MILTON, Mass. – The Curry College baseball team was off to a great start to the season before it was halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The five seniors were a key part of the program and led the Colonels to one Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament appearance. Below you will find career summaries along with what head coach Paul Bortolotti had to say about each of them:
Jared Keller (Oxford, Conn.)
A four-year member of the program, Keller recorded a career batting average of .306 along with a .396 on-base percentage and a .415 slugging percentage. A Second Team All-CCC selection in 2019, he played in 76 games and registered 70 hits, including 14 doubles, one triple, and three home runs. Keller also finished with 42 RBI and 34 runs scored. He totaled 95 total bases and 18 extra-base hits. Keller recorded two wins on the mound and tallied a .927 fielding percentage.
"Keller was the ultimate workhorse," said Bortolotti. "An All-Conference player, Jared's talents cemented his position as one of the best hitters and players in the league. He is a coach's dream, playing anywhere on the baseball field and doing it at the highest level. His personality and demeanor were huge assets to the baseball program and to the coaches in their recruiting efforts."
Jhonathan Oliveira (Peabody, Mass.)
A three-year member of the program, Oliveira registered a career batting average of .227 to go with a .319 on-base percentage and a .277 slugging percentage. He appeared in 45 games and registered 32 hits, including seven doubles. Oliveira also recorded 15 RBI and 21 runs scored. He totaled 39 total bases and seven extra-base hits. Oliveira finished with a .965 fielding percentage.
"Ollie set the tone for this years' team," Bortolotti said. "'Locked in' was the description that followed Ollie on a daily basis, fall through our [abbreviated] spring season. The prototypical leadoff hitter, he set the tone for the game with his approach and his success. He is a great athlete who never takes a repetition off."
Adam Duarte (East Providence, R.I.)
A four-year member of the program, Duarte had a career batting average of .262 along with a .350 on-base percentage and a .346 slugging percentage. He saw action in 104 games and registered 81 hits, including 14 doubles and four home runs. Duarte also finished with 41 RBI and 40 runs scored. He totaled 107 total bases and 18 extra-base hits. Duarte recorded a .927 fielding percentage.
"Adam was a four-year starter and two-time captain. That speaks for itself," said Bortolotti. "He was one of Curry's field generals for four seasons with gifted hands and a power bat. Adam was also a great resource with regards to helping with Curry baseball recruits."
Tyler Nadeau (Somerville, Mass.)
As a four-year member of the program Nadeau appeared in 20 games on the mound. He tossed a total of 38.2 innings while striking out 22 batters. He also totaled 5.12 strikeouts per nine innings and registered a 3.72 ERA.
"Tyler worked hard to become an integral piece to the Curry pitching staff," said Bortolotti. "You never had to worry about him throwing strikes. Truly a control pitcher, he was a comfort to the expectations of the coaching staff. He was also an extension of the coaching staff, performing many duties within the context of the program."
James Mello (Fall River, Mass.)
As a four-year member of the program Mello appeared in 29 games on the mound, making 17 starts. He tossed a total of 87 innings on the hill while striking out 55 batters. He also totaled 5.69 strikeouts per nine innings and registered a 6.41 ERA.
"James' work ethic was second to none," said Bortolotti. "He was a bulldog on the mound and one of the leaders of the Curry pitching staff. Quiet by nature, Jimmy led by example with toughness that any coach would want with one of its team leaders."
Bortolotti had this to say about the Curry Baseball Class of 2020 as a group:
"To say Curry Baseball was excited about their 2020 season is an understatement. Led by a very strong senior class, their season was off to a promising 7-2 start. The consummate work ethic and character of these upperclassmen were instrumental in the further development of a solid program. Their daily routine and passion for the game was a great example to their underclassmen teammates. I firmly believe success on the field and in the classroom starts with solid leadership from upperclassmen. This group of young men are a testament to doing things the right way."
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