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2022 New England High School Team Previews

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2022 Spring Team Preview: Bedford

BEDFORD, N.H. - Appearances in the state finals five of the last six seasons played means expectations are high at Bedford.

With a lack of experience and only three returning starters from a 15-4 team that lost to Concord in the quarterfinals, head coach William Chapman understands the 2022 season will be a challenge, but that does not bring a lack of confidence.

“This team is tenacious and believes in themselves,” said the Bedford mentor, who took over the program in 2012 after coaching at Sanborn Regional from 2007-09 and as an assistant at Bedford for two years. “We hope to be mentally and physically prepared to battle each day and to get a little better every time we step on the field.”

UConn commit Ryan Juliano anchors a trio of returnees for Bedford, which won a state championship in 2016 and has been runners-up in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition, the Bulldogs finished second in Division 2 in 2010.

The second-rated 2022 outfielder in New England, Juliano will play shortstop and pitch for Bedford coming off a .328 season at the plate with 17 runs scored, four doubles and 12 stolen bases, Juliano also threw 13 innings with 16 strikeouts and a 2.15 ERA.

Senior outfielders Ethan Larochelle and Julio Crespo are other starters back for the Bulldogs. Larochelle hit .333 with one home run, 11 RBIs and nine runs while Crespo batted .357 with a pair of homers and 10 runs scored while driving in 13.

Sophomores Patrick Foulis and Charlie Cariello are being counted on to make contributions on the mound for a team that only returns 13 innings of varsity experience.

“We have capable newcomers that need to trust their defense and throw quality strikes,” noted Chapman, who lost top pitcher Zach Fletcher to graduation.

A redshirt freshman at Purdue because of an injury, Fletcher was 5-2 with 58 Ks in 44.1 innings and a 0.975 ERA while hitting .375 with 18 walks, 14 RBIs and 14 runs. First baseman Austin Bequeath is another loss to graduation after averaging .370 with eight extra base hits, 14 RBIs and 13 runs. The Bulldogs are also without Evan Kaplo, a transfer/reclassify at Bishop Guertin.

“Our weakness is our lack of experience and loss of power in our lineup,” pointed out Chapman, who has an overall coaching record of 175-73 including a 138-49 mark in nine seasons at Bedford. “We will have to be a two-out clutch-hitting team that has a team-first mentality at the plate.”

The Bedford coach is anxious to make a statement.

“Our strength will be our motivation to prove what we are capable of,” Chapman related.

But the veteran mentor understands what is important.

“Success in high school sports can't be measured by wins and losses,” Chapman explained. “Our goal as coaches at this level is to make great people that have the tools to be successful in life. I won't know if we are successful until 10-15 years from now when I see them as adults and see who they have become. Character matters far more than wins and losses.”

As for this coming season and being part of Division I in New Hampshire, there are never any certainties.

“As always, every game in Division I is up for grabs,” Chapman concluded. “There will be some tough teams with proven success, but you can lose any day. There are no easy games in Division I. I look for Winnacunnet, Pinkerton, Londonderry, Portsmouth and Concord to be at the top of the division.”

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