Windsor Locks High baseball team starts season

WLHS catcher Josh Poissant in training for the upcoming season. Photos by Kathryn Elliott.

At Windsor Locks High School, the Raiders baseball season is underway, with pitchers and catchers suiting up the first throws of the 2011 season.

Head coach Dave Farr, a 40-year baseball coach – 10 of those years at the helm of the Raiders – is looking forward to a competitive season. “We ended last year at 13-9, and we did pretty well in the tournament. We only lost two seniors to graduation, so we have a strong group of returning veteran players,” he said.

In Class S, the Raiders face strong rival Northwest Catholic early on in the season. “Northwest is our biggest competition. They beat us soundly last year, and they went on to win the state title,” Farr said. “I like our chances against them this year; we have a deep roster of talent.”

Commenting on the team’s greatest overall strengths, Farr looked to his defense and pitching rotation. “By far our strongest part of the team is our pitching,” he said. “I’m looking at three guys to give us a lot: Chuck Vogt, Mike Chmelowski and Conor Pepin. They all have great seasons ahead of them. One of the sophomores, Mike Gentile, has looked really good so far, too.”

Behind the plate, Farr looks to catchers Josh Poissant and Casey Vogt. “Josh and Casey are big parts of the team’s success,” he said.

Conditioning his hitters for upcoming games with strength training and endurance drills, Farr emphasized the need for consistency at the plate. “I see this year’s team as having the potential to be a real offensive threat,” he said. “We struck out way too much last year; we need to get the ball in play early and often. There are some great hitters on the team this year. Tyler DeMarco, a lefty, is one to watch.”

WLHS baseball games are slated to begin in April. Visit www.casciac.org for dates, times and locations.

Coach’s Corner-

Windsor Locks High School Baseball Head Coach Dave Farr

Number of seasons with team: 10

Pitching/Catching Assistant: Jordan Copes

The season ahead: “Our first goal this season, as it is every season, is to make the states,” Farr said.

Team captain: Chuck Vogt                 

Complete schedule on www.casciac.org

Spotlight Players-

Chuck Vogt, Senior, Pitcher: All-State and All-Conference in 2010, Vogt is the Raiders’ starting pitcher for 2011. Able to pitch, catch and hit, Vogt ended 2010 with an impressive .483 batting average and the lowest team ERA. Vogt is attending Keene State in the fall.

Conor Pepin, Junior, Pitcher: Pepin, a southpaw and three-year varsity starter, enjoys his time on the mound. “I think I started throwing when I was 3,” he said. In addition to the Raiders, Pepin plays summer American Legion baseball and basketball.

Mike Chmelowski, Senior, Pitcher: A four-year player for WLHS, Chmelowski, a right-handed thrower, ended 2010 on a career high note. “I had a really low ERA,” he said. He plans to attend the University of Bridgeport.