It’s playoffs or bust for the Bucks Centurions. The Bucks baseball team barely missed the postseason in 2024, but a deeper, more experienced squad gives coach Tim Trainor hope as the 2025 campaign is on the horizon.
“We are a lot more talented,” Trainor said. “We’ve improved at every position. We only lost a handful of guys last year so there are a lot of returning players that will lead the team.”
Starting pitching is the key, according to Trainor. “The sophomore pitchers will lead the way,” Trainor said. “Having pitchers with experience like Matt Penonini, Isaac Galarza and Lucas Kimbrough will help the team. Pitching is the X factor in our league and so it’s very exciting to have a strong group of pitchers heading into the year.”
After finishing the fall season, the squad has been working all offseason to get stronger and ready for the grind of a long season. Having workouts at the Newtown Athletic Club has helped motivate the team to work hard and get stronger.
One player who has benefited from early morning workouts is Kimbrough, who is on another level this season due to his time in the gym. “Lucas Kimbrough went from sitting high seventies last year to sitting mid-eighties in just one year,” Trainor said. “His hard work sets an example for everyone on the team.”
Captains Alex Fantasky and Kimbrough will set the tone for the team as it starts its season on Feb. 23 at Middlesex College.
The team hopes to come together quickly and get off to a hot start. The Centurions didn’t get into a groove last season until April.
When the squad started playing consistent ball it was too little, too late since the Centurions buried themselves in a deep hole. The group finally jelled but it just missed the playoffs.
The goal for the Centurions is to win the Conference title and move on from there. “Last year was a rebuilding year,” Trainor said. “Hopefully we can end up playing in the Small College World Series this season,” Trainor said. “I have high hopes for this team.”
There is reason for optimism since the Centurions have power, speed and pitching. The latter is arguably the most important element of baseball, especially when it comes to dominant starting pitching.
After countless hours spent together, The Centurions have built some good chemistry. The group has bonded in the gym during workouts but it’ll be interesting to see if those connections propel the team on the field to a memorable season full of accomplishments.
The goal is to get to the playoffs. Anything short of that achievement would be disappointing to a driven team that hopes 2025 will be a memorable season for the Centurions.
The combination of veteran leadership and talented freshmen could be the perfect mix for a team that ended last season with unfinished business.
It’s going to be a challenging season but much is expected of the Centurions.