The Spartans take their first title since 2011
by John Bishop
Groton, Mass. — Yes, the score was 10-0. Yes, the game was a no-hit shutout for junior pitcher Justin Morris '23. However, the late-game explosion — started by senior captain James Agabedis' home run — doesn't entirely cover the tooth-and-nail, hardscrabble effort of Lawrence Academy Spartans varsity baseball (12-3 ISL, 17-4-1 overall; top 8 in NE Prep School Poll) versus Tabor on May 27 and throughout the entire 2022 season.
"The camaraderie and the coming together of that leadership was just something I hadn't seen, even in 2011, when we went undefeated," said long-time baseball Head Coach Chris Margraf. "You know, there was just something different about this group."
That "something different," particularly for the seniors, included two COVID-19 interrupted seasons, among other setbacks.
"Like I told our kids, we have nine seniors, all going off the terrific schools," said Mr. Margraf. "That's what's most gratifying.
"These kids are good students who work hard, on the field and in the classroom," added the coach. "Along the way, we formed a really, really cohesive unit.
"When you factor in broken backs, when you factor in sprained ankles, UCL tears, rotator cuff issues, and then COVID on top of all of it, these are extraordinary times," he said.
As it is for most championship teams, the rising action of the title-win happened previous to the deciding game. For example, following up the Spartans 13-10 loss to Nobles (May 21) with a big 10-1 win over Bucking Browne & Nichols School was beyond crucial.
"We could have folded in that Nobles game," explained Margraf of the loss to Nobles. "We've got a nine, six lead; suddenly, it's nine, nine.
"Every game matters in the ISL because there's no playoff. So the way we played against BBN the other day... a good friend of mine coaches that team and says, '[Y]ou guys just put the throttle down [in the 10-1 win].'
"So in the end, that put us over the top to give us a chance to tie for the title. And, with BBN beating Belmont hill [to secure LA a share of the title], then we win it [outright]. And so it's just that very gratifying.
"It's not easy to win this league."
Of course, on Friday, the Spartans made it look easy with an effort including the Agabedis homer, triples from Brian Downing '23 and [senior Captain Jack] McLaughlin, stolen bases from McLaughlin, Jared Lucido '22, Keagan Ryan '23, and [senior Captain Liam] Yardley, and the five-inning (75 pitch) complete game, six-strikeout, effort from Morris.
"Agabedis got us on the board," explained Margraf, noting the skill of Tabor. "The way we play baseball is we run, run, run, and try to put the throttle down...a lot of 'small ball.'
"But James got us going [with the home run], and McLaughlin and Henry Graf '12 both had huge hits. Then Yardley had that hit with two strikes on him, hit the curve ball low and away to right center field, scoring two more runs.
"That was the straw that broke the camel's back," added the LA bench boss. "And with our pitching staff so taxed, was a question about where we would go [in relief] and how much Justin Morris could give us.
"He gave us one heck of a game."
And the Spartans gave LA one heck of a season. Congratulations, boys.
