17U Ruffnecks Chase Challenging Competition
The 17U season is considered the Ruffnecks “Senior” year. The 17U roster is comprised largely of rising seniors, as defined for the summer of 2022, as players in the HS graduation class of 2023. The “Senior” roster features and experienced pitching staff with 4 hurlers returning from this past summer. The staff is led by Notre Dame commit Hagan Ward, Cornell University commit, Huxley Holcombe, and along with returning pitchers Eli Robbins, Gabe Fitzgerald, and Dagen Darnell.
For most players, the Ruffnecks 17U season culminates with a college destination prior to entering the senior year of high school. Some pursue a post-graduate year at prep schools. This year is no different as the 17U roster is populated by several 2022’s who plan to attend prep school. The “Seniors” roster is traditionally a large one. It is comprised of approximately 13-14 positional players for whom we allocate at-bats. The remainder of the roster features pitchers who focus their summer efforts entirely as pitchers. It is not unusual to have a pitching staff of 11 to 12 arms. All get plenty of work.
The coaching staff works and manages the schedule (particularly the pitching schedule) with a professional approach. There are up to four full-time coaches who work with the 17U roster. Among them is a dedicated, professional, pitching coach in Ace Adams who also serves in the role of Pitching Coordinator for the entire program. He is accompanied by a staff that includes former professional scout, John Brickley. The 17U squad is managed by John Toffey and assisted by Brendan Casey. Other staff roam in and out for instructive purposes. The 17U team, more than any other in the Ruffnecks program, is collegiate in its approach and execution. Stamina and focus are in high demand.
Schedule: Pre-Season & 2022 Scout Day
The 17U schedule begins in mid-June. The program commences “Pre-Season” training the week of June 6th at the NEBC. These sessions are designed to be daily workouts to include batting practice, skill work, and to recalibrate pitching arms for the busy summer. The Pre-Season culminates with a SCOUT DAY on Tuesday, June 14. The Pre-Season workouts create an opportunity for players who have finished their spring seasons to recalibrate and get preparatory work done with instructive supervision. The primary objective is development and preparation. The 17U Ruffnecks plan travel to several highly competitive events outside our region again in 2022. The travel season starts with attendance at the Super17 at Diamond Nation in New Jersey June 20-24. The 17’s also plan to return to Arizona to compete in the Perfect Game 17U World Series. They finish the season at the Tournament of Champions in Cincinnati, Ohio August 2-7.
17U Roster "Seniors"
# |
Last Name |
First Name |
Positions |
School |
Grad Class |
Hometown |
4 |
Barlage |
Brennan |
INF |
Belmont Hill |
2023 |
Wellesley, MA |
1 |
Benestad |
James |
C |
St. John's |
2023 |
Northborough, MA |
31 |
Darnell |
Dagen |
RHP |
Noble & Greenough |
2023 |
Dedham, MA |
7 |
D'Avanzo |
Dante |
IF |
St. Mark's School |
2023 |
Ashland, MA |
8 |
Fitzgerald |
Gabe |
RHP |
Brooks School |
2023 |
New York, NY |
35 |
Fosberg |
William |
C, OF |
Natick HS |
2023 |
Natick, MA |
3 |
Gomez |
Max |
OF |
Phillips Andover |
2023 |
Cohasset, MA |
13 |
Grady |
Trevor |
OF, IF, RHP |
Phillips Andover |
2023 |
Sterling, MA |
22 |
Grundy |
Ryan |
1B, OF |
Dexter-Southfield |
2023 |
Weston, MA |
33 |
Henshon |
James |
IF |
Roxbury Latin |
2024 |
Wellesley, MA |
5 |
Holcombe |
Huxley |
LHP |
Worcester Academy |
2023 |
Brattleboro, VT |
12 |
Keusch |
Ian |
RHP |
Rivers School |
2023 |
Dover, MA |
26 |
Milewski |
John |
RHP, 1B |
Belmont Hill |
2023 |
Framingham, MA |
9 |
Robbins |
Elijah |
RHP |
Wachusett Regional |
2022 |
Holden, MA |
11 |
Sacerdote |
Sam |
RHP, OF, IF |
Hanover HS |
2023 |
Hanover, NH |
15 |
Shea |
Peter |
LHP |
Deerfield Academy |
2023 |
Boston, MA |
16 |
Skourides |
Dimitri |
LHP |
Winchendon School |
2023 |
Arlington, MA |
45 |
Sokhos-Drude |
Jack |
RHP |
Newton North |
2022 |
Newton, MA |
2 |
Spadaccini |
Matthew |
RHP |
Phillips Andover |
2023 |
Lexington, MA |
17 |
Sullivan |
Daniel |
C, OF |
St. Paul's Schooo |
2024 |
Dover, MA |
16 |
Taveras |
Diego |
C, OF |
Cushing Academy |
2023 |
Boston, MA |
6 |
Valdez |
Jeffrey |
IF |
St. Sebastian's |
2023 |
Boston, MA |
23 |
Ward |
Hagan |
RHP |
St. Sebastian's |
2023 |
Wellesley, MA |
19 |
Williams |
Ben |
OF |
Avon Old Farms |
2024 |
Hanover, NH |
|
Coach First |
Coach Last |
Position |
Years |
|
|
|
Kevin |
Casey |
Mgr |
8th Year |
|
|
|
John |
Brickley |
1B Coach/Asst |
10th Year |
|
|
|
Ace |
Adams |
Pitching |
3rd Year |
|
|
Page Updated August 8, 2022 at 4:56 am
End of Season: Congratulations “Seniors”
17U Ruffnecks Schedule 2022
June |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Event |
Site |
Score |
Directions |
Pitchers |
Monday |
June 6 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
June 7 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
June 8 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Thursday |
June 9 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Friday |
June 10 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Saturday |
June 11 |
Canceled |
US9 Prospects |
Canceled |
Canceled 6/2 |
|
|
|
Sunday |
June 12 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Monday |
June 13 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
June 14 |
8:30am to 1:00pm |
SCOUT DAY |
Drills & Evaluations Red vs. Blue Game |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
June 15 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Thursday |
June 16 |
8:30am to 11:30am |
Pre-Season Practice |
BP, Skill Work, Pitchers |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Friday |
June 17 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Saturday |
June 18 |
1:00pm |
17U vs. 16U Ruffnecks |
Scrimmage |
Roxbury Latin |
|
|
|
Sunday |
June 19 |
Canceled |
Team Cape Cod |
Canceled |
Canceled 6/2 |
|
|
|
Monday |
June 20 |
6:30pm |
Time to Sign Scout Team |
Pool Play |
Super17 Flemington, NJ DN Field 3 |
W 12-5 |
Super17 at Diamond Nation |
Ward, Holcombe, Sokhos-Drude |
Tuesday |
June 21 |
8:30pm |
Rawlings Prospects (MD) |
Pool Play |
Super17 Flemington, NJ DN Field 1 |
W 7-2 |
|
Darnell, Spadaccini |
Wednesday |
June 22 |
2:15pm |
Philadelphia Reds |
Pool Play |
Super17 Flemington, NJ DN Field 7 |
W 9-1 |
|
Sacerdote, Fitzgerald, Skourides |
Thursday |
June 23 |
8:00am |
ASBA Futures |
Pool Play |
Super17 Flemington, NJ DN Field 5 |
W 10-3 |
|
Robbins, Kuesch, Milewski |
Friday |
June 24 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Saturday |
June 25 |
8:00am |
New York Blue Sox |
17U PG WWBA NE Championships Pool Play |
NEBC Field 2 |
T 2-2 |
17U PG WWBA Link |
Darnell |
Sunday |
June 26 |
9:00am |
Next Level Beast |
17U PG WWBA NE Championships Pool Play |
Dean College |
L 0-6 |
|
Sacerdote |
Monday |
June 27 |
6:50pm (Postponed) |
Show NE 16U Showcase |
17U PG WWBA NE Championships Pool Play |
NEBC Field 2 |
Rained Out |
|
|
Tuesday |
June 28 |
12:00pm |
Show NE 16U Showcase |
17U PG WWBA NE Championships Pool Play |
Taunton HS |
W 2-1 |
|
Spadaccini |
Tuesday |
June 28 |
2:00pm |
CT Grind |
17U PG WWBA NE Championships Pool Play |
Taunton HS |
T 6-6 |
|
Milewski, Fitzgerald |
Wednesday |
June 29 |
10:00am |
Practice Added 6/27 |
Team Practice |
Roxbury Latin |
|
|
|
Thursday |
June 30 |
11:15 |
East Coast Eagles 18u White |
18/19U Firecracker Pool Play |
Brown University |
W 12-1 |
18u/19u July 4th Tourney Link |
Darnell |
Thursday |
June 30 |
1:30 |
Powerhouse Bulldogs 18u Black |
18/19U Firecracker Pool Play |
Brown University |
W 9-1 |
|
TBA |
July |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Event |
Site |
Score |
Directions |
Pitchers |
Friday |
July 1 |
9:00 |
Swanson Baseball |
18/19U Firecracker Pool Play |
Brown University |
W 2-0 |
|
Ward |
Saturday |
July 2 |
9:00 |
Brooklyn Bonnies 19u |
18/19U Firecracker Pool Play |
Brown University |
W 9-2 |
|
Holcombe |
Sunday |
July 3 |
11:15 |
CT Capitals |
18/19U Firecracker Quarterfinals |
University of Rhode Island |
W 8-0 |
|
Fitzgerald |
Sunday |
July 3 |
1:30 |
Gap 2 Gap 18u |
18/19U Firecracker Semifinals |
University of Rhode Island |
W 2-1 |
|
|
Monday |
July 4 |
1:30 |
Team Cape Cod |
18/19U Firecracker Championship |
Rhode Island College |
W 5-0 |
|
Spadaccini |
Tuesday |
July 5 |
Canceled |
North East Baseball |
PBR League Game |
Frasier Field - Lynn, MA |
Canceled |
|
|
Wednesday |
July 6 |
10:00am |
On Field Practice |
Practice |
Roxbury Latin |
|
|
|
Thursday |
July 7 |
5:00pm |
Time to Sign |
Boston Open Pool Play |
NEBC Field 2 |
W 9-0 |
Boston Open Link |
Ward, Holcombe, Shea |
Friday |
July 8 |
8:00am |
Northeast Supreme |
Boston Open Pool Play |
NEBC Field 2 |
T 2-2 |
|
Fitzgerald |
Friday |
July 8 |
12:30pm |
Baseball U Anthracite 17u |
Boston Open Pool Play |
Marlborough HS |
W 1-0 |
|
Sacerdote |
Saturday |
July 9 |
3:45pm |
Wldayka National 18U |
Boston Open Pool Play |
Clark University |
W 1-0 |
|
Milewski |
Sunday |
July 10 |
8:00am |
TKR Reds/Marlins Scout |
Boston Open Pool Play |
St. John's HS |
L 4-6 |
|
Spadaccini |
Monday |
July 11 |
TBA |
TBD |
Boston Open Playoffs |
NEBC |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
July 12 |
10:20am |
Seacoast Pirates |
17U PG New England WS Pool Play |
Greater Lawrence Tech |
W 5-1 |
17U PG New England WS Link |
|
Wednesday |
July 13 |
12:40 |
Allstars Academy Select 17U |
17U PG New England WS Pool Play |
17U PG New England WS NEBC Field 1 |
W 7-1 |
|
|
Thursday |
July 14 |
10:20 |
MWS Devils Showcase 17U |
17U PG New England WS Playoffs |
17U PG New England WS NEBC Field 1 |
W 9-1 |
|
|
Friday |
July 15 |
10:20 |
Seacoast Pirates |
17U PG New England WS Playoffs |
17U PG New England WS NEBC Field 1 |
L 0-1 |
|
|
Saturday |
July 16 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Sunday |
July 17 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Monday |
July 18 |
10:00am |
Practice |
Team Hitting |
Facility |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
July 19 |
12:00 |
US9 Prospects |
PBR League Game |
Frasier Field - Lynn, MA |
W 8-0 |
Fraser Field Directions |
|
Wednesday |
July 20 |
10:00am |
On Field Practice |
Practice |
Roxbury Latin |
|
|
|
Thursday |
July 21 |
TBD |
Hitting |
Team Hitting |
Facility Needham |
|
|
|
Friday |
July 22 |
9:00am |
Rip City 17U |
PBR Summer Invitational |
Fraser Field, Lynn |
W 7-1 |
|
Sacerdote, Milewski |
Friday |
July 22 |
11:30am |
Queens Vipers |
PBR Summer Invitational |
Fraser Field, Lynn |
W 8-0 |
|
Holcombe, Spadaccini |
Saturday |
July 23 |
9:00am |
LB Expos 2023 |
PBR Summer Invitational |
Endicott College |
W 5-3 |
|
Fitzgerald, Darnell |
Sunday |
July 24 |
9:00am |
Bandits |
PBR Summer Invitational Playoffs |
Endicott College |
W 6-0 |
|
|
Sunday |
July 24 |
2:00pm |
Show NE |
PBR Summer Invitational Championship |
Endicott College |
W 4-3 |
|
|
Monday |
July 25 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
July 26 |
Travel Day 6:44am Flight |
to Arizona |
17U PG World Series |
Surprise, AZ |
|
17U PG World Series Link |
|
Tuesday |
July 26 |
4:00pm |
Team Hitting |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 4 |
|
|
|
Wednesday |
July 27 |
11:30 (Revised Start) |
San Diego Show |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 5 |
L 1-9 |
|
|
Thursday |
July 28 |
7:30am |
CBA Marucci |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 4 |
Rained Out |
|
|
Thursday |
July 28 |
12:30pm |
Lonestar National 2023 - Pena |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 4 |
Rained Out |
|
|
Friday |
July 29 |
12:30pm |
5 Star Performance 2023 |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 5 |
W 13-0 |
|
|
Friday |
July 29 |
Canceled |
CBA Marucci |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Royals Field 4 |
Canceled |
|
|
Saturday |
July 30 |
7:00am |
Lonestar National 2023 - Pena |
17U PG World Series Pool Play |
Surprize, AZ Rangers Field 5 |
T 5-5 |
|
|
Sunday |
July 31 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
August |
Date |
Time |
Opponent |
Event |
Site |
Score |
Directions |
Pitchers |
Monday |
August 1 |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
OFF |
|
|
|
Tuesday |
August 2 |
CANCELED |
LB Expos |
PBR League Game |
Frasier Field - Lynn, MA |
CANCELED |
|
|
Wednesday |
August 3 |
Travel Day 6:45am Flight |
to Ohio |
Tournament of Champions |
Cincinnati, OH |
|
TOC 18U Scoreboard |
|
Wednesday |
August 3 |
4:45pm |
Northeast Pride National |
Pool Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 3-1 |
Bellvue Vet |
|
Thursday |
August 4 |
8:00am |
Slammers |
Pool Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 7-6 |
Batavia HS |
|
Thursday |
August 4 |
12:15pm |
Diamond Boys Showcase |
Pool Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 7-1 |
Y'All Stadium |
|
Friday |
August 5 |
2:30pm |
Midwest Halos Red |
Pool Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 5-1 |
Miami University |
|
Saturday |
August 6 |
12:15pm |
Windy City Black |
Bracket Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 4-3 |
Y'All Stadium |
|
Saturday |
August 6 |
4:45pm |
Midwest Futures (Ohio) |
Bracket Play |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
W 1-0 |
Xavier University |
|
Sunday |
August 7 |
10:00am |
DBacks Elite National Showcase |
Final Four Diamond Championship Bracket |
Tournament of Champions Cincinnati, OH |
L 1-2 |
Y'All Stadium |
|
Monday |
August 8 |
OFF |
OFF |
Official End of Season |
OFF |
|
|
|