SENIOR ATHLETE REFLECTION: Baseball seniors reflect on previous seasons

Submitted Jeff Slovin

Senior Sam Slovin swings in hopes of a home run in one of his final baseball games last season.

These interviews were done remotely due to COVID-19 precautions.

Because of the cancellation of the 2020 spring sports season, senior athletes reflected on the best moments from their time playing their sport at Algonquin.

Sam Slovin:

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I am most proud of how well we prepared for the upcoming season coming off of a playoff run last year.”

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I will miss spending time with my teammates.”

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

“My favorite memory is our big win 15-0 win against Marlboro last year.”

 

Senior Jack Conner prepares to bat at home plate in a game last season. (Submitted Jeff Slovin)

Jack Conner:

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I’m most proud of our 2019 season. We were underdogs the whole year and made it all the way to the cmass semifinals. We really bonded and came together as a team and I’m proud of our resilience and perseverance throughout the year.”

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I’ll definitely miss the team the most. We had great chemistry and always had a great time. I’m very fortunate to have played with some great kids on and off the field.”

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

“There are so many great memories but one that stands out is beating SJ in the playoffs at home last year.”

 

Daniel Goldstein:

Senior Daniel Goldstein has his eyes on the ball and prepares to run mid swing in a home game last season. (Submitted Jeff Slovin)

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

A lot of us on the team are very different off the field, so I’m most proud of how close we all are as a team. There was never animosity between teammates, so not only was it easy to get along with everyone, but it also made us better as a team. We were all just kids who loved playing baseball and had a fun time doing it.” 

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

Since I will not be playing baseball in college, I’m definitely going to miss the game itself and being able to run out onto the field to start the game or step into the box and take a deep breath as I start my at-bat. I will miss playing at Algonquin because the coaches, players, parents, and fans care so much about the school and how we do that it makes it all worthwhile to work so hard during the offseason and practices.”

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

There are a couple of teams as a baseball program that we circle on our calendars and are always looking forward to playing and beating every year. Those teams include Wachusett, Shrewsbury, and St. John’s. So when the playoff schedule came out and we found out we were playing St. John’s in the CMASS quarterfinals at home, we were all so pumped. After 7 long, hard-fought innings, we were tied and had to go into extra-innings. With a runner on 2nd base, Levi Carter-Frem knocked a base-hit into right-center field and won the game for us 3-2 in 8 innings on a walk-off. I remember the team mobbed him at first-base and we celebrated like crazy. Those are the moments you live for as a baseball player.”

 

Senior Michael Rogers slightly turns his body in order to perfect his swing in a home game. (Submitted Jeff Slovin)

Michael Rogers:

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I’m most proud of the bonds I made with my teammates over the years, and the successful teams I got to be a part of every year.”

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I’m gonna miss the pregame rituals and hanging out with the team the most. I’ll never forget playing hacky sack before every practice last year and going out to eat.”

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

“My favorite memory was beating Saint Johns at home in the playoffs last year.”

 

Greg Rosen:

Senior Greg Rosen pitches a high speed baseball at a home game last season. (Submitted Jeff Slovin)

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

 “After my four years in the Algonquin baseball program, I am most proud of how hard each member of the team worked over the course of this off season. We put in countless hours in the weight room and on the field to give ourselves the best shot possible to qualify for the Super 8, an achievement which has not yet been made by Algonquin.  While it’s a shame that we do not have a season, I am still extremely proud of the energy and preparation of the entire team.”

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

“What I will miss most from playing at Algonquin is the team. The chemistry between us was unreal and it made every moment fun even if things weren’t going our way. Being competitive and having fun makes for a great experience.” 

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

 “My favorite memory playing baseball for Algonquin was being the closing pitcher against Saint Johns in the game that allowed us to clinch the playoffs. This game was played at NEBC (New England Baseball Complex) under the lights with cold and rainy weather which made for a very memorable experience.”

 

Senior Patrick Solomon swings his bat as his whole team watches and cheers him on from the sidelines. (Submitted Jeff Slovin)

Patrick Solomon:

What are you most proud of from your time playing baseball at Algonquin?

“I am most proud of the team’s improvement from the beginning to the end of the year, on and off the field. Our skills improved but we also all became so close and enjoyed every minute of it.”

What will you miss most from playing baseball at Algonquin?

“Of course I will miss playing baseball, but I’ll miss the guys most of all. Hanging with them, playing baseball, and just overall enjoying our time is something I’ll miss greatly. The sport brought us together into a family.”

What is your favorite memory of baseball at Algonquin?

My favorite memory playing baseball at Algonquin would be beating Saint John’s in the playoffs. Everyone was so excited and focused which made playing so much fun and we were able to extend our season which gave us an extra week together.”

 

Baseball players the Harbinger was unable to contact:

Levi Carter-Frem

John Fontecchio

Riley Greenwald