BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer
The Sayreville Junior American Legion team opened its campaign on Tuesday with a 12-2 victory over JFK.
Steve Witkowski, Joe Bonura and Mike Rochford handled the pitching duties, and Tom Berardi contributed three hits to the effort.
The Sayreville contingent includes a handful of players from the Sayreville High School team that won the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division title, as well as players from the Bombers’ junior varsity contingent, which finished at 18-7 and took second place in the GMC JV tourney.
With the graduation of top pitchers Brandon Aich and Tim Ballard, several of the hurlers on the junior legion contingent are likely to see time on the hill for the Bombers next spring.
“This is a good opportunity the players in the program to work on their skills, get some extra at-bats or innings, and the younger guys have the opportunity to show what they can do,” said coach Mike Novak, who also pilots the Sayreville varsity.
Pitchers on the roster include junior Robert Eickenbush, sophomores Ed Goldman, Jim Foley, Bonura, Rochford and Witkowski, as well as Berardi, a freshman.
Berardi and Rochford will platoon at first base; juniors Mike Klauter and Joe Posik handle second base, Foley is at short with junior David Donner and sophomore Bob Blekeski patrolling the hot corner.
Sophomore Bobby Woods provides additional infield depth. Billy Woods and Klauter will see time behind the plate.
Goldman will patrol center field when he’s not pitching. The other outfielders include junior Pat Lisa, and sophomores Anthony Agostini, San Mueller and Bob Rinaldi.