By Jimmy Allinder
Even though the East Brunswick High School baseball team finished last season with a winning record (13-12), head coach Chris Kenney considered it a subpar season.
With a 56-41 record in five years at the helm, Kenney believes the program is now at the point where the goal should be nothing less than challenging every spring for the highly competitive Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division title.
Expectations are again high, as he hopes a deep pitching staff with the addition of sophomore newcomer Mike Falco and a run-productive lineup will keep the Bears involved in the conversation for this year’s division crown.
The mound staff features seniors Chris Cap (6-3) and Nick Clemente; juniors Tyler Burnham, Jared Deszkiewicz, Ryan Flynn and Evan Dekhayser; and sophomores Falco and James Schuld.
The probable starting lineup includes seniors Nick Clemente at second base, Cap in left field, Danny Iannarone at shortstop, Juan Ganzoroli in right field and Sanjay Mangroo at third base. The junior starters are Burnham at first base, Nick Martino and Ryan Flynn in the outfield and Jay Marchese behind the plate.
Ganzoroli has been one of the top outfielders in the conference since he started as a freshman and has hit above .350 each season.
The top reserves are seniors Gerard Pepe and Alfredo Arias; juniors Christian Shelley, Mat Bartus, David Paribello and Matt Nelson; and sophomores David Bermudez, Schuld and Falco.
“Juan [Ganzoroli] has been one of the top leaders in every offensive category since he became a regular,” Kenney said. “Danny [Iannarone] hit .315 last year and was smooth at his position.”
The coach believes Burnham and other newcomers Ryan Flynn, Marchese, Martino, and Bartus will develop into players that add depth to the lineup.
East Brunswick’s opening game is April 1 at Sayreville War Memorial High School, and the Bears return home to host the Bombers the following day.
