Seven games into the season, the Bishop Brady Giants are still dominating their baseball division. They know the road to return to the state championship is long, but it’s the one goal still hanging over their heads.
The Giants (7-0) finished as Division III runner-up to No. 5 Monadnock in the state championship last season. It was a brutal defeat.
This season, the team has outscored opponents 87-17 with its powerful offense. The pitching and defense have held while the bats haven’t gone cold, even through the school break.
Coming out of the break on Monday, the top of the order, senior Thomas Winn, Max Guerra and Xander Guerra combined for eight hits and nine RBI to put away Kearsarge, 10-2.
“We have guys that can hit all the way through the order,” Winn, the senior shortstop, said. “Opposing defenses can’t really catch a break with our lineup.”
Senior Dan Shedd in the eighth spot of the lineup had three hits and two runs, while junior Collin Schuerzer had two hits, a walk, an RBI and a run himself in the ninth spot, too. There was no break anywhere in the batting order.
Bishop Brady sophomore Henry Thresher hits into the gap to start the second inning against Kearsarge in the Giants’ win, 10-2. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bishop Brady right fielder Dan Shedd makes a throw to shortstop Thomas Winn on second base to beat the runner. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Head Coach Skip Foy believes his team can do better. This game, he said, they shook off some rust. The upcoming schedule will be a big test with games against Hopkinton, Kearsarge and Campbell before a rematch against Monadnock.
On defense, freshman pitcher Xander Guerra threw to his older brother Max behind the plate and they earned the win. Xander tossed nine strikeouts and allowed two runs through six innings.
The sibling duo has been key to the team’s success and chemistry, bringing plenty of energy and flair. “We both want it to be better for each other, so it just feels good, that connection,” Max Guerra said.
The Kearsarge Cougars (2-6) missed out on the playoffs last year. Third-year head coach Josh Judkins said it’s all about putting together a full seven innings if they want to turn the season around.
The pitching has been strong, but keeping up defensively and being smart offensively will be necessary moving forward.
