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BASEBALL PREVIEWS: Fall River area teams set to open up the 2024 season

Steven Sanchez, The Herald News
·5 min read

FALL RIVER — It's 'Play Ball' time in April.

Six high school local baseball teams — Atlantis Charter, Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley and Westport — are set to open the 2024 regular season. The ultimate goal, win a state championship.

The Raiders and Wildcats each had deep runs in last season's tournament while the Bengals, Cardinals and Hilltoppers hope to go further this spring.

Here's a look at the baseball previews:

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Atlantis Charter Tritons

League: Independent League

Last season's record: 8-9

Head Coach: Jeff Furtado, 16th season

2024 opener: Norfolk County Agricultural, April 2

Outlook: The Tritons are seeking to punch their second straight ticket to the postseason this spring. Atlantis Charter was eliminated from the postseason in 2023 after losing a close matchup with Greenfield in the Division 5 preliminary round. Tritons head coach Jeff Furtado said his club is young but expects to be competitive in all of their games and return to the playoffs again this season. Senior and four-year starter Jared Brown is back for his final season in 2024. Junior Devon Paradise is a three-year starter who is looking to build on his success in the last three years. Freshman Davion Adediran will patrol the outfield and help out with mound duties.

Case's Ben Duquette is safe at first as the ball sails past Luke Finglas. Second baseman William Souza look on.
Case's Ben Duquette is safe at first as the ball sails past Luke Finglas. Second baseman William Souza look on.

Case Cardinals

League: South Coast Conference

Record: 8-14

Head Coach: Dave Ulmschneider, 25th season (4)

2024 opener: at Westport, April 2

Outlook: Despite a subpar record in 2023, the Cardinals advanced to the Division 4 Round of 32 state tournament before bowing out against Blackstone Valley. Case head coach Dave Ulmschneider said his squad is scrappy and expects to get strong pitching throughout the season. Senior shortstop Adam Gracie and senior outfielder Will LeBoeuf lead the way for the Cardinals. Junior right-hander Jackson McLane returns as the ace of the pitching staff. Senior catcher/outfielder and two-year starter Ben Duquette defensive versatility is an asset. Senior third baseman/pitcher Dylan Amaral move to a new position defensively and has some pop in the middle of the lineup. Junior LaSalle Academy transfer student Zach Kern along with Aedan Borges and Reid Ulmschneider provide defense in the field. Hoop players seniors Landon Cayton and Cayden Gonsalves take the field for the first time.

Diman's Kole Andrade fires to the plate during last season's playoff game against Fairhaven.
Diman's Kole Andrade fires to the plate during last season's playoff game against Fairhaven.

Diman Bengals

League: Mayflower Athletic Conference Large Division

Record: 11-10

Head Coach: Floriano Lima, 24th season

2024 opener: at West Bridgewater, April 1

Outlook: The Bengals will look to get back into the postseason in 2024 after a playoff appearance last season. Diman was knocked out of the tourney after falling to Fairhaven in the Division 3 preliminary. Longtime head coach Floriano Lima said his team's goal every year is to win the Mayflower Large division and qualify for the state tournament. Leading the way for Lima's group are captains junior Sam Perry and senior Byron Bell. Senior Kole Andrade looks to make a difference on the hill. Matthew Almeida is a good athlete who can either pitch or play the infield. Lima expects Bristol Plymouth and Southeastern to be a challenge when competing for a league title. Due to construction of the new school, all practices are off campus and home games are being held at Swansea YMCA fields.

Somerset Berkley's Brady Cabral is safely back to second before the tag of Durfee's Jeyden Espinal.
Somerset Berkley's Brady Cabral is safely back to second before the tag of Durfee's Jeyden Espinal.

Durfee Hilltoppers

League: Southeast Conference

Record: 10-12

Head Coach: Mike Martin, fourth season

2024 opener: Middleboro, April 2

Outlook: The Hilltoppers are excited to begin a brand new season, especially their first full season on state-of-the art turf field. Durfee advanced to the Division 1 Round of 32 before falling to eventual state champion Taunton High. Head coach Mike Martin said he has been pleased with his group — a good mix of returning players and incoming young players — who will be given an opportunity to have an immediate impact on this season. Returning for his final season is senior shortstop Jeyden Espinal. Senior pitcher Aidan Travers and junior pitcher Matt Almeida look to take command on the hill. Junior outfielder Ben Sherry, junior infielder Owen Moniz and sophomore catcher Joe Silva hope to have a breakout season. Connolly transfer student Jayden Souza, freshmen Matt Sherry and Devyn Murphy will be in the running for playing time. Martin said Bridgewater-Raynham and Dartmouth are formidable opponents.

Somerset Berkley Raiders

League: South Coast Conference

Record: 17-5

Head Coach: Jason Martin, first season

2024 opener: at Middleboro, April 1

Outlook: The Raiders are coming off an area-best regular season record in 2023 and will look to duplicate the feat this spring, especially with nine seniors and five juniors set to return. SBR first-year head coach Jason Martin said his team will look to finish toward the top of their conference. Leading the way for Martin's group is senior captain Camden Hoyle. Senior pitcher Will Dionne will step in as the ace of the Raiders staff. Senior Landon Richardson aims for a bounce back season after being injured in 2023. Senior outfielder Mason Medeiros and junior shortstop Jayden Cruz add firepower on offensive and defense. Junior Luke Thornton has some pop in the lineup as the designated hitter. Martin said  Seekonk, Fairhaven and Dighton-Rehoboth pose a challenge this season in league play.

Westport's Max Gallant is safe at second as Diman's Byron Bell applies the tag.
Westport's Max Gallant is safe at second as Diman's Byron Bell applies the tag.

Westport Wildcats

League: Mayflower Athletic Conference Comprehensive Division

Record: 15-5

Head Coach: Nate Charette, first season

2024 opener: Case, April 2

The Wildcats were as hot as any team in the area in 2023, winning 13 of their last 15 games. Westport managed to reach the Round of 16 before falling to Greenfield. First-year head coach Nate Charette will be eying for a deep run this spring. Despite graduating nine seniors, the Wildcats has athleticism and versatility. Leading the charge for Charette's group is junior shortstop Max Gallant. Junior infielder Connor James should compete for a role as a pitcher. Junior outfielder Dylan Kirby is a returning starter and senior first baseman Michael DeGagne possess a power stick in the lineup. Junior utility player Luke Finglas is expected to pitch at the top of the rotation. Sophomore infielder Kasen Avila, junior outfielder Owen Boudria and junior catcher Bryton Graham are ready to lend a hand. Sophomore Ben Bernier can play either first base or pitch.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on formerly Twitter (X) @Chezsports. 

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Baseball is back for six Fall River area teams this spring