FITCHBURG — There is some excitement surrounding the Central New England Baseball Association (CNEBA) with the addition of two new teams to the league in 2020, including the Fitchburg A’s.
Composed mostly of Fitchburg State University former and current players, the A’s are thrilled to be back on the field despite the college having an extremely abbreviated season due to coronavirus, and feel that their experience playing together at the collegiate level will help them avoid a lot of the growing pains associated with the formation of a new team.
Fitchburg hits the diamond on Tuesday to take on local rival Clinton, at its home field at St. Bernard’s at 6 p.m.
“We’re very happy to be in this league,” Fitchburg A’s Manager Matthew Pingitore said. “It’s very competitive, and I think we’re going to be able to compete at a high level. I’m excited, and especially with the COVID-19 thing, there are going to be a few extra teams in the league that would be playing somewhere else, so I think the competition is definitely going to be up this year.”
Pingitore spent the last handful of years competing with the Clinton 76ers, so he is very familiar with the league. But with only three players on his new team having any experience in the CNEBA, he feels the unfamiliarity with many of the opposing players will outweigh the benefits of teams being unfamiliar with his roster.
Often times, with a new team forming in the CNEBA, there are some growing pains because the group doesn’t have the cohesion that much of the competition has from playing together for a number of years. But since the Fitchburg A’s are mostly Fitchburg State current players and alumni, Pingitore doesn’t expect the same struggles with cohesion that many new teams face.
“I think we’re definitely going to be able to hit the ground running,” Pingitore said. “Everyone on our team, for the most part, has played together at some point, or played together this year, and practiced together. We don’t have too many guys on our team that were freshmen at Fitchburg State this year, so for the most part everyone’s played together for at least a year.”
Zach Gull could be one of the top bats for the A’s, after he hit .258 with 6 RBI through nine games in the spring for Fitchburg State, in what was his senior year. Another infielder, second baseman Zach May, is another big bat with high expectations, hitting out of the power portion of the lineup. May was a transfer student to the Falcons this year.
Cam Donahue, a utility player who will focus on the outfield, is another capable hitter in the A’s lineup. Donahue hit .250 with 3 RBI in just four games for FSU and Pingitore says he’s poised for big things this summer as well.
“(Gull) and (May) were both middle-of-the-lineup guys for Fitchburg State,” Pingitore said. “I think both are going to be big bats for us.”
Brandon Lefebvre, a sure-handed Leominster High alum, who hit .246 with 17 RBI for Fitchburg State in 2019, will hold down the shortstop position. Lefebvre also poses a threat on the bases, Pingitore says. Zach Morris could also log innings at the 6-spot.
Johan Ascencio will add power to the lineup, in addition to stellar defense at third base. His biggest trait is versatility, as he can play around the diamond and outfield, Pingitore says.
The top catcher in the lineup is Shirley native, and Nashoba Tech alum, Vincent Eramo. As a freshman in 2019 for the Falcons, Eramo hit .325 in 35 games, with 3 home runs and 34 RBI. He also serves as a quarterback on the Falcon football team.
“Eramo could be a middle-of-the-lineup guy when he gets hot,” Pingitore said. “He is also very strong defensively.”
In addition to Donahue, Tim Callahan and Aiden Travis also bring a level of versatility to the outfield. Pitcher Joseph Powers will be in the mix in the outfield as well.
The A’s have 12 pitchers on their roster. For primary starters, Jack Gallant and Austin Alzate are Fitchburg State players, while Andrew Mooney left the Lunenburg Phillies for the new Fitchburg team. Mooney played in five games and started four for the Phillies last year with a 2-0 record and 3.32 ERA. Another key starter is Adam Somers (3-1, 4.30 ERA), while FSU newcomer T.J. Laramie is another possible starter with a strong arm.
Laramie could be the projected closer, if not thrust into the starting role. May will also serve in a setup and closing role.
