BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
EDISON – After beginning the season with four straight losses the Bishop Ahr Junior American Legion White team rebounded with two consecutive wins last week to improve to 2-4.
“We’re playing competitive ball,” Bishop Ahr head coach Scott Runkel said. “The team has some wins under its belt, and we’ve gotten some confidence back.”
The team defeated Middlesex, 6-2, to get its first win of the summer. James DeCristopher’s performance from the mound helped seal the victory. DeCristopher came on in relief and threw three innings of shutout ball to put the clamps on the Middlesex offense.
Bishop Ahr White notched its second win of the season in a thrilling 5-4 decision over JFK in nine innings. Steve Godowski tossed a complete game, fanning eight along the way for the win. Godowski helped his own cause on the mound with two hits at the plate.
“Steve Godowski and Drew Bohnarszyk are the seniors on this summer’s team and we look to them for leadership,” Runkel said. “Drew has contributed quite a bit offensively and he’s off to a good start. Both are great kids and they set good examples for the other guys on this team.”
Benefiting from some of this senior leadership is catcher Mike McConnell. McConnell is fresh off his freshman season for the Bishop Ahr high school team and is off to a sizzling summer.
“He’s having an outstanding summer both offensively and defensively,” Runkel said. “He’s probably the best defensive player on the team. He’s also hitting over .400 with some occasional power.”
Another of the team’s top hitters is Steve Kaiser. A versatile player in the field, Kaiser plays a number of positions in the outfield and infield. He’s currently hitting over .300.
Shortstop and third baseman Dan Misdea is a strength of the infield because of his steady glove. He hits atop the order and provides versatility along with Kaiser and Don Laporta. Like Kaiser, Laporta can make seamless transitions from the infield to the outfield when called upon.
Dan Fitzpatrick is another elder statesman when available. The recent graduate is one of the top offensive performers on this summer’s team. Fitzpatrick is expected to return to the lineup in another week.
“Dan has been on vacation, and we definitely miss what he brings to the lineup,” Runkel said. “We’re looking forward to his return.”
The team will have to do without Fitzpatrick this week when it takes on Edison today at 5:45 p.m. in Edison. Bishop Ahr White will close out the week with a home game tomorrow against JFK before Friday’s road game in South Plainfield. Both games are scheduled to get under way at 5:45 p.m.
“The team has faced the toughest part of the schedule already,” Runkel said. “We’ve taken some lumps in the early going but look to be on the right track heading into this week.”