Senior Hayden Duke of Dartmouth’s Bishop Stang to play NCAA Division 1 Baseball at UMASS Lowell

Bishop Stang left handed senior pitcher Hayden Duke of Mattapoisett signed a National Letter of Intent this morning at Bishop Stang High School attended by his parents, Claudia and John Duke, along with coaches and friends. Next fall, Hayden will play NCAA Division-1 baseball with an athletic scholarship at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Hayden has been a stand-out pitcher at the Varsity level for four years at Bishop Stang, receiving many accolades. Coach Brian Rose says it best: “You know there’s a difference between pitchers and throwers – guys go out there and just throw it and hope for the best. Hayden is like the exact opposite of that. He was always polished as a young player with a game plan in mind. He went out there and executed his game plan with his pitches, with location, and changing speeds. These are all the things you want to see at an older age, but Hayden did these at such a young age. It was unfortunate that we weren’t able to see his development last season, during his junior year, but his sophomore year was phenomenal and Hayden gave us the opportunity to win our first year EAC Championship in a long time”.


Bishop Stand High School photo.

Hayden was recruited to UMASS Lowell by Head Coach Ken Harring and Pitching Coach Brad Cook, who lead a program that has reached outstanding levels of play in competition in the AEC as well as against SEC and ACC teams like LSU and University of Virginia. Hayden immediately liked the Riverhawks staff and their facilities at LeLacheur Park in Lowell. As a student, he’s excited about the school’s business program and looks forward to the possibility of participating in a co-op program with the Boston Red Sox’s Minor League affiliate team, the Lowell Spinners.

Hayden is excited to join coaches Harring and Cook at UMASS Lowell and thanks Coach Rose at Bishop Stang for helping him to get there. Of playing at Stang, Hayden said “from Freshman year until now, the emphasis has been on working hard in practice. Players earn their spots and everything is performance-based with Coach Rose. There is a great atmosphere on the team at Stang”. Hayden is grateful for the lifelong friendships he has developed through his play with the Spartan team.

On this special day, Hayden wanted to thank his mom and dad for their support. He also thanked the Team Boston travel team and Coach Jared Evans, with whom he’s played since 2014, for affording him “opportunities to be seen that [he] otherwise would not have had”.

The signing took place at Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, MA. Contact Bishop Stang Athletic Director, Dennis Golden for more details on the National Letter of Intent at dgolden@bishopstang.com or (508) 996-5602 x 427.


Bishop Stand High School photo.