Team Previews: Central/West
- Updated: March 15, 2025
NHIAA BASEBALL TEAM PREVIEW
Central/West Knights
2024 Record: 4-15
2024 Postseason: Did not qualify for the Division I tournament
Head Coach: Anthony Malik (first season)
Players with varsity experience: 5
Top Returners:
Offense
— Jaeden Rodriquez (Senior)
— Wilson Zolla (Senior)
— Gavin Currier (Senior)
— Pierre Mendez (Senior)
Pitching:
— Jaeden Rodriquez (Senior)
— Wilson Zolla (Senior)
— Hunter Raadame (Junior)
— Liam-Carter Patten (Sophomore)
Coaches comment: “In my first year the hope is to solidify and start to lay the seeds of rebuilding the once proud baseball traditions at both Manchester Central and Manchester West High Schools. This coming seasom we will rely on a quartet of seniors to start this process in Wilson Zolla, Jaeden Rodriquez, Gavin Currier, and Pierre Mendez.
“Rodriquez and Zolla will anchor the starting rotation for us while Currier is expected to fill a major void at shortstop and provide valuable relief innings on the hill. Pitching-wise a few young names to look out for include sophomore Liam-Carter Patten, a hard throwing right-hander with a low three-quarters slot; Jayaxander Mendez, a talented freshman that is a RHP/MIF; and Juniors Hunter Radaame and James Blaisdell.
“In the field and at the plate, both Rodriquez and Zolla figure to hit anywhere from two to five in the lineup. They provide our best combination of bat-to-ball skills and the ability to drive a gap with a little pop. Pierre Mendez is someone we hope takes a step forward after gaining valuable experience in his first year starting as a junior. Mendez also brings an invaluable positive team spirit to the club. Currier will move out from the plate where he has started the last two years to anchor the middle infield. With his speed and ability to get on base, he has the inside track to bat lead off for us. Both Mendez and Currier are the ultimate team guys, willing to whatever the club has needed the last couple of years, even if it meant sacrificing on their own end.
“Some promising young talent looks to be on the way. Sophomore Declan Manning is a promising catcher/OF who saw time on varsity last year. He is another team-first guy who possesses perhaps the best bat-to-ball on the team. Jayaxander is a talented freshman infielder that could push to start opening day. Will Fudala and Nico Skafidi are two other freshman infielders who have a chance to carve a regular on varsity.”
Season Opener: April 14 vs. Nashua North
Team/School Twitter: N/A
NHFR 2025 TOP 50: (Available to XTRA members later this week)
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