Lawrence ready to finally turn the corner: Super sophs have future looking bright

Six years is a long enough time that Brendan Neilon tempers nearly every statement he makes.

But, even at 6-6 through a dozen games, the Lawrence High coach, who is now 35-75 overall, has to like what he sees.

At this point a year ago, the Lancers stood just 2-10, with a roster laden with seniors and little to look forward to.

"For the first time since we've been here, this program has a very bright future," said Neilon. "We've had young players in the past, and lost them. This time truly looks different."

First and foremost, Neilon points to the change, not on the diamond, but in the stands.

"Look in the stands, there's parental involvement like we've never had. The kids and their families believe in what's going on here, and that is something we haven't seen."

Lawrence boasts a sophomore core with a big three of Mike Calzetta, Harvey Blanco and Devin Montanez.

Blanco and Montanez were two-way starters on the much-improved football team this fall, and Calzetta, seeing his first football action, saw considerable time at receiver and defensive end.

Neilon looked to keep that momentum rolling, adding offensive coordinator Kevin Fielding to the baseball staff.

"We saw Blanco and Montanez coming up through the junior high ranks, and I was at the Parthum with Calzetta for some time, so we knew we had something coming," said Neilon. "That hasn't always worked here, though. A lot of times, we never see those kids."

Calzetta, now 3-1 on the mound with a 1.75 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 32 innings, has to be considered the top sophomore pitcher in the Merrimack Valley Conference. He also is batting .306.

Montanez, in center, and Blanco, at either short or second, are mainstays of an air-tight defense. Both can fly, and each has picked up the pace at the plate after tough starts.

Once 0 for 13, Blanco has pumped the average to .270, riding a modest four-game hit streak ( 6 for 11). Montanez, who scored eight touchdowns and rushed for 550 yards in the fall, opened the year at 3 for his first 15. But he has gone 11 for 28 since and now stands at .326 with 11 runs scored.

"We gained a lot of experience last year, and we came in looking to do better," said Calzetta. "We think, as a group, we can make our mark. Lawrence hasn't had a lot of winning here lately, but we think we can change it."

For once, Lawrence, which was outscored by 150-60 last year but stands at plus-27 (93-66) in the run department this year, has gotten some breaks.

Calzetta, Montanez and Blanco are by no means the only reasons for the turnaround.

Speedy former Greater Lawrence Tech standout Ruben Sosa (.417, 13 runs, 11 RBIs), who placed fourth at New Englands in the 55 meters in indoor track, is a marquee talent at the top of the lineup. He hit an area-best .575 for the Reggies in 2006.

The emergence of sophomores Jose Sandoval (.361) and Juan "Tito" Lluberas (9 for 21) have helped ease the pain when Sosa and returning MVC All-Star catcher Jose Diaz went out with injuries.

"We have a little depth, and we'll be moving up a couple freshmen (Juan Ventura and Julian Vasquez) to help out on the mound as the games stack up together down the stretch. Guys like Sandoval and Lluberas have been added bonuses," said Neilon. "We've kept the guys together, though, and have been able to keep building."

The first real step for the Lancers is qualifying for the state tournament, something that last happened in 2004.

Lawrence has league games left with Dracut, Tewksbury and Central, plus non-league dates with Whittier and Greater Lawrence Tech and three more in the Lawrence Invitational.

"We feel like we can compete with any team we play when we send Calzetta or Ruddy to the mound," said Neilon. "If we don't win 10, we don't deserve it. But I think we do. Now we have to go out and prove it."

The final tab surged over $115 million for the new Lawrence High. The project took nearly five years.

And suddenly, the 6-6 Lancer baseball team, now 6-6, is playing with a sense of pride. Nothing could be sweeter, right?

The team is still forced to play on the sub-varsity level diamond at the South Lawrence East School. The city says the field isn't ready, but many of the frustrated players say it looks perfectly fine to them.

On the bright side, the only current inhabitants, flocks of crows and geese (depending on the season), give the new Devlin diamond two claws up as they feast on the new turf.

Photos

Lawrence and acrobatic shortstop Harvey Blanco will go to any lengths to make the state tourney. Staff photo