The Derby Raiders, a Young Team Aiming for a Championship

Melissa Nunez and Vivian Englund

DERBY, Conn. — Jake Finnucan, senior team captain, said he wants to secure a championship before ending his final season with the Derby Raiders and, although they are a young team, he believes they have the knack to get them there.

“I want to go out on a good note, I want to make the playoffs, obviously win a championship,” said Finnucan. “We are a young team, so we have a lot of work to do, but I think we could all do it. We are pretty talented.”

The Raiders are a junior heavy team, with a total of 24 members, only three are seniors and about five are freshman.

Derby was 9–11 in 2015 and advanced to the CIAC, Class S State Tournament against Coventry, but lost 3–2.

Finnucan said this season he wants the team to improve on their hitting and to focus on their strong fielding skills. He said he also anticipates assuming more of a leadership role on the field, steering the team in the right direction.

“I’ve learned to be more of a leader on the field,” said Finnucan. “So I’ll take charge, I’ll get these guys going, get them doing what they got to do and take control out there so we don’t lose baseball games.”

Derby’s coach, Steven Bainer is in his first season with the team, and said he wants them to compete in every game.

“We want to be competitive, that’s our goal,” said Bainer. “If we are competitive in every game, we’re going to win our share of baseball games. So if we are competitive we will make it.”

The Raiders have already faced three other teams in scrimmages and lost 2–0 against Coginchaug, 4–0 against Stanford, and Jonathan Law.

The Raider’s first game scheduled for April 2 against Wolcott was cancelled due to inclimate weather and has yet to be rescheduled. Bainer said Wolcott will present the Raiders with a “good test,” as they are competitive and Oxford is a team he is anticipating as well.

“A very good team, [Wolcott] though,” said Bainer, “the defending League champions. So we are expecting them to show up and really just kind of give us a good test and to see where we’re at.”

Mike Koval, junior starting catcher, said hitting and catching are aspects he needs to capitalize on this season, but two-strikes with him would prove to be a challenge for their opponents.

Koval added two other assets to keep an eye out for this season are Pat Natale, a sophomore transfer student from Hamden Hall, and Thomas Abel, versatile as a hitter, infielder, and shortstop.

Bainer added Ricky Barton, senior co-captain and outfielder, Zach Cerrito, Tommy Abel are players who will promote success for the Raiders this season.

Bainer said if the young Raiders could play consistently and efficiently, fans could look forward to a successful season.

“I think we’re going to pitch it well, I think we’ll play defense, and I think we’ll hit the ball,” said Bainer. “We’re young so if we could put everything together then we will be a really good team. It’s just going to be a matter of playing consistently, making place, and doing what we’re supposed to do on the field every day.”

Derby’s next game is scheduled April 4 against the Wilby, last year the Raiders trumped the Wildcats 4–3.