By Wayne Witkowski
Pitching will carry Jackson Liberty High School until its hitting catches up as it embarks on its Shore Conference B South Division season.
Brandon Pallante, a senior right-hander, leads the deep pitching staff with the best credentials from last season, when the Lions went 10-12. Pallante went 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched, striking out 27 batters and walking 19.
Also bringing proven pitching experience are senior right-handers Mike Zak, who is committed to a college career at Stockton University, and Ryan Van Wickle, who comes off a strong effort during football season as the quarterback. Junior right-hander Andrew Ludovico also saw some action last season and picked up a victory.
Others showing promise are senior left-hander Scott Ricci, junior right-hander Matt Piro, sophomore Matt Pickus and freshman lefty Charlie Rudderow.
They will throw to young catchers in Bill Hart, who started as a freshman last year, and freshman David Melfi.
The Lions are put to the test this week with games at Lakewood High School April 7 and at Union City High School April 9.
“Our pitching should be a strength,” said Jim Rankin, who opens his 10th season as Jackson Liberty baseball coach with Keith Smicklo, Sean Monahan and Mike Walsh as assistants. “We lack that one shutdown arm of years in the past, but we have depth.
Pallante, Zak and Van Wickle return with a bulk of varsity experience, while Ludovico should expand his role. Pickus and Piro should log a good amount of innings.
“The question mark is the offensive output that the lineup will generate,” Rankin said. “A lot of questions position-wise had to be answered in preseason. Team chemistry is a big factor for this year’s success with the mix of players we have.”
Zak and Pallante will share time at first base, depending on who is pitching. As for hitting, junior center fielder Kyle Taska is back at the leadoff spot, followed by Pallante, Van Wickle, Zak and senior outfielder Ken Pommerencke.
“We are looking for bigger contributions from these players after solid 2015 campaigns,” Rankin said. “The big question is what type of contributions we are going to get from our younger, more inexperienced players.”
Freshman Dan Sofield, whose older brother, James, was an outstanding player for the Lions before embarking on a college career at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, has looked sharp at shortstop and comes off a strong basketball season as the Lions’ leading scorer. Junior Matt Hickman is vying for innings in the infield, particularly at second base. Sophomore John Wasdin also has looked good in the preseason in the infield and could play at third base.
