After an impressive third place finish in last year’s Founders League playoffs, the 2024 Kingswood Oxford varsity baseball team is seeking more in the upcoming season.
The Wyverns are returning with key players all around the field; in particular, senior catcher and Co-captain Nate Bowes is someone the team expects a lot from this season. “He is a leader on and off the field,” Assistant Coach Ryan Radmanovich said. “He brings energy, effort, and skill when we’re out on the diamond, and that’s what makes him so special.”
This past summer, Bowes announced that he would be furthering his academic and baseball career at Sacred Heart University, which is just a short drive from KO. Along with Bowes, senior first baseman and Co-captain John Kumpa is also an extremely talented and valuable player. “Kumpa brings a positive attitude to every practice,” Coach Radmanovich said. “He works hard and loves to have fun; however, while having fun he makes sure that everyone on the team is working hard at improving so the Wyverns can reach their end goals for the year.” Kumpa announced that he would be playing baseball at Dickinson College for the next four years.
The two captains have made an impactful mark on their teammates during their preseason trip to Florida, where the Wyverns found success against their opponents. “Nate [Bowes] and John [Kumpa] are phenomenal leaders,” junior third baseman Tommy Caporaso said. “They are always smiling and having fun; however, they remain locked in for each game, giving it their all each time they step onto the field.”
Along with Kumpa and Bowes, the Wyverns have a wide range of stars at all positions. Their amazing pitching staff consists of two Division I commits in junior pitcher Harry Engle and senior pitcher Adam Merritt. Additionally, they have senior pitcher Elijah Wells as well as Kumpa. Junior catcher Boden Swanson and Caporaso also provide crucial fielding and hitting for the Wyverns.
The Wyverns are off to a quick start with their record sitting at 4-2. The Wyverns’ bats were hot against Founders League opponent Loomis Chaffee, a game which resulted in a 9-6 win. The Wyverns also shut down Founders League rival Westminster in a nailbiter that ended 5-3.
The team looks forward to many of these challenging Founders League matchups this year. “Avon Old Farms and Loomis Chaffee are definitely two teams we want to defeat this year,” Coach Radmanovich said. “In order to beat them, it’s gonna take a collective effort from the team.”
Whether it’s Bowes, Merritt, Caporaso or Coach Radmanovich, the team has one goal in common: to win Founders League as a whole this year. The past two years, the team has made playoff appearances; however, this year the Wyverns are striving to be victorious over everyone. Make sure to support the 2024 varsity baseball team in pursuing greatness.
