Little League baseball is back.
Beginning this Monday, the District 15 Williamsport Little League all-star tournament kicks off, with teams from Gloucester and Manchester Essex among those representing the field.
Those two local squads will join programs from Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers (American and National), Ipswich and Hamilton-Wenham for a chance to advance through pool play, into to the Final Four, and ultimately to the District 15 Championship. Pool play will conclude this coming Saturday before Round 2 begins, with the last two standing moving on to the Championship round beginning on Wednesday, July 10.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect from each of the local competing teams.
Gloucester is looking to earn its first District 15 Championship crown since 2022. Luca Aberle, who has been playing for the 12-year-old team since he was just 10, will serve as the squad’s ace pitcher.
“He’s probably one of, if not the best pitchers in the district,” said Gloucester coach Jody Curcuru.
When he’s not throwing, Aberle will play centerfield. Joey Bellissimo and Nick Aiello were also members of the team as 11-year-olds last summer and will once again serve as vital pieces to the puzzle. Those two will pitch as well, with Aiello also lining up behind the plate as the starting catcher and Bellissimo playing both shortstop and centerfield.
Callan Howard is the team’s leadoff hitter with plenty of speed and a knack for getting on base. Defensively, he’ll play in the outfield.
In addition, Will Emerson will be the No. 4 pitcher and can also play third base, catcher and first. Braydon Simon is another key player and will see most of his duty at second base.
According to coach Curcuru, Robbie Steach “has lightning speed and will help us in the outfield as well as the base paths.” Cameron Curcuru (1st base) could come in for relief at times throwing from the left side; Jackson Terelak “has a ton of pop hitting from the left side”, says coach Curcuru; and Bruin Allen (corner infielder/outfielder) boasts a big bat as well.
Rounding out the squad is Van Knowlton and Ian Crowley, both versatile players who will be utilized in utility roles.
The Fishermen will open play at home on Monday against Ipswich (6 p.m.). The other two squads in their pool are Beverly and Danvers American.
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Manchester Essex, meanwhile, will look to Nolan Jurczak and Nick Masters to carry big bats offensively and strong arms on the pitching mound. Jonathan Faris, Owen Considine and Aiden McMahan will also be relied up for pitching, with power hitting catcher JR Collens calling the shots behind the dish. Makani Mitchell is another dangerous hitter to keep an eye on.
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Danvers National has some big bats in Zane Spencer, Jacob Leblanc, Teddy Blake, Drew Carlson and Ryan Moroney. Additionally, Dominic Onorio and Cam Sillars are tough outs at the plate.
Strength up the middle, with Sillars at shortstop, Onorio at second base, Blake in center field and Spencer behind the plate should behoove the Nats as well. Pitching-wise, Spencer, Moroney, Drew Carlson, Leblanc, Sillars, Jaxon Currier and 11-year-old Kenney Blake are each capable of firing strikes and getting outs.
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The returning District 15 champions from Danvers American will rely on the powerful arms of Nate Sussman and Lucas Bernazzani to get the job done on the mound. Dante DeMaino, Ryan Maloney and Macklin Kulakowski are others who will no doubt contribute to any pitching success the Amerks have.
Defensively, DeMaino, Bernazzani and Kulakowski are mainstays in the infield, while the team’s lone 11-year-old, Jack L’Italien, will be behind the plate. Luke Lahaye and Leo Brown both star in the outfield. Offensively, DeMaino, Bernazzani and Kulakowski all provide steady production, Sussman brings the power, and L’Italien is an excellent baserunner.
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Hitting depth throughout the lineup should be a strength for Hamilton-Wenham, where manager Patrick Sullivan feels any one of his 12 hitters can cause damage at the dish. The Generals will be leaning most heavily on Luke Morrison, Aiden LaSelva, Brody Potter, Louis St. Pierre, Alex Rakowski, Alex Holland, Max Gamelli and Chase Lanciani.
On the mound, look for Jack Duggan, Drew Fall, Morrison, LaSelva, Holland, St. Pierre and Rakowski to get the call. Four different options at catcher (Fall, Rakowski, Gamelli and Lanciani) give Hamilton-Wenham added depth, while Gus Twomey Stu Sullivan, LaSelva and St. Pierre are all excellent defenders.
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Ipswich has solid arms they can turn to for pitching in Simone Laroche, Tyler Laferriere, Rocco McKinnon and Owen Wallen.
Aidan Cain-Saunders and Alex Carroll are both solid outfielders, with Kadence Carver capable of playing the outfield or infield. Dylan Russo will likely handle duties behind the plate, with utility man Gabe Moon and Wallen both capable of handling the pitching staff. Infielder Wes Pierce, Leo McKenna and Mikey Orfanos will also be relied on to help the Tigers fare well.
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.