North Brunswick High School’s Greater Middlesex Coaches Baseball League entry was scheduled to begin its summer schedule on Monday (June 11) evening.
Raiders coach Ryan Lillis, who also helms the summer team, said he looks at it as an “extended season” for his players, who have an opportunity to try different positions and work on different aspects of their game.
“We use the summer as a way to get us prepped for the next season, while we assess how our team will look,” Lillis said. “It lets us evaluate our pitchers and figure out if we have to move players to different spots depending on who is pitching. Another benefit is it gives new players a chance to show the coaching staff what they can do.”
North Brunswick is coming off a spring campaign that saw the Raiders generally play well while posting a 13-12 record. The good news is that Lillis’s pitchers had a combined ERA of 2.76, while allowing a total of 87 runs. However, the team scored only 102 runs, resulting in little margin for error.
The Raiders return two starters, junior lefty Mike Pfeiffer and sophomore Chris Iocca. Pfeiffer went 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 47 innings, while Iocca was 2-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 33 innings of work. Junior Harrison Kaye (2-0, one save) and sophomores Dominic Scialabba, Joe Manley and left-hander Steven Bloy are also returning.
Manley, who also plays the outfield, is expected to be among North Brunswick’s top hitters, after driving in 12 runs and whacking three home runs, tops on the team, during the high school season.
Pfeiffer, who will play first base, is coming off a .312 spring with 11 RBIs; Kaye hit .298 and scored 18 runs; and Iocca ended up at .247 with a homer and 12 RBIs. Kaye, Iocca and Scialabba will all split time between second, third and shortstop, Lillis said. Sophomores Kyle Gallas and Matt Maranca will also see time in the infield.
Victor Konstantinovsky, a sophomore who has established himself as a solid defensive player, will be behind the plate. Scialabba and freshman Nick Maranca will catch as well.
Three talented sophomores, Brian Pelszynski, who saw some varsity action, Tim Penick and Bryan Taveras will join Manley in the outfield.
The Raiders will play 14 games plus the playoffs during the summer season. North Brunswick’s home games will be played at Community Park.