Vikings a work in progress

“Rain, rain, go away,” certainly has been the mantra for the Winthrop High baseball team and scores of other schoolboy athletes across the region as they try to prepare for the start of the 2010 spring sports season.

“This weather has been insane,” said WHS head coach Jim Gillis, who has assumed the coaching reins along with John Cadigan for this year while veteran Viking mentor Frank DeMarco recovers from his recent open heart surgery.

Although Gillis has yet to get a complete picture of his charges as he tries to piece together a lineup, there are a few certainties in the 2010 Viking puzzle that have been taking shape.

“Pitching should be one of our strengths,”said Gillis, who noted that he felt his hurlers performed well in the two scrimmages they have managed to get in against Newburyport and Malden Catholic.

Gillis will have two experienced moundsmen in seniors Will Milano and Robert Swanson, with Anthony Hatzisavas, Joe D’Amore, Justin Rowe, and Dan Feeley also expected to contribute a lot of innings.

Tyler Pettee is back to handle the all important catching chores behind the plate. Other returnees from last year include Captains Nick McCarthy and Joe Boudrow, Christian Howard, Brendan Ronan, Anthony Spinazzola, and the Paulsons, Mike and Mitchell. Senior Harry Benson, who did not play last year, also will figure in Gillis’s plans.

“We’re still very much a work in progress,” said Gillis, who noted that a number of players will see action between the JV and the varsity. “Hopefully we’ll be able to get in a fair number of scrimmages before we open the season so we can sort things out.”

Gillis and his crew will open the 2010 campaign at home against Lynnfield in a non league contest on Saturday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m. The Vikings then will travel to Lynnfield on the following Tuesday.

WHS varsity sports schedule

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

4:00: Boys track at Salem

4:00: Girls track at Salem

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

3:30: Girls tennis at St. Mary’s

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

2:00: Baseball vs. Lynnfield

MONDAY, APRIL 12

4:00: Softball at Somerville

TUESDAY, APRIL 13

4:00: Baseball at Lynnfield

4:00: Boys tennis at Peabody

4:00: Girls tennis vs. Peabody

THURSDAY, APRIL 15

4:00: Baseball at Marblehead

4:00: Softball vs. Marblehead

4:00: Boys tennis at Marblehead

4:00: Girls tennis vs. Marblehead

4:00: Boys track at Gloucester

4:00: Girls track at Gloucester