Coach praises team for play in tough Mercer County league
By: Neil Hay
A year ago, the Hightstown High School junior varsity
baseball team did not win its third game until midway through the season.
But this was a new year, with new personnel and a new
coach. So when the Rams kicked off 2000 with consecutive wins over West
Windsor, Ewing and Lawrence, indications were that something positive was
happening at the jayvee level.
"We had big wins early in the season," said first-year
coach Gregory Hall. We beat three outstanding programs."
But the Rams’ winning ways came to a screeching halt in
the next game, when Hightstown was manhandled by Steinert, the class of the
county.
"Then we got a wake-up call," said Hall with a laugh. "I
was really impressed by Steinert, Notre Dame, Lawrenceville and Hopewell
Valley, and the mystique of Mercer County."
A product of Middlesex County and New Brunswick, Hall was
getting his first taste of Mercer baseball. And he liked what he saw. He
also liked what he saw of his Hightstown jayvee nine, which was competitive
throughout the spring and finished at a refreshing 9-10.
"I think the team did extremely well," Hall said. "It was
a growing season with a new coach and new players. I was extremely
pleased."
Hall had only 13 players, all sophomores, to work with.
All played more than one position, and many tried their hand (and arm) at
pitching.
The roster consisted of catcher-infielder Brendan
Auwerbach, infielder-pitcher Jonathan Butts, catcher-outfielder Ross Gary,
catcher-infielder Chris Gully, pitcher-outfielder Craig Hopkins, and
pitcher-outfielder-infielders Nick Kenny, Paul Reyes, and Paul Truncellito.
Also, outfielder-infielder Steve Klose, infielder-pitcher Gregory
Milesnick, outfielder Jonathan Psaroudis and pitcher-outfielder Kevin
Zippo.
"I stressed to the players they had to be able to play
dual positions," Hall said. "We had a lot of guys who never before stepped
up to pitch. And they enjoyed it."
As the season developed, Hall saw progress from his
players.
"The players really did improve over the course of the
season," Hall said. "We were competitive most of the year, no question. We
received compliments from parents and umpires regarding the mental attitude
of the players. I felt honored as a new coach to receive these
compliments."
Hall is already figuring on half a dozen or so of this
year’s roster moving up to next year’s varsity. "Butts, Milesnick, Kenny,
Reyes, Klose, and Truncellito, those kids stood out. They were always at
practice, ready to play. Do I have to motivate you to play? No, they were
dependable. Kenny, Reyes, Truncellito, Milesnick, Klose, Butts, and Hopkins
are ready to move up to the varsity," said Hall. "At the end of the season
I stressed to the team to continue to play over the summer. If they do,
they will be ready to play varsity next year."
Hall enjoyed the season, saying "I had one of the best
times of my life playing baseball (this year). Getting a chance to be
around these kids and coaching, I really enjoyed it. The kids truly liked
each other and enjoyed playing together. It’s a highlight for a coach."