BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer
After winning three of its last five games, the St. John Vianney High School American Legion team entered the week looking to reach the .500 mark by season’s end, coach Rich Fernicola said.
The SJV Legion entry was 5-8 with five games remaining. Fernicola’s team has generally hit well, but its fielding has been somewhat inconsistent as several players are trying different positions.
"We’re a hitting team, there’s no question about that," he said. "Defensively, we’re experimenting quite a lot, though that should help the players in the long run."
Third baseman Kevin Ruffler, first sacker Matt Georgiana and outfielder Pete Pabon have each blasted a pair of home runs, while left fielder Steven Fernicola has a 12-game hitting streak to his credit.
Pitcher/first basemen Shawn McTigue and Nick Nitoli, outfielder Sean Cusick and outfielder Steve Bouchard have also provided punch at the plate.
Slap-hitting Mike Urciuli has excelled at the top of the order, along with Kevin McInerny. Both players are base-stealing threats.
The pitching staff is comprised of Fernicola, McTigue, Cusick, Nitoli, Pabon, Ryan Dody and Sal Cessaro. Mike Trappasso and Dan Intilli are the catchers, with Ruffler filling in on occasion.
Other members of the team include infielders Frank DiRoma, Gary Fare, Anthony Pavia, Vin Valazquez, and outfielder Chris Lewnes.
"A lot of these players will be on the SJV varsity next season, and we’re working on getting them to gel as a team" the senior Fernicola said. "Most of them are going to play in the fall as well, so they’re working hard and getting some quality games and at-bats. It’s been a good experience for them."
Diamond notes… The Monmouth County American Legion playoffs are scheduled for this weekend for both the senior and junior league teams.
Heading into this week, the (Christian Brothers Academy) Colts Post No. 515 sat atop the senior league standings with an 11-3-1 mark (61 points). CBA is assured of a spot in the playoffs this week, regardless of the outcome of its games this week. Middletown North Post No. 338 also appears to be playoff-bound, entering the week at 11-1 (56 points). Ocean’s VFW Post No. 2226 entered the week in third place with its 10-5 mark (55 points), while Freehold Township’s Patriots held down the fourth spot with a 9-3 mark (48 points).
In the junior Legion standings, the Ocean VFW Post No. 2226 entered the week with the top mark at 10-4 (54 points), followed closely by Colts Neck at 10-1 (51 points). Middletown North Post No. 338 entered the week in third place at 8-2 with 48 points.
St. John Vianney’s junior team has also played well, and enters today’s game with Manalapan (6-4, 34 points) with a 8-4 mark and 47 points.