Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The 2018 season was a learning experience for the Bishop George Ahr High School baseball team.
“One of the positives that we had a lot of young guys get experience this year,” Bishop Ahr coach Tom Dagostino said. “We took our lumps and we had some guys have to step up due to injuries this year. They’ve gained valuable experience and we hope to carry them next year. They’re going to take their lumps as freshman and sophomores, but we hope by the time they’re juniors and seniors, they’re battle tested and ready to compete at a high level.”
“I think now we have more guys that are focused on the same goal,” junior center fielder Kyle Orta said. “We’ll be ready for next season. I think once we get our team together and focused on that one goal, whether that be win the division or win the Greater Middlesex Conference, then we’ll be able to do big things.”
The season ended on May 24 for Bishop Ahr when the Edison school fell in the first round of the South Jersey, Non-Public A state sectional tournament to Saint John Vianney High School, 11-1, in Holmdel.
The loss left the young Trojans with a final record of 5-20.
After the game, the Bishop Ahr players felt that in order to be more competitive next year, the team’s chemistry and camaraderie would have to be key.
“Overall we have to get better as a team and as a unit,” Dagostino said. “This year, we had a bunch of guys that were playing for themselves. We’re trying to play nine strong, we’re trying to play as one unit. And, we’re trying to play the right way. We’re trying to take the little things that will help turn a season and make it a winning season. We’re hoping next year, we can make our own luck instead of waiting for luck to just happen.”
“It all starts little by little,” Orta said. “Start bonding more over the summer. Come back starting with summer ball, with little goals. Starting with getting through seven innings. Then working our way up to competing with teams more. Than comes winning. Then, we can do big things constantly.”
The Trojans are very optimistic about next year.
“Next year, I have all the faith in the world for these guys,” Dagostino said. “I love these guys. I loved the guys we’ve had the last two years. I think if we can get them all pulling in the same direction, we’ll be fine. I just want to come out here and compete next year. We lost 20 games this year, and we took our lumps. It is what it is. But, next year, I want to come out and I want us to play hard. Play hard with great effort and see what we can do.”
“Next season, I hope to leave every game, especially since it will be my senior year, I don’t want to leave any game with any regrets,” Orta said. “Especially since it could be my last year playing baseball, I want to leave every game next year thinking that I left everything that I had out there. And, I hope the rest of the guys feel the same way.”
Dagostino is anxious to see his young players blossom next spring.
“We have Kyle,” Dagostino said. “He’s our leader. He’ll be a two-year captain. He’s a huge piece for us. But, [sophomore] Gerard Chiricolo on the mound. He took his lumps this year, but we expect him to be an ace staff next year. He’s got the stuff, and he’s got the talent to be a big time pitcher for us in the division and in the county. [Junior] Ryan Pittari is coming back. He gained a lot of experience this year. Last year, he looked like he wasn’t ready, but this year, he looked like he can play at this level.”
The coach continued.
“Then you have [junior] Harry Allegra, our catcher. You have [sophomore] Christian Kadi coming back. All young guys that gained experience this year. We’re just hoping that they can take that next step and it turns into more wins and more competitive baseball.”
