As the first postseason games rapidly approach, the Bay State Conference prepares to send seven teams into the Division I and II state baseball tournaments.
The league’s teams are spread all throughout the field with Wellesley, Braintree, and Weymouth, all making the top 11 in Division I, and Natick and Brookline kicking things off on the road.
In Div. II, Milton and Walpole are no strangers to title games but do these groups have what it takes?
Whether it’s fighting off an early exit on the road or surging on a deep run, here is one baseball player to watch from each Bay State team in the playoffs this year.
Luke Joyce, sophomore pitcher/first baseman, No. 8 Braintree Div. I
One of the most physically imposing pitchers in this part of the state, Joyce bears down on hitters from the left side. Never afraid of the batter in front of him, the sophomore pounds the zone with fastballs and curveballs.
His finest outing of the season came at the perfect time. Tossing a complete game shutout, Joyce struck out 15 Westwood batters in Braintree’s second-to-last regular-season game.
Joyce also provides plenty of power in the middle of the Wamp lineup and is always a threat to send one deep.
Felix Ham, junior catcher, No. 29 Brookline Div. I
Hitting over .300 on the year, Ham has moved all around the top of Brookline’s batting order.
No matter where he’s slotted, though, he’s produced. As well as having a knack for getting on base, Ham has also added 10 RBIs to the team’s cause this season.
Combined with his work behind the plate for the Warriors, Ham has been invaluable in their journey to the Div. I playoffs.
Scott Longo, senior pitcher/outfielder, No. 11 Milton Div. II
The Northeastern commit may be the best two-way player in the conference. Longo is more than capable of striking out a dozen batters and launching a home run in the same game.
When he’s not on the mound as Milton’s ace, he’s roaming center field for the Wildcats.
Longo also has plenty of postseason experience with Milton, winning Div. II titles as a freshman and sophomore.
Thurston Kiefer, sophomore pitcher, No. 17 Natick Div. I
With an ERA sitting just above 2, Kiefer became one of the top pitchers in the league this year. After starting the year as a bullpen arm, the sophomore went at least five innings in seven straight appearances and registered double-digit strikeouts twice.
Besides one rough outing against Wellesley, Kiefer allowed just three earned runs all season.
As he gets his first taste at postseason play this year, Kiefer is sure to make a name for himself against whoever the Redhawks face.
Mikey St. Martin, senior pitcher, No. 4 Walpole Div. II
Possessing devastating stuff, St. Martin has cut down countless batters throughout his Timberwolves career.
Three times this season, St. Martin struck out nine batters. In one of those outings, the senior allowed no hits in his five innings, and in another, he gave up just one.
St. Martin’s masterpiece, though, came at the perfect time. Going against Needham in the last week of the regular season, St. Martin pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out 15 Rockets and allowing no hits.
Now, the right-hander will take his talents into the Division II playoffs.
Jack Reyes, senior pitcher, No. 9 Weymouth Div. I
The winningest pitcher in Weymouth history, Reyes has battled injuries as a senior. When he’s on the mound, though, the righty has been essentially unbeatable.
In the regular season, Reyes tallied four complete-game shutouts. In the Div. I tournament, he’ll be the No. 1 starter on perhaps the best pitching staff in the state.
Although the Wildcats didn’t crack the top 5 they are sure to make plenty of noise in the playoffs.
Max Boehm, sophomore pitcher/infielder, No. 11 Wellesley Div. I
If Scott Longo is currently the best two-way player in the Bay State Conference, Boehm is the future. The sophomore followed up a stellar freshman year on the mound with five complete games in the 2025 regular season.
He also provides plenty of danger in the middle of Wellesley’s lineup. During the season, he recorded several three-hit games.
After falling to eventual state champion BC High in the second round of last year’s playoffs, Boehm is ready to lead his Raiders deeper as a sophomore.
