No easy outs in potent, diligent Mitchell lineup

Connecticut's Markus Melendez hit .324 in his senior season as one of New England's most potent offenses. (Steve McLaughlin photo)

The Mariners looked like a team that was, indeed, trying to find their offensive identity early in the season. Strikeouts piled up as they started 4-5, scoring three runs or fewer in four of those losses.

“We’ve been limiting our strikeouts, putting the ball in play, and forcing teams to make plays,” Beausoleil said. “Our guys hustle every time they’re on the field, and they’re putting pressure on teams, making pitchers pitch, working deep counts, and getting into bullpens. … There’s not an easy out in the lineup. You kind of can coast in that bottom of the order with some Division 3 teams, but you can’t really do it here.”

Since that inauspicious start, Beausoleil’s club has put up staggering offensive numbers — from senior center fielder Eric Marriott at the top of the lineup to junior shortstop Justin Johnson (Everett, Mass.) at the bottom.

The Mariners finished the third weekend of April as the only New England team averaging more than 10 runs per game and with a .331 average that ranked 24th nationally. At that point, six regulars were hitting above .300 with freshman outfielder Dougie DelaCruz (Uncasville, Conn.) leading the way as one of the region’s top run producers.