By Michael Letendre

BRISTOL – The Bristol Central baseball team is in a bit of a rebuilding mode in 2022.

The team lost just about all of its pitching due to graduation and a boatload of inexperienced varsity players will have to produce from the get-go.

Head Coach Bunty Ray, no stranger to rebuilds, has done a tremendous job retooling his squads over the years and it should be interesting to see where this squad goes as the season wears on.

Here’s a quick look at the Rams this season:

BRISTOL CENTRAL BASEBALL

Head coach: Bunty Ray (15th season)

Overall Record: In 14 seasons as the coach of the Bristol Central baseball program, Ray holds an all-time record of 199-102, one victory away from his 200th career win.

2021 season: 10-7 overall. No. 16 Bristol Central won its first round Class L game against No. 17 Farmington, 5-0, but fell to No. 1 Daniel Hand in second round play (9-3). Hand ended up winning the Class L state championship.

Key Losses: Sean Wininger (P/OF), Michael Lorenzetti (P/OF), Adam Caron (1B), Chris Osuch (C), Dillon Hudson (2B), Roberto Negron-Cruz (3B/P), Matt Beaucar (OF), Jacobi Banks (OF).

Players to Watch: Frank Spirito (jr, P/3B), Ryan Ring (jr, C), JT Clark (sr, infielder).

2022 Season Outlook: Ray tested his squad early in the postseason, playing the likes of St. Paul Catholic, Amity, and Southington who should all be contenders in their respective leagues.

The Rams also squared off against Wolcott on a blustery 28-degree day, so a very young squad got a varsity education rather quickly over rough and tumble conditions.

Ray lost a talented group of seniors, taking just about all of the pitching due to graduation.

The question is how big will the gains be from several underclassmen as the season progresses?

And there’s a little talent up and down the line-up.

JT Clark is the lone senior who has varsity experience and will be one of the leaders of the team.

He’s helped the Rams out of jams more than a couple times and he’ll be called upon to do the same this year.

The senior, who played at shortstop last season, has home run power, and a slick glove as well.

Clark is one of the featured public-school players from Bristol, while sophomore Frank Spirito IV is also going to be a handful for opponents to deal with.

He can throw the ball on the hill and might be one of the top pitchers for the program this year.

Don’t forget, he helped throw a no-hitter against Platt last season, striking out eight, helping the squad win its fifth game of the year.

The only problem with Spirito pitching is there’s one less trusted glove around the infield for defensive purposes.

He was tremendous at third base last season.

Spirito has all the tools, is tremendous on both sides of the ball, and can hit with power.

Against Newington last season, in Central’s 6-2 win over the squad, Spirito had a tremendous game- going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

Junior Ryan Ring will be catching for the program and brings back plenty of experience behind the plate from last season.

If Ring continues his upward improvement, Central should be able to count on his play at catcher, helping set-up at least half of the team’s battery.

From there, Central’s lineup is a bit on the youthful side.

Ray said that there will be several “new guys” manning positions all over the field.

Who is going to step up from the ranks of the underclassmen?

Some of those lingering questions will be answered along the way against several talented squads.

Players who were on the squad last season that could take the field for Central this year includes seniors Bryan Capezzone and Zach Vanasse – who is coming off a state championship run in boys basketball and could contribute in the outfield.

Other contributions could come from juniors Michael Allen, Jacob Voisine, Jack Bellantuono, Christian Stafford, and Nick Krompegal, along with sophomores Michael McMahon, Anthony Santilli, and Oscar Kuzniar.

And what freshmen, if any, will be ready for the shine of the bright CCC South lights?

While youth might dominate this team, Ray – outside of the 2018 season – and his programs have always found a path to qualify for postseason play.

Where will the path lead the Rams in 2022?

Games to watch…Central starts the season on Monday at Maloney (3:45 p.m.) which is always a tough way to start the year.

After that showdown in Meriden, most of the Rams’ early season games are on the road as well.

Those contests include a tough slate of CCC Interdivisional showdowns against Farmington (April 14), Simsbury (April 18), and Avon (April 20).

Central has several home games to end April with dates against Maloney (April 25), Platt (April 27), and Plainville (April 30) in a special Saturday challenge.

And in May, there are a couple big crosstown games that will commence from Bristol.

Central plays Bristol Eastern on Monday, May 2 and again from Muzzy Field on May 23.