Dal Pra’s squad
qualifies for fourth
year in a row
By doug mckenzie
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY Ocean Township’s Jon Ernst works the mound for the Ocean Junior Legion All-Stars during a game against the Mid-Monmouth Babe Ruth All-Stars at Monmouth University in West Long Branch on Saturday.
The Ocean Township VFW No. 2226 American Legion baseball team heads into the state tournament this weekend on the heels of a tough loss in the county championship game.
Head coach Del Dal Pra’s squad took first place in the Monmouth County American League but fell in the championship game to what has been a dominant Freehold Township team on Sunday at Ocean Township High School, 7-5.
"We fell behind 7-2 and came back a little, but their pitcher, Brad Brach, was just too tough," Dal Pra said. "He pitched nine solid innings for them."
The loss left Ocean at 16-3-1, while Freehold Township improved to 17-1 on the summer. Both teams are now looking ahead to this weekend, when they will begin their runs in the state playoffs. The Freehold Clippers were the only other Monmouth County team to earn a state berth.
"We got three teams in there, and that’s pretty good," Dal Pra said. "There are a lot of teams out there that haven’t been there in a while, whereas we’ve done it four years in a row now. But we’re still excited about it, and hope to do well."
Ocean last won a district title in 2001, and will be looking to do it again this summer with what Dal Pra said is a young team.
"There are a lot of teams in the district that have some 19-year-olds and college freshmen, and we don’t have any of them," he said. "Our guys are young, but we’re still hoping to win the district. It’s going to be tough, though."
Ocean will head to Lyndhurst on Saturday to face the champions from Bergen County.
"Bergen will be pretty tough, and if we get past them, we’ll likely see Valesburg in the second round," Dal Pra said. "That team is the Seton Hall Prep team, and they usually have two or three players get drafted every year."
But Dal Pra is happy that his players will get the opportunity to face such quality opponents, as it will help them in the long run.
"Plus there are a lot of college and pro scouts at these games that can get a look at our guys," he said.
Some of the players who will get looks include third baseman Pat Lazerus, who is leading the team with a .615 average this summer, and shortstop Mark Pappas, who leads the team with 27 hits (.479).
Right fielder Roberto Camacho has also been strong with the bat, hitting at a .415 clip while leading the team with 14 RBIs.
Catcher Bobby Fox has set the tone defensively, playing almost flawlessly behind the plate, according to his coach, while also hitting .435.
Ocean has three solid pitchers it can turn to in the state playoffs, led by Greg Krzyzanowski, who is 2-2 this summer but has drawn all the toughest assignments on the hill.
"Greg’s lost to both the Freehold teams that are in the states, but has pitched very well for us," Dal Pra said.
Pappas has also been solid, posting a 3-0 mark with a 1.27 ERA, while Walt Taylor is 4-0 with two saves and a team-leading 40 strikeouts.
"We’re just looking to win our first game in the states and take it from there," Dal Pra said.
Meanwhile, the Ocean Township Junior Legion team is also enjoying a solid summer.
"They’re the defending champs in the American League, and are in first place at 11-6 with one week left," Dal Pra said. "They should be meeting Wall Township for the county title next Saturday at a site to be determined."
Wall is 13-2 and the National Division leader.
The Junior Legion team, which is coached by Bud Siegle, is made up of mostly freshmen (16 and under), a few sophomores and two eighth-graders.
Their success, along with the good fortune of the Senior Legion team, bodes well for the township’s high school program.
"The future is looking good," Dal Pra said. "We graduated seven seniors from last year’s team that all hit over .300 for their careers, so we have some holes to fill. That’s what summer ball is for."