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Haverhill Baseball Preview

2007 record: 14-7, lost in Division 1 North first round

Returning starters (9): Peter Byron, Sr., OF/C; Sean Hayden, Sr., P/1B; Steve Lesiczka, Sr., 2B; A.J. Scalese, Sr., INF/DH; Bobby Shirling, Sr., SS; Leif Sorenson, Sr., P; Josh Chasse, Jr., OF; Taylor Robinson, Jr., 1B/3B/P; Ronny Rosario, Jr., C

Returning lettermen: Frank Xia, Jr., OF

Newcomers: Tim Gregg, Sr., P; Julio Taveras, Sr., OF; Trevor Behrendt, Jr., P; Tim Cordero, Jr., 1B/3B; Matt Pickles, Soph., SS; John Orsillo, Jr., OF

Candidates in all grades: 75

Captains: TBA

Returning leaders: Peter Byron, .317, 14 runs, 15 RBIs; Bobby Shirling, .300, 10 runs, 12 RBIs; Josh Chasse, .323, 14 runs; Taylor Robinson, 6-0, 1.99 ERA; Leif Sorenson, 4-1, 1.53 ERA, 37 Ks in 32 innings; Sean Hayden, 4-4, 47 Ks in 47<1/3> innings.

Returning honorees: Bobby Shirling, All-MVC; Taylor Robinson, All-MVC; Peter Byron, MVC divisional all-star

Assistants: John McHale, varsity assistant; Russ Marino, JV; Larry O'Brien, Frosh.; Billy Mottram, varsity assistant

Opener: April 9, vs. Newburyport

Odds and ends: Haverhill takes a giant leap from small school sleeper to quite possibly the team to beat in the entire MVC. ... Eagle-Tribune records go back through the 1988 season, and in that span no Haverhill team matched last year's 14 wins. The previous two seasons and the 1995 team all went 13-8. ... Recently released from the Cubs organization, ex-Hillie Billy Mottram returns to the team as an assistant before heading off to the Frontier League. Side-winding righty Leif Sorenson is a top recruit for the University of Vermont. ... Shortstop Bobby Shirling's status is questionable as the season opens with the senior nursing a shoulder injury. ... The annual Haverhill Invitational Memorial Day weekend tournament will not be held this year. ... The Hillies will name captains on this weekend's Cape Cod trip.

Coach Chip Dunn (19th year, 174-190): "I keep reminding these kids of that team in 2003 that had everyone back and should have been real good and ended up 8-10, missing the tournament. We should be real good, but you have to hit and pitch well. Right now, we haven't been throwing strikes. But it's early. Hopefully when we get some time under us, things will come together."