By David Gurney, Sports Writer
It’s always tough for a head coach to say goodbye to a graduating class.
But not every coach says farewell to a class that set program records for wins during a four-year stretch, took home two division championships , reached the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, and came a win shy of the school record for wins in a season during their senior year.
For head coach Greg Beyer, he has to say goodbye to eight seniors, all of whom received very significant playing-time.
”This group has had the greatest four-year stretch we’ve had with the program, and that’s saying a lot,” Beyer said. “They won two division championships, and we’ve only won four now in our history, they won 60 games in four years, and they’ve played in the GMC quarterfinals two of the last three years. This year we lost a heartbreaker to (eventual runner-up) Old Bridge.
”What they’ve done in the playoffs, and what they’ve done in the season has never been done in such a short stretch.”
The Falcons finished 17-10 overall, including a 10-3-1 White Division mark that was good enough to earn them co-division championship honors with Colonia.
Monroe reached both the GMCT quarterfinals, before bowing to Old Bridge 8-4, and the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinals before dropping an 8-3 contest to Wall. Both games Monroe either held the lead or was tied late.
The win mark was one short of a program record 18, and the division championship was the squad’s second in three years.
”The last three years we won the division twice, it’s great,” said senior shortstop Marc Magliaro, who will play next year at Rowan University. “It hasn’t happened often in Monroe, so it’s a good accomplishment I guess. We’ve done some things the last couple years that really put the team on the map.”
Magliaro is just one of eight seniors, each one having logged starts throughout the year. However, Magliaro is the only one who played all four years on varsity, starting midway through his freshman year and manning the shortstop position ever since.
He finished his career second all-time in hits (115), plate appearances, runs scored, stolen bases and walks, while finishing third overall in doubles and RBI. Also a pitcher, he finished second in career ERA.
”He’s one of the most talented players I’ve ever had,” Beyer said. “And he does really well in a lot of aspects. He’s the best defensive shortstop we’ve had at the school since I’ve been there. He wants to be really good. He works at his game, wants to play.”
Along with Magliaro, Monroe will also graduate pitcher/outfielder Ryan Clark, pitcher/outfielder Len Bergen, designated hitter Matt Lezzo, catcher Anthony Modugno, second baseman Garrett Beyer, first baseman Joey Williams, and infielder Dan Palisay.
Both Magliaro and Williams made First Team All-White Division.
They weren’t the most emotional group, a very business-as-usual approach that carried them very far.
”It wasn’t a very emotional group from standpoint they’re not ‘rah rah’ kids,” Beyer said. “They don’t say much, most of them, but they perform on the field. It’s a group that will surely be missed around here. We’ve never graduated this many kids who were so vital to the team. When you look at body of work and the career stat list, they all contributed and left their marks.”
The Falcons will still return a decent amount of key components and contributors.
Coming back will be sophomore ace Andy Sullivan, along with freshman infield/outfielder Nick Dini both were selected First Team All-White Division, while Sullivan set a school record for ERA in a season and Dini set a record for plate appearances in a season.
Also returning are junior outfielder Joey Ruopoli, junior pitcher Angelo Trento, junior third baseman James Domino, junior outfielder Steve Blish and outfielder Zach Batchelor.
