2021 is the year of redemption for Lasers
NEWTON, Mass. (BVM) — Last year was supposed to be one of the best years in the baseball program’s history for the Lasers. Coming off of the best year in Lasell’s history, the Lasers were bound to improve with 23 of their players returning and being ranked fifth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference preseason ranks in 2020. The Lasers had the ability to do some postseason damage, but the COVID-19 pandemic struck and now the Lasers are back on the redemption tour.
This coming season is going to be one of the most important in the program’s history with 17 players set to graduate, five of those returning for one last shot in their graduate year. Out of those 17 players, six are pitchers, leaving Lasell in search of arms for years to come.
The biggest strength of this team is their high powered offense. The team averaged just over 10 runs per game last year, in the five that they played, with the team hitting .324 collectively.
Lots of eyes are looking at captains Joe Sullivan and Wyatt Sihvonen, who are in for what could be their final years playing this sport at a competitive level. Sullivan is the big power bat that sits in the middle of the lineup. Failing to hit one deep last year, Sullivan is sitting three home runs behind Conor Cavanaugh for the most in program history. Sihvonen is a five-tool player who hit leadoff in the shortened season but leads the team in homers with two and sits one behind Cavanaugh for most home runs in program history. The rest of the lineup can hit. Watch out for Junior Matt Motyka who hit .389 last year as he found success hitting in many spots in the lineup. He has an amazing ability to hit for both power and contact.
The weak link of this team comes from the pitching. Out of the 10 players who took the mound last year, nine had an era of 5.00 or higher. Seven pitchers are returning and a few guys are putting in their bid to be the team’s No. 1 starter come opening day. The most likely candidate would be Sean Doris, as he was the team’s No. 2 starter last season. Lorenzo Davis and Chris O’Connor could also be candidates as well, but last year their issue was keeping the ball in the ballpark as both gave up two homers in five innings apiece, something that is hoped to be improved this year. The big thing about this rotation is that everyone is ready to go in at any time. A couple of games last year, Coach William Uberti did not shy away from using a top starter late in the games to shut the door, something that can be huge down the line.
Lasell is looking for their first-ever GNAC title. With all of the talent, veterans, and players hungry for success, this is their best chance to take it home.
