PEABODY — The Peabody baseball team is on a mission this year after failing to qualify for the Division 1 state tournament in 2023. 

The Tanners finished the regular season 10-10 only to be ranked No. 44 in the power rankings, leaving the Tanners two spots short of qualifying as a top-42 team.

But with a group of talented and experienced players returning to the squad – including 2023 Northeastern Conference All-Stars Cam Conolly, Jariel Tolentino and Noah Crocker – bet on the Tanners to be dancing again this June.

Bettencourt said the strength of the team is its experience.

“We are returning a very good core, so experience will not be an issue this year,” Bettencourt said. “Missing the tournament last year was just the second time in my 19 years here. We ran into some tough games last year. Our Achilles heel was that we struggled offensively with a team batting average in the low .200s, so we need to get better overall to have success.”

Peabody has several key players returning with varsity experience, starting with senior captain Cam Connolly, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder now in his third season on varsity. 

He saw limited action as a sophomore, but started every game last year as a junior. The team’s ace had 56 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings pitched with a 3.80 ERA and four wins. He was also one of three Tanners named to the Northeastern Conference All-Star team alongside junior shortstop Jariel Tolentino and junior first baseman Noah Crocker.

Tolentino is a second-year starter, as is Crocker, who Bettencourt said hit over .300 in 2023 and is the team’s “biggest hitter.”

Seniors Connolly, Mike Petro and Josh Sigmon are this year’s captains.

Petro will see action at second base and on the mound, while Sigmon is expected to move from right field to catcher. Senior third baseman Reymi Andino, junior center fielder, and right fielder Joey Smith also return, while junior outfielder Mike Murphy, Zack Hartnett and senior outfielder Liam Hurley made the jump up from the JV squad.

Other players competing for playing time include sophomore middle infielder Luke Maglione, junior first baseman/pitcher Dylan Annese, senior third baseman Mike DeLoretto, senior pitcher Remy Guerero, senior Steve Porcello, and senior reserve outfielder Edgar Espinosa.

Bettencourt said the “biggest surprise of the preseason” has been freshman third baseman/pitcher Dylan Cunningham, the younger brother of Jake.

The Tanners’ major focus this year will be on putting more balls in play. Based on last weekend’s scrimmages on Cape Cod, Bettencourt feels the Tanners are already doing just that.

“We have good team speed, but you can’t steal bases if you don’t get on base, so the focus for us is increasing our OBP,” Bettencourt said. “We had way too many strikeouts last year and we need to cut down on that. Even on the Cape, the other coaches noticed a huge improvement in terms of how we had fewer strikeouts, and we had several kids with multiple hits when last year we only had one. I’m really happy because those scrimmages were a total reversal compared to last year.”

The Tanners open the season April 2 at home against Winthrop and close the regular season at home on the Memorial Day weekend, hosting the second annual James Geanoulis/Gary Linehan Tournament, previously the James Geanoulis Tournament.

Wakefield, Andover and Danvers will participate with the Tanners facing off against Wakefield on Saturday, May 25. The consolation and championship games are scheduled for Sunday, May 26 (TBD).

As far as the Northeastern Conference goes, Bettencourt said Masconomet and Beverly  will, once again, be “tough.” In terms of the Lynch Division, Bettencourt said that Salem has several strong returners, so the Witches look to be the team to beat.

“Plus, Salem plays at Gallows Hill, which is a huge advantage for them with the unique configuration and conditions,” he said.

Peabody has a challenging non-league schedule with games against Lowell and Melrose as well as former Greater Boston League rivals Somerville and Revere. The Tanners also play former Northeastern Conference rival Lynn English, something Bettencourt is really looking forward to.

“I’ve missed playing at Fraser Field, so I love that we’re back,” he said. “When you think about all the great players who have played there, you know it’s a special place and I feel that not playing there was bad for our kids who never had that moment of knowing they, too, were playing in such a great place. That was one of my goals to get back there, so I am really happy to have Lynn English on our schedule.”

Robert Young, father Manny Bettencourt, Joey Grunktkosky, and Pat Conrad will serve as assistants. Peter Sucharewicz will coach the junior varsity team and Eddie Campbell will coach the freshmen.

Bettencourt is also pleased to have a new face on the coaching staff in 87-year-old Jack Andre, who will help out with pitching.

“We go way back. He coached me in legion ball,” Bettencourt said. “He just called and said he wanted to help, so I am thrilled to have him on the staff.”