A number of Abington baseball players are making another deep playoff run, this time as members of the Rockland American Legion Post 147 team. The squad, which is coached by Jay Constantino, won the District 8 title Wednesday night and will now compete in the state Legion ball tournament in Milford this weekend.
There are 7 players from Abington on the team: Aiden O’Donnell, Spencer Merrick, Henry Rogers, Sean O’Donoghue, Jacob Centrella, AJ Nash, and Eddie Reilly. The Abington High School baseball team made it to the state semifinals this past spring.
The team also features players from Rockland, Hingham, and Norwell. Constantine, who is from Abington, said getting a team of high school rivals to quickly gel can be a challenge, but he knew this collection would mesh well together.
“I have never coached a team with better chemistry in my five years as a head coach,” he said. “These guys are brothers for life and love one another. Everyone is pulling in the same direction. As a coach, it is amazing to see. I wouldn’t trade this group for anything.”
The team started 0-3 but finished strong, winning their last 13 of 15 games and earning the #4 seed in the regional tournament. They defeated Hanover 7-3 Wednesday to win the title and will go up against some of the best scholastic baseball players in the state.
“We can beat anyone,” said Constantine. “Just a bunch of small-town kids with an edge and a dirt dog mentality.”
SIGNUPS FOR GREEN WAVE SOFTBALL CAMP UNDERWAY
Youth softball players in grades 1- 8 can now sign up for the Green Wave Softball Camp, which is taking place Aug. 8 – Aug. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Beaver Brook Elementary softball fields. It will be led by current Green Wave Head Coach Jenna Olem and former Abington stand-out and current BU Terrier Lauren Keleher, with help from current Abington HS softball players. The camp will focus on throwing, fielding, hitting, base-running, in-game strategies, and more. Cost is $100.
STILL TIME FOR SOCCER CAMP SIGNUPS TOO
Abington Youth Soccer is also hosting a summer camp program. Their camp, which is for grades K-8, will take place Aug. 15 – 19, from 8 a.m. to 11a.m., on the high school turf fields. In addition to individual skills, players will work on game development and progression in various game-like scenarios. Green Wave Head Coach Brian Claus will lead sessions for boys in grades 5-8. Trained coaches from the Boston Bolts club soccer program will lead other sessions. The cost is $75/player with a family max of $150
STATE BUDGET HAS GOODIES FOR ABINGTON
The state Legislature this week passed a $52.7 million budget for the fiscal year that started on July 1 that contains some specific outlays for Abington. It includes $25,000 so the senior center can buy a full-size generator that will allow the facility to be used as an emergency shelter during storm emergencies or as a cooling, warming, and charging station. Plus there’s $75,000 earmarked for “traffic and sidewalk improvements,” and $28,500 to support Abington Elderly Services. Growing tax revenues meant the Legislature could also boost state aid to cities and towns. Abington is now slated to receive $2,278,753 in what’s called Unrestricted General Government Aid, which can be used to support any town service or program. Town Manager Scott Lambiase said that number is about $50,000 more than what the town expected when it passed its own budget this spring.
You must be logged in to post a comment.