High school sports are about to get under way for the spring season, and at Holliston, that means Joe Santos is gearing up to lead the Panthers’ baseball team in his first season as a varsity coach.
The 27-year-old Santos, who’s the third baseball coach in the last four years at Holliston, may be in a new role but he’s not new to the players or the system. Santos previously was Holliston’s freshman and junior-varsity baseball coach, and he’s still serving as freshman football coach.
No stranger to the school or its athletic philosophy, Santos is a former three-sport star who was a captain at Holliston in football, hockey and baseball. He graduated in 2007 and finished his career as a Tri Valley League all-star in baseball and hockey.
“I’m excited to get the opportunity to be a head coach,’’ Santos said. “When the opening was posted, I jumped at the chance. As an alum, I had the opportunity to play for some great coaches, like Todd Kiley in football and Harvery Krupnick in baseball.’’
Santos, who met with his senior captains in January, was emphatic about the program’s future. He let Doug Flynn and Andrew Keim know that a golden opportunity exists for them to elevate a team that’s been in choppy waters for a lengthy spell.
“I told them they have a great chance to put Holliston baseball on the map,’’ Santos said. “And, I said there’s nothing better than qualifying for tourney play in their senior year.’’
Santos is acutely aware of Holliston’s lack of success in qualifying for the playoffs. The Panthers qualified in 2007, Santos’ senior campaign as a player. Before then, a decade passed before Holliston qualified and another eight years have passed since that 2007 tourney date. In all, the Panthers have been to the playoffs once in the last 19 years.
“My goals are for the players to improve daily and maximize their potential, qualify for the tourney and don’t be satisfied with a .500 record that ensures a date in the playoffs,’’ said Santos, who’s in his third year working in special education at the Miller School.
Holliston opponents will learn this spring that Santos’ team will feature strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting.
“Games are usually won and lost on the mound,’’ Santos said. “That’s where we have to have success. I’ll stress improvement in the field and I’ll emphasize competitive drive. This is a program that needs to build confidence. I want the kids to be excited to play baseball.’’
Flynn and Keim are quality leaders who no doubt will be prime assets for the new coach. Flynn is a pitcher-shortstop and Keim can pitch, play the outfield or first base. “Doug has a strong arm and should be the ace of our staff,’’ Santos said. “He’s got a good fastball and curve and throws hard. Andrew is a good hitter who’s a terrific competitor. An ideal student, he’s an all-around player and a strong leader. Andrew is also a three-sport captain.’’
Other players Santos will be counting on are juniors Jake Obid (pitcher-outfielder-first baseman), Zach Jacobs (catcher-pitcher-third baseman), Sam Athy (outfield) and senior Brady Wells (outfield). “Jake and Zach are dedicated to baseball,’’ Santos said. “They’ve got passion. Sam and Brady can make a huge difference because of their athleticism.’’
When Santos was competing at Holliston, he displayed lots of leadership and he paid the price for success. A quarterback, he led the football team to a pair of 8-3 seasons. And, as a junior in 2005, his touchdown pass to Mark Petercuskie gave Holliston a 7-0 triumph over Westwood on Thanksgiving Day.
A center and left wing in hockey, Santos scored 14 goals and had 21 assists for 35 points as a senior. During his four varsity seasons on the ice, his teams qualified for tourney play three times and managed to advance to the finals three straight years. Holliston also was TVL champs when he was a freshman and sophomore. “A memorable game was our second-round encounter with Tyngsboro in the tourney my sophomore year,’’ he recalled. “We were losing, 1-0, and I scored with 57 seconds left to tie it. We later won in overtime.’’
A pitcher-centerfielder, Santos had a 4-1 record as a junior with a 2.50 E.R.A. The only tourney appearance came as a senior when Holliston lost to Pembroke in a rain-shortened game. Santos led the team in hitting (.422) and RBIs (15) his junior year.
At Southern New Hampshire University, Santos hit .308 in a reserve role his freshman year. He transferred to Merrimack after his junior year and played a season at first base, having recovered from tendinitis and a torn labrum.
“I got my degree in business with a concentration on sports management,’’ he noted.
And, there’s no doubt that Santos will be all business as he directs the Panthers. His philosophy will focus on reaching one’s potential and enjoying the game. Those two ingredients, he believes, will lead to winning.
On a personal note, Santos’ late father, Jack, always wanted his son to pursue sports and coaching. As Holliston’s new varsity baseball coach, it’s mission accomplished for Joe Santos.
Issue Date:
April, 2016
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