302 as a sophomore and .394 as a junior).

Before Mike, it was Emily Cook, the elder of the three siblings. A four-year starter at six different positions for the softball team, Emily capped her career as a .424 batter after hitting .471 her senior campaign.

“I’ve always had high expectations from them,” Annie said. “They’ve always been really, really good athletes and really good scholars and stuff like that so I’ve always tried to hold myself up to their standards and try my best to be like them.”

Annie said her sister Emily is her biggest role model.

“She’s helped me a lot,” Annie said. “She’s always helped me for what to expect and how to pick myself up after a game. She just always said to play your heart out and do your best and you’ll do good.”

And do good is what she’s done. Annie is well on her way to making her own name for herself. The Panthers’ starter at the hot corner and leadoff hitter, Annie finished third on the team with a .444 average and .394 OBP and was tabbed a league all-star in just her first year.

“I knew right off the bat that I wanted her to lead off for us,” said W-H softball head coach Jordan McDermott. “Somehow she’s always able to get on. She’s got a solid swing and when she makes contact that ball is hit hard.”

Photo by: Sue Moss

Annie posted eight multi-hit games and McDermott said it’s her determination that sets her apart.

“She is always working hard to be better and be the best,” said the coach. “She can be hard on herself and has amazing self-discipline. I have seen her grow into being a loose and collected player.”

Annie Cook and head coach Jordan McDermott / Photo by: Sue Moss

Annie agreed that she’s grown a lot – especially mentally from the days when she was the one sitting behind the fence watching her sister take hacks in the batter’s box.

“I was nervous to get up here, but now that I’m older I’m ready to play these teams,” she said.

Annie said her goals for the offseason and rest of school year are to continue doing what got her to this point.

“I’ll keep working on my hitting,” she said. “I’m just going to keep trying to do my best.”

Whitman-Hanson alum Richner ready to roll as its new girls’ volleyball coach

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Alum Samantha Richner will coach Whitman-Hanson’s girls’ volleyball team.

Shortly after wrapping up her athletic and academic career at Whitman-Hanson Regional High in 2013, Samantha Richner then shifted her focus on trying to wiggle her way back into her alma mater. She has.

After four years at Bridgewater State, Richner was added to W-H’s track staff last spring and then as a cross country coach this past fall. Now, she’s been named W-H’s head girls’ volleyball coach, succeeding Ashley Balbian after two seasons.

“I’m very excited about it,” said Richner, who spent the fall of 2016 and 2017 coaching volleyball at Middleboro High. “It’s awesome to be back in Whitman-Hanson, where I grew up, and it’s a beautiful school with good facilities. I’m just excited for it.”

While she was a four-year varsity volleyball player for the Panthers, Richner will be the first to admit she wasn’t known for her prowess on the court, but rather the track. That continued at BSU, where she smashed program records on the track. However, she said all that running will work to her advantage.

“There’s a lot that I learned competing at Bridgewater that I wish I had known when I was in high school,” said Richner, who is a staff member at Whitman Middle School. “Like what’s good and what’s not good to eat and like how to stay in shape. I have a passion not just for volleyball but toward athletics and fitness and nutrition and just how to be a healthy athlete.”

Ironically enough, Richner said what draws her to volleyball the most is what makes it so different from track.

“I like volleyball because it’s a team sport,” she said. “I come from primarily a track-dominant background, so if I have a bad day in track, that’s just on me. But volleyball you have to rely on one another and that’s what I like most about coaching it.”

Richner is confident she’ll have no problem relating to her players.

“I know the facilities, the gym, what it’s like going to school there, and I know a lot of the teachers still and I know what they’re going through,” she said. “When I was at Middleboro, it was still relatable because I played the sport but it wasn’t there. Like this is their home and this is my home.”

So, what will be the characteristics of a Samantha Richner-coached team?

“High energy, exciting, driven and hard working,” she said.

The Panthers finished 8-11 last season.

“I want to bring consistency to the program,” explained Richner, who said she played for four different volleyball coaches at W-H. “My goal for them is, well obviously I want them to win and go to the tournament and even win that, but I also want consistency – to be someone they can be comfortable with. I know it’s going to be an adjustment with another head coach coming in, so long term I want consistency and to grow the program.

“I love athletics, so if I can coach I still want to be a part of it.”

A senior night to remember as boys’ lacrosse rolls past Spellman

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Seniors lead way in win over Spellman.

WHITMAN – With 5:38 remaining in the third quarter, Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior Ryan Downing stumbled to the ground on one knee, but still managed to release a shot that skipped into the net.

It was that kind of night for the Panthers (9-9), who received multi-goal efforts from five of their seniors on their night in a 16-3 dispatching of Cardinal Spellman on Friday, May 17.

It was all Downing in the opening 7:11 as the midfielder ripped home two goals to push the Panthers in front, 2-0.

After the Cardinals cut their deficit to 2-1 at the end of the first, senior Shane Ross kicked off the second tossing in the first of his game-high six goals.

Senior Riley White (two goals) would beat Spellman goalie Sean Barry to his left with a second to go in the first half to give the Panthers a 5-2 advantage at the break.

White opened the third stanza like he closed the second – powering his way in for a goal.

Ross followed shortly thereafter with his second tally to give W-H a commanding 7-3 lead and it cruised from there.

Two more goals from Downing and Ross, and a score from classmate Sean Joanis put W-H in front, 12-3, after the third.

“We had a very slow first half,” said W-H head coach Tyler Sabens. “But when we settled down to our offense and defensive systems, then we started to roll. When we start to play within our game plans, things go our way.”

Ross capped the scoring in the fourth with his sixth goal.

“This senior class, they’re just incredible leaders and incredible scholar-athletes,” Sabens said. “They do things the right way. They work hard every day in practice. They set an example to all the underclassmen on the way things are supposed to be done.

“They’re leaving a legacy that’s going to last for years beyond them graduating. That’s all I can ask for.”

W-H returns to action Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on the road against Marshfield. With a win, the Panthers make the tournament, while a loss will end their season.

“As long as we can take care of business the way we’ve been practicing I think things are looking up Tuesday against Marshfield.”

Schwede pitches W-H baseball past Duxbury, into postseason

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DUXBURY — Make it four.

For the fourth consecutive season, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High baseball team is headed to the playoffs.

Powered by 6 2/3 frames of shutout ball from senior captain Rian Schwede and a timely run in the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers bested Duxbury, 1-0, clinching their spot in the Div. 2 South tournament.

“This was a big win,” said W-H skipper Pat Cronin. “Schwede does not throw a bad game. He’s as tough as nails.”

Schwede was locked in a pitchers’ duel with his former AAU teammate, Duxbury southpaw Charlie Coon all afternoon.

Scoreless with no outs seventh inning, Coon got sophomore Danny Kent to strike out swinging. However, Kent reached first on a wild pitch. Classmate Thomas Marshall then bunted a single over the third baseman’s head, making it two on with no outs. Senior Aidan Cafferty joined the wild inning with his own bunt single, loading the bases with no outs. Four balls later, senior captain Ethan Phelps pushed across the one and only run.

After getting the first two outs, one which came on a diving stab by Kent at short stop in the bottom of the seventh, Schwede was lifted with the tying run on third. Marshall took care of the rest, inducing a fly ball to right.

“I went out there and he was honest with me and said, ‘I’m toast,’” Cronin said of pulling Schwede. “I knew we were going to go with Tommy Marshall — he’s money. What a great game.”

The Panthers (10-1) had their chances to strike early, with two runners on in each the first, third and sixth inning. But they were unable to capitalize against Coon, who stuck out 12.

“We were out hit away,” Cronin said. “But good pitching will stop good hitting, just like Schwede stopped them.”

Schwede, who entered with a 3-1 record and 0.82 ERA, didn’t allow a runner on base until the fourth.

Phelps provided a spark on offense with two hits and two steals.

W-H travels to North Quincy tomorrow for a league tilt at 4 p.m.

Season Preview: Softball team, new coach ready to go

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The softball team is under new management.

After spending the three years as the head softball coach at Massasoit before the program folded, Jordan McDermott was ready to take the year off.

Between training to run the Boston Marathon, which happens Monday, studying for her educator license and spending time with her 1-year-old nephew, she was pretty busy. Then the softball job unexpectedly opened up at Whitman-Hanson Regional High in the first week of March. She applied.

“I said to myself, ‘If I don’t get it, I don’t get it,’” said McDermott of applying.

Well, she got it, and she’s excited to dip her toes into high school softball.

“I think, high school is just a better sit for me because I have more dedicated girls and the talent is much better,” said McDermott, a para professional at Indian Head Elementary School in Hanson.

“I’m just able to mesh better with high school athletes.”

McDermott said two of her best attributes as a coach are her athleticism and youth.

“I am able to just jump in the drills with the girls and show them how to do it correctly,” she said. “A lot of these kids nowadays, they’re digital learners. So being able to have a coach who stands on with that and can jump in a drill and show them the correct way to execute a play or the correct way to slide into a base just makes me a better. I’m asking them to do quicker and get it done correctly.”

McDermott takes over a young squad that posted a seven-win season last spring under Jenna Olem, despite its ace Colleen Hughes, now playing at Westfield State, throwing just three innings due to injury.

The injury thrust then-freshman Abby Cleary into the ace role, and she hurled 94 1/3 innings. She’ll lead the staff again this season.

“She just has an excellent poker face when she’s on the mound,” McDermott said. “She shows emotion but she’s game face, game ready. She likes her role and is ready to do what she has to”.

Senior captain Kayla Crawford will be Cleary’s battery mate for the second straight season.

“She knows the program and she knows what’s expected,” McDermott said. “She knows what they’re all capable of doing. She leads by example – on and off the field. She knows the game the very well.”

A Patriot League All-Star last season, junior captain Victoria Ryan is the top bat returning. The second baseman hit a team-high .382 with two home runs and 12 RBIs.

“Victoria brings a lot to then team,” McDermott said. “She is someone who is the first one to make sure that a teammate is situated. She is the first one to put her hand on their back.”

Sophomore shortstop Reese Codero also returns as a starter. She hit .377 last spring and drove in 10 runs. Freshman Annie Cook (third base) and junior Kaylee Corbett (first base) will round out the infield.

Sophomore Emily McDonald will roam left field with junior Sophia Molinari in center and sophomore Ella Scriven flanking her in right.

“They’re just a great group of girls,” McDermott said. “I’m very lucky and very fortunate. These girls are going to have a fantastic season, I can feel it.”

The Panthers will be back in action Thursday, April 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Plymouth South.

“I just want to figure out any kinks, that we have,” McDermott said. “If I have to switch the starting nine, I have to. I see a couple of the games where I think we’re going to do very well. There’s another few games that I think that we may struggle, but it’s all mental to them.

“We’re just going to see what happens, hope we get a few wins and that’ll set the tone for the season for sure.”

Season Preview: Baseball team led on the bump

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Photo by: Sue Moss

The Panthers return their top two pitchers as they aim for a third straight Patriot League Keenan Division title.

It’s no secret. The Whitman-Hanson Regional High baseball is propelled by its arms.

In senior captains Ethan Phelps and Rian Schwede, the Panthers, winners of back-to-back Patriot League Keenan Division titles, return their top arms from last spring.

“I’m optimistic,” said head coach Pat Cronin, who enters the season with 467 career wins. “You’re always happy when you have your No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers returning.”

Schwede, a four-year varsity player, is the ace. The Endicott-bound right hander pitched to the tune of a 1.64 ERA over 51 1/3 innings last season.

“He’s the main guy,” Cronin said. “He’s as good as anybody in the league. It’s extremely impressive what he does. I have a lot of confidence in him.”

Phelps is one of the best No. 2s around. He posted a 1.36 ERA over 36 innings last spring.

“I’ve watched him grow a lot,” Cronin said. “He just loves the game of baseball. I’ve seen him mature mentally and physically since he was a freshman.”

Cronin said senior Sean Mackay, junior Devin Coulstring and sophomore Thomas Marshall will all likely log some innings on the bump as well.

But for the Panthers, who have been bounced in the first round of the tournament the past two years, to take the next step, their hitting must take it to the next level. Cronin said he’s already seen an improved approach.

“They’re swinging the bats how some of my really good teams have swung the bats,” Cronin said. “I’m optimistic.”

At the end of last season, Cronin challenged then-freshman starting shortstop Danny Kent to become a better hitter. Cronin said he has.

“When we went into the batting cages at the end of the year, I said, ‘Look, this is what you have to do. You got to develop a big swing, you got to turn around the head of the bat, you got to stay behind the ball and you got to catch the ball in front,’” said the coach. “He’s now swinging the bat like a veteran. What a difference.”

Two-time Patriot League All-Star, senior captain Mike Cook, is the centerpiece of the lineup. The Babson-bound second baseman knocked in a team-high 22 runs and hit .394 last season. He also stole 19 bases, which tied for the team lead.

“He’s another key guy for us,” Cronin said. “He can slide, is good defensively and a leader. We will present some problems if we get on.”

Phelps (.300 and 19 steals last season) and senior Derek Frank (.291 and 10 RBIs) will set the table for Cook. Frank moves from the right field, where he starred, to catcher. Schewde will hit fourth with Kent in the five hole.

“We have a good nucleus coming back,” Cronin said. “They were all on varsity last season. I’m confident in that group.”

Junior lefty Chris Zalewski with probably hit sixth and play third base, Coulstring is likely to hit seventh and play in right field, senior Will Newell will play in left an probably hit eighth with junior Robbie Nicholson rounding out the lineup and playing first base.

The Panthers do have their share of key losses from last season, including league all-star and catcher Ryan Sawtelle (hit team-high .400), Jimmy Dolan (hit .317) and Korey Howard (3-0 with 1.84 over 19 IP).

W-H will also set out for its third straight Patriot League Keenan Division title this season.

“If you’re not playing for the championship from Day 1, you’re never going to understand what it’s going to mean to be a program,” Cronin said. “These guys have come off three out of the past two years winning back to back championships, so they’re already way out there.”

The Panthers begin the season with a home game against league foe Scituate Monday, April 8 at 4 p.m.

“I’m looking for us to hopefully we can hit the baseball,” Cronin said. “That’s going to give us the opportunity to grow. I’m looking for them to come out and swing the bats. I pretty much can guarantee you that we’re going to play good defense and with Schwede and Phelps, we’re always in the game.”