Manville bats boom in first two victories

Weber, Sopko lead barrage

By: Rudy Brandl
   If Manville High baseball coach Steve Venuto had any questions about his team’s hitting ability, they were answered early and often in last week’s opening blowout victories over Roselle and Technology.
   The Mustangs (2-0) erupted for 29 runs and 22 hits in two games, rolling past Roselle by a 9-3 count at home before hitting the road for a 20-3 shellacking of Technology in Newark. Venuto is always most concerned about his pitching, he’s glad to see his young guys hitting the ball.
   "I’m happy with the hitting," Venuto said. "We need the pitching to carry us, but we still have to score runs. We’ve got some guys with a year under their belt so I’m hoping they hit better this year."
   Several players contributed to last week’s assault, including a couple of varsity newcomers.
   Sophomore Chris Weber began his varsity career with a bang, going 4-for-4 with four RBI in the opener. Weber went 1-for-2 with three runs and two RBI in the second game to stay hot.
   "It’s good that I have to prove myself to everyone," Weber said. "I’m just trying to help the team."
   Weber has enjoyed the early notoriety. There’s nothing like going 4-for-4 in your first varsity game.
   "It feels great," he said. "It makes you not want to get out anymore. It’s nice when your teachers come up to you the next day in school." Junior Kyle Sopko, a returning varsity starter who made limited offensive contributions last spring, started his second season with a huge performance. Sopko went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. Sopko belted two-run doubles in the third and fifth innings when the Mustangs began to pull away from Roselle.
   "Last year, I was smaller and it was my first year on varsity," Sopko said. "I knew I could hit but I was nervous. I changed my stance and Coach Venuto has helped me out a lot in batting practice. It made me hit better."
   The Mustangs made their skipper happy by scoring in the bottom of the first inning of the season when Weber singled home Jeff Opachinski, who was hit by a pitch. Roselle tied the score in the top of the second but Manville moved ahead to stay with five runs in the home half of the third.
   Pat Horner was hit by a pitch, Tommy Rock reached on an error and Opachinski walked to load the bases. Weber plated the go-ahead run with a single and Dennis Petrone drove in another on a fielder’s choice. Sopko made it 6-1 with the first of his two-run doubles.
   Opachinski singled and scored on another Weber hit in the fifth. Anthony Palovick smacked a base hit and Petrone reached on an error. Sopko smacked his second two-run double to cap the scoring.
   While Weber and Sopko carried the load in the opener, everyone in the lineup got a piece of the action in Thursday’s 20-run outburst. Seven different players contributed hits and the Mustangs received 16 walks.
   Palovick and Angel Ortiz went 3-for-3 to lead the attack. Palovick scored three times and Ortiz drove in two runs. Rock and Sopko each went 2-for-3 with four RBI. Opachinski, Weber, Palovick and Horner scored three runs apiece.
   Manville’s offense gave more than enough support to make winning pitchers out of Rock vs. Roselle and Wood at Technology. Rock (1-0) struck out nine and walked one while scattering six hits in seven innings, while Wood (1-0) gave up two earned runs and six hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work.
   The Mustangs were scheduled to host St. Mary’s Tuesday before Thursday’s big game at Bound Brook. They’re hoping to keep the machine rolling.
   "Any time you can come away with two wins an no losses, it’s a great week," Venuto said. "It’s coming along but it’s still going to take some time. We want to continue our winning streak."