For the first-year varsity team, it’s all about building success.
By: Kyle Moylan
This isn’t a rebuilding year at New Egypt High School. For the first-year varsity baseball team, the initial building is still taking place.
"We have been getting better," noted New Egypt manager Richard Carroll of his 4-8 team. "We have won 3 of the last 6, so we have been getting better. We’re still making mistakes, but we seem to be recovering better from them."
Thus far this season, New Egypt has recorded wins against Westampton Tech, Wallkill Valley, Medford Tech and Palmyra. It has lost games to Burlington Township, Palmyra, Florence, Maple Shade, Wallkill Valley, Riverside, Burlington City and Willingboro.
"A goal of ours was to be .500 in conference and to get better as the year went along," Carroll said. "I wanted to be better every time we took the field. We have been better since the beginning of the season.
"Talent wise, I think we are on an even playing field with a lot of teams we have played. We don’t have the experience. That’s the biggest thing."
New Egypt has stayed in a lot of game based on the pitching of James Farrell and Justin Wilkins. They have also been helped out with the emergence of Lee Hopkins as a top-notch catcher. Hopkins pitched and played some at short and in the outfield in the past. The freshman, however, approached Carroll about being a catcher this season.
Adam Milosz has been another bright spot in the leadoff position. Knowing his role, Milosz walked four times and scored 3 runs during a recent game.
Just playing in general has made everyone on New Egypt better. With more games on the schedule and a Jr. Legion team this summer, the progress should continue.
"The feeder programs are also getting better," Carroll noted. "We’ve done some clinics with the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken programs. There’s a lot of talent coming up. I just hope the coach (meaning Carroll) doesn’t mess it up (laughs)."