Norfolk American Legion Looking To Rebuild This Summer

Last summer the Norfolk American Legion baseball team fell one game short of qualifying for the District 6 postseason, Coach Bill Lagos doesn’t see that scenario happening again.

“It’s going to be a reach to make the playoffs this year, some big things are going to have to happen if we are to move ahead,” the coach said. “Not only will it be tough due to the strength the schedule we have to play, but this year is primarily a developing one, one in which we are getting the kids ready to playnext year.”

Post 335 has already endured the skill play of some of its District 6 West opponents going 1-6 in the early stretch of the season.

Norfolk opened the year with four straight loses to the likes of Brookline (10-1), Medfield (5-4 to a walk-off homerun), Walpole (10-0) and Norwood (11-5) before securing its first win against Canton (1-0).  Following the Canton win, Norfolk lost close contests to Needham (4-3) and Foxboro (4-0).

Despite the early season loses, Lagos is not all that worried, he knew what he had in terms of talent and that things were not going to be all that easy.

“We’ve had a lot of young kids playing thus far with Xaverian playing for the state title,” Lagos said. “A lot of these kids didn’t play baseball in the spring so it’s been a breaking in period for them. We’ve had our early season mistakes, been rusty at the plate, but we’ll come around.”

Leading Norfolk on the mound will be former King Philip athletes Mike Capobianco (now pitching for UMass-Boston) and Nate Leonard (Castleton State College in Vermont). Jared Clement, another Wrentham native, who attends St. Sebastians, will also see time on the hill. Clement three-hit Canton to pick up Norfolk’s only win of the early season.

Xaverian’s Nick Ahern will also get quality starts for Norfolk, while King Philip’s John Berdos will see some action out of the pen. Lagos is optimistic that the young Warrior hurler will be a benefit to
the team out in the long run.

“He’s a 6-2, 150-pound freshman that can not only pitch but plays outfield and first base,” said the
coach.  “So far he has looked very impressive and is a good all around ball player that will definitely help us out.”

Returning to the team for another stint will be KP athletes Connor Schramm, a first and third baseman, and outfielders Matt Ferreira and Matt Glass. Ferreira started for the squad last
year and hit .300 and is currently batting second for the team this summer.  In addition Glass continuing to swing the way he did last year, Lagos is also counting on infielders Tyler Campo
(Xaverian) and Joe Presti (Catholic Memorial) at the plate.

Outside of the returners Norfolk will be looking for a handful of younger athletes to adapt to legion ball and eventually help them in the near future. Those athletes include Mike Agnello (second,
third baseman and pitcher from Bishop Feehan), Corey Chan (infielder/outfielder from Millis), Christian Cooke (Bishop Feehan outfielder), Andrew Dawson (Medway), Mike Kozak (a pitcher from Millis), Alex MacDonagh (catcher from Milton Academy) and Ryan McDermott (infielder from Bishop Feehan).