Coming off historic season, Hopewell Post 339 looking for repeat performance
Just when it looked as though the Mercer County American Legion League would be back to full strength this year, it was learned that the local summer baseball league will go with 12 teams once again.
West Windsor-Plainsboro returned after missing last summer, but Hightstown Post 148 became a late scratch when it could not get enough players to commit to playing Legion ball.
Former WW-P manager Justin Ely takes over Allentown Legion, and Bob DeLuca becomes manager of the revitalized WW-P team.
Former Bordentown Post 26 manager Tom Dolan returns to his post to help out two-year manager Doug Moore, who is recovering from an illness.
Beyond that, the league will have a similar look to 2017, except that this time Hopewell Post 339 returns as state champion and World Series participant.
Manager Mike Coryell’s squad figures to be the favorite after base school, Hopewell Valley High, won the Mercer County Tournament and went 25-3, while their second school, Pennington, won a Prep B state title and went 12-7.
Post 339 can expect challenges from Hamilton Post 31, Bordentown Post 26, Broad Street Park Post 313 and Allentown.
Princeton Post 218, Lawrence Post 414 and South Brunswick Post 401 will be leading a list of contenders who have the ability to improve upon their 2017 finish, along with Ewing Post 314, North Hamilton and Trenton Posts 93 & 182.
Manager — Coaches —
Justin Ely (first year).
Mike Fassl, Bobby Raditz, Connor Lindsay, Tom Malik, Sahil Thakur.
14-10 overall, 14-8 MCALL, advanced to District 3 Tournament.
A.J. Ariano (RHP/OF), Giuseppe Arcuri (Sr., 3B), Matt Bethea (OF), Aydon Chavis (SS), Matt Cioante (OF/LHP), Frank DelGuercio (1B/ LHP), Dane Dellavalle (LHP), Dante DiSilvestro (2B), Zach Elwell (RHP), Austin Ferrier (OF), Jimmy Frein (RHP), Brandon Gaul (LHP/1B), Ben Mashkevich (OF/RHP), Danny McCormick (SS/ RHP), Ryan Miller (C), Chris Reeder (C/OF), Matt Tannenbaum (2B), Mike Zupko (OF).
Ely officially takes over A’town from four-year manager Brett Miller this summer. He will have plenty of talent back to challenge in the MCALL after Allentown High gets done another state tournament run this spring.
Last Year — Roster — Outlook — Manager — Coaches —
Tom Dolan (18th year).
Chris Hoyer, Tom Giambrone, Chuck Krichling, Walt Babecki, Bob Forcini.
20-9 overall, 16-6 MCALL, District 1 Tournament third-place team, State Final 8 semifinalist.
Tyler Blue (LHP), Cameron Clauser (C/ IF), Dillon Drew (OF), Ryan Feig (IF), Kyle Forcini (OF), Joe Horton (RHP), Sam Irvin (RHP/OF), Kyle Kato (RHP), Luke Mabin (3B/RHP), Kyle Marchetti (RHP), Jarrod Marshall (C/OF), Will Mesa (C/1B), Alex Popovich (SS/RHP), Jim Porcelli (1B), Cody Schroeder (IF/RHP), Johnny Schroeder (OF/LHP), Chris Wade (IF), Dylan Wood (RHP/1B).
Dolan returned when two-year manager Doug Moore got sick to help keep Post 26 among the league’s elite. A very strong returning group has B’town eyeing another MCALL title run.
Last Year — Roster — Outlook — Manager — Coach — Last Year —
Rick Freeman (33rd year).
Rich Giallella.
28-8 overall, 18-4 MCALL, MCALL champions, District 2 Tournament second-place team, State Final 8 runner-up.
Ryan Beczo (RHP/IF), Chris Cote (3B), Jack Hardiman (OF), Brendan James (1B), Michael James (OF), Sean Johnson (LHP), Drayven Kowalski (C), Dom Maglione (RHP), Tyler Nielsen (2B), Jordan Nitti (SS), C.J. Pittaro (SS), Brady Plunkett (OF), Joey Sacco (SS), Giovanni Sciarrotta (C), David Stec (RHP), Joe Swindasz (RHP), Josh Welke (LHP), Anthony Wilk (RHP).
After winning the MCALL and reaching the state final last year, Post 31 returns with another solid pitching staff ready to go after the top prizes once again. Players may have to help out at different positions to get the job done.
Roster — Outlook — Manager — Coaches —
Xavier Rodriguez (3rd year).
Nick Adams, Chris Reyes, Chris Romano, Jonithan Clayton.
2-20 overall, 2-20 MCALL.
Jefry Azcona (IF/RHP), Francisco DeJesus (IF/LHP), Christian Fuentes (OF/IF/LHP), Julio Grullone (IF/RHP), Gerry Howell (IF/RHP), Owen Lucash (OF/RHP), Railin Ortiz (OF/RHP), Juan Peña (OF/IF/RHP), Jonathan Rodriguez (IF/C/ RHP), Jordi Rodriguez (C/3B/RHP), Brian Roldan (C/RHP), Toney Rushing (IF/RHP), Jahki Seady (IF/RHP), Hilman Truss (IF/RHP), Freilin Vargas (SS/RHP).
Last Year — Roster — Outlook —
With only 15 players on the roster, Posts 93 & 182 will be trying to grow as the season goes on. Pitchers will need to step forward, so, for now, everyone is eligible to throw.
Manager — Coaches —
Durbin.
Last Year — Roster —
2-20 overall, 2-20 MCALL.
Tom Bocian (C), Robbie Cammarano (1B), Paul Cooke (OF/LHP), Teddy Durbin (LHP/ OF), Kevin Flahive (OF/RHP), Luke Franzoni (SS/ RHP), Vincent Gasparro (OF), Parker Jacob Kaufman (RHP), Andrew Morrison (OF/RHP), Chris Murdock (RHP/IF), Matt Nyce (SS/RHP), Jaedyn Paria-Veron (OF), Bryce Powell (2B), Thomas Ramsay (RHP), Louis Jacob Renda (OF/RHP), Gregory Riley (LHP/OF), Adam Wijaya (3B), Zachary Yoelson-Angeline (LHP/1B).
Post 218 should be on the uptick this summer because of the addition of numerous players with ties to Princeton or its many schools. If everyone is available, coach Parker’s squad could see the biggest improvement from last season of any MCALL squad.
Outlook — Manager — Coaches —
Talbot.
Last Year —
20-9 overall, 17-5 MCALL, District 2 Tournament participant.
Brien Cardona (2B), Adam Chiacchio (RHP), Dazani DeLeon (LHP), Nick Diaz (RHP), Adam Drosos (RHP), Sean Elefant (IF), Mason Fitzpatrick (IF/RHP), Kiefer Goss (OF), Kyle Harrington (OF), Connor Hayes (C), Shane Hoffman (OF), Darius Land (OF), Connor Luckie (C), Steven Meckel (IF), Jose Rodriguez (SS), Tim Sharpley (RHP), Alex Venutolo (IF), Justin Wiltsey (RHP/ OF).
Roster — Outlook —
Post 313 finished right behind Post 31 a year ago and is making strides to challenge for the league title again this season. With seven college players back joining a young core, Broad Street Park should stay strong.
Manager — Coaches —
Mike Ryan (sixth year).
Ryan O’Donnell, Bill Epps, Randy Forsythe, Evan Patrick, Chris Gregg.
5-17 overall, 5-17 MCALL.
Jacob Basich (2B/OF), Nolan Brodsky (OF), Justin Dirk (RHP/2B), Dakota Ditmars (RHP/ OF), Jaden Ellmer (OF/RHP), Manny Figueroa (RHP/OF), Riley Gregg (RHP/3B), William Trey Hill (SS/RHP), Henry Hutchinson (3B/RHP), Jay Lawrence (1B/RHP), Myron Ronnie Miller (OF/ RHP), Greg Robbins (C), Dom Salvatore (2B), Luke Sodomin (C/3B), Jake Storer (OF/LHP), John Ulrich (SS/RHP), Anthony Yarson (RHP), Dominic Yarson (OF).
Growth will be the key for this relatively young squad as they shoot to improve. With 12 players listed as pitchers, Post 314 will have plenty of arms with which to work to make that happen.
Last Year — Roster — Outlook — Manager — Coaches —
Mike Coryell (fourth year). Allyson Coryell, Byron Kou, Carl Benedetti, Ryan Scholey.
39-11 overall, 16-6 MCALL, District 3 Tournament second-place team, State Final 8 champion, Mid-Atlantic Regional champion, American Legion World Series participant.
Jeff Bartlett (IF), Luke Blair (C), Andy Blake (IF/RHP), Zack Bregenzer (RHP), Drew Brodine (IF), Chad Brunner (IF), Cameron Cane (OF), Dom Gambino (RHP), Cole Hare (OF/RHP), David Iorio (OF), Dylan Joyce (LHP), Marc Porpora (IF), Nick Psomaras (IF/RHP), Mike Savas (C), Grayson Russo (OF), Tony St. John (RHP), Kenny Tagliareni (IF), Jake Tobia (OF/RHP).
Last Year — Roster —
Tom Parker (29th year).
Paul Sumners, Brian Dudeck, Jon
Mike Petrowski (sixth year). Cody Astubry, Mike Anselmo, Ross
Outlook —
With a wealth of players from two very good high school teams as well as some key returnees, Post 339 could be the team to beat this summer. Memories of last season’s magical run will linger, but this season the team will have to strive to make more history.
Manager — Coach — Last Year —
Monty Forthun (fifth year in MCALL). Mike Polansky.
11-13 overall, 11-11 MCALL, District 3 Tournament participant.
Will Beck (2B/OF), Nick Campigotto (2B/3B), Justin Cross (RHP/OF), Michael D’Amato (SS/2B), Shawne Eldridge (3B/RHP), Jordan Glassman (1B/OF), Marcus James (RHP/3B), Matt Laurie (OF), Kevin Maiolo (RHP/1B), William Nevin (OF), Joe Pedulla (RHP/OF), Chris Perdoni (SS/ RHP), Nicholas Quercia (OF), Anthony Ramos (C/3B), Tim Ruckdeschel (C/1B), Troy Sweeney (RHP/1B), Kyle White (3B/1B), Matt Zurawiecki (RHP/1B).
Roster — Outlook —
With some of the top players from the Greater Middlesex Conference, Post 401 should prove to be a post-season participant once again. Finding more continuity than a year ago will be a key for success.
Manager — Coaches —
Jason Zegarski (sixth year). Ryan Kmiec, Casey Clark, Jason Adams, Connor Springsteen.
10-14 overall, 10-12 MCALL, District 1 Tournament participant.
Derek Almanzor (LHP/OF), Robbie Buecker (IF/RHP), Vincent John Burke (RHP/OF), Ryan Castoral (OF/LHP), Chris Conti (C/IF), Colin D’Angelo (OF/RHP), Justin Frascella (IF), Steven Graver (RHP/OF), Joey Hiner (IF), Aidan Jodoin (OF), Jacob Kmiec (OF), Stephen Kop (IF/RHP), Ryan Mains (IF/RHP), Shea McGuire (OF), Evan Monfre (RHP/OF), Chris Nevius (C/RHP), Anthony Russo (LHP/OF), Ryan Sullivan (IF/LHP).
Post 414 continued to grow last year
Last Year — Roster — Outlook —
and made it to the postseason. With even more talent this year, coach Zegarski’s troops should be able to make a return trip with a steady showing against the league’s best squads.
Manager — Coaches — Last Year — Roster —
Matt Maher (second year).
Tom Moffat, Frank Ricketti.
7-15 overall, 7-15 MCALL.
Wyatt Baker (IF/C), Elijah Baldwin (3B), Tom Cappetti (UTL), Ryan Conover (RHP), Jacob Fanning (OF), Bryce Fremgen (1B/RHP), Mike Giambelluca (OF), Zac Given (2B), Pat Luckie (RHP), Torin McKenzie (RHP/OF), Tommy McParland (SS), Tony Morency (UTL), Jack Parker (C), Nick Rocco (IF), Phil Rojek (IF/RHP), Ethan Scannon (OF), Ryan Stromberg (C0, Matt Swiezkowski (UTL).
Outlook —
With one of the league’s younger clubs, Maher will be looking to help these young men improve. There is plenty of good pitching in the fold, so North Hamilton just needs its offense to pick up to top last season’s finish.
Manager — Coaches — Last Year — Roster —
Did not have a team.
Cole Benner (OF), Chris Bluni (2B/OF), Thomas Jack Dileo (3B/RHP), Scott Doherty (C/ RHP), Josh Eisenberg (1B/3B), Eli Foster (RHP/ OF), Dan Frascella (RHP/1B), Ben Goldstein (SS/RHP), Sean Austin Hodges (OF/RHP), Jack Lichtenstein (2B/SS), Cole Millinger (RHP/OF), Jacob Mitchell (OF/C), Ian Muni (OF/LHP), Luke Potts (SS/RHP), Alejandro Rivera (SS/RHP), Andrew Santa Maria (OF), Ryan Strype (1B/C), Dylan Welch (3B/RHP).
DeLuca may be new to the MCALL, but a number of his players are not, which should help WW-P do better fine this summer. The 11 players listed as pitchers is a good start to help bring this once strong program back.
Outlook —
Bob DeLuca (first year). Andrew Schoenblum, Steve Lichtenstein.