Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The East Brunswick High School baseball team understands that it must start playing consistent ball this spring.
“Today, we just took a step back,” East Brunswick coach Chris Kenney said after a recent defeat. “First game, we played flawless, perfect baseball. Then, we came out today, and made a lot of mental mistakes. Just weren’t into it the way we should have been.”
“The bats woke up late in the game,”senior shortstop David Bermudez said. “It was a little too late, but I liked how the team didn’t quit.”
The Bears expressed their views after East Brunswick was defeated by a score of 10-2 home loss to Saint Joseph Regional High School of Metuchen on April 5 in East Brunswick.
That defeat that knocked the Bears to 1-1 on the early season.
Kenny believes that the weather thwarted his team’s preparation this early spring.
“I just think we need to be more consistent,” Kenney said. “Whether it’s been in the pre-season, or here in the regular season, we’ve been two different teams. We either play perfect baseball, or we come out and make a number of mistakes. It’s just a matter of consistency, and I think the weather has a lot to do with it. I think not being out here consistently has put everyone behind the eight ball. Even Saint Joe’s. They lost their first game, then came out here and played great. Once we’re outside more, and get a real feel for what we’re doing, we’ll be fine.”
“I think we need to focus on every pitch, every inning,” Bermudez said. “We just need to stay focused, and that will fix a lot.”
But the Bears are optimistic.
“I’m expecting to compete for the conference,” Kenney said. “Once we’re done with that, I’m expecting to go pretty deep in the [Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament].”
“I’m expecting us to win 20-plus games this year,” Bermudez said. “We’re going to win the GMC’s and make a deep run in the state tournament.”
The Bears will be counting on the contributions of Bermude and seniors –pitcher/first baseman Mike Falco, second baseman Jim Schuld and centerfielder Brad Edwards.
“I have a pretty strong senior class,” Kenney said. “I’m expecting them to rise up and do big things this year.”
East Brunswick visits Piscataway High School on April 12 for a 4 p.m. game.