Seguin's Super Performance Leads Austin Prep to Division 3 State Title

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Worcester, Mass. – Cam Seguin put the finishing touches on Austin Prep’s super season.

Seguin threw a complete game allowing just two hits while striking out 10 as Austin Prep defeated Taconic, 9-1, to take home the Division 3 state championship on Saturday afternoon at Holy Cross

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The championship is Austin Prep’s first in program history.

Following the conclusion of the game, Austin Prep (24-2) players, coaches, and administrators wore shirts that read “that was a SUPER season” denoting the Cougars’ absence from the Division 1A Super Eight Tournament. Austin Prep was one of two teams that received a second-round vote only to not get selected.

“Every single game was a statement to the Super Eight committee,” said Seguin. “I am very happy with the Division 3 state title as it is. It’s a great season whether we played Super Eight or not.”

While Seguin (CG, 2 H, 1 ER, 10 Ks) was the star on the mound Saturday, the game was seemingly a seven-inning long celebration for Austin Prep’s seniors. Highlighted by Peter Burns, Logan Bravo, and the injured Josh Bartnicki the Cougars now graduated had come so close for three years only to finally capture the elusive title on Saturday afternoon. 

Bravo provided the Cougars’ ninth and final run of the day with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.

“It’s the way it was supposed to end,” said Austin Prep coach Steve Busby. “I am so happy for our seniors who are off to great things. Cam has been great for us all year and he kept us in it when we weren’t scoring early.”

Throughout his outing, Seguin was in cruise control. The Cougars’ lefty ace surrendered a base hit in just one inning and handed out one free pass courtesy of a hit by pitch.

 Seguin finished off his outing by striking out consecutive hitters to begin the celebration just off to the third base side of the mound.

“I have dreamed of that moment since I was a kid,” said Seguin. “Everyone wants to be on the mound when their team wins a state championship. It’s unreal.”

Seguin retired the first 11 batters he faced but in the top of the fourth a two out RBI single off the bat of Brendan Stannard gave Taconic a 1-0 lead.

One half inning later, Austin Prep responded with seven runs to blow the game open. Nick Cafarelli got the inning started with a single, and three batters later with runners on the corners Denis Taylor grounded an RBI base hit to even the game up at one. Moments later, a wild pitch rolled to the backstop allowing Jonathan Gilbride to come home and put Austin Prep in front, 2-1.

With runners on second and third and one out Dylan Arnold hit a slow chopper to third. Taconic third baseman Colby Sherman tried to get the runner at the plate, but the throw skipped by bringing home two more runs. Later in the frame, Cafarelli who got the frame started, capped it off with a two-run single up the middle to give the Cougars’ a comfortable 7-1 cushion.

"I have had so many kids for six years and it's not just about this year. It's about all the alumni who have helped turn this program around," said Busby. "I took over this program we had not made the playoffs in four years. Now we're state champions. Just a great senior class and great administration that really supports us."