Five years ago, Mike Lepore Jr. almost decided to resign as head baseball coach at South River High School. According to the veteran mentor, he didn’t like where the program was headed and thought maybe a new face might change that direction.
Then Lepore, who had been involved with the local Little League affiliate because his son Nicholas played, was able to watch the players coming up and see their potential during summer camps he sponsored.
“Seeing those kids grow,” says Lepore, who completed his 15th season this spring, “and now watching them succeed at this (high school) level has rejuvenated me. I have good assistants (Mike Feaster and Mike Mussante) and friends (including Little League President Joe Errico) and I am enjoying coaching more than ever. The parents are great and coaching the team in the (Greater Middlesex Conference) Summer League has shown me we have a future.”
What makes the prospects for South River baseball promising is that an extremely young team, which included five freshman starters, improved as the season progressed. While the Rams finished 10-14, they reached the semifinals of Central Jersey Group I before being eliminated.
Those freshmen were solid contributors, both offensively and defensively. Leftfielder, Doug Ryan, led off and batted .339 with 19 hits and a team-leading 22 runs. Infielder Nicholas Lepore hit .318 with 21 hits, designated hitter and first baseman Richie Leogrande batted .364 with 20 hits, catcher Austin French hit .290, and infielder Steven Barbiero was effective in the field.
The rest of the lineup included the only senior, Dylan Hayes, who played shortstop and led the team in hits with 25 hits and 17 RBIs, in addition to hitting .364, and juniors BobbyApplegate at first base (.468, 20 hits), Wyatt Boyler in centerfield, and infielder pitcher Michael Zyskowski (.360, 18 hits). The key reserves were seniors Pat Purdon and Eddie Mack, juniors Thomas Drum, C.J. Ryan and Patrick Barry, and sophomore HunterWolff.
What turned out to be South River’s Achilles’ heel was pitching. The Rams simply yielded too many runs and found themselves in catch-up situations throughout the season.
“We lose Hayes from the pitching staff, but three others (Wolff, Zyskowski and Josh Ramos) gained valuable experience,” said Lepore. “In addition, we have a couple of pitchers who played junior varsity who pitched well and should contribute.”
Lepore acknowledges that the lack of depth has been a continuing problem and a reason why the lineup was infused with so many new players.
“Our pitchers are usually position players as well,” he says, “and they may not get enough practice on the mound like other teams with more depth. However, I’m looking forward to coaching this summer and watching the kids continue to develop. I have a renewed passion for the game and can’t wait for next season.”