A Family On The Ball

April 25, 2010

By Rick Seto, Globe Correspondent

BRIDGEWATER - Two siblings playing on the same team is not unique. But two brothers opposing each other on the same field at the collegiate level is special, as is the relationship between the Dennis brothers of Stoughton.

In the Bridgewater State College home dugout last Tuesday was Tyler Dennis, the baseball team’s freshman catcher/second baseman. Justin Dennis, a sophomore catcher at Westfield State, was suiting up for the visiting team.

In most athletic families, the older sibling leads the way.

However, Tyler has started 20 games this spring and is batting .318 for the Bears. Justin has not played in a single game this season for the Owls.

“It’s been a challenge encouraging both kids the same way when Tyler’s played over his head from day one,’’ said their father, Joel Dennis. “He was the little kid always chasing his big brother and always getting better. He was a starter on the varsity [as a freshman at Stoughton High] when his brother was on JV. That was very difficult.’’

The two played together for two seasons at Stoughton High: Justin was the starting catcher for the Black Knights as a junior and senior while Tyler, a year behind, started at second base for two years.

There is no animosity between the brothers.

“Whether he knows it or not, he’s impacted me a lot because it’s not easy having a younger brother who’s a lot better than you in a sport,’’ said Justin Dennis, who turned 20 last Wednesday. “Trying to be the best I could and always having him at that other level . . . he definitely kept me going and helped me get to where I am now.’’

Things hit a low for Justin last year; he tried out for the Westfield State team as a freshman, but was cut. Meanwhile, Tyler transferred to Bridgewater-Raynham High School for his senior year and was a catcher/designated hitter for a 20-3 team that qualified for the Division 1 South tournament.

A self-professed sports junkie, Justin missed playing baseball last spring and did not want to let his final season of eligibility in American Legion baseball pass. So last summer he played for Stoughton Post 89, but did not catch; Tyler was the starter.

What others might have viewed that as a setback did not faze Justin. He tried out for the Owls this year — and made the team.

“He’s our bullpen catcher,’’ said Westfield State coach Ray Arra. “He’s there every day and does the work necessary to help our team.’’

What Justin may lack in talent, the 6-foot, 195-pounder makes up with his work ethic and determination.

“I look for character-type kids like Justin,’’ Arra said. “I feel I can build a team if I have kids who want to play ball. He’s doing everything he can to become an active player.’’

Tyler was not surprised that his big brother accomplished his goal.

“I can guarantee that no one on Westfield’s squad has a better work ethic than him,’’ Tyler said. “I think the cut may have made him work even harder. He’s pretty determined.’’

Tyler has not skipped a beat as a freshman. A starting shortstop as a 15-year-old in Legion and in high school, he has played 23 of 27 games for the 14-13 Bears.

“Because of his athleticism, he’s adapted well,’’ said Bridgewater State coach Rick Smith of the 5-foot-6, 175-pound Tyler. “He’s a .300 hitter and he knows his way around the plate. His biggest assets are his strength and his bat speed. He’s a small kid, but he’s a strong kid and he’s quick.’’

Tyler is surrounded by a number of players from the area. Ian Williams, a junior left fielder from Taunton, is 10th in MASCAC batting (.382). Matt Greenberg, a senior catcher/DH from Norwell, is third in MASCAC slugging percentage (.743). Jeff Puopolo, a junior from Brockton, has thrived as a fulltime pitcher this season with a 4-2 record, 2.88 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 40.2 innings.

Justin backs up two catchers from the area: junior Pete Hogan of Weymouth and freshman Andrew Medeiros of Acushnet. Hogan is among the MASCAC’s top defensive catchers, throwing out 36.7 percent of runners, while batting .306. Kevin Lyons, a senior DH from Braintree, is nationally ranked in doubles and RBI. Matt Kelly, a sophomore third baseman from Weymouth, is fourth in league batting, hitting over .400 Aaron Messier, a sophomore from New Bedford, leads the league in ERA for Westfield State, which is 23-7 overall and first place in the MASCAC with an 8-2 mark.

As for the Dennis brothers, they’ll be reunited this summer in the Cranberry Baseball League as members of the Foxboro Knights. “Coach told us we are going to be competing for the [catcher’s] job,’’ Justin said. “No one’s getting the job right away. We’ll see how it plays out.’’