HARDWICK – Returning an experienced core could help the Hazen Union baseball team make the defensive and offensive improvements they need to build on a three-win season a year ago.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
The Wildcats struggled to find consistency in head coach Shaun Allen’s third season. Defensive miscues and erratic pitching plagued Hazen all of last season while attempting to navigate a rugged Capital League. Allen’s club also struggled to find their footing offensively throughout 2025, failing to record a hit four times last season, including in a first-round loss to Green Mountain in the Division III playoffs. The good news is that his young team only lost one senior to graduation (Evan LaMare) and returns plenty of experience.
“Our four seniors are all going to play a major part in our success this season, said Allen. Owen Skorstad will be behind the dish, as well as a key factor as a pitcher. Grayson McNaughten and Justin Montgomery are both looking strong on the mound and in the field for us defensively, and Jake Hayden has turned his pure strength into agility. He’s looking strong from the batter’s box,”
Allen has 11 players from Hazen practicing with the team this spring and two from Craftsbury Academy. John Sicard, Will Halperin and Avery Loomis return after showing flashes as freshmen. Junior Chayse Newell returns to solidify the outfield along with Kiah Cloutier, who will also backup Skorstad behind the plate. Trevor Smith and Maddox Robinson are showing promise as freshmen, and Allen’s roster is rounded out by newcomers James Bowlin and Matthias Patoine.
“Trevor has shown immense talent and speed in the outfield so far in practice. We have a couple of players who have never played or haven’t played since Little League, but are making great progress and show future promise. Hats off to Bases Loaded down in Williston, who we spent some time with, helping u with our pitching and hitting,” said Allen.
McNaughten will be leaned on to have a monster senior campaign for the Wildcats after earning Capital League First Team honors last year. He anchored the infield last season, while batting .380 and driving in a team-high nine runs. He also anchored the Wildcat pitching staff with 42 strikeouts in 35 innings of work. If McNaughten’s performance for Hazen’s soccer team this past fall, as a Vermont All-State goalkeeper, is any indication, he is up for the task this spring. Skorstad received Capital League Honorable Mention honors for the Wildcats in 2025 after leading the team in hitting with a .420 average.
“Things look promising. Overall, we have a strong team. We just need to keep our heads in the game for its entirety, and we will do fine,” said Allen.
Allen’s club is scheduled to open the season at home against Paine Mountain next Tuesday before hosting Harwood on Thursday.
