Howell counting on junior class

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

The 2009 Howell High School baseball team will be looking to duplicate last year’s run to the state tournament.

It won’t be easy for the Rebels, who finished 12-12 last spring. Coach Bill Gallacher will rely on a strong junior class to get back to the state tournament and Howell will try to overcome the graduation of Brian Battaglia and pitcher Mike Fiorillo.

The Rebels will look to make up for that with more depth this spring.

Dave Ramos, who is a solid No. 1 starter, and shortstop Ryan Drew, who tied Battaglia for the team lead in hits, head the group of returners. Jay Brancato, a senior who plays second base, is also the team’s relief specialist. According to Gallacher, Brancato has a rubber arm and can pitch almost every day.

Juniors Chris Favole (first base/catcher) and Ryan Weber (centerfield) are also back, as is senior Steve Symczak (third base), who missed the first week of the season with a knee injury.

The key newcomers are all juniors, Billy Acquaviva (DH), Zac Carroll (infield), Chris Colavecchio (first base/DH), Dan Kasanjian (catcher) and Jake Reuter (pitcher).

Gallacher does have a lot of pitching depth. Behind Ramos, sophomore Anthony Carbajal and Reuter, a lefty, start the season No. 2 and No. 3 in the rotation.

T.J. Jordan (a lefthander), Nick Peras, Joe Monahan and Favole will all be used in relief and possible starts, while Brancato can close out games.

Colavecchio will provide the power in the lineup and Weber is a catalyst at the top of the lineup. Colavecchio, a junior, was the team’s top pitching prospect last year, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for the 2008 season and this year he will probably not pitch. He is the team’s long-ball threat.

Ryan Mirrione is a defensive specialist who can play any position in the infield.

Completing the squad are Dan Cottrell (outfield), A.J. Hellman (outfield), Dalton Jacob (outfield), Ryan Lowe (outfield), Cole Panacione (first base/DH), Nick Paneriello (utility) and Jeremy Sud (pinch hitter).

The Rebels fell to 0-2 in 2009 following a 4-0 loss to Manalapan on April 8.