Marc Deschenes | Program Director

Born in Lowell MA and a resident of Dracut MA , Coach Marc Deschenes played as a college shortstop at UMass Lowell and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians where his pitching potential was recognized and he made the transition as a professional to pitcher. In 1997, he received the prestigious Bob Feller award as the top minor league pitcher in the Cleveland Indian's organization. He has competed professionally in the Arizona Fall League and was selected in the Rule V draft in 1998 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was signed by the Boston Red Sox and assigned to Portland "AA" in 2004 and after a successful season with the Seadogs he was assigned to the "AAA" Pawtucket Red Sox in 2005. Coach Deschenes has resigned with the Boston Red Sox. Coach Deschenes has provided private lessons and directed his own baseball school for a number of years and he is the Director of the Deschenes Pitching Academy offered to amateur pitchers each year. He has an avid following of loyal students he regularly instructs in pitching, hitting and fundamentals programs.

Derek Favreau--Baseball Instructor

At Tewksbury High School, Derek Favreau served as the baseball team's 2 time conference all-star where he earned the Lowell Sun all star and the MVC league MVP for 1999. At Bridgewater State College he was the 2003 team captain and became assisstant coach in 2004. He also played for the Chelmsford Merchants from 2000 to 2004, where he became the team's coach in 2004. He became coach of the Diamond Dawgs team in 2004.

Mark Rurak--Baseball Instructor

Born in Lowell, MA, Coach Rurak played high school at Lowell High for 4 years. After graduating from Lowell, Coach Rurak was a 3 year starter at the University of Mass, Lowell. He was elected a tri-captain in his senior year and also was selected second team ALL-NECC his junior and senior season. Currently Coach Rurak is the head coach of the junior varsity at Lowell High where he has coached the past 8 years. Coach Rurak will enter his 3rd season as head coach of the New England Diamond Dawgs.

Ashton Whidden-Softball Instructor

Ashton Whidden is the softball pitching coach for Franklin Pierce University. Prior to joining the FP staff coach Whidden pitched in the Sunshine State Conference . Whidden came to Franklin Pierce following an impressive playing career at St. Leo University in Florida (2007-11). She pitched for St. Leo all four seasons, including putting together 2.7 earned run average during her junior season in 2010. She made 34 appearances that season with 30 starts, including throwing an impressive 200.2 innings.

Whidden posted an ERA below 3.0 during three of her four seasons, including a 1.62 mark as a freshman in 2008.Coach Whidden has several years experience instructing pitching for developing and advanced players. Whidden also directs the Softball program at the Nike camp during the summer while also coaching the Polar Crush 18 U.

Ashton has a BA in Political Science and well as an MBA in Leadership.

Melanie Bettencourt-Softball Instructor

• 1997 MA Division 2 State Champs H.S.
• 1998 MA Division 2 State Champs H.S.
• 1998 DHS Most Improved Player
• 1998 Lowell Sun All-Star
• 1999 Lowell Sun Player of the Year
• 1999 Boston Globe Player of The Year
• 1999 Boston Herald Player of the Year
• 1999 WBTV Player of the Week-TV Interview
• 1999 MA School Sports April Cover-Spring Athlete
• 1996 & 1999 MVC North Sectionals Champs

• ERA for 4 years of high school: .74
• Only two losses in high school
• Played 10 years travel softball coached under Miles Page & George Roy (ASA, AFA & NSA)
• Several MA and N.E. Championship Titles and apperences in National Tournaments placing 3rd and 7th.
• Played 4 years of Division 3 Softball at Endicott College (CCC Division)
• CCC Champs 2003
• NCAA Regional Appearance 2003
• Been teaching lessons since 2001
• Coached 2 years for the N.E. Hurricanes

Nickie Zullo-Head of Soccer Operations/Instructor

Born with a soccer ball in his foot and into a family of former Italian Soccer players, Nickie was destined to be a soccer player stand out. He spent his early days playing through the Stoneham Soccer Club and Travel teams, where he started his career as a goalie, but quickly realized his skills where far better on the field. Nickie played at the highest levels of competition with various Olympic Development Teams and Select Club Teams. He spent 5 years with Spirit of MA (Concord, MA), an elite club in NCCL (Now know as MAPLE League). At Stoneham High School, Nickie was a 4 year Varsity Starter and know as a "Play Maker" because he could direct the flow of play in any direction he wanted and was the central figure in the team's Offense and Defense. Nickie earned certain honors as a Middlesex League All Star & All Scholastic Athlete, in his high school career. He was highly recruited out of high school to Brandeis University and several other Division II & III Colleges in MA. Most recently, he played for Bukowski Tavern in the Men's MA Soccer League.

Carrie Ladebauche--Softball Instructor

Carrie Ladebauche is a resident of Dracut, Ma and has many years of player, teacher and coaching experience. She had an outstanding pitching career for Dracut High, where she won many awards and holds the current record for strikeouts in a single game. Carrie continued her softball experience at Merrimack College, where she was named to the Northeast-10 All Conference Team three consecutive years and the All-Regional Team. While at Merrimack College, she helped the Warriors to the Division II Northeast Regionals and the College World Series, including a Final Four appearance as a senior. Carrie has coached in several summer travel programs and at the high school level. Most recently she is the Assistant Coach at Dracut High School. She has a solid reputation for her instruction and has provided individual and team pitching instruction at many clinics in the Merrimack Valley for over 10 years.

George Roy-Softball Instructor

Future Stars welcomes Mr. Roy as our newest softball program instructor. George brings 30 years of coaching and teaching experience to Future Stars! George has been an Assistant Varsity coach at Dracut High School since 1998. In his his first year at Dracut, he aided the team in winning the MIAA Division 11 State High School championship. In addition, George coaches a youth traveling team where, under his coaching, has won the following:

* 6 J.O. State Championships

* 5 New England Championships

* AFA East coast Championship

* 14 Nationals

* 4 time top ten team at Nationals

Steve Botto-Baseball Instructor

At Lowell High School, Steve Botto stood out as a 3-year starter (2nd base) on the school's baseball team. He continued his status as a 3-year starter (2nd base) at U-Mass Lowell as well as becoming team captain for two years. He continued his baseball career by serving as assistant coach for Lowell Legion Baseball from 1998 to 2001. He also served as head coach (2003-2005) for Greater Lowell Northeast Baseball and assistant varsity coach (1998-present) and a baseball camp instructor (11 years) for Greater Lowell Baseball. Mr. Botto is available for private hitting and fielding lessons.

Kirk Monbleau-Baseball Instructor

Mike Parnell-Baseball Instructor