J.P. Stevens High School’s Lawrence Lin (5) tries to spike the ball through the defensive wall of St. Joseph High School of Metuchen’s Bryan Carley (24) and Brenden Wash during the April 30 volleyball match in Edison. St. Joes outlasted J.P. Stevens in three sets. SCOTT FRIEDMAN EDISON
It has been a season of ups and downs for the Edison High School baseball team, and the Eagles’ 9-11 record reflects just that.
The campaign started ominously with consecutive losses to Piscataway Township High School, but Edison bounced back a week later to sweep St. Joseph High School of Metuchen in a back-and-back series. Since then, it’s been win one and lose one. As it stands now, the Eagles are 6-8 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division.
“Our guys are learning this game isn’t always about being physical,” Edison coach Vinnie Abene said.
In other words, there’s also the mental and emotional side to baseball.
“[Despite the record], the goals are always the same, and that’s to compete for the Red Division and be playing our best baseball come tournament time,” Abene said.
Record aside, Abene believes sweeping St. Joe’s (12-5) and victories against strong division teams J.P. Stevens High School (12-6) and East Brunswick High School (10-10) have more than proved the Eagles can compete.
Brandon Radd (2-1, 16.1 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts) is a lefty junior who has given Edison a consistent effort each time on the mound. However, junior Justin Hernandez (3-2, 27.1 innings pitched, 17 strikeouts) remains the No. 1 starter. Abene said Hernandez has become more effective as the season progresses and if he gains more consistency with his changeup, the Eagles will be more competitive.
Others who see action on the mound are junior John Zanfordino, senior Matt Daniels, junior Nick Peterson, junior Kyle Telesnick, senior Yogash Patel and senior Luis Sanchez.
The leading hitters are all juniors. Santos Cruz (.375, nine hits) and John Zanfordino (.286 average) have played a solid third base. Other offensive contributors are Mike Fogarty (.370, 10 hits), Lenin Gomez (.345, 10 hits) and Nick Peterson (.350, 7 hits).
The Eagles visited Sayreville War Memorial High School May 5 and host Monroe Township High School May 7.
BISHOP AHR
Considering that Bishop George Ahr High School’s baseball team (13-4) entered this season minus ace pitcher Paul Gabriel, the Trojans weren’t expected to be a serious challenger in the GMC Blue Division. Not only have they been competitive, but they have won the division with a 9-1 record by virtue of the fact that their closest pursuers — Spotswood High School, South River High School and Carteret High School — have only a few games remaining.
“We’ve actually been getting by with our pitching,” head coach Scott Runkel said. “Plus, a lot of things have gone the right way.”
That’s especially true when the Trojans are at bat.
“Our lineup has a combined average of over .300,” he said. “We’ve surprised people and frankly, we’ve surprised ourselves.”
The top hitter is senior V.J. Makris (.483, 29 hits, 15 RBIs), followed by junior Donny Fackina (.467, 21 hits), senior Jimmy Mesaros (.360, 18 hits, 16 RBIs), freshman Andrew Brazicki (.377, 23 hits, 21 RBIs), senior Matt Spielman (.415, 21 hits), junior Corey Ciszek (.321, 17 hits), freshman Sean Flynn (.333, 15 hits) and junior John Sheedy (.317, 19 hits).
Leading the way on the mound have been Jimmy Mesaros (4-1, 38.2 innings, 39 strikeouts) and Fackina (2-2, 25.1 innings, 16 strikeouts). Two others who have seen pitching action are senior Anthony Porchetta (2-0, 26 innings) and Mike Mesaros.
Bishop Ahr now waits to see where it will be seeded for the upcoming GMC and NJSIAA Non-Public B sectional tournaments.
Even if the Trojans don’t win another game, Runkel said the team has already exceeded expectations.
“Nobody believed we would be a serious contender for the [division],” he said. “For that and other reasons, this is one of my most satisfying seasons.”
Softball
Bishop Ahr’s softball team (12-4) is enjoying another solid season and is in third place (8-4) in the GMC White Division, behind the two teams with the best overall records in the conference at 13-1: South Plainfield High School and defending GMC Tournament champion Monroe.
The Trojans had a second opportunity to play Monroe May 5. Bishop Ahr features youth up and down the lineup, but a pair of seniors — Christine LaRochelle and Ragen Reddick — has been most responsible for the Trojans’ success. LaRochelle has fashioned a 9-4 record on the mound in 94 innings pitched with 81 strikeouts. Reddick is batting a team-leading .481 with 26 hits and 25 RBIs. Freshman Katie Eicher has enjoyed an impressive debut with a .463 average, 25 hits and 22 RBIs.
J.P. STEVENS
The J.P. Stevens softball team continued its impressive season by edging East Brunswick High School, 5-3, May 2, to claim first place in the GMC Red Division. The Hawks (11-3) have benefited from outstanding pitching by freshman Ashley Lombardi, who has hurled 96.2 innings and struck out 87 batters. Rebecca DiSerio leads in most offensive categories, including batting average (.521), hits (25) and runs batted in (17).