Spotswood seeks to repeat as division baseball champion

Brett Carroll
Staff Writer

A repeat division championship is in the sights of the Spotswood High School baseball team.

“Every single day we try to get better,” Spotswood coach Glenn Fredricks said. “We bring a good attitude to the ball park or to practice every day, no matter who we’re playing. That’s the fun part about coaching when everyone is in it together. Everybody is pulling for each other. We want to try to win the division for the second straight year. We have a tie for first right now. If we win out, we can tie for the division and that will be great. We’re all pulling to get it so that’s the fun part of it.”

The Chargers remained in contention to retain the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Blue Division crown when they knocked off Bishop George Ahr High School, 13-0, on May 2 in Edison.

That victory lifted Spotswood to 10-4 overall and to 8-1 in the Blue Division. The Chargers are tied for first in the league with Middlesex Borough High School.

Senior pitcher Dylan Seel and his teammates are focused on what they need to do.

“We need to get better and continue to fight for the division,” Seel said “We have a bunch of seniors that all care. We all lead by example. Everyone is rooting for each other. Nothing’s ever given, it’s all earned. We’re one family.”

Seel earned the victory against Bishop Ahr.

“We settled down after a shaky first inning,” Fredricks said. “Dylan was great today. This is his second straight complete game shutout against a league opponent. He held us up early when the defense was a little shaky. But, once he settled everybody down, and we scored some runs, we were able to get it together for the rest of the game. He just pitched a heck of a game.”

“We struggled early, but as a team, we were able to keep our heads up,” Seel said. “We played our heart out, and there’s no quit in this team. That’s what makes us a great team.”

Spotswood remains on track to achieve its goal to repeat as division champion.

“We have four games to win to win back-to-back titles,” Fredricks said. “A lot of people doubted it could be done. We got picked third or fourth in the division. We take that personal. Everyone is getting all the accolades, and we’re here just fighting for the division. We try to fight every single day. We just want to wrap up the division and get a good seed in the tournament.”

“We want to win the Blue Division back-to-back years,” Seel said. “No one expected us to be here, and we use that as a motivator. We don’t show it, but it fuels us.”

Fredricks praised his seniors.

“We have some great senior leaders here,” Fredricks said. “Our younger guys have great role models as to what it means to be a varsity player. So, next year, the juniors, like Matt Vento and Eddie Rogers can come in and be the new leaders.”