2005-2006 Varsity Baseball

Coach: Dan Zurolo

The Varsity Baseball Team completed one of the most successful seasons in nearly 20 years, earning a second place finish in the Founders League and third place in the Colonial League. The 2006 campaign began in Bradenton, Florida where the team trained and competed against talented opposing teams from Missouri, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.

Kent lost its home-opener to Gunnery, but seemed to find a set lineup and team chemistry. Early wins against Brunswick and Canterbury were important in building confidence, but the early season highlight came when Trevor Conner of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, pitched a no-hitter against league rival Hotchkiss, the first for a Kent pitcher since 1942. Conner pitched 7 strong innings and added two of his own hits in a pivotal league game. The team then traveled to Choate where they had lost a tough extra inning game in 2005, but this time they prevailed beating the Wild Boars 6-5 (again) in extra innings. The team record improved to 5 wins and 1 loss; however, difficult games against Taft and Loomis set the team back. Fortunately, the players responded winning the next five games against Kingswood Oxford, Avon, Hotchkiss, Choate, and Trinity Pawling.

A group of talented seniors led the way for Kent this year including Will Harford of Chicago, Illinois who batted an impressive .477 for the season, 3rd baseman James Lavinskas of Montreal, Canada hit .367, 1st baseman Taylor Donner of Vero Beach, Florida hit .305, and outfielder Grant Kunkel of New Canaan, CT hit .345. With three games to play, the team improved their record to 10 wins and 3 losses and played Loomis in crucial battle for first place. Loomis won a well-played game that determined the eventual Founders League and Colonial League Champions. Yet again, Kent responded by beating Taft 15 to 3 in a game that featured sophomore pitcher Harry Glynn of Hamden, CT who finished the season with 7 wins and 2 losses. In addition, outfielder Alex Shipper of New York, NY had another solid game for Kent along with Joe Alaniz of Missouri City, Texas, Mike Padula of Southbury, CT, and Justin Gotlieb of New York, NY. The Lions went on to beat a tough Westminster team 4 to 1, but lost the season finale 5 to 1 versus Avon.

Overall, the team finished with a 12 and 5 record that was due in part to a solid group of seniors who understood that team chemistry and unselfishness were key ingredients to success. Consistent pitching from Conner, Glynne, and Andrew Wolinski held teams to 5 runs or less 11 times this season. Harford received the MVP Bates Trophy, The Leading Batter Award, and made first team All Founders League for Kent. Kunkel received the Otten Cup for most RBI’s; Donner received the Nadal Mug for Most Improved; and Glynn and Conner shared the Sanford Plate Pitching Award. Conner also received All Founders League while Glynn received Honorable Mention.