Although it still feels like winter, spring sports are knocking on the door and, this season, there are lots of student-athletes to keep an eye on. 

Let’s start with softball, shall we?

The first names that come to mind are two of the top pitchers in the state: Abby Bettencourt of Peabody, and Gigi Aupont of Bishop Fenwick. 

Bettencourt, who also goes by three-time Northeastern Conference Most Valuable Player, recorded 266 strikeouts with a 0.88 ERA across 120 innings last spring. 

But it’s not just her pitching, as the Brown commit batted .550 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI her junior campaign. 

For Aupont, she helped lead the Crusaders to the Division 3 Final 4, finishing the spring with 227 strikeouts across 144 innings – with only 35 walks. 

Leanyah Pineiro is a player to watch for the Lynn English Bulldogs. The now-junior helped English snap a 20-plus year postseason drought. Pineiro’s batting average was .474 with a slugging percentage of .684. Also, her speed helped her score 28 runs.

For baseball, look no further than KIPP’s Morenel Castro. Despite an average record for the Panthers, the multi-sport star (football) was a force in the batter’s box. He hit .625 with 22 runs and 30 RBI. Once Castro got on base, it was almost a guarantee he’d swipe a few bases, too, finishing the year with 13 stolen bases.  

Staying in the City of Lynn, Will McCafferty of Tech is primed for a big senior send-off. Last season, McCafferty hit .393 with 26 RBI, 12 runs, and six stolen bases. And when it comes to crunch time, the Tiger wanted to be the one in the box – just look at his game-winning hit against rival KIPP last season. 

For the fresh-faced St. Mary’s lacrosse team – helmed by first-year head coach Darwin Fernandez – Joey Calder should be a big-time threat. 

Better yet, he’s a captain now. Last spring, Calder scored 22 goals on just 67 shots with three assists.

One of the better defenders in the area, Johnny Lucas of Peabody will be a lynchpin in Peabody’s defense. Lucas scored 33 goals, dished out seven assists, and scooped up 110 ground balls.  He was also a key reason for Peabody’s Danish Cup victory over traditional rival Fenwick last season. 

Taylor Valiton of Lynnfield’s girls program had a sophomore season to remember. Seventy goals (more than 100, already, on varsity) is a number most would be happy with for a career. 

Another player who shined as a sophomore was Brooke Lomasney of Peabody. One of the more dynamic players on the North Shore, she ripped 84 goals and provided 35 assists to lead the Tanners to a 13-6 record. 

Let’s bounce to the tennis courts. 

Perhaps the NEC’s best, Mika Garber of Marblehead, went 15-3 last spring and was undefeated in conference play. The Magicians’ top option never even needed a third set in his victories.

Shea McCarthy of Lynnfield was another player who went undefeated in conference play. He finished his junior season with a 19-2 record. The Pioneers’ co-captain has accumulated an outstanding overall record of 34-5 for a career, and will look to improve upon those numbers across the next few months.

Valentina Goga was a bright spot for Peabody, to say the least. In her debut season at the varsity level, she led the Tanners in wins, giving the Peabody faithful a glimpse of what’s to come throughout her career.

On the track, Alex Hersey of Marblehead looks to continue his winter success. A year ago, he placed fourth at the MSTCA North Decathlon and recorded great scores in the 110mh (15.46), 400m (53.61), long jump (21-0), and triple jump (41-1).

On the girls’ side, St. Mary’s Kelsey Kwiatek is ready for her freshman season (she has a resume most would love, already).

As an 8th-grader, the Lady Spartan recorded personal bests in the 400m hurdles (1:14.85) and mile (5:40.8). She also qualified for states in the 400m hurdles, mile, and 4×400 (anchor). 

Last, but not least (she never is), Marrietta O’Connell will be a key runner for Marblehead coach Nolan Raimo. Last spring, she placed ninth at New Balance Nationals in the freshman 2-mile and second in Division 3. 

These are just a few – not all – names people should be on the lookout for. Let’s see how I do.