By Warren Rappleyea
When South Brunswick High School baseball coach C.J. Hendricks decided to enter two teams in the Greater Middlesex Coaches Summer Baseball League, he knew that his younger Black team would be challenged.
Comprised primarily of players from the Vikings’ successful freshman team, the Black teams, playing under the guidance of former South Brunswick standout Sean Rogers, has held its own, winning once and tying another in its five games.
“Our guys are going up against varsity competition every game, and they’re playing well and showing a lot of improvement,” Rogers said. “They just go out and play the game and don’t worry about who they’re playing against. It’s been nice to see.”
With an 11-player roster, many of the young Vikings are seeing duty at different positions. In addition, Rogers is letting many of his players take to the mound to see what they can do.
“Versatility is so important in baseball,” said Rogers, who also played at Felician University. “I tell them all the time, ‘You might be a third baseman now but by the time you get to the varsity, you might be an outfielder or a shortstop.’ We want them to be open-minded about trying other positions. It’s good for them as players, and it’s good for our program.”
South Brunswick’s roster includes infielders Mike D’Amato, Jordan Glassman, Matt Lauri, Kyle White, Matt Jiorle and Anthony Fama. The outfield contingent includes speedy center fielder Mike Nally, Justin Cross, Anthony Ramos and Matt Kean. All will be sophomores in September. Versatile Grant Holmes, who will be a junior, epitomizes the team, having caught and played in the outfield and infield this season. Ramos is also a catcher.
Cross, Kean, Fama, and Lauri, a left-hander, are the mainstays on the hill, but Rogers is also getting innings for other players.
“We want to get them out of their comfort zones because you never know what will happen,” Rogers said. “It’s important for them to learn how to make adjustments and to work together in different situations. We have a great group of guys, and they’ve been very open to what we’re trying to do here. If one of our guys makes a mistake, someone is there to pick him up. That’s what you want to see in a team.”
Rogers is being assisted by his younger brother, Aidan, also a former Vikings star. Aidan Rogers now pitches for Ursinus College.