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Jersey Sporting News • 4/2/13 - 4/21/13
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH LOOKING TO REPEAT AS CLASS A NORTH CHAMPS By Mike Ready MIDDLETOWN – In 2012 the Eagles had to replace pitching ace Will Ziegfried and went on to post their first 20win season (21-6), first Class A North title since 1999, and a No. 4 ranking in the final Shore Conference poll. This year they’re faced with the same scenario in having to replace 2012 first team All-Shore and current Rutgers pitcher Howie Brey. “Replacing Howie Brey will be tough for us.” Head coach Ryan Spillane said. “But I think this year’s staff is definitely deeper than last year’s staff. Perry Kulaga will be our number one starter and Perry has the talent to beat anyone in the Shore. Then we have four other senior pitchers that will log a
SJV Softball Focusing On Strong Season
lot of innings for us. So we’re in good shape in the pitching department.”
tial to be a force at both the plate and on the mound this season.
and change-up) in his repertoire. Grilli is also the starting first baseman.
Kulaga posted a Shore Conference best 0.21 earned run average (ERA) last season, while striking out 32 batters in 33 2/3 innings of work. Kulaga not only has the potential to be the ace of the staff but one of the elite pitchers in the Shore Conference who can dominate other teams.
“We expect to be better this season.” Grossi said. “Even though we lost our whole outfield we’ve got some really solid guy’s to replace them. We have a lot senior experience returning, including five pitchers; we have a really good team.”
Another senior, Pierro Vescio will be the short relief man, after posting a 4-1 record last year as a spot starter and reliever. Vescio has the stuff to be dominate in the closer role.
Senior Mike Grossi will be the number two starter behind Kulaga. Grossi went 4-0 last season with an inpressive 1.84 ERA, and should build on those numbers this season. Grossi will also be back at third base and hit clean up in the lineup. He flirted with a .400 average all last season but finished at .397 with 27 hits, including eight doubles. Grossi has the talent and potenthis season and should once again be the team to beat in the Shore Conference and make another deep run in the State Tournament.
By Sean Simmons HOLMDEL—The St. John Vianney softball team finished last season with an impressive 27-4 record and defeated Camden Catholic in the NJSIAA Non-Public South A championship game and Middletown South in the Monmouth County Red Division Tournament final. The Lancers also advanced to the Shore Conference Tournament final and lost 8-7 to Wall and made it to the NJSIAA Non-Public A Tournament final and lost 3-0 to Immaculate Heart Academy. Even though the Lancers graduated catcher, Kristen Solari, outfielder, Zoe Otterman, and infielders, Cailin Winokur and Taylor August, they have a solid nucleus of players coming back
“We have a young team and I think we will be competitive,” SJV head coach Kim Lombardi said. “Our pitching is strong and we should hit the ball well.” The key returning players for the Lancers this season are senior center fielder, Amanda Durham, junior shortstop, Jackie Gallagher, junior catcher/outfielder, Kate Baron, junior pitcher/ first baseman, Kate Beriont, who finished 21-3 last season with 175 strikeouts and a microscopic 0.80 ERA, sophomore second baseman, Erica Krumbine, sophomore pitcher/first baseman, Ashley Ventura, and sophomore outfielder, Brianna Keelan. Other players who should see some playing
Grossi’s long time battery mate, Nick Mcgann is again behind the plate and provides steady defense as well as calling a good game. McGann has been Grossi’s catcher since early in Little League. Seniors Rob Grilli and Mike Diorio will be the third and fourth staters. Diorio, a 6’4” lefty, has a ton of potential and features three pitches (fastball, curve
Kyle Brey returns to shortstop and should supply solid defense once again for the Eagles. Brey also has some pop in his bat, banging out 27 hits last year. Kulaga will be back at second when he’s not on the mound and expect him to deliver added offense this season. Senior Frank Servido takes over second when Kulaga is pitching as well as third base when Grassi is on the mound. Servido has experience and is a reliable player no matter where he’s positioned. Senior’s Eric Maynes (right field) and Hunter Dreuer (left field) are first year starters in the outfield. Dreuer has a
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time this season are senior outfielder, Chelsea Vena, junior infielder/outfielder, Marlena Bevilacqua, sophomore catchers, Jess Carlucci and Michelle King, sophomore infielder/outfielder, Claire Steffenelli, freshman designated hitter/outfielder, Helena Coppola, and freshman infielder, Anne Manganiello. According to Lombardi, King is a transfer from Ocean Township High School and has to sit out for 30 days. The Lancers were scheduled to open up their season at Rumson-Fair Haven on April 1st. SJV also has key games against Manasquan on April 9th at home and at Raritan on April 17th. “We feel really good about this season because we have talent and our hitting looks strong this year,” Durham said. “Coach Lombardi is preparing us well and we’re really coming together as a team.”
Congratulations To Our Recent College Commitments Congratulations To Our Recent College Commitments
Lucien DellaFera Colts Neck HS -University of Maine- Deven Del Priore Point Pleasant Boro HS -St. Thomas Aquinas College (NY)Matt Kleinstein Colts Neck HS -University West Virginia- Chris Stark Middletown North HS -University of Maine-
Lucien DellaFera Colts Neck HS -University of Maine- Deven Del Priore Point Pleasant Boro HS -St. Thomas Aquinas College (NY)-
We Help You Get Recruited
Matt Kleinstein Colts Neck HS -University West Virginia- Chris Stark Middletown North HS -University of Maine-
Joe Mazza
Recruiting Co-ordinator 732-803-1290 studentathleteworldnj@comcast.net
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Recruiting Co-ordinator 732-803-1290 studentathleteworldnj@comcast.net