St. Peter-Marian Growing Into a Champion

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Senior Tim Brutto is just one of St. Peter Marian's athletic threats on the bases.

A young St. Peter-Marian team made some noise in Central Mass baseball a year ago. Now, coach Ed Riley believes his team is all grown up, and ready for a run at the district title.

“We were relatively young last year,” Reilly said. “We had three freshman starting for us. They’re still young, but I think they’ve really matured, and we’ve got a great group of seniors that can help us play for a Central Mass Championship.”

Senior Leadership

Reilly believes the strength of his team is its veteran leadership. The Guardians return of trio of productive seniors that should be able to lead the the team both at the plate and on the mound. Senior Steve Flynn was able to bat .375 a year ago as a first baseman, and was also one of the better pitchers in the district.

“We’re a very deep team,” Flynn said. “We have a lot of depth in our pitching staff, and out defense is really good. Absolutely, we are a defense and pitching oriented team.”

In the outfield, St. Peter-Marian returns seniors Joe Consolmagno and Tim Brutto. Consolmagno is a speedster with great range in centerfield, and used that athleticism to steal 13 bases last season. Beyond just pure athleticism, Consolmagno thinks the experience the Guardians gained last year will carry them through difficult parts of the season.

“We have a lot of experience now, and I think that’s going to pay off in the long run,” Consolmagno said. “When we get into tough situations later in the year, we have guys that have been through it before, and I think it’s all going to work out.”

Brutto is also quick on the bases, but his arm is what separates him from most other outfielders and pitchers in Central Mass. The strong-armed pitcher believes that with his team’s combined athleticism, coach Reilly will allow his players to be very aggressive in stealing bases.

“We are really aggressive on the bases,” Brutto said. “Whenever we’re on the bases, coach gives us the green light (to steal). I know when I’m out there, he gives me the green light almost every time.”

Brutal Schedule

Central Mass is loaded with talented baseball teams this year, so winning the district will not be easy for anybody. But, with the talent the Guardians bring back, coach Reilly believes they can make a serious run at the championship.

“I think we have as good a chance as anybody,” Reilly said with a chuckle. “But seriously, there are a lot of good teams in the district this year. Whoever wins it is going to have to earn it, but we think we have the pieces to win a championship this season.”