The Mustangs are already rolling—or in the case of the Milton Varsity Baseball team, swinging—into the spring season. The team kicked off their season with four games and a very successful spring break trip to Florida, where they had a 5-0 record.
Even this early in the season, Head Coach Brendan Morrissey seems hopeful for the team and their upcoming season: he referenced an “awesome group of guys, really good team chemistry, [and] a lot of talent.” The season will be Morrissey’s third season coaching at Milton Academy, but with extensive prior experience, he has the expertise to build a strong team and lead them into the rest of the season, towards the team’s main goal: winning the ISL league championship.
Last year the team finished with a record of 7-7-1 and lost to Nobles by just one run at the end of the season. Both returning and new players are working hard to improve team performance and individual skill every day. When asked about anything specific they are working to fix, their coach promptly answered, “there's always a ton of stuff to work on, so I don't think it would be narrowed down to one thing, but the guys improve every day and it's a long season, so that's kind of our focus.”
As the new season begins, one of the worries plaguing the team is the possible gap left behind by Harvard University Pitcher Davis Kahn ’25. Morrissey admitted, “it's hard to replace a Davis, but we've been able to do that with just a great group of guys that we do have.” Morrissey reassured that new strengths are already appearing, including their unity as a team, strong pitching staff, and team culture. Recognizing gaps in their line-up, they have also worked hard in the recruiting and the tryout processes.
Incoming talents emerged at tryouts, which were packed with enthusiastic candidates ready to play ball. Tryouts were a mix of specific skill testing such as pitching and assessments of holistic team contribution. They ran drill after drill to gauge individual talent, athleticism, and how each player connected with those playing around them. Although some candidates were temporarily disappointed, they now look forward to working hard on JV and coming back next year with one more season of experience under their belts. Eventually, right before spring break hit, they were able to narrow the roster down to 19 players and secure plane tickets to Florida.
The baseball team competed in Florida over spring break, winning five games in a row and kicking off a winning streak before the ISL season even started. The three new freshmen joining the team had no trouble adapting and building fast friendships. Morrissey stated, “Anyone new that came in this year, they're doing a great job.” He added, “I think the spring trip really helped us with…getting us off on the right foot.” This trip not only boosted players’ confidence and energy going into their first official game, but allowed them to take some time to familiarize with each other on the field.
The team chemistry quickly emerged in full force, and the guys returned to campus with new connections in the hallways. Groups wearing “Milton Baseball” across their chest laugh and radiate friendship around campus. On game days, it’s impossible to miss the army of formal dress present in the classrooms. Through practices, games, and bonding throughout campus, Milton’s 2026 Varsity Baseball team surges forward into the promising season ahead.