A season of growth
The Winchester High School baseball team concluded the 2026 campaign with a 17‑5 record, marking the program’s second consecutive season above .500 and underscoring Coach Ed McDonald’s ability to build on previous successes.
In the MIAA postseason, the squad opened with a victory over Plymouth North before falling to Xaverian in the Sweet 16, a run that coincided with the recent approval of the Super 8 football format and sparked conversation about extending a similar structure to baseball.
The team’s all‑star selections reflected a blend of offensive and pitching talent: Adam Fiorentino will continue his career at Carlton College in Minnesota, Bret Daniels led the club with six home runs and 17 RBIs, Brendan Bock earned a second straight Middlesex League all‑star nod with a .352 average, and pitcher Nick Penicaud finished 4‑1 with 35 strikeouts and a .163 opponent batting average. Nolan Gannon was named Team MVP, posting a .320 average, six doubles and 11 RBIs.
Despite graduating ten seniors, the team still managed to improve its win total, a testament to the depth built over the past three years. McDonald highlighted the broader challenge public schools face when competing against private institutions, but said the community’s pride in the program remains undiminished.