Malden High Baseball’s most successful season in 30 years continues

Win over Revere in final regular-season game pushes record to 16-4, most wins since 1994

By Shuyi Chen

Malden High Blue and Gold

Expectations have been shattered by the Malden High baseball team this spring. With a now 16-4 record, they were looking to make a state tournament push after breaking their 11-year tournament drought last season. Two seasons ago, the team managed only four wins. However, a strong core of players who have stuck together and persevered has allowed them to elevate each year, winning 11 games in 2023 and now 16 with a 3-0 win over Revere last Friday.

The team opened the year with a big win over Salem Academy Charter, who is managed by former Malden assistant Mike Barbati. Somerville handed the Golden Tornados their first loss. After a rebound victory against Chelsea, Malden managed an 8-6 victory over Lynn Classical at Fraser Field, the team’s first win against any Lynn opponent since the pandemic. They then dropped a game to Revere before finishing out the week with a Chris Serino Tournament Championship, handling both Greater Lawrence Tech and East Boston with ease. The next week, the Golden Tornados struggled with two close losses to Lynn English and Medford. Still, they took a big victory over Everett during the stretch. Sitting at 6-4, not many would have guessed what followed.

Over the next few weeks, Malden took down all of their GBL opponents, winning 10 straight games, including league champions Somerville, Lynn Classical, Everett, Medford, Lynn English and Chelsea. This impressive 10-game win streak solidified a second-place GBL finish for the team, which they have not done since the late 2000s.

Led by Head Coach Steve Freker, assistant coaches Mike DiCato, Phil Cook and Mike Nicholson and senior captains Ryan Coggswell, Ezechiel Noelsaint and Jake Simpson, there have been vast strides in all areas of the game. The team has received great pitching from Jake Simpson, freshman Ryan Bowdridge and sophomore Ryan McMahon. Junior Chris MacDonald and sophomore Billy Gavin have picked it up with the bats this year. Junior Bo Stead has been excellent behind the plate, preventing scoring chances all over the field. Brayan Jose has improved steadily all year in the outfield and at the plate. Sophomores Matt Candelario Da Costa (12 stolen bases), Joe Hatch, Eudy Francisco and freshman Tommy Cronin (7 hits, 5 RBIs) have all made key contributions.

Also successful in the classroom

Coach Freker notes that the team had one of the highest average GPAs in the state. Coggswell and Noelsaint were named to the National High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Academic Team, an incredible accomplishment that honors their determination within the sport.

“We have gotten great leadership from our captains – Ryan, Jake and Zeke – and important contributions from everyone on our roster,” said Coach Freker, who was also coach of the 1994 team decades ago. “We are very grateful for all the support we have gotten from the families of our players, our own student fans, the most we have ever gotten, and Mr. Conefrey and Ms. Marquardo from Athletics and our school administration. It’s been quite a year and we want to keep it going in the state tournament, too.”

For the first time in a long time, Malden has a chance to do some damage in the MIAA Tournament, which opened yesterday with a road trip to Needham. Malden baseball is most certainly back on the map.