Reading baseball is finally here once again with the team ready to break out after a rollercoaster season last spring.
In 2024, the Rockets finished with a regular season record of 10-10, allowing them to play in the MIAA Division II playoffs as the 27th seed. In the first half of the season, The Rockets were cold, dropping multiple one run games. The team had to adapt and did so effectively, able to put together a five game winning streak a couple weeks before states began. On June 1st, the Rocket squad faced the 4th seed, Hopkinton, in a game marked by its competitive pitcher’s duel. Notably, Ryan Marino (‘25) pitched deep into the game, limiting Hopkinton to six hits. Unfortunately, the bats were relatively quiet in this battle, ending the Rockets season in a 4-1 loss. Joey Ciccarello (‘24) batted in the Rockets’ only run in the game.
The 2024 Rockets faced a lot of adversity during their season, but there is a lot of hope for this year’s team. What should fans be excited about this year’s Rocket squad?
Pitching Depth
Last season, the Rockets pitched incredibly throughout the entire year. Ryan Marino (‘25) led the team with the lowest earned run average at a 1.59 clip and struck out 41 batters across his several starts. Big contributions also came from starter Ethan Lebovidge (‘25) and Mikey Baylis (‘24), who kept the Rockets in competitive games in the late stages. With Marino and Lebovidge returning, the starting pitching can limit hard contact and really cruise late into games with a lead.
In addition to the starter strength, there are so many new pitchers that can contribute in multiple facets. The Rockets will see a healthy Grady Ventura (‘26), who can complement Lebovidge and Marino in the rotation. In addition, there are several sophomore and junior pitchers that the Rocket squad can turn to while holding a lead. Cam Harrigan (‘26), Cooper Dean (‘26), Michael Wondolowski (‘27), and Chase Williams (’27) are a few of the several guys the Rockets can turn to with the game on the line. Fans should be optimistic about the pitching side because there is so much flexibility.
Rockets Head Coach, Mr. Blanchard, had a word on what has impacted the pitching philosophy: “So, we technically have ten pitchers on the roster, so we have a lot of arms to go to. We have some new pitching rules that have been implemented a couple years ago, which really changed my thinking on pitching. The days of just kind of throwing one guy out there and having him go seven innings, coming back on a couple days rest–those days are kind of gone.”
Especially with the rule changes, it is a huge benefit for Reading to have guys who can go out and pitch four or five innings as starters, as well as flexible relief pitchers. This team does not have to rely solely on starting pitchers nor the late game relievers. Coming off a season where many games were decided on one or two runs, it is crucial this season to close games out.
The Hitting
On the batting side, the Rockets will continue to see exponential growth in driving in runs. Nate Vitarisi (‘26) drove in 13 runs, the most within last year’s roster. Alex Merkle (‘26) was last year’s co-leader (with graduate Will Moore) with 21 hits, getting on base at a great rate.
There is even more to be excited about as a fan, especially because the sophomore class from last year has a full season or two under their belt in the varsity lineup. Varsity starters Sam Clark, Isaac Robinson, Alex Merkle and Nate Vitarisi adapted well last year against varsity level pitching in the Middlesex League. Those very same bats will only become stronger in their junior season, now having many at-bats of experience. Clark, the Rockets’ catcher, mentioned the level of grit this lineup can have: “Our lineup’s going to have guys who are able to get the job done from leadoff to the nine hole… The offense obviously all starts with guys getting on base and working counts, but we also have guys that can change a game with or spark a rally with one swing of the bat.”
The level of balance that the lineup has this season is perfect: there are plenty of returning players and many new players that can fit nicely into their role. Some of the new bats include Chase Williams (‘27), Kam and Ethan Greatorex (‘27), Cam Harrigan, Colby Farris, and Michael Wondolowski. Also, seniors Jack Chapin, Jack Connelly, Riley Learned and Liam Hansen give the team great experience from their at-bats from last season. They all can change the game in a matter of a swing and will be big impact players to add depth to the Rocket lineup.
All of these players can hit for power and get on base. Just like the Rockets’ pitching versatility, there is also a great dynamic of matching up batters late in game to take the lead or to better than lead before the seventh inning.
How do the Rockets see themselves?
The Rockets had a season last year to be proud of: They got through a rough middle of the season and got into the state playoffs. The clubhouse looks to improve on that mark and they have a lot of confidence in their group. Regarding the level of confidence in the group, 2025 season Co-Captain, Sam Clark, stated: “There is definitely [a] sense of confidence throughout the locker room, as we have thirteen guys returning this year, so there is a lot of leadership on this team.” Big contributions from the returning players is what can propel this team to even greater heights than last season, hopefully to make a run in the MIAA DII playoffs. On this note, Co-Captain Ryan Marino also stated: “I think the sky’s the limit with this team.”
Marino summed it well: With a little bit of luck and the benefit of having the depth the Rockets have, 2025 can be out of this world.
What has happened so far?
The Rockets are 2-1 to begin the season after having some of their games moved around because of the cold and rain. Their first matchup was against Burlington on April 7, in which the Rockets secured a 3-2 victory. Ryan Marino (‘25) struck out seven in three innings while Cooper Dean (‘26) kept the Burlington squad scoreless in the later half of the game. Liam Hansen (‘25) hit a walk off single to win the game in the seventh. That inning, they scored two runs after being down 2-1. Seeing this victory after a season where the team struggled in close games is a great sign that this team can keep composure in the later innings.
On April 10th, the Reading Rockets played at Melrose. Grady Ventura (‘26) pitched a very clean three innings where he struck out three while limiting a great amount of hard contact. Big at-bats were all around the lineup with multiple hits coming from Isaac Robinson (‘26) and Jack Chapin (‘25). Reading racked up their second win of the season, 7-4.
Their most recent game on the eleventh was a battle of the pitchers against Belmont. Reading pitched an incredible game; Lebovidge (‘25) and Chase Williams (‘27) combined only gave up three hits across the entire game. Unfortunately, their efforts were not enough because the team lost 2-0. The team struggled to get runs on the board, but the team had some hits from Jonathan Laurino (‘26), Vitarisi, Isaac Robinson, and Jack Chapin.
The Rockets have three games this week: home vs Lexington at LeLacheur Park in UMass Lowell on Wednesday, home vs Arlington on Thursday, and at Medford on Saturday, April 19th.
