Trio of star pitchers helping the Hawks succeed

By Chris Villani

The 2024 Milford High baseball season is exactly what head coach Alex Dion had in mind when he started a bunch of freshmen at the varsity level four years ago.

“There have been some challenging times and some tough losses, but overall it’s been a pleasure to coach these guys,” Dion said. “We are fifth in the state right now and it’s a great group.”

MHS finished the regular season with a 14-7 record and the top-five ranking buoyed largely by playing in the notoriously difficult Hockomock League.

“Playing in the Hockomock certainly prepares us for postseason play,” Dion said. “Our strength of schedule and what we have done in non-league play, it was a challenging road, but it’s one that gets us ready to play baseball in June.”

Perhaps the strongest asset the Scarlet Hawks have brought to the table this spring is pitching. Milford has three pitchers who are all bound for the collegiate ranks. Senior Damien Carter, a five-game winner this spring, is slated to play for Franklin Pierce; Ian Carter, a junior, is heading to Bryant; and senior Anthony LaPierre is planning to pitch for Babson.

“The story of our team has been the arms. It starts for us on the mound and having three guys who have won games and pitched in some big spots,” Dion said. “Having three legit starting pitchers and being able to use at least one of them in the bullpen at times is huge for us.”

Milford has some players who are talented with the bat as well. Damien Carter has been a middle of the order hitter. Keith Lee, another four-year starter, is the team’s catcher.

“He has been rock solid defensively and a solid offensive player,” Dion said. “I don’t name captains, but he is definitely a leader.”

Milford added Lou Consigli this year after he joined the school from Xaverian, and he’s been a starter in the infield. Junior Nick Koch led the team in hitting through the regular season.

Dion said at the start of the playoffs that his players’ goal, like many in the state, is to win the last game of the season.

“It’s been a goal for a long time,” he said. “It’s something that has been building.”

But, just by being among the top teams in the state, Milford has put itself back in a place it has historically occupied through the years, which Dion credits to the senior class.

“We have talked about the history of Milford baseball and what the standard is here,” he said. “These guys take pride in wearing the pinstripes. There’s been a lot of good baseball played in this town for a long time and this team, particularly the senior class, wants to leave a lasting impression with what they have done at this school.”