LAWRENCE: Experience breeds optimism on baseball diamond

by Rich Fisher, The Packet Group
   It’s ironic that Lawrence High School is re-seeding its baseball field this season.
   Because last year, Chris Gresko planted the seeds and watered his team, and hopes to see it blossom this spring.
   ”We have a pretty good core nucleus,” said the third-year Lawrence High baseball coach. “Our juniors were basically getting their feet wet and getting playing experience last year.
   ”I kind of knew what we were up against. Sophomores are sophomores, so unless they’re really, really well versed, they’ll take their lumps. They did, and they learned from it.”
   The result was a 5-13 record that Gresko feels should improve.
   ”It’s gone from a rebuilding year to a building year,” he said. “Our seniors have a lot of experience. We’re bringing a lot to the table there.”
   The seniors feature Ryan Kmiec (P/1B), Anthony Russ (1B/DH), Roberto Felipe (OF), Matt Irene (OF), Ian Hock (OF) and Matt Cazin (P), while the juniors are Kevin Fitzell (P), Pat Fedorko (C) Doug Sensi (C) , Jason Adams (2B), Paul Grant (SS), Chris Coyle (3B), Ryan McMichael (OF), James Lee (P/OF) and Kyle Bennett (P). Sophomore outfielder Rich Toto rounds out the roster.
   Lee, McMichael, Cazin and Felipe are the lone varsity newcomers.
   The pitching looks solid, and Fitzell will be the No. 1 starter.
   ”He’s our go-to guy,” Gresko said. “He wants to swing the bat a little, which he can do, but he’s a true pitcher. He’s very methodical in his routine and mechanically sound.”
   Coyle and Kmiec will be part of the starting rotation, while Hock and Lee can also throw.
   Fedorko was last year’s offensive MVP after hitting .500, which was second in Mercer County.
   ”He was a big offensive weapon and Russ has really developed into a hitter,” Gresko said. “He’s just a big boy. We call him pro pop. When he hits the ball, it just jumps off his bat.
   ”From one to six, we’re pretty solid in the lineup, and even the bottom of the order can hit. We’re looking for Pat to continue what he did last year. The rest of the guys are all a lot stronger. We used to look at other teams coming in and say ‘Wow.’ I think this year we’re going to be that other team that comes in.”
   Gresko is enthused that the Cardinals hit well in several scrimmages against Group IV schools that threw their top pitchers. He was also happy with the team’s defense this preseason, and feels the squad has a winning mindset.
   ”A lot of these guys play multiple sports and have experienced success,” Gresko said. “Russ was on the football team, Grant and Coyle played basketball. They know what it takes to get there and they’re buying into our system.
   ”Our motto this year is FIO — Figure it out. We take our practices and put them in the playing arena. We make things difficult in practice, which should make it a little easier to take it and handle it in games.”
   Gresko said the goals are to reach the states, compete for the Colonial Valley Conference’s Valley Division title and go far in the Mercer County Tournament. This is Lawrence’s last year in the Valley before it drops to the Patriot Division next year.
   ”As a program we always say we want to be the last team playing in the county,” the coach said. “This is the year we said we have to shoot for states.”
   If optimism counts for anything, they should hit the mark.
   EXTRA INNINGS: Lawrence will play all its games at Eggerts Crossing this year while the high school field is worked on. The schedule includes home night games with Robbinsville, Hightstown and Ewing.