By Ken Hamwey
Staff Sports Writer

The King Philip baseball team is eager to get its season underway and hopeful that its second season in Division 1 will produce better results than last year.

The Warriors posted an 11-9 record in their first season as a Division 1 squad but it’s what happened in the playoffs that coach Jeff Plympton Jr. and his players want to change. KP faced Westford Academy in the first round and lost, 4-3, making the Warriors’ initial appearance a one-and-done affair.

“We’ve got something to prove after an early exit last season,’’ Plympton said. “Our goals for 2025 are to win the Kelly-Rex Division of the Hockomock League, qualify and go deeper in the tourney and to improve every day. All our goals are realistic.’’

Two elements give KP cause for optimism — its overall team strengths and having 13 returnees with experience.

“The current team has experience and depth,’’ Plympton said. “The players are skilled and athletic, they’re coachable and capable leaders. We’ve got three returning pitchers who’ll start, our hitters have power and speed, and our defense is strong in the outfield but we need to fill some vacancies in the infield.’’

KP’s senior captains — Nate Pennini (pitcher) and Aidan Astorino (outfield/DH) — are top-notch leaders. “Nate relies on leading by example and Aidan is more vocal,’’ Plympton said. “They’re both excellent communicators.’’

Pennini had a 3-2 record and an earned-run average of 1.90 in 50 innings last year. Astorino hit .295, had 16 RBIs, scored 20 runs and his on-base percentage was .456.

“Nate is dedicated and provides lots of effort,’’ Plympton noted. “A right-handed pitcher, his assortment includes a fastball, curve and change-up. His control is good, he’s effective with his off-speed pitches and throws in the 80-mph range. Aidan is a strong contact hitter who has good range in the outfield. Both of the captains are in their third varsity year.’’

Senior Drew Herlin was a designated-hitter last year but is ticketed for duty at first base. Tall at 6-1, he supplied plenty of offense last year. He hit. 409 in 56 at-bats, had 27 hits and two home runs. “Drew is a line-drive hitter, usually makes contact and hits to any field,’’ Plympton offered. “An adept situational player, he’s got power.’’

Two senior right-handers will join Pennini in the starting rotation — Cam Hasenfus and Ryan Higgins.

“Cam throws in the mid-80 mph range,’’ Plympton said. “He was 3-2 and had a 1.90 E.R.A. last year. His fastball moves, his curve ball is sharp, and his control is good. He’s also a utility infielder who’s tough, quick and competes hard.  Ryan’s velocity is in the low 80-mph range. He did a lot of off-season work and he’s competitive and focused on the mound. He gets good movement on his fastball and his curve ball is solid.’’

Senior Alex Lutfy split time as a pinch hitter and outfielder last year. “A left-handed hitter, Alex has a strong bat (.308),’’ Plympton offered. “A player who we want in the lineup, he works hard and strives to improve.’’

Junior Leo Dowling is a dynamic catcher who’s in his third varsity season. “Leo is a line-drive hitter who batted .308 last year,” Plympton recalled. “A talented catcher, he’s solid on defense, has great rapport with the pitchers and he’s got a strong arm. He’s effective throwing out runners stealing and he also gets some pickoffs.’’

Junior centerfielder Johnny Prater is in his third varsity year. “Johnny hit .265 last year but he’s a more experienced hitter now,’’ Plympton said. “He’s got great range in the outfield, able to track the ball well. He gets a good read off the bat and his arm is strong.’’

Two juniors — Brady Herlin and Ryan Burns — excelled at the jayvee level last year and will see action in the outfield. Herlin hit .389 and Burns was .448 at the plate. Herlin can also play the infield and Burns can be utilized as a relief hurler.

“Brady is versatile, has speed and is probably the fastest player on the team,’’ said Plympton. “He’s got a high baseball IQ. Ryan is strong, athletic and has a cannon for an arm. A right-hander, he could be our closer. He relies on a strong fastball and a slider.’’

Junior Jacoby Cady, who played on the jayvees last year, is a shortstop but he can also be counted on as a relief pitcher. “Jacoby is aggressive going for the ball, is sound defensively and has a strong arm,’’ Plympton noted. “A right-hander, he relies on a fastball, curve and change-up. His command and control are good.’’

Sophomore Nick Broughton excelled for the jayvees last year and Plympton said: “I’m excited to see how he contributes on the varsity.’’ A left-handed pitcher who also is an outfielder, he hit .435, had a 2-0 record and struck out 32 in 23 innings. “Nick has good velocity, in the low 80-mph range,’’ Plympton said. “His arm is strong and his best pitch is a curve ball.’’

The KP coaching staff is a group Plympton calls “dedicated and committed to success.’’ They include varsity assistants Jim Danielson and Nolan Bradly; jayvee coach Jason Connelly; and freshman coach Mike Morrissette.

A native of Wrentham who played two varsity seasons of baseball at KP, the 31-year-old Plympton relies on a competitive philosophy that stresses reaching one’s potential and having fun.

“When those things occur, winning will be the by-product,’’ he emphasized. “And valuable life lessons can be learned in athletics, like being prepared, working hard and overcoming adversity. Leadership and setting goals can also be learned and I want our players to respect others, respect the game and be role models.’’

Plympton, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State, is in his fifth season as KP’s varsity coach. His teams have qualified for tourney play in all four of his previous seasons. During the 2022 and 2023 campaigns, the Warriors played for the Division 2 state title but lost both times to Milton.

Division 1 competition again will be challenging this season, but Plympton has scheduled five non-league games that should help in the power rankings. They include Hopkinton, Westwood, Bridgewater-Raynham, Walpole and Xaverian.

The Warriors will be aiming for staying power in the tourney this year and it’s very likely they’ll often remember Plympton’s words that emphasize: “We’ve got something to prove after an early exit last season.’’