Prep preview: Loomis Chaffee looking to reclaim Founders League title

Returning senior Eli Cohen (Colby) was 4-1 with a 1.90 ERA last season. (Courtesy photo)

Over the past three years, Loomis Chaffee has been more than rock solid. The Pelicans won the Founders League title in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018. Last season they took a step backwards, in spite of having a winning record, only to see Taft School claim the league title.

Expectations always seem to run high at the Windsor, Conn., school. That will not change in 2020. The Pelicans are loaded with talent, especially on the mound. Fourth-year head coach Donnie McKillop will have a stable of arms at his disposal. Returning will be seniors Eli Cohen (Colby) and Arjun Grover (Emory). Last season, Cohen was 4-1 on the mound with a 1.90 ERA. Grover, a lefty, finished with a 3-1 mark a year ago.

Joining them this upcoming season will be a pair of post-grads in Sean Dennehy (Army-West Point) and Matt Michel (St. Anselm). Dennehy, another left-hander, came to Loomis-Chaffee from Choate. He has been clocked in the high 80s. Michel landed here after playing for Whittier Tech in Haverhill. His fastball is currently registering in the mid 80s. McKillop also brought in pitchers Dawson Logie, a junior, and freshman Chandler Coe. Both possess high velocity numbers and are expected to make big impacts right away. Junior outfielder Kevin Luke is also a new addition this season.

But pitching will not be the only major intangible within the Pelicans' arsenal. They have talent sprinkled all across the diamond. Leading the way is senior outfielder Tommy Costello. The reigning team MVP hit leadoff last season, and has a knack for getting on base. Last year, he had an 0.930 OPS, stole 24 bases and scored 24 runs. Catcher Evan Varga, another senior, has remained solid defensively and at the plate. Varga, a Franklin & Marshall commit,  batted .397 last spring and drove in 14 runs. Sophomore shortstop Davis Hanson started every game a season ago. In 17 games, Hanson drove in 15 runs and scored 16 runs.