By Jimmy Allinder
John P. Stevens
With 12 regulars graduated, including the entire pitching staff, the John P. Stevens High School baseball team will be challenged to have as much success as it did last year.
The Hawks were 20-9 overall, 10-6 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division and made the conference tournament finals before losing an eight-inning, 1-0 affair to East Brunswick High School.
Coach Dave Marzano is faced with revamping most of his starting lineup with only three holdovers from last year’s team as J.P. Stevens prepared for opening day, which was April 3 at home against Elizabeth High School. In addition, he’ll need to stock the pitching staff with enough arms to satisfy a new rule by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), which mandates throwers rest for a specific period in between games.
Senior Luke Jacobi (catcher, batted .326), junior Matt Pastor (shortstop) and sophomore Steven Zederbaum (second base) are the returning starters with the rest of the probable lineup including seniors Sagaar Pande (outfield), Eric Zhang (outfield) and Mike Rothschild (outfield); juniors Frank Diserio (outfield/catcher), Joe Morrone (first base) and Joe Traina (outfield); and sophomores Casey Takemura (third base) and Shiv Patel (outfield/first base).
Juniors Will Giordano (second base) and Scott Emmer (outfield) and freshman Joe Young (third base/second base) are the top reserves.
At this point, the pitching duties fall on the untested shoulders of Traina, Patel and senior Aditya Chandel, while Patel, Morrone and Zederbaum will also see mound duty.
“Graduation took its toll on the team,” said Marzano, who is in his 16th season (180-155). “We will be counting on Luke, Matt and Steven to carry us, but it’s going to be difficult having the kind of season we had last season.”
Metuchen
Metuchen High School’s baseball team returns most of its lineup from last year, which Coach Leo Danik hopes will result in an improved overall record (10-15) and better finish (third place) in the GMC Blue Division.
“We have 10 returning lettermen, including [senior] Kyle Harry [and juniors] Matt Volpe and Michael Lapczynski,” Danik said. “We hope our experience makes us better and we contend for the division.”
Volpe and Lapczynski were named to the conference underclassmen all-star team.
In addition to Harry (catcher/pitcher), Volpe (first base/pitcher) and Lapczynski (third base/pitcher), the rest of the probable lineup includes seniors Brandon Iskandar (outfield), Sam Johnson (second base/shortstop), Matt Coscia (second base), John Szpara (outfield) and Christian Dulin (outfield); junior Evan Derecter (catcher); sophomore Will Hronich (third base/catcher); and freshman Jay Harry (shortstop/pitcher).
Besides, Kyle Harry, Volpe, Lapczynski and Jay Harry, the rest of the pitching staff includes seniors Brendan Smith, Mark Mastromonaco and Danny Flaherty and junior Sean McCadden.
Metuchen opened at home against Colonia High School April 3 and hosts North Brunswick Township High School April 6. The Bulldogs travel to South River High School April 7 and return home against the Rams April 8.
Edison
The Edison High School softball team is hoping this season begins the climb back to respectability.
Prior to 2012, when they finished 22-6, the Eagles used to be among the best teams in the GMC, but last season’s 3-15 record was the fourth consecutive year with a losing mark.
“We are very young, but we have a lot of talent and strong leadership,” coach Christina Hopkins said. “There’s reason to hope we can be improved.”
Jessica Hoover will be counted on to pitch, and Hopkins said the sophomore has worked hard during the offseason to improve her effectiveness.
The rest of the starting lineup includes seniors Bianca Newsom (captain, shortstop/catcher); junior Tori Giordano (center field); sophomores Erin Cahill (third base), Sam Ryzewicz (catcher), Alida Pellicane (left field) and Kara Guno (right field); and freshmen Gianna Fresnedo (outfield) and Autumn Vickery (outfield).
“Our record hasn’t been good the last few years, but I believe we’ll be a surprise this spring,” Hopkins said.
Edison opened the season hosting Old Bridge High School and South Brunswick High School April 1 and April 3, respectively, and visits Piscataway Township High School April 5.
