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GLOUCESTER
Head Coach: Joe Orlando (8th season)
Last Year's Record: 12-11 (Lost to North Andover 3-0 in Division 2 North Semi Finals)
Key Returning Players: Kyle Lucido, Sr.; Logan Horne, Sr.; Lenny Zappa, Sr.; Mike Muniz, Jr.; Jason Vizena, Jr.; Santo Parisi, Jr.
Key Newcomers: Ben Favazza, Sr.; Lenny Taormina, Jr.; Devin Hemeon, Jr.; Alex Webb, Jr.; Peter Clark, Jr.; Mark Horgan, Jr.; Sean Gillon, Jr.; Jordan Palazzola, Soph.
Strengths: Defense and power. The Fishermen make the plays they should make and even some they shouldn't. They also have several home run hitters.
Concerns: Gloucester has had trouble playing small ball and manufacturing runs.
Coach's Outlook: "Our first goal is always to qualify for the tournament and our second goal is to win the conference. There's no easy game in the NEC but we will compete and hopefully make a nice tournament run."
Season Opener: Wednesday vs. Winthrop
ROCKPORT
Head Coach: John Parisi (16th season)
Last Year's Record: 9-10 (CAL Division 3 Champs, lost to Matignon 4-2 in Division 4 North First Round)
Key Returning Players: Tucker Meredith, Jr.; Conor Douglass, Jr.; Mike Tupper, Jr.; Nick Scatterday, Jr.; Caleb Tanson, Jr.
Key Newcomers: Adam Balzarini, Jr.; Dylan Cheaney, Jr.; Ethan Ryan, Fresh.
Strengths: Defensively the Vikings have been strong, particularly in the infield.
Concerns: Consistency in all aspects with the exception of infield defense. Parisi says Rockport has looked great at times this preseason and other times not so great.
Coach's Outlook: "We have a lot of guys stepping into new roles all around the field but the good news is we have athletes all across the diamond. It's going to come down to how our pitching holds up."
Season Opener: Today at Saugus
MANCHESTER ESSEX
Head Coach: Bob Garrett (2nd season)
Last Year's Record: 2-16
Key Returning Players: Joe Burgess, Sr.; Adrian Frattini, Sr.; Max Nesbit, Sr.; Matt Corwin, Sr.; Cory Burnham, Jr.; Jake Fitzgerald, Jr.
Key Newcomers: John Browning, Fresh.
Strengths: Experience and work ethic. The Hornets return seven of nine starters from 2011 and they are working hard to improve. The Hornets have also been solid defensively.
Concerns: The Hornets low numbers mean their depth is thin.
Coach's Outlook: "We have an experienced team and we are looking for a big improvement on last year's record. So far the team has worked hard to improve both physically and mentally."
Season Opener: 9-0 win over Cathedral last Wednesday
