Podcast: Milton champions Brendan Morrissey and Owen McHugh

Milton High has won back-to-back MIAA D2 state championships. (Kyle Prudhomme/NEBJ)

The latest guests on The Base Path Podcast helped lead Milton High to its second consecutive MIAA Division 2 state championship this spring.

Milton High coach Brendan Morrissey and MIAA Player of the Year Owen McHugh joined hosts Dan Guttenplan and Matt Feld to discuss the team’s 2023 state championship. Milton beat King Philip in the D2 state championship game for the second year in a row. Milton was one of two programs to clinch back-to-back state championships; Taunton also beat Franklin for the second year in a row in the D1 state final.

Morrissey advocated for bringing back the Super 8, which would give teams like Taunton and Milton a chance to determine the top team in the state.

“Of course we would have liked to play them,” Morrissey said. ” think the kids were texting back and forth about meeting at the sandlot the week after. But I don’t think that happened. It’s really just a testament to those coaches and their programs. They’re great communities, so they have a lot of great kids going to their public schools.”

McHugh was selected by NEBJ staff among a field of 10 finalists for MIAA Player of the Year following his team’s run through the postseason.

McHugh was Milton’s ace all season long pitching to the tune of a 6-2 record with two saves, a 1.62 ERA, and 73 strikeouts in 50 innings. At the plate, he batted .395 with 17 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, and just five strikeouts.

McHugh always shined in the season’s biggest moments. In the Wildcats’ 1-0 win in the Division 2 quarterfinals over Plymouth North, McHugh threw a complete game shutout, picking up 11 strikeouts and allowing just a mere three hits. Then, in the Division 2 state title game, McHugh struck out 11 in 5.2 innings to pick up the win.

“I don’t really feel pressure in terms of being competitive,” McHugh said. “If I’m on the mound, I’m just trying to win the game. I’m not thinking about losing it.”

Listen to the entire podcast with the Milton state champs.

The New England Baseball Journal podcast is brought to you by the University of Nebraska High School.

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