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Red Devils' Baseball steps it up to win championship

By Chris Pazos: For the first time in 17 years, the CHS baseball team won its division. The CAC league championship banner is on its way, noting a stellar 8-0 performance in divisional play.

Led by the three captains, Johnathan Luna, Rony Bastian, and Joe Resnek - whose bats, pitching and confidence wore off on the other twelve players - the Red Devils completed a remarkable season. The team defeated rival Lynn Tech twice in back to back days gaining the lead over what seemed to be their only league competition. Winning the division, and finishing the season with a 12-8 record (4-8 in upper division and non-league play) the red-hot Diablo's went to the state tournament for the second year in a row.

However, all of the momentum building over the past two years and the team's aspiration for a state title were cut short by Stoneham High. In the first round of the Division Three MIAA tournament, Chelsea hosted a rock solid offense in the one through nine hitters of Stoneham. Despite the fact that Chelsea was swinging the bats, the team just couldn't get it going offensively. They found themselves down early, but they didn't quit. Teachers from the parking lot under the bridge to the cafeteria heard a distant commotion and came out to listen to the chants sung in rhythm from the Devils' bench. A lesson well taught by the coach and received by his players was to give your all, have fun and play hard. Discipline ran deep in coach Manderson's organization and was executed well by his entire team.

"?It came to an end too fast with a disappointing loss to Stoneham." began coach Manderson in his post-game speech to the team. Directing his comments towards the soon to be senior graduates, he continued, "?It started four years ago, and I have seen you grow. What we have shared, and how we have come together astounds me. Seniors, it was a tremendous four years, and I thank you for playing under me." That is pretty much how coach left it on the field, but when we entered the locker room, smiles and memories were recalled, events we were all a part of. The departure of nine seniors, seven of them starters was no doubt an athletic blow to the team, but also a very emotional one. Memories were shared, bonds were made, and a family of brothers was formed.

Their hard work and leadership helped to bring the Chelsea baseball program out from under the rug and back into the light. People are now speaking of the organization, and no longer leaving Chelsea out of the picture. With the departure of Tyngsboro from the Upper Division Three League, it's opened the door to us, and Chelsea High will be replacing them in the upper division. "?It's what I want for this school and these kids," Coach said, "?We're finally taking a step up."

Chelsea will indeed move to the upper division for the '08 baseball season and work hard to compete. The class of '07 has done so much not only for athletics, but for this school as well. So with the departure of the class of 2007, we salute them, and look forward to the year of 2008.

Article posted to chs.chelseaschools.com: .

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