Post 414 baseball
By: John E. Powers
Andrew Riexinger experienced a memorable senior season with the Notre Dame High School baseball team in the spring.
The Irish won the Mercer County Tournament title by beating Steinert in nine innings at Waterfront Park and won a share of the Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division.
Now, The College of New Jersey-bound Flemington native is experiencing something of a rebuilding season with the Lawrence American Legion Post 414 team.
Lawrence started the week with a 2-10 record, but Riexinger is confident the team will turn things around and has a better mix of players than last year’s seven-win team.
"The one thing we know is that everybody is giving their all, and our record really doesn’t reflect the effort," he said. "We’ve been in some close games that we could have won. Legion baseball isn’t just for fun Mercer County is very competitive in baseball, and I look at this as a showcase for your ability and a good place to keep your skills up."
Riexinger, an 18-year-old lefty, has the team’s wins against Mitchell Davis and Hightstown Post 148. Post 414 beat Hightstown 6-2 behind Riexinger’s second stellar start. He allowed one earned run on just three hits, striking out six and walking two over seven innings. Riexinger, who played football for Notre Dame last fall, also had two hits and an RBI. Riexinger was invited to play in next week’s Sunshine Football Classic game at College of New Jersey, but declined.
"He’s a tough kid, and when he doesn’t succeed, he takes it personally," Post 414 manager Joe Eldridge Sr. said. "He’s one of those quiet leaders."
Riexinger said the season has been a good example for the younger players on the team, who are getting to know just how deep and tough Mercer County baseball is. Riexinger feels this team might be capable of more.
"The one thing about our team this year is that we’re always battling, and we’re a close knit team," Riexinger said. "Our coach keeps telling us that the wins will come. Nobody is going to want to play us in the second half of the season. We’ve been really battling the last two innings of our games."
Riexinger pointed out Lawrence’s recent 11-9 loss to Hopewell Post 339. He went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Riexinger said part of the learning process is understanding that every game is a challenge in Mercer County.
"It doesn’t matter if we’re playing Trenton or Hamilton; every game is going to be a battle," he said.
Riexinger was 4-1 in the spring with Notre Dame, while high school and Legion teammate Eric Reilly, who is playing in the Carpenter Cup for Mercer County, was 7-1.
Dan Ciccone, who’s 15, is also pitching for his Babe Ruth League team.
"He’s going to be unhittable," Riexinger said. "He’s already throwing in the 80s, and he’s 15."