Westerners' Veteran Core Returns

By Peter Romano

In a field of grass, the outfielders stand quietly under the dark summer sky, while the pitcher
stands alone on the mound beneath the bright wash of the stadium lights. Fans scattered
throughout the ballpark watch silently. Baseball can be a lonely game, especially for
newcomers. First-year players often look to veterans for guidance. This summer, the Danbury
Westerners will rely on seven returning players to set the tone and guide the team’s newcomers.
Here’s a closer look at those leaders for the season.

Peter Link returns to Danbury, looking to build on a very strong summer. Link showed a great
mix of power and speed last summer by blasting eight home runs with 30 runs batted in, swiping
14 bases, and playing stellar defense in the outfield.

Another familiar face returning this summer is Gavin Donohue. Donohue was a staple for the
Westerners at shortstop last summer, with 37 games played and 7 doubles in 2025.

Jack Lutte marches into Danbury for another strong summer. The Denison junior hit .324 and
drew 30 walks in 2025. Lutte looks to keep his form in 2026.

Cole Gibson comes back as the anchor of the Westerners' rotation. The Fairfield native had an
impressive 2025, posting a 3.21 ERA and 19 strikeouts over seven starts. Gibson returns to try
and build on a strong summer.

Returning to the Westerners, Teddy Cashman brings experience back to the clubhouse. The
senior from Lafayette College scored ten runs on eleven hits with a reliable glove in the outfield.

Aiden Stern returns after posting a .385 on-base percentage, five runs batted in, and six stolen
bases in just nine games last summer.

Kyle Garbowski returns to the Westerners after a well-rounded season while playing almost
every position on the field. The senior from Quinnipiac is back to build on last summer.

Together, these seven veterans provide a strong foundation as the Westerners welcome a new
group of players and begin another summer in Danbury.