Maloney (Brockton High) set the program record for career strikeouts in a March 22 win over Saint Anselm and had 309 whiffs through last weekend. He was named the conference and East Region Pitcher of the Week ending March 8, and was an American Baseball Coaches Association preseason All-American.

Ranked 13th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine Division 2 Coaches Poll, Franklin Pierce knocked off Stonehill last Sunday, 10-0, with Maloney scattering five hits and striking out nine in eight innings.

Dowd (East Bridgewater High), a Baseball America and ABCA preseason All-American selection, was, along with Maloney, named to the preseason watch list for the Tino Martinez Division 2 Player of the Year Award.

“Brian is real competitive and throws three pitches for strikes. He’s had an incredible season, is our No. 1 starter, and is coming off a strong 2010 post-season,’’ said head coach Jayson King, a former three-sport athlete and baseball captain at Canton High.

“Mike has had two good years for us but is having his best year now, and I think defensively, he’s the best catcher in New England. He could be taken high in the Major League draft in June.’’

The Ravens, who advanced to the NCAA Division 2 national semifinals last season, also include freshman lefthanded pitchers Tom MacInnes (Plymouth North/Bridgton Academy) and Trevor Derochea (Stoughton High), and sophomore righty Joe Flynn (Plymouth North).

Flynn, a starter and reliever, was 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 27.2 innings; MacInnes had a 2.70 ERA in seven games, six in relief, and DeRochea had appeared in one game out of the bullpen.

As Wheaton’s closer, Grant is unhittable Wheaton College freshman closer Ryan Grant of Easton (Oliver Ames/Avon Old Farms) has been close to perfection for the Lyons baseball team that was 23-7 through last weekend and cochampion of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference.

Grant, an all-conference and Rookie of the Year nominee, had appeared in 14 games with a team-high six saves and an 0.00 ERA in 14 innings. He had allowed just nine hits and two walks, struck out 11 and held opposing hitters to a .176 batting average.

“The closer’s job was open and Ryan got the opportunity early on and showed he could handle it. He’s worked hard and made some adjustments since last fall,’’ said head coach Eric Podbelski, whose team was 13-5 and NEWMAC cochampion.

The Lyons were scheduled to host Coast Guard yesterday in a first round NEWMAC tournament game.

Wheaton, ranked second in the region, has also been aided by sophomore outfielder Sean Ryan (Norton High), the conference’s 2010 Rookie of the Year who was off to a great start (.367 batting average in 15 games) before an injury ended his season; freshman pitcher Nick Filloramo (Old Rochester), who was 4-1 in five starts; freshman catcher Joe Carlier (Rockland High); sophomore lefty reliever Jordan Wylie (Plymouth North/Avon Old Farms), who had one victory in 10 relief outings; and junior outfielder John Keating (Duxbury High/Northfield Mount Hermon).

Losing Ryan, the three-spot batter, was a blow, but “Filloramo has been solid (3.81 ERA) and had a complete game shutout against Brandeis,’’ said Podbelski. “Carlier . . . works hard and called a great game in Filloramo’s win over Brandeis, Wylie has been coming on of late in big situations as a setup man, and Keating does everything I ask of him and he’s a great teammate.’’

Weymouth Waves compete in nationals Four members of the Weymouth Waves competed at the Junior National (18 and under) swimming championships in Orlando last month.

Colleen O’Neil, a sophomore at Abington High, Katie Kenney, a senior at Dedham High, Samantha Sliwinski of Weymouth, a senior at Fontbonne Academy in Milton, and Janelle McDonald, a junior at Middleborough High, made the Florida trip.

O’Neil competed in three breaststroke events and two individual medleys in Orlando. Kenney swam in two freestyles and one butterfly event. Sliwinski competed in two freestyles and McDonald was entered in the 400 medley relay with O’Neil, Kenney, and Sliwinski.

“All rededicated themselves to improving,’’ said first-year head coach Marshall Goldman, who took over the program, based at the Weymouth Club, last May. “Colleen dropped 4 seconds off her 100 breaststroke time and 15 seconds off her 400 IM and Samantha dropped 8 seconds off her 200 freestyle time during the season. This was the first time any Waves swimmers have gone to junior nationals.’’

Norwell High junior Peter McDonald is also making waves. He qualified in the 5,000-yard freestyle for the Open Water Championships to be held in June in Fort Myers, Fla.

“He’s probably the hardest-working swimmer we’ve got,’’ said Goldman, a former Brandeis University swimming captain. “Peter’s achievement is also a first for any of our club members.’’

Marvin Pave can be reached at marvin.pave@rcn.com.