by Bill Florence
The Lowell 12U Cal Ripken All-Stars added another unforgettable chapter to the city’s rich baseball tradition, capturing the 2026 Eastern Massachusetts State Championship and successfully defending the title they won in 2025. The victory marks the program’s third Eastern Massachusetts championship in four years, having also claimed the state title in 2023.
It was a remarkable accomplishment for a team that relied on dominant pitching, explosive offense, aggressive baserunning, airtight defense, and contributions from every player throughout an unforgettable postseason run.
The championship roster included Sean Drinkwater, Cooper Parent, Frank Ventura, Harry Zahareas, Jacob Marion, James Kane, Kal Eang, Lucas Ros, Rayden Reyes, Ryder Swett, Thomas Florence, and Zahir Rodriguez.
District Tournament Sets the Stage
The road to another championship began at the Eastern Massachusetts District Tournament in Chelmsford, where Lowell faced an early challenge.
Needing a win in its final pool play game, Lowell responded with one of its best performances of the summer, defeating Haverhill 13-0 behind a dominant outing from Ryder Swett. Swett allowed just one hit while striking out seven batters, keeping Lowell’s championship hopes alive.
The victory advanced Lowell into a winner-take-all matchup against a talented North Andover club with a berth in the state tournament on the line.
Once again, Lowell answered.
Zahir Rodriguez delivered a strong performance on the mound while the offense erupted behind home runs from Frank Ventura, Thomas Florence, and Rodriguez. The convincing victory punched Lowell’s ticket to the Eastern Massachusetts State Tournament.
A Statement in Tewksbury
Hosted in neighboring Tewksbury, the 10-team Eastern Massachusetts State Tournament featured many of the region’s best teams.
Lowell opened pool play against Easton. After a slow start, the offense exploded for six runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away for a 15-1 victory.
Lucas Ros launched a home run, while Sean Drinkwater, Jacob Marion, and Zahir Rodriguez each collected multiple hits.
Harry Zahareas added a double, and Kal Eang delivered a timely hit as the Mill City entry announced itself as one of the tournament favorites.
The second pool-play game against Winchester proved to be Lowell’s first true test.
Trailing 2-0 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Lowell’s offense suddenly came alive.
Thomas Florence blasted a home run to put Lowell on the board before Harry Zahareas followed immediately with a towering home run of his own. The back-to-back blasts ignited a five-run inning that completely shifted the momentum.
Zahareas wasn’t finished, adding a second home run later in the game as Lowell rallied for an 8-3 victory. Ryder Swett, Lucas Ros, and Zahareas each recorded multiple hits, while Rayden Reyes scored a key insurance run.
Against Weymouth, there would be little drama.
Lowell rolled to a convincing 12-0 victory behind another dominant all-around performance.
Cooper Parent powered the offense with two home runs, while Ryder Swett, Harry Zahareas, and Sean Drinkwater each added multiple hits.
On the mound, Thomas Florence threw a complete-game gem, allowing just two hits while striking out four without issuing a walk.
The victory set up a final pool-play matchup with Fairhaven-Acushnet with the No. 1 overall seed on the line.
Lowell completed its perfect pool play run behind more timely offense.
Parent continued his outstanding tournament by hitting another home run, while Swett also went deep. James Kane and Zahir Rodriguez each added two hits, and Rodriguez teamed with Swett on the mound to secure the victory.
The defending champions finished 4-0 in pool play, earning the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed.
Punching a Ticket to the Finals
The top seed earned Lowell a first-round bye into the state semifinals against a talented Marblehead squad.
The offense continued to roll.
James Kane delivered one of the best individual performances of the tournament, collecting four hits, including a home run.
Rodriguez once again dominated on the mound while also helping himself offensively with a home run. Ryder Swett, Sean Drinkwater, and Cooper Parent each added hits as Lowell advanced to the championship game.
Waiting for them was a familiar opponent.
Easton had battled through the opposite side of the bracket to earn a rematch with Lowell for the state championship.
Champions Once Again
The championship game did not begin the way Lowell had envisioned.
Easton struck first, taking an early 1-0 lead, but Lowell never wavered.
In the top of the third inning, Ryder Swett singled before stealing both second and third base. Moments later, James Kane delivered an infield single to score Swett and tie the game at 1-1.
An inning later, Jacob Marion singled to begin another rally before eventually scoring on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Lucas Ros, giving Lowell a 2-1 lead.
Easton answered immediately, scoring twice in the bottom of the fourth inning to reclaim a 3-2 advantage.
Just as they had throughout the tournament, however, Lowell saved its best baseball for when it mattered most.
The offense erupted for four runs in the fifth inning before adding five more in the sixth, breaking the game open and securing another state championship.
Jacob Marion led the attack with three hits, while Rayden Reyes used his speed to change the game, stealing three bases in the sixth inning before scoring an important insurance run.
Aggressive baserunning became one of the defining stories of the championship as Lowell stole an incredible 17 bases. Defensively, the difference was equally striking.
Behind the plate, Thomas Florence expertly managed the pitching staff and helped shut down Easton’s running game. Easton did not record a single stolen base.
Sean Drinkwater played an exceptional second base position all tournament and helped turn a pivotal double play in the championship game.
On the mound, Ryder Swett started the championship game before Zahir Rodriguez came on in relief, combining for another outstanding pitching performance.
When the final out was recorded, the celebration was on.
Lowell had successfully defended its state championship while capturing its third Eastern Massachusetts title in four years.
But the journey is far from over.
As the 2026 Eastern Massachusetts State Champion, Lowell has earned the right to represent the region at the Cal Ripken New England Regional Tournament in Dover, New Hampshire. There, the All-Stars will face the top teams from across New England with hopes of extending their remarkable postseason run and taking one step closer to the Cal Ripken 12U World Series.
A Championship Program
Throughout both the district and state tournaments, Lowell showcased every element of championship baseball.
The pitching staff consistently threw strikes and delivered in the biggest moments. The defense played fundamentally sound baseball. The offense combined timely hitting with remarkable power, while the team’s aggressive baserunning constantly pressured opponents.
Perhaps most impressively, different players emerged as heroes every game.
Swett dominated on the mound and ignited rallies. Parent hit multiple home runs during the state tournament. Zahareas belted three home runs, including two against Winchester. Kane collected four hits in the semifinals and drove in the tying run in the championship game. Marion delivered three hits in the title game. Rodriguez starred both as a pitcher and hitter throughout the postseason. Florence contributed clutch home runs, strong pitching, and outstanding work behind the plate. From Drinkwater to Ros, Reyes to Eang, Ventura, and every member of the roster, contributions came from every corner of the lineup.
That balance, depth, and commitment to one another defined this championship team.
For Sean Drinkwater, Cooper Parent, Frank Ventura, Harry Zahareas, Jacob Marion, James Kane, Kal Eang, Lucas Ros, Rayden Reyes, Ryder Swett, Thomas Florence, and Zahir Rodriguez, the 2026 season will forever be remembered as the year they cemented their place in Lowell baseball history.
Now, the team turns its attention north to Dover, New Hampshire, carrying with it the pride of Lowell and the hopes of an entire community. Their quest continues as they represent Eastern Massachusetts against the region’s best.
