Boston Latin’s Back In Vogue

Boston Latin’s back in vogue


Wolpack is showing its teeth this season

By Dan Ventura / Around the Horn
Sunday, May 2, 2010
http://www.bostonherald.com
Other High School

There has been plenty to cheer about at Boston Latin this spring.

The nation’s oldest school is celebrating its 375th anniversary, Boston Latin received a $500,000 gift from alumni Sumner Redstone (Class of 1940) and the athletic programs are soaring.


Yes, we can even include the baseball team in that conversation. The same squad that went 5-13 a year ago has already surpassed that win total, opening the 2010 season with a 7-0 mark. Two of those six wins have come against Acton-Boxboro and Wayland, two of the more solid programs in the Dual County League.
“Our kids have the attitude that they are not going to quit in any game,” Wolfpack coach Rene Gauthier III said. “I don’t know if it is because they are city kids or what, but they just battle every day.

The returning players had no choice but to be battled-tested considering what happened last year. After starting 5-3, the Wolfpack lost 10 straight, then had their final two games cancelled because of a swine flu epidemic at the school.

This spring’s turnaround began from Day 1 as junior Brian Mylett tossed a no-hitter against Latin Academy, the Wolpack winning, 14-1. A pair of wins over Cambridge helped set the stage for one of those watershed moments against Wayland. Down to their last three outs against Wayland ace Ian Bonner, the Wolfpack rallied with three runs to win, 6-4.

“To be able to come back and beat a good team with a very good pitcher on the mound was big for us,” Gauthier said. “These kids just love competing.”

The pitching has been steady from the start. In addition to Mylett, the Wolfpack have received quality pitching contributions from the likes of Kevin McDonough, Brad Petitpas and Sam Adams, all of whom have helped limit the opposition from having the big innings. Hockey standout Justin Evangelista has been a stalwart once again behind the plate.

As for the hitting, McDonough opened the season on a 12-for-22 tear with 12 RBI, while Petitpas is hitting .375. The duo also serve as the starting middle infielders, McDonough at second and Petitpas at short. Senior outfielder Trevor Sybertz, the son of West Roxbury football coaching legend Leo Sybertz, is also hitting well over .300.

“There is an excitement at the school,” Gauthier said. “People are talking about the baseball team and that’s nice to hear.”