Senior’s return lifts PHS baseball team
By: Bob Nuse
Jon Trapasso doesn’t look like a pitcher nearly two years removed from a regular spot in the starting rotation.
The Princeton High senior was a key part of the Little Tigers’ baseball team as a freshman and a sophomore before being forced to miss all of last season. This year, as a senior, he’s back and playing just as important a role for first-year head coach Greg Short.
On Friday, Trapasso tossed a three-hitter over six innings and allowed just one unearned run as the Little Tigers topped Hightstown, 11-1, for their first win of the season.
"I started on the varsity as a freshman, so I’ve been playing baseball a long time," said Trapasso, who also had three hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs in the game. "It was tough not being able to play last year, but I got to play (American Legion) over the summer, which was great. They gave me a chance even though they knew I hadn’t played in the spring.
"It’s strange because even though I didn’t pitch much for Legion, I feel like I’m pitching much better than I ever have before. Maybe it’s because I’m older and I’ve watched more games, so I have a better mental approach than I have in the past."
Trapasso was in total control against the Rams on Friday. After allowing an unearned run in the top of the first, he settled right in and held the visitors in check the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the offense produced five runs in the second and three more in the third to break the game open. The Little Tigers ended the game with three in the bottom of the sixth to bring about the 10-run rule.
"It was a little later than I had hoped we would get it, but it’s nice to get the first win," said Short, whose team will play at West Windsor-Plainsboro South today. "But a win is a win and I’m happy because we played well. I thought we played excellent defense and we only missed one sign, which was nice. It also helped us that Jon pitched a real nice game for us."
Trapasso is simply happy to be back out on the baseball field again for the Little Tigers. He’s able to provide good leadership on an otherwise fairly young team.
"We’re a pretty young team and maybe we needed a spark," said Trapasso, who struck out eight and walked six in the game. "Maybe a win like this will help us turn the corner. The thing about this team is that it’s all guys who love to play baseball. If we have a short practice, guys will stay to work on extra things because they just love to play the game.
"It’s so much fun this year. It’s relaxed and intense at the same time. We just go out and play ball and have a lot of fun."
And it’s more fun when you win, which Princeton did for the first time on Friday. The Little Tigers had 11 hits, with Sam Coggeshall joining Trapasso with three, including two doubles, in the game. Matt Manley added a pair of hits for Princeton. The Little Tigers hope the win will help them turn the corner after some tough losses in their first three games.
"We played Nottingham tough in a game that (Trapasso) couldn’t be there for," Short said. "We pitched a freshman (Dan O’Brien) and he did a nice job for us. We were in that game and then we’d make a mistake that would really hurt us. Toms River South was a 2-2 game after three innings and then they scored some runs on us. Against Allentown we were up, 3-0, in the first and then we gave the runs right back."
Now Princeton hopes to start a winning streak. Having Trapasso in the lineup certainly helps.
"Even though he didn’t play last year, he’s a seasoned ballplayer who is a leader for us," Short said. "We’re a better team when he’s in the lineup for us. Even when he’s not pitching, he’s one of our better offensive players. He had a nice game today, but that’s not unexpected."