Belmont High School’s baseball roster appears young and unproven with just two senior starters. In reality, the Marauders like the mix of experienced players they have regardless of class.
Last year, the Marauders went 11-9, narrowly qualifying for the MIAA Division 1 tournament after missing it entirely in 2023. The No. 36 seed out of 39 teams, the Marauders fell to No. 29 Peabody in the preliminary round. They hope for a tournament return this spring, Middlesex League title, and more.
“We had a lot of kids last year, three freshmen in the starting lineup, and they’ll be really good this year,“ senior captain and center fielder Nolan Kelleher said. “We’re a pretty young team, but a team that can do a lot of damage this year.”
Senior captains Ryan O’Bryrne and Kelleher lead the returners. O’Byrne, who is committed to playing at Endicott College, is a four-year starter at first base and a two-time Middlesex League All-Star. He’ll anchor the middle of the order. Kelleher, an Ithaca College commit, is a three-year starter and will man center field and bat leadoff during the extended absence of junior Casey Regan, who sustained an offseason injury that will keep him out for most of the season.
Regan, who broke his wrist trying to throw down a dunk during pickup basketball, hopes to return by early May.
“It does suck being injured, but I can’t stay down. I’ve got to stay a leader. I’m just helping the younger kids and make sure they’re comfortable in the program.”
Sophomores John Conolly and Patrick MacKinnon joined the varsity midway through their freshman seasons last spring and will play shortstop and a corner outfield spot, respectively.
Junior Kyle Ksander, a starter since his freshman year, leads the pitching staff. The left-hander throws in the mid-80s and will likely play Division I college baseball. Other pitchers to watch include junior Craig Dean, who also plays the outfield, junior Eric Porter, and sophomore Matt Pizzi.
They’ll throw to junior Charlie Tingos, who entered the Marauders starting nine as a freshman, and put on some serious muscle in the offseason to complement a sweet swing, Coach Jim Brown said.
“He’s going to hit for more power this year,” Brown said. “He goes up there and takes a healthy hack and seems to have more pop in his bat.”
Key games include April 7 at Watertown, April 11 at Reading, and the Brendan Grant Memorial Tournament May 23-24. Last year, Belmont started strong, winning five straight and seven of eight, but a rash of injuries contributed to an early end to the season. Health, Kelleher said, is one of the biggest keys to a successful season.
O’Byrne and the coach like the mix of contributors from all classes.
“I think it’s great, it brings a lot of different opinions and people,” O’Byrne said. “The sophomores act like seniors and the juniors have been here. It’s a lot of mature kids.”
“Even though we’re young, we’re experienced,” Brown said. “Overall, our baseball IQ has gone up.”
