Holliston Nine Hoping to End Tournament Dry Spell

A decade has passed since the Holliston High baseball team last appeared in a post-season tournament. Joe Santos, now in his second year as the Panthers coach, was a captain and a Tri Valley League all-star on that tourney team in 2007.
Santos and his squad, which finished with a 7-13 record last year, are gearing up for this season with two specific goals in mind — improve daily and qualify for the playoffs.
“We’re optimistic about being in the mix for a tourney berth,’’ Santos said. “We want to end that drought, and we’d also like to finish in the top half of the TVL standings. Defending champion Medway has two of the league’s top pitchers returning, and Bellingham, Medfield and Hopkinton all will be tough to beat.’’
As the 28-year-old Santos prepares for the Panthers’ home opener on April 5 against Bellingham, he’s still mixing and matching to maximize his lineup and to get his best players at all positions.
“We’ll be experienced on defense, and on offense we’ll be able to play small ball and be a hit-and-run team,’’ he said. “We have some power, too. Our prime strengths are speed, athleticism and our work ethic. Where we’re inexperienced is in our pitching. Three of the seven players who graduated were starting pitchers.’’
Holliston’s senior co-captains are major assets and provide the Panthers with strength up the middle. Zack Jacobs is a three-year starter at catcher and Jake Obid is another three-year veteran who can pitch and also play the infield or the outfield. “Zach is a leader by example and Jake is more of a vocal leader,’’ Santos noted. “Their aim is to get Holliston baseball back on the map.’’
Jacobs hit .418 last year and was a TVL all-star. Obid had a 1-3 record but his earned-run average was 2.33.
“Zack is a competitor,’’ Santos emphasized. “He works hard and has lots of pride. He’s a tough out at the plate, striking out only three times in 55 at-bats. A solid line-drive hitter, he’s a solid defensive catcher, able to block the plate, throw runners out stealing and capable of settling down a pitcher. A right-handed pitcher, Jake has a good fastball, curve and change-up, and his control is good. He refuses to give in to a hitter. At the plate, he hits hard.’’
Santos has lots of options in the infield. At first base, he can employ Obid when he’s not pitching, junior Zach Pessin, who also is a pitcher, or senior Max Moses. “Zach has size and he swings a good bat,’’ Santos noted. “Used mostly on the jayvees last year, he could be one of our starting pitchers. He’s a right-hander who has a sharp curve and good control. Max had a few at-bats last year as a pinch hitter. A line-drive hitter, he’s got a smooth swing.’’
Junior Jack Larche and returning veteran Nick Wells, who pitched in relief last year, play second base. “Jack is a capable hitter and fielder,’’ Santos said. “He works hard, never makes excuses and aims to improve. Nick will split time on the mound and at second. He’s a right-hander who had a 2-0 record in relief and a zero E.R.A. last year. He throws strikes.’’
Senior Jake Poor, a 2½-year varsity veteran, is a reliable shortstop. “Jake has good range, is quick and works hard,’’ Santos said. “He’s striving to improve on offense.’’ Larche, Obid and junior Louis Rossi can all play third. Mostly used on jayvees last year, the left-handed Rossi is “a very good fielder who has an aggressive swing.’’
Santos has an outfield that’s aggressive and has range. They include three-year starter Sam Athy in left, junior Brad Seymour in center and junior Ben Thomas in right.
“Sam will be going to Stonehill on a football scholarship,’’ Santos said. “He’s hard-nose, bringing a football mentality to the outfield. He’d run through a wall to make a catch. A strong, aggressive hitter, he’s got power. Brad was our designated-hitter last year and had a .256 average. He’s athletic, the fastest player on the team and able to cover lots of ground. Big and strong, he’s a power hitter who has a strong arm. Ben missed his sophomore year because of a torn ACL. As a freshman, he hit .340 in the leadoff role. He’s got good range, runs well and he’s a consistent line-drive hitter.’’
Besides Obid, Pessin and Wells, Santos can turn to another trio of pitchers. They are senior right-handers Jesse Young and Ben Dooley and junior rightie Tim Ringie.
“Jesse pitched 9 2/3 innings and had a zero E.R.A. last year,’’ Santos said. “He’s got a good curve, fastball and change-up. He showed promise last year going four scoreless innings against Medway. Ben has a good assortment, using a fastball, slider, curve and change-up. He gets a lot of movement on his pitches. Tim also showed promise when he went two innings and blanked Medway. He’s got a good fastball and his control is effective.’’
Holliston fell three games shy of reaching the tourney last year. If its pitchers gain experience quickly and deliver solid outings, then it’s very likely Joe Santos and his Panthers will end a 10-year dry spell in the post-season.