By: Sean Moylan
The Bordentown Patriots creamed the Mount Holly Mudcats, 9-3, to make Sunday’s home opener at Gilder Field a pleasant one.
While the Patriots strengthened an already strong team with an influx of new players, the veterans really came through for the squad in this one.
Jimmy Gummel started for Bordentown and tossed five solid innings (one run allowed, seven strikeouts) to secure the win.
"He (Gummel) did real well," said Bruce Kafer, who manages the Patriots and knows his talent.
Fleet-footed Curt Appleby and Kevin Beetle, both skilled veterans, each collected doubles in the contest.
Bordentown also got some sharp relief out of Tom Walls (1 1/3 innings, one run) and Keith Trout (2 2/3 innings, one run).
"We had a couple of pickoffs," added Kafer, whose team also did the little things well to make the playoffs last season.
"Everybody, for the first time out, played well."
This year the Patriots will feature Justin Latini at catcher, Troy DiLemme at first, Jeff Perelli at second, Beetle at third, Ray Vetter at short, hard-hitting Pat Redwood in right field, Appleby in center and Rob Montalbano in left. Chris Church (catcher), Dave Kessler (left field) and Jason Peters (right field) will give the Patriots depth in the field. Furthermore, Dave Schnider and Mark Hoppe offer big bats off the bench.
And of course, Gummel, Walls and Trout are all solid hurlers.
The Bordentown Patriots will play every Sunday with their home games at Gilder. Look for them to make the playoffs again. They also may add a player or two before it’s all over.

