ORR Baseball to Bounce Back From Slow Start

Last season wasn’t typical Old Rochester baseball, finishing 10-11. They’re without Sam Henrie and Will Hopkins, who’ve gone on to play for Southern New Hampshire University and Suffolk University, respectively.

            On top of that, the Bulldogs now have Somerset-Berkley in the South Coast Conference Large Division, in addition to Apponequet, who appear to be this year’s favorite, and Dighton-Rehoboth, who always produce a quality team.

            “We’re always a pretty competitive team,” Old Rochester coach Steve Carvalho said. “I know Apponequet’s tough and Dighton’s still Dighton, regardless of what goes on. But I think we have a fighting chance as much as anyone. I’m plugging some holes, but I see us in the mix competing for the SCC Large (title).

            “I think the league is fairly well-balanced. So even though we’re behind the eight-ball, I’m optimistic that teams are going to beat each other up.”

            In the past, SCC teams had 18 conference matchups, but with the Large and Small division separation, they now only have 13, with only one matchup against opponents from the other division counting towards the conference record.

            The Bulldogs have already played two of those 13 SCC matchups and are off to a less-than-ideal start, dropping contests against Seekonk and Dighton-Rehoboth.

            A slow start, however, doesn’t mean Old Rochester’s season is at an end. Carvalho expects there to be some growing pain, given he graduated Henrie, Hopkins and catcher John Breault in 2017.

Looking at the starting rotation first, he has senior Mike Kennefick at the top of the rotation, with senior David Arruda slated as the No. 2. After that, things get a bit hazy.

“I think the Kennefick-Arruda one-two punch puts us in a position to be successful weekly; they’re both solid varsity pitchers,” Carvalho said. “(Junior) Adam Breault pitched very well against Seekonk in relief. Him and (junior) Nate Kvilhaug are three-four, four-three. I put Breault a little ahead of Kvilhaug because he pitched in legion, has a little more experience. Once you get into three, four games a week they’re both going to be starting some games.”

Looking at the offense, Carvalho expects senior shortstop Jake Asiaf and junior centerfielder Chris Labelle, along with Breault, who’s also the Bulldogs’ cleanup hitter. Labelle’s already off to a hot start, going 3 for 4 against Somerset with a double and a RBI.

“Labelle’s been our most consistent offensive player so far,” Carvalho said. “And Breault has been hitting the ball hard. It’s only a matter of time for him.”

Following a midday Wednesday matchup at Apponequet, Old Rochester (1-2, 0-2 SCC) hosts Fairhaven on Friday at 10:30 am.

Old Rochester girls’ lacrosse is off to a strong start, earning its first SCC win with a 16-1 finish against GNB Voc-Tech on Friday, improving to 2-0 overall on the season.

Maggie Carroll, Madison Cooney and Alex Fluegal each had a hat trick in the win over the Bears. Katherine Tracey and Mackenzie Good scored two goals apiece for the Bulldogs as well.

After the 10:30 am contest against Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday, the Bulldogs visit Bourne on Friday at 10:30 am.

Old Rochester boys’ lacrosse won its first game of the season with a 17-0 in over GNB Voc-Tech. Pat Kiernan scored four goals in the win, while Luke Hebert and Alex Lorenz each finished with three goals apiece.

The Bulldogs visit Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday at 10:30 am and host Bourne on Friday at 10:30 am.

Old Colony

Cougars girls’ lacrosse is fresh off a 15-11 win over Norton, improving to 3-0 on the year.

Both Molly Lankowski and Elana Sargent scored four goals for the Cougars. Mya Medeiros and Raquel Rodrigues had big games as well, scoring three goals each.

Old Colony is back at it against Norton, this time at home, at 11:00 am on Thursday.

Boys’ lacrosse shut out Bishop Connolly in a 7-0 win, bringing their record to 3-2 (2-2 Mayflower Athletic Conference) on the year. Ethan Harrop was the only Cougar to finish with multiple goals, scoring two.

The Cougars will host Sacred Heart on Tuesday at 3:30 pm.

Baseball suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of GNB Voc-Tech. The Cougars, though, are still 4-1 on the year, 3-0 in the Mayflower Athletic Conference.

Reese Vandal and Matt Bumpus are off to a tremendous start, hitting .615 and .600, respectively, through four games. Drew Sullivan is also playing well, hitting .533, leading the team with eight RBI and five doubles.

Following an 11:00 am visit to Bristol Plymouth on Wednesday, Old Colony hosts Dartmouth at 11:00 am on Friday.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

 

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