LAKEVILLE — After a competitive run in the playoffs, Apponequet boys baseball lost in the semifinals of the Division 3 State Championship to Oakmont Regional High School in a 5-1 loss on Tuesday, June 11. 

Still, the Lakers can log the 2024 season in the books as one of the most successful to date. This year marks the team’s second trip ever to the semifinals in 65-year history of Lakers Baseball. The last time the Lakers got this far was in 2011, when Apponequet lost to Newburyport.

The Lakers faced tough competition in the final four matchup, going up against the number one seeded Oakmont Regional High School. The Oakmont Spartans took home the state championship trophy in 2023.

“Oakmont did not make many mistakes, they played a bit better than the Lakers did,” said Lakers coach Jim Cabucio after Tuesday night’s tournament defeat.

Still, he congratulated his players for an “outstanding job” in the playoffs and throughout the season. “We’re very proud of how well the kids played during the regular season and post-season,” he said. 

After playing a very competitive schedule, “we felt well-prepared for a playoff run,” Cabucio said.

Apponequet’s ticket to the semifinals was its 1-0 pitchers’ duel victory over the Number 12 seeded Sandwich High School on Saturday, June 8. 

Last year, the Lakers made it to the Round of 16 in the playoffs, where they lost to Medfield High School. 

To get to the semifinals, Apponequet also defeated Gloucester 4-0 in the Round of 32 and Dover-Sherborn 2-1 in the Round of 16. 

Apponequet boys baseball finished the 2024 season with a solid record of 19 wins and 6 losses – a significant improvement over last year’s 11 wins and 10 losses. 

This year the Lakers will say goodbye to seniors Dylan Bradley, Nathan Levesque, Seth Richards, Peter Rubini, Justin Serrechia, Caiden Cyr, Connor Tripp and Kasey Hrenko.