SPOTSWOOD, NJ - Spotswood High School's varsity baseball team kicks off the 2023-24 season on Tuesday with a home-at-home against Metuchen High School. It will be the Chargers' final season playing in the Swamp before SHS's varsity baseball field gets updated. Spotswood's home field earned its nickname for its ability to become a swamp whenever it rains. The poor drainage would often leave the field soggy for days after heavy rainfall. Despite that, the Swamp is not without its charm and has been the Chargers' home field since 1997.
"There is magic in this ballpark," Spotswood High School Head Baseball Coach Glenn Fredricks said. "Spotswood has only lost six times at the Swamp since 2019."
Spotswood would like to keep that magic rolling after last spring's Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division championship and a 21-8 overall season record.
"The Chargers enter 2024 as the defending Blue Division Champions, having defeated St. Thomas in a winner take all division final last May," Fredricks said. "The team won 21 games and advanced to the Central Jersey Group Two Sectional final, one of the toughest in the state, for the first time since winning it in 2010. To return to that game, this year’s edition must replace 15 wins on the mound, 88 innings pitched, 13 wins and the offensive production of record-setting shortstop Casey Cumiskey. Cumiskey, now at Seton Hall, led all of New Jersey with 60 hits a season ago and owns a majority of the offensive career records at SHS."
In addition to Casey Cumiskey, the Chargers also lost outfielder Dylan Kartelias, pitcher Jackson Walsh and catcher Chris Bottiglieri. Key varsity players returning are seniors Luc Acquaviva (right-handed pitcher), Mason Bitalla (catcher), Breckyn DeAngelis (outfielder/right-handed pitcher), Jack Louro (right-handed pitcher) and Colin Pfeiffer (first base/catcher), juniors William Buchan (infielder/right-handed pitcher), Carter Cumiskey (first base/left-handed pitcher), Stephen Henits (outfielder), Shawn Lennan (third base), John Lubin (outfielder/right-handed pitcher) and Tyler Oleksy (left-handed pitcher) along with sophomores Ryan Orth (infielder/right-handed pitcher), Gavin Romeo (second base) and Sebastian Saracino (outfielder/right-handed pitcher). Joining the Chargers varsity this season are seniors Gavin Cahill (outfielder), Cole Frost (left-handed pitcher) and Mateo Rivera (right-handed pitcher) along with juniors Jack Bicsko (left-handed pitcher), Joe O'Halloran (outfielder) and Brandon Rivera (catcher/first base).
DeAngelis has committed to play for Drew University's Division III men's baseball program. Louro has also committed to play Division III ball for Neumann University's men's baseball program. Carter Cumiskey has verbally committed to join his brother Casey at Seton Hall University's Division I men's baseball program.
Fredricks taps the Chargers pitching staff's depth as being one of the team's strengths.
"Charger pitching will get much welcomed help with the return of Luc Acuqaviva, Will Buchan and Jack Louro," Fredricks said. "The trio will join SHU commit Carter Cumiskey, senior Breckyn DeAngelis, Ryan Orth and junior Tyler Oleksy on this year’s pitching staff."
Spotswood's offense does lose some punch with the graduation of Casey Cumiskey, but still has strong bats in the lineup.
"On offense, the young but experienced lineup should produce runs," Fredricks said. "DeAngelis, Carter Cumiskey, Sebastian Saracino, Ryan Orth and Shawn Lennan return a good amount of production and experience. The offense will need to gel quickly for run production and the pitching staff has big shoes to fill coming off of a season which saw seven shutouts and 11 games of one run or less."
Spotswood's Thursday scrimmage with South Brunswick was canceled due to the rain. The Chargers play one final scrimmage against Middletown South on Saturday before opening the season on Tuesday at Metuchen High School. Game time against the Bulldogs is at 10 a.m. The home-at-home continues at the Swamp on Thursday, April 4. Spotswood's home opener is at 11 a.m. at the Spotswood High School Varsity Baseball Field.
]]>NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ -- At high noon on Monday, April 1, the New Providence baseball team will open its season at home against Dayton of Springfield.
The Pioneers lost to the Bulldogs in the first week of the season last year, but came back to eliminate Dayton in the state tournament later in May.
That was an indicator of the improved quality of baseball that New Providence played later last season after a rough start. The Pioneers will once again be the smallest school playing in a division with little margin for error, the Watchung Division of the Union County Conference. New Providence was 12-14 last season.
This season, five players who batted .300 or better last year are back for head coach Chris Brodeur, including two senior outfielders in their third season in the starting lineup: Andrew Kowantz (.366) and Luca Vitale (.315). The two speedsters combined for 43 stolen bases last year, with Vitale taking 23 bags and Kowantz 20.
"We bring back a significant number of returning starters that have had success in the upper division in the Union County Conference," said Brodeur, who is beginning his 17th season at New Providence with an overall record of 194-173-2.
Senior shortstop Jake Monaco batted .355 with 14 runs batted in. Monaco also has plenty of experience on the mound, and he'll continue to be an integral ingredient on the pitching staff this year after posting a 3.16 earned-run average with just eight walks allowed in 31 innings last season.
Senior right-hander Robby Roth, who also plays the infield, turned in a strong season on the mound as a junior with a 2.58 ERA and he also batted .313. Roth figures to take a spot at the top of the Pioneers' pitching rotation.
With a 2.70 ERA in 23 1/3 innings, junior RHP/3B Ethan Cifarelli was a consistent reliever for the Pioneers who'll return to bolster the staff this season.
Senior Sean Reilly (IF/OF) returns after serving as the designated hitter for most of last year. Senior Vinny Bisaccia (C) returns behind the plate. Last season, Bisaccia broke out of a slump and finished strong with seven hits in his last 16 at-bats.
Senior Ryan Kessler (IF/C) returns with experience in some big games last year. Juniors James Miller (OF/RHP) and Vince Graziano (1B/LHP), and sophomore Troy Faucher (C/1B) will also see action.
Newcomers with a chance to make an impact include senior outfielder Ben Screnci, junior outfielder Kyle Felt, sophomore infielder/outfielder Dan Porretti, and left-handed freshman pitcher Matt Santacross.
]]>SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ -- When the South Brunswick baseball team opens its season on Tuesday, April 2 at East Brunswick, the Vikings will be under the direction of their third head coach in the last four years.
Mike Pallitto takes over as the coach after Tim Sweeney stepped down from his second tenure as coach after last season. South Brunswick is coming off an 11-14 campaign in 2023.
"We are coming off of two, sub-500 seasons, and have lost our top pitcher to graduation," said Pallitto, an assistant varsity coach at Matawn prior to coming to South Brunswick this year. "However I am very excited about our teams prospects. We have a strong senior class with lots of pitching options and several younger players that look like they will have an impact on our team offensively and on the mound."
Slugging left-handed first baseman Ethan Fantel is back to strike fear into opposing pitchers' hearts in the middle of the Vikings' batting order. As a junior, Fantel banged out 13 extra-base hits, including five home runs, and batted .353 with 15 runs batted in.
Senior infielder Will Haman batted .300 with six extra-base hits last season. Haman, a right-hander, and Fantel combined for 66 innings on the mound, giving South Brunswick two experienced arms at the top of the rotation this year. Haman struck out 32 batters and walked just seven in 33 innings pitched, and he posted a 2.33 earned-run average. Fantel struck out 44 batters in 33 innings.
Another experienced arm belongs to senior right-hander Anthony Servedio, who's coming off a 2.14 ERA in 20 innings in which he walked only six batters.
Starting outfielder Aaron Perna, a senior, is another mound opton, along with seniors Atticus Solomons, Danny Kirk (a starting infielder) and Jack Leach (also an outfielder).
Other position players with varsity experience include seniors Brian Culhane (outfield), Jake Graci (catcher), Joe Sanchez (catcher), Nick Stenger (outfield) and Teddy Garcia (infield).
"We have a lot of players who have played together for a long time," Pallitto said. "They are a very close knit group that is hungry and deeply motivated to succeed this season."
The coach is hoping that somehow the numbers in South Brunswick's program can start increasing again. Although there is talent in the program now, overall participation is down.
"We are one of the biggest schools in the state, with over 3,000 students, and yet we had only 30 players try out for our program. We face declining numbers throughout the town," Pallitto said. "We have one of the worst fields in the conference -- no fence, no power, we use a small portable generator to utilize our pitching machine at practice, an infield that contains lava rocks. Yet we are a committed group and looking forward to overcome these obstacles while playing in one of the toughest divisions in the state (Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division), and hopeful we can bring excitement to the town and get future players to want to play here."
]]>MADISON, NJ - The Madison girls golf team have improved to 2-0 on the young season after defeating Randolph; 141-160. Madison's Lily Fee shot a 32 for first place and Elizabeth Green finished second with a score of 34.
Jeannie Shore of Randolph placed third.
Charlotte Forrester shot a 37 for 4th place and Charlotte Dunn finished in fifth place after shooting a 38.
The Dodgers will face Mountain Lakes on Wednesday April 10.
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]]>ROSELLE PARK, NJ — Even a dreary, drizzly afternoon couldn't dampen the spirits of the Roselle Park High School baseball team, as they geared up for the season with a scrimmage against Glen Ridge on Wednesday.
Even in the rain, the scrimmage drew a decent crowd, demonstrating a burgeoning optimism for the year ahead. Coming off a season where the team went 8-10, the Panthers are hoping that a strong returning cast of upperclassmen can buoy the team to greater success in 2024 after finishing just one win out of advancing to the state tournament last season.
In pursuit of that goal, Park notched some valuable experience against a playoff team. Glen Ridge made it to the quarterfinals before they were unseated by eventual finalist Cedar Grove. The Panthers will open their season against Rahway on April 1.
Read more Sports news from around Roselle Park here:
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PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - Head coach Rich Kiley is looking for a quartet of seniors to lead the Phillipsburg High School girl’s spring track and field squad this season.
Sophia Fischer, who qualified for the Meet of Champions in the pole vault last season, Sarah Bronico (sprints and jumps) and Lily Snyder and Melanie Garcia in distance running are the Stateliners top athletes returning.
Juniors Kyla Wilson, in the sprints, and Morgan Bewley and Maddy Baylor in the throws are also coming off strong seasons. Sophomores Emily Tennant is a top middle-distance runner and Tanaijah Lemmon is a promising sprinter.
“We have some good numbers,” Kiley said. “And we’re hoping some of the new girls can really help us out.”
]]>BERNARDSVILLE, NJ - The Somerset Hills School District is examining the feasibility of installing permanent poles and upgraded LED lights at Olcott Field, to replace the current portable lights.
Below you will find a link to a stakeholder survey. This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It will assist in the continued examination of installing permanent poles and upgraded LED lights at Olcott Field. The District appreciates your time and participation in this endeavor.
https://somersethills.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rqsUNzbXGlJGV8
]]>ISELIN, NJ — The John F. Kennedy High School baseball team will be under the direction of a new head coach when the season begins on Monday with a game at J.P. Stevens.
Arthur Davis, the varsity assistant for the last four seasons at JFK, takes over as the head coach of the Mustangs with former coach Tim Ballard moving on to coach at Sayreville. JFK had a 13-13 record last season.
"Originating from North Carolina, my journey in baseball began during my collegiate years at Division 1 North Carolina A&T State University. Following my time as a player, I transitioned into coaching, accumulating 13 years of valuable experience in the North Carolina baseball scene," Davis said.
"Five years ago, I relocated to New Jersey, where I continued to pursue my coaching career," the coach continued. "Over the years, I've had the opportunity to coach at a few institutions in the area. I spent a season each at Freehold Township and Holmdel High School, before dedicating the past four seasons as the varsity assistant at JFK Memorial High School. Now, as I step into the role of head coach at JFK Memorial High School, I'm excited to bring my expertise and passion for the game to the forefront. With a strong foundation of coaching experience and a commitment to player development, I am eager to lead our team towards success on and off the field. Together with our talented athletes and dedicated coaching staff, I am confident that we can achieve great things this season and beyond."
With returning ace RJ Coleman, a Stockton University commit, who's been a constant on the mound since his freshman year, as well as returning pitchers Grant Lorentzen and Myles Ulaky, the Mustangs' pitching rotation has both talent and depth. Coleman had a 2.26 earned-run average with 62 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings last season, and he batted .315 with three home runs and 26 RBI.
Lorentzen, a sophomore, posted a 2.40 ERA and batted .304. Ulaky, another sophomore, struck out 19 batters in 18 2/3 innings as a freshman.
"While our pitching staff may be young at the varsity level, we're eager to see promising newcomers like Michael Rosales, Kevin Portorreal and Rodner Arnaud step up and make their mark," Davis said.
Portorreal's transition to shortstop, Jayker Ogando's emergence at second base, and catcher Braden Mellage's return behind the plate "are just a few examples of the fresh energy and talent driving our team forward," Davis said.
"While our pitching staff may be young at the varsity level, we're eager to see promising newcomers like Michael Rosales, Kevin Portorreal, and Rodner Arnaud step up and make their mark," Davis said.
JFK-ISELIN PROBABLE LINEUP
Grant Lorentzen (So.,CF), RJ Coleman (Sr., P), Braden Mellage (Jr., C), Zach Tyler (Jr., LF), Rodner Arnaud (Jr., RF), Kevin Portorreal (Jr., SS), Michael Rosales (So., 3B), Dev Patel (Sr., 1B), Jayker Ogando (So., 2B), Ronny Arnaud (Sr., OF)
PITCHERS
RJ Coleman (Sr., RHP), Grant Lorentzen (So., RHP), Myles Ulaky (So., RHP), Zach Tyler (Jr., RHP),
Dev Patel (Sr., LHP), Michael Rosales (So.,RHP), Rodner Arnaud (Jr., RHP), Kevin Portorreal (RHP, SS), Luis Pimentel (Sr., RHP)
TOP RESERVES
Angel Peralta (Jr., OF), Ayden Jerez (Jr., INF), Chazz Ruiz (Sr., OF) Luis Pimentel (Sr., P-C), Jeremy Fishman (Sr.,INF)
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Elizabeth Tartakovsky, a Livingston High School Class of 2018 graduate and recent Harvard alumna, is heading to Paris this summer after qualifying to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games as a fencer in the Women’s Saber Individual & Team event.
According to USA Fencing, the national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing, Tartakovsky discovered her passion for fencing after being captivated by the sport's unique blend of athleticism and strategy. Highlighting her adaptability and drive for success, Tartakovsky journeyed from ballet to fencing at the Manhattan Fencing Center under the leadership of renowned coach Yury Gelman.
While at LHS, Tartarovsky was a four-year varsity fencer and was named First Team All-State in 2017.
At the district level, she helped lead the Lancers to two first-place finishes at the District III Saber Squad Championship and multiple top-three finishes, including a third-place finish in the NJSIAA Team State Championships in 2014. Tartarovsky also holds two Saber State Championship titles and the 2016 State Individual Championship title.
Outside the high school fencing arena, Tartarovsky was also a member of the prestigious National Honor Society, which honors students who exhibit excellence in the areas of service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
Tartarovsky was recruited to join the Harvard University fencing team upon her graduation from LHS in 2018 and shortly thereafter was named the 2019 Ivy League Individual Champion as well as the NCAA Individual Bronze Medalist.
After helping her team place fourth in the 2019 NCAA Championships, Tartarovsky took a year off from fencing at Harvard with hopes of qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which were ultimately postponed due to the pandemic.
Returning to Harvard fencing as a junior for the 2021-2022 season, Tartarovsky held a team-best 61-15 overall record and was named the Women's Sabre NCAA National Champion, NCAA Northeast Regional Women's Sabre Champion, All-America First Team, Women's Sabre Northeast Regional Champion and USFCA National Collegiate Women's Sabre Athlete of the Year among other accolades, according to the Harvard women’s fencing roster.
As a senior, she tallied a record of 34-9 on the season and was named the Women's Saber NCAA Championships Silver Medalist, First Team All-America, First Team All-Northeast Region and Academic All-District before graduating in 2023.
With Coach Gelman’s guidance, Tartakovsky has achieved significant milestones outside of school in recent years as well, including earning a bronze medal at the 2023 Tashkent World Cup.
Although this was her first Senior World Cup Medal, Tartakovsky has racked up several Junior and Cadet World Cup medals in her career, including earning a silver medal as a member of the USA Women's Saber Team at the Batumi World Cup in 2023.
Tartakovsky was one of six Team USA athletes who most recently qualified for fencing events at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, including fellow New Jersey native Jackie Dubrovich, who hails from Riverdale and currently resides in Maplewood. Tartakovsky has been contacted for additional information about her journey to be shared in the near future.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11. All nominations to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to final approval by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
MAHOPAC, N.Y. - MHS student athlete DJ DeMatteo has been named a recipient of the 51st annual Golden Dozen awards by the Westchester Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. It’s a collection of high school football standouts from the 2023 season who excelled both on the field and in the classroom.
More than 600 players have been named Golden Dozen scholar-athletes by the Westchester Chapter of the NFF since 1974 and the organization has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarship grants.
DeMatteo’s father, Dominick DeMatteo, is also his head coach. He said his son represents the very best of what a student-athlete should be.
“He excelled in the classroom while continuing to challenge himself academically throughout his high school career,” his father said. “He thrives in multiple athletic arenas not only as a difference-maker athletically but as a leader to his teammates and community.
He notes that DJ was recently recognized by the New York Giants, USA Football, and the Hospital for Special Surgery as a “Heart of a Giant” finalist during Week 2 of the football season.
Mahopac News sat down with DJ last week to get his reaction to being named to the Golden Dozen team and what the next chapter in his life might bring.
You’re a multisport athlete. Are there things about football that help you be a better baseball player and vice versa?
There are several crossovers playing quarterback in football and catcher in baseball. In both positions, you’re the field general. I feel playing both has helped me with leadership, decision-making, and accountability. When something goes wrong or someone needs an answer, they typically look at the guys playing these positions.
Playing catcher in baseball has helped me with my arm slots in football. I was able to get in different positions and throw the football more efficiently this year than ever. Playing quarterback in football has made me a much better baseball thrower on the run by using my football footwork whenever I’m on the move.
Are there things that make it challenging to adjust from one to the other?
The clear struggle of transition is the mental aspect. Football is a violent game. If you mess up, you can go hit someone, forget about it, and move on.
While in baseball that’s not the case. The greats fail 70 percent of the time at the plate; you rarely experience that level of failure in a football game. In football you depend on other people, everyone has to do their job for success. Baseball every play there is a one-on-one battle when you’re in the box. It’s you vs. the pitcher and there is nobody to lean on.
How do you balance schoolwork and sports?
Time management and effort. I’ve noticed over the past couple of years that if you succeed in these two areas, there is no paper too long or practice too strenuous. Mahopac has also been a great environment for me, they have many opportunities and ways to get help if you need it.
Do you have one or two go-to training/workout moves?
My go-to training move has always been the squat. Playing in the box with football and catching in baseball has always been important to me. I had a strong foundation with my legs.
What are your favorite school subjects?
Math. I have been a math guy from the jump and continued to love it through high school. Something about numbers just always interested and intrigued me.
What do you plan to study after high school, and have you thought beyond college yet?
I committed to play baseball at Middlebury College in Vermont. I will study mathematics and statistics there.
What about outside of sports and school... any hobbies?
I tend to say I’m a pretty simple high school kid. I love my sports, working out, and spending time with friends. They all give me time I extremely value to just detach from a busy schedule.
What’s it like playing for your dad?
It’s an absolute dream. There is nobody I would rather work my tail off for and go to battle with on Fridays than my very own father. It has been a pleasure playing for him and in my opinion, he is one of the most knowledgeable coaches in the state. My dad is a role model to me and who I ultimately look up to every day.
When and how did you learn you made the Golden Dozen and what did that feel like?
I’ll never forget walking in the door to a big grin on my dad’s face and hearing the words, “You did it dude, you’re in the Golden Dozen.” Hearing those words was finally the closure I think I needed for this football season.
I still struggled with the fact that I’d never wear a helmet, run out of the tunnel, or bring a play in from my dad again. However, this award was something I always dreamt of, and getting it made me realize all good things must come to an end. Once he told me, I dropped my stuff, ran upstairs, and called my grandfather right away. I couldn’t wait to tell him.
What have sports taught you about life?
Playing sports has taught me numerous things. However, one thing stood out to me this football season from my grandfather. He would always say to me before every game, “Football is about the next play, but life is about the next day.” This really opened my eyes to the whole idea of perseverance, what is in the past is in the past. It truly doesn’t matter, go after what’s next. You control the future, don’t get hung up on other stuff.
]]>LIVINGSTON, NJ -- In advance of its opening game against Nutley at the Oval on Monday, April 1, the Livingston baseball team hasn't had nearly has many repetitions in scrimmages and practices as veteran head coach Mickey Ennis would have hoped for.
"Between the shortened pre-season and having scrimmages rained out, we would have liked to have more live competition," Ennis said, "but we also need the practice time, so you try to balance the two."
The Lancers are coming off a 17-11 season and have firmly established themselves as a program to be reckoned with year after year in the cutthroat world of Essex County baseball.
"We have a lot of holes to fill, but we also have some key pieces back from last year who give us a decent core of varsity experience," Ennis said.
The starting pitchers the first few games of a busy opening week seem to be set. Junior right-hander Max Peri, junior lefty Julian Schultz and sophomore right-hander Adam Goldberg should each get the ball the first week. Peri sparkled on Livingston's county championship JV team last season, Schultz posted a 3.11 earned-run average with pinpoint command in 36 varsity innings (12 walks) last year, and Goldberg has shown promise in the pre-season. Senior right-hander Ethan Sze will also see innings.
Schultz will play center field when he's not pitching and will lead off. The speedy left-handed hitter batted .333 with 25 runs batted in, 24 runs scored and eight stolen bases last season. Junior right fielder E.J. Frayne could be one of the best bats in the Lancers' lineup. He batted .373 in 2023 with 13 RBI.
The catching position is being contested between John Marco Maiello and A.J. Lowenthal. Senior Massimo DePaola will play first base. Alex Yang, who scored 10 runs as a sophomore, Joey Meierhofer, Robbie Lynn and Goldberg also figure in the infield mix.
Junior Tyler Chen and senior Noah Boxer can both handle left field, and Boxer, a right-hander, will get innings on the mound after an impressive junior season with a 1.84 ERA in 19 innings last year.
"We had a good JV team last year. Our coaches do a terrific job, and our JV team is truly a feeder program into our varsity program. They have a championship under their belt at JV level," Ennis said. "We're hoping that playing at a high level at JV will transition to varsity success, but only time will tell. It may take a little time for us, and preseason has been so short based on calendar days and the weather. There will be peaks and valleys early on, but we hope to be playing our best baseball come tournament time."
With four games in the first six days of the season, Ennis said that he expects to use a lot of pitchers. "Nobody's going to be throwing 110 pitches in a game as they build their arms up, so we'll need a lot of pitchers."
SAYREVILLE, NJ - The Sayreville War Memorial softball team enters the 2024 season looking for their first winning season since 2017 after finishing 2023 with a 9-10 record.
Head coach Amanda Moken only noted two key losses to this year's roster in Dylan Arena and Megan McKay, who both graduated last year. Despite this, much of last year's roster will continue to play for Sayreville this season, including senior captains Jillian Bourbeau and Caydence Barton, juniors Rose Joseph, Hailey Kilpatrick, Danielle Zapoticzny, and Josie Vanore, and sophomores Josie Vanore and Mya Infante.
"We have a very strong core of girls returning to the program this year," said coach Moken. "They are dedicated players and show a lot of enthusiasm for the program."
Although she only had nine total hits her freshman year, coach Moken spoke highly about sophomore Josie Vanore and her ability to make plays at the plate and on the mound, having earned a team-high 52 strikeouts last season.
"We anticipate Josie Vanore to take charge in the circle, while having our hitters be aggressive at the plate," said Moken. "With one scrimmage for the season so far, Vanore pitched Sayreville to victory with a 2-run homerun."
Other players that coach Moken expects to step into larger roles this season include sophomore Gianna Falto and newcomer Sophie Matula.
"The girls have worked so hard in their pre-season to be ready for opening day," Moken added. "The coaching staff is already so proud of their commitment and how positive the team comradery is. This will be a very exciting season for Bombers Softball as we are ready to compete with passion and sportsmanship going into this 2024 season."
Roster:
Listed below is the schedule for the 2024 Sayreville War Memorial softball season:
NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - On Frday, May 10, the public is invited to golf and support the Zack Basin Memorial Golf Outing at the Putnam County Golf Course.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Emily's Entourage, an innovative 501(c)3 foundation that speeds research and drug development for the final 10% of people with Cystic Fibrosis that do not benefit from current therapies. Additionally, part of the proceeds will benefit the North Salem Lions Club in giving a community service award to a graduating North Salem High School senior. It is named the "Zack Bassin Memorial Community Service Award.”
In 2017, at the young age of 21, Zack Bassin passed away from a rare mutation of Cystic Fibrosis. An avid sports fan, there were few things Zack enjoyed more than spending time on the golf course with his friends and family. Even during periods where he was confined by an oxygen tank, Zack always managed to get out on the course.
There is no better way to honor Zack than to get together, enjoy the outing and join the fight to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis!
To golf, sponsor a hole or donate funds, visit ZackBassinGolf.com. For any questions, contact James Langelotti at 845-519-9328.
]]>CREAM RIDGE - The Southern Regional Girls Golf team suffered its first loss of the season on Wednesday, falling 174-202 to Allentown High School.
In fact, it is Southerns first loss after 51 consecutive victories.
Emerson Paulette and Charlotte Reid took the first two positions, each scoring 38. Smantha Reilly led Southern with a 45.
Southern's record drops to 2-1. The Redbirds are 4-0.
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SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ - Scotch Plains-Fanwood softball is preparing for their 2024 season and second under head coach Matt Giannacio. The Raiders finished the 2023 season with an 11-15 record, a third place finish in the Mountain Division of the Union County Conference, and a quarterfinals appearance in the Union County Tournament.
Coach Giannacio named three key losses to this year's roster; outfielders Angie Diaco and Kady Rettino, who both graduated last year, and Morgan Barbossa, who transferred out of SPF.
Giannacio also named many returning players who will step into larger roles this season. Most notably is senior Sairah Llano, a TCNJ commit who had a .422 batting average and 4.21 ERA with 101 strikeouts last season as a junior. Other players to watch include Emily Roof, Angelina Valente, and Samantha Friscia.
The pitching overall for Scotch Plains-Fanwood should be much stronger this year. Coach Giannacio named five pitchers who can throw at the varsity softball level, which he says is very rare to have. Those players are Llano, Roof, Olivia DiSalvo, Maddie Bogart, and Harper Shimko.
"With the experience we have with this team in the circle, and what is behind them defensively, I believe we should be ultra-competitive within our division," said Coach Giannacio. "Our team's goal is to win the division first, because if we cannot compete within our own division, talking about anything higher is not realistic."
Bogart and Shimko are two of the seven freshmen that will be joining the varsity softball team this season. Additionally, Sarina Llano has had a strong pre-season. All three will hopefully add depth to this Raiders lineup.
"Ultimately, I think this year's team needs to learn how to win, and win those close, 1-run games, and experience what it feels like to be in those close pressure-packed games. Many players on this year's roster put a lot of time into the off-season preparing themselves for what is coming, and for the first couple weeks of practices and scrimmages it shows," Giannacio added.
"The energy levels, excitement, and camaraderie within this team is second to none," he said. "I hope our community can come out to support these girls this year, as I believe they have the ability to accomplish whatever they want, but we have to go and take it, no one is going to just roll over and give us anything, we have to earn everything we get."
Roster:
2024 Scotch Plains-Fanwood softball season:
BRIDGEWATER, NJ -- The Bridgewater-Raritan baseball team had a historical season last year that featured just about everything except a title that the Panthers could call their own.
Bridgewater-Raritan, which opens its season on Monday morning against Rancocas Valley, tied a school record for victories in 2023 with its 23-7 record. The Panthers also reached the Section 2, Group 4 finals; the Somerset County Tournament semifinals; and they shared the Skyland Conference's Delaware Division title with Ridge.
This year's team won't sneak up on anybody, but nor has coach Max Newill lost so much from last year's powerhouse to dismiss the possibility of making a run at all of the above achievements again in 2024.
The Panthers return 13 varsity letterwinners from last year’s team, including three First Team All-Skyland Conference selections, seniors Devin Goldberg, Matt Fattore and Joey Letko. Goldberg, who batted .400 with 39 runs scored and 20 stolen bases (both BRHS records), will anchor the Panther’s middle infield. Fattore hit .395 with three home runs and 28 RBI. On the mound, Fattore, a right-hander was 4-1 with a 1.88 ERA. He struck out 24 batters in 22.1 innings pitched. Letko batted .367 with 19 runs scored and 13 RBI.
Senior right-hander Cory Rible will serve as the Panthers’ closer this season after posting a 3-1 record with two saves last season. Rible posted a 3.08 ERA in 36.1 IP in 2023, striking out 32 and walking just eight batters.
Senior Frankie Verano missed a good chunk of the 2023 season recovering from an injury, but when he played, he hit .484 with two home runs and 14 RBI. Joe Spirra, who did not play last season in order to get ready for the 2023 football season, is back on the diamond for his senior season. He is a right-hander who has a chance to provide a big boost to the pitching staff.
Junior Jayden Rosado returns as the Panthers’ starting catcher. He extinguished 14 baserunners either attempting to steal or who got picked off last year.
Junior left-hander Owen Crimmins posted a 5-2 record on the mound last season with a 3.66 ERA over 28.2 innings. He struck out 29 while allowing only 27 hits. Sophomore Kellan Komline, another southpaw, achieved a 1.75 ERA in 20 innings pitched as freshman on the varsity. He allowed only 15 hits while striking out 17. Komline will also play the outfield this season.
Senior right-handed Trevor Kelly will feature a knuckleball when he comes in to pitch from the bullpen in 2024.
The success of Bridgewater-Raritan's under-programs has been a key part of the school's overall stature in recent years. Newill said that numerous players who had outstanding seasons on the JV level in 2023 bolster the Panther’s depth, including juniors Matt Lehberger and Matt Cichocki, who "have both been very impressive in preseason practices and are pushing to crack the starting lineup."
Newill said that senior Jack Lanum is "an excellent defender who will also get some time on the mound." Senior Matthew Baxter, a versatile infielder, has a lot of pop in his bat. Senior Ben Dolan gives the Panthers catching depth. Seniors Mike Lentini and Sam Matheson along with juniors Ethan Carey, LJ Aponte, Bobby Gillespie and Arnav Vajjhala are all competing for varsity innings on the mound.
In addition, sophomores Connor Price and Michael Lobosco may also get varsity opportunities after dominating the freshman level last season.
"Matching the success of the 2023 team will be difficult," Newill said, "but (we) have a very talented and hard-working squad ready to take the diamond in 2024 that are eager to make their own mark."
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN ROSTER
Returning Letterwinners:
Seniors – Frankie Verano C/OF, Matt Fattore 3B/1B/P, Trevor Kelly P, Devin Goldberg 2B/SS/OF, Joey Letko OF/1B/P, Cory Rible P, Matthew Baxter INF, Michael Taylor 2B/SS/OF, Joe Spirra 3B/OF/P
Juniors – Jayden (JR) Rosado C/P, Owen Crimmins P, Matt Lehberger UTL
Sophomores – Kellan Komline P/OF
Key Newcomers:
Seniors – Sam Matheson P, Michael Lentini P, Ben Dolan C, Nick Turchi OF
Juniors – Matt Cichocki OF/1B, Jack Lanum 3B, LJ Aponte P, Bobby Gillespie P, Arnav Vajjhala P, Ethan Carey P
Sophomores – Connor Price P/3B, Michael Lobosco P/C/3B
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VERONA, NJ -- The Verona baseball team will open its season on Monday, April 1 at West Orange.
The Hillbillies posted a 13-15 record last season, and their chances of getting back over .500 this season will depend largely on whether they can reduce last season's team earned-run average of 5.38.
Senior left-hander Julian Santorelli figures to be the ace, after a junior season when he was Verona's most reliable starter with a 3.50 ERA and a team-leading 42 innings. He struck out 31 batters and walked only 15.
Santorelli, a first baseman as well, also drove in 16 runs and scored 17 runs, so he's expected to be an asset to an offense that head coach Joe Phelan thinks will produce.
"If our pitchers can stay healthy and keep us in games, our offense should be able to create enough runs to keep us very competitive," said Phelan, who is entering his 11th season as Verona's head coach.
Senior catcher Ryan Radigan, an Arcadia University commit who can also play the infield, was the Hillbillies' most dangerous power hitter in 2023, batting .315 with six doubles, four triples, two home runs and 17 RBI.
Junior first baseman Frank Orrei batted .324 with seven extra-base hits and 17 RBI as a sophomore. Charlie Pepe, who will play shortstop, had a very promising freshman campaign last year with a .333 batting average, five extra-base hits and 16 RBI.
Senior Matt Vaccaro pitches and plays the infield. As a junior last year, Joe Farmer performed in a variety of roles and batted .328.
A couple of sophomores new to the varsity who have a chance to make an impact are pitcher Shawn McElroy and outfielder Jac Caporimo.
]]>SOMERS, N.Y. - On Tuesday, March 26, Somers opened the flag football season and helping to raise the banner on season two was visiting Clarkstown North. A one score game until the very end, Coach Katie DiChiaro didn’t get ahead of herself and kept the 19-6 loss in perspective.
“Clarkstown is a really good team,” she said. “It was our first game, so we have some things to iron out. But all in all, the girls played tough.”
Starting with the ball, Cara Persico did complete a ten yard pass to Eva Mastrantoni. But an illegal procedure penalty and an incomplete pass had the Tuskers giving the ball up on downs.
Flip flopping, the Rams took over at midfield and didn’t wait to break out the weaponry. Sarah Weissman stood strong in the pocket and unleashed a perfect 20-yard strike over the middle to Grace Termine.
First down at the 15, the Tuskers dug in. They forced three straight incompletions, and without a field goal game in this sport, Clarkstown needed to go for the touchdown. Just as well for the visitors, Weissman stepped up and hit Sammi Caivano in the corner of the end zone with 19:46 left in the first half.
The one-point conversation good, Somers took their turn. Unfortunately, a three and out followed and Clarkstown had no interest in letting their hosts get themselves into gear.
Ella Yomtov ran the punt to midfield, and the Rams got right on their horse. Weissman faked a reverse and got her team a first down at the Somers 35.
So North went to the well again. On rewind, Weissman skied over the line, and red jersey’s all around, Termine hauled in the B-line at the 22.
A sack by Olivia Weigand and a fumble did stall the drive, but Weissman’s confident posture went back at it. She spotted Emily Savedoff with a step and easily made the connection for a 13-0 lead.
14:13 left in the half, the Tusker offense still didn’t have an answer and had to kick away three downs later. But the girls didn’t let Weissman walk all over them this time. Natalia Antonecchia stepped into the passing lanes and took the interception down to Ram 35.
But Somers could not take advantage and another punt was in the air. No problem, the Tusker defense was in step - especially Weigand.
She had two sacks on the three-down possession, and as a rule, the Tusker doesn’t let her slight build slow her down.
“It can be scary sometimes, because the girls are normally way bigger than me. But you have to be there for your team,” she explained.
Disrupting the drive, her team was left sitting pretty at the 30. A nice little dance and spin move by Persico looked even better, but the seven yard gain was the drive’s only claim to fame.
Two minutes left in the half, Weigand kept the margin status quo. Sack number four stalled the drive, and into the second half, the defensive end picked up where she left off. On fourth and five, the Tusker caught the quarterback as she tried to squeeze through the collapsing pocket.
One pull of her six on the day, Weigand relishes a role that lets her take no prisoners.
“It’s pretty fun,” she beamed.
Just as crucial, the offense took the cue. Taking over at the Ram 35, Julia Schmidberger was in at QB, and on the play action, the Somers soccer goalie hit Chloe Gabriele. No reason to stop, the receiver’s leaping grab had her elude the first defender, and the chase was on for the far sideline.
Gabriele got around the corner and didn’t get pulled until reaching the 20. Two runs by Persico set up a first and goal - and Schmidberger to Antonecchia - futbol was the name of this eight yard scoring play. “I threw it to my soccer teammate,” said Schmidberger.
A 13-6 game, Antonecchia worked the line of sight. “I saw Julia, and we made eye contact,” said the receiver. “We have great chemistry.”
A beautiful friendship, DiChiaro is eager to see where this football start goes. “I’m looking forward to see what they can do together,” the coach exclaimed.
18:06 left in the game, the defenses mostly had their say until Clarkstown scored in the final minute. But moving forward, DiChiaro is confident that her team will be ready on both sides of the ball.
“We have a lot of talent on this team. So once they take a breath, and get it all together, this team is going to have a very successful year,” she concluded.
]]>COLTS NECK, NJ -- The Colts Neck High School softball team will open its regular season on Friday, April 5 at Manalapan.
The Cougars posted a 19-8 record last season and reached the semifinal round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3 tournament under coach Anthony Iachello, who is entering his fourth season.
Eight starting players return from that team, so a run at 20 victories in 2024 is not out of the question.
Senior Julianna Kowaleski scored 23 runs last year and is a four-year starter in the outfield. Jillian Percaccio, another senior outfielder, has a good glove in addition to coming off a .304 batting average last year.
Junior Ellie Mager is a "great defensive first baseman," Iachello said, and she batted .383 with 19 runs batted in. Sophomore infielder Gabby Bryce turned in a "solid defensive performance for a freshman" and she also racked up 12 extra-base hits, including three home runs.
Colts Neck has the luxury of two pitching standouts. Sophomore Angela Sasso struck out 172 batters in 118 innings with a 2.07 earned-run average. Iachello calls her "one of the top pitchers in the Shore Conference," and she will also bat at the top of the order after collecting 30 base hits and batting .333 last year. Junior Samantha Sponder was 6-0 with a 1.59 earned-run average in 53 innings. She is also "a very good pitcher (who) provides great balance on a strong pitching staff."
Two other sophomores who saw action last season are catcher Gabby Saverino and infielder Julia Watkins.
The talent extends well beyond the eight returning players, and Iachello will also be trying to find playing time for junior outfielder Emma Jordon, junior infielder/outfielder Daniela Bao, junior outfielder Ava Burns and sophomore infielder Dani Berliner.
"We're hoping to be competitive in the A North Division of the Shore Conference," said Iachello, whose three-year record at Colts Neck is 50-22.
]]>KEYPORT, NJ -- The Keyport High School baseball team will open its season on Tuesday, April 2 at home against Henry Hudson.
The Red Raiders enter the season with a basic and somewhat modest objective, according to 12th-year head coach Kyle Keelan.
"Our goal is simple: beat Keansburg, Hudson, Lakewood, Asbury and Long Branch," Keelan said. "Get these 10 wins and make Shore Conference Tournament, and (that) gives us a chance for a home game when playoffs come around."
Last season, Keyport was 4-13, playing a 17-game schedule that was lighter than many area teams. There are 16 games on this year's schedule, not counting the Shore Conference Tournament and any potential state tournament games.
So Keelan is hoping the Red Raiders can more than double last season's win total. They do return eight players from last season's team, including six starters.
Senior left-handed pitcher Erik Schmidt struck out 48 batters in 26 1/3 innings last season and batted .450 with 11 runs batted in.
Senior pitcher Carter Williams was second on the Red Raiders in innings pitched with 22 and batted .396 with 15 RBI. Junior first baseman Liam Kilian knocked in six runs last season.
Sophomore Ryan Byrne catcher/shortstop stole 15 bases and scored 11 runs as a freshman in 2023. Sophomore center fielder Tristan Knoblauch batted .388 and led Keyport in stolen bases (28) and runs scored (16). Sophomore second baseman Jacob Pinto batted .314 as a ninth-grader and turned in some strong innings on the mound, posting a 1.20 ERA.
Senior pitcher Andrew Staeger and sophomore utility player Daniel Metrick also saw varsity action last year.
Keelan is hopeful that freshman catcher/shortstop Paxton Douglass and junior outfielder Jeremiah Rivera can step in and contribute to the team in their first season on the varsity, along with Casey McCarthy, Axsel Ferm, Evin Johnson, Gabriel Carbone and Jamison Geraldi.
After the opening game, Keyport will conclude its home-and-away set against Henry Hudson on April 4, and then play at home against Keansburg on April 8.
]]>HOLMDEL, NJ -- The Holmdel High School baseball team will open its season on Monday, April 1 at Raritan High School in Hazlet, the first of back-to-back games on Monday and Wednesday against the same opponent. The Hornets will host Raritan on April 3.
Holmdel is coming off a 10-13 season, and coach Chris Arecchi is hoping the Hornets can repeat and then sustain the level of success they had early in the 2023 campaign, when they started out 7-2.
Senior right-handed pitcher Joe Barbarino is a Division 1 Fairleigh Dickinson University-Teaneck commit who struck out 39 batters in 38 2/3 innings last season with a 3.44 ERA earned-run average. He will be the right-handed half of a top of the rotation that will also include senior lefty Luke Buda, who fanned 36 batters in 38 2/3 innings and posted a 3.62 ERA.
Junior outfielder Nick Rakoski batted .333 with eight doubles, 15 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Junior catcher Matt Iulo was one of the team's top hitters as a 10th-grader with a .413 batting average, eight doubles, 15 RBI, 18 runs scored and six stolen bases. Senior outfielder James Vallillo batted .319 with five extra-base hits, 12 RBI, 13 runs and six steals.
Senior Christian Ferranti and junior Tyler Reddy are both first basemen who return from last year's squad.
"With a good mix of returning talent and excited newcomers, we are hoping to build upon last season's early successes and finish in the top half of our division," said Arecchi, whose team competes in the Shore Conference's A Central Division.
Six players new to the varsity who were competing for playing time in the pre-season were Dylan Zammit (soph RHP), Logan Cardinoza (jr. Util), Jack Vallillo (soph INF/P), Cam Estok (jr. INF), Raum Desai (soph INF) and Harrison Eng (soph C/OF).
]]>UNION, NJ -- The Union baseball team will open its season under new head coach Lou Clemente on Monday, April 1 at Cranford.
Clemente's young team will get thrown right into the fire with games against two of Union County's elite to open the season. The Farmers follow Monday's opener with a home game against Gov. Livingston on Wednesday.
A core of five players will return from a team that finished 8-17 under former coach Angel Navarrete in 2023. Navarrete took the head coaching job at Marlboro High School in Monmouth County, closer to his home.
Senior Mathew Mendez, who will pitch and play the outfield, batted .338 last season and, in 27 innings on the mound, struck out 17 batters.
Senior Gabriel Gobbi, another righty who will pitch and play the outfield, was second on the team in innings pitched last season with 32 1/3.
Senior Mathew Perrotto can play shortstop or second base and may also take the mound for the Farmers. Perrotto led Union in RBI with 19 last season.
Sophomore Johnny Velez knocked in 12 runs as a a freshman and struck out 19 batters in 19 1/3 innings pitched. Velez has a power arm with plenty of up side on the mound.
Sophomore Ethan Beaumont can catch and also play the outfield. Like Velez, he saw considerable varsity time as a freshman.
Union was relocated from the Watchung Division of the Union County Conference to the Mountain Division this season, trading places with Summit, which moved up to the Watchung Division.
Senior Mathew Heaton pitched six varsity innings as a junior and he will also play first base this season. Senior Alejandro Guzman is contending for playing time at catching.
The following players are new to Union's varsity: Sophomore Nick Bertolotti 1B/P, Sophomore Aaron Acevedo OF/P, Sophomore Jayden Walton INF/P, Junior Jeffrey Field INF/OF, Junior Nick Goncalves OF/P, Freshman Michael Heaton INF/P, Freshman Adrian Garcia Cardena INF/P.
Clemente enumerated some of the program's goals for the 2024 season, including, "to go out and compete day in and day out (and) work hard everyday in practice to continue to get better."
Clemente said, "We plan to continue to be role models in the community, (and to) play the game of baseball the right way, representing the Township of Union the right way."
]]>HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – The Hasbrouck Heights golf coach Dan Pignatiello was looking forward to a strong start to the season, as he has the most returning golfers in several years. Made up of primarily seniors with a few juniors mixed in, the Aviators, coming off a 9-5 record and an appearance in the Group sectionals, are looking to pick up off where they were last year.
The team is led by an experienced quartet in seniors Logan Rendzio, George Kouletas, Connor Scuilla and Ian Schaffer, with junior Drew Eckert and senior Diego Mancini pushing for playing time.
Rendzio shot an 80 in last season’s NJIC Championship, and Pignatiello is counting on him to pick up where he left off.
“Our goal this season is to have some team scores under 200,” said Pignatiello. “Even though the team was strong last season, we did not have any scores under 200. That is this year’s goal.”
On Thursday, March 21, the Aviators opened their season successfully, defeating Palisades Park and St. Mary in a tri-match, 231-235-246. Schaffer was the Aviators' low scorer on the day, recording a 50.
Kouletas recorded a 52, with Scuilla shooting a 62 and Mancini rounding out the top four with a 67. Kush Tailor shot a 71 and Aayan Modak shot 72 to round out the Aviators squad.
Type | Opponent | Location | |
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024 | 3:00PM | TBA | Overpeck County Park |
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024 | 3:00PM | North Arlington | Orchard Hill Golf Course |
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 | 3:00PM | TBA | Darlington Park |
Tuesday, Apr 2, 2024 | 3:00PM | Ridgefield | Overpeck County Park |
Tuesday, Apr 9, 2024 | 3:00PM | Dwight Englewood School | Overpeck County Park |
Thursday, Apr 11, 2024 | 3:00PM | Leonia | Orchard Hill Golf Course |
Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024 | 3:00PM | Waldwick | Orchard Hill Golf Course |
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 | 3:00PM | Emerson/Park Ridge | Rockleigh Golf Course |
Monday, Apr 29, 2024 | 3:00PM | Butler | Sunset Valley Golf Course |
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024 | TBD | TBA | Overpeck County Park |
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 3:00PM | Hawthorne | Overpeck Golf Course |
Friday, May 3, 2024 | TBD | NJIC Championships | Valley Brook Golf Club |
OLEAN, NY — Just outside downtown Olean lies an old but beautiful baseball field. Home to the revived Olean Oilers, a collegiate summer baseball team, since 2012, Bradner Stadium has a rich and storied history that spans almost a century.
From 1939 to 1962, a different iteration of the Olean Oilers called Bradner Stadium home.
The original Oilers played in the now-defunct PONY League. During their run, these Oilers acted as a farm club for a handful of Major League teams, such as the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Browns and Philadelphia Phillies.
Despite the original Oilers’ popularity in the Olean area, proof of the team’s success now mostly lives on via old newspaper clippings — many of which TAPinto acquired from database and compilation service FultonHistory. According to one report, the Oilers were popular enough in Olean to shut down the local library during game hours.
Yet, as time progressed, memories of this once-popular team slowly faded.
Chuck Pollock, lead columnist for the Wellsville Sun in nearby Wellsville, has spent time recollecting the stories of the mid-1900s Olean Oilers.
“So many people when I first got here in 1970 were much more familiar with the [PONY] League,” Pollock noted.
But over time, Olean residents’ perceptions of the Oilers shifted drastically. Once popular in the area, the Oilers began officially dismantling in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Afterward, the team slowed faded into obscurity, and its once enthusiastic fan base aged.
“Older people remember going to the game,” Pollock said. “There was a time this was a big deal in Olean.”
Jake Pitler, manager of the Oilers from 1939 to 1943, exemplified the Oilers’ draw.
Short of stature, Pitler was not the most imposing figure. But according to newspaper clippings from the Olean Times Herald, he had a big personality and a fiery temperament. Affectionately nicknamed “Skipper Jake,” Pitler brought home two PONY League championship titles in his first two seasons.
However, his success managing the on-field product was many times overshadowed by his personality off the field.
“If all the baseball stories Jake Pitler can tell were laid end to end, they would make wonderful listening,” a journalist wrote of Pitler in May 1941.
Pitler told one such story at an American Sons of Italy dinner, which was recounted in the Olean Times Herald:
“He told about a player from Buffalo, not overly bright, during a time when the team was using word signals. If the manager spoke the name of a city east of the Mississippi, it meant 'hit.’ A city west of the river meant ‘bunt.’ [It] Came the yokel's turn to bat, and the manager hissed, ‘Wauxautaussie.’
‘What?’ pleaded the agonized rookie.
‘Wauxautaussie,’ said the manager impatiently.
The batter turned to the catcher and said, ‘You certainly gotta know your geography to play on this team.’"
Under Pitler especially, the Oilers brought excitement to local baseball and the community of Olean. They showcased a brand of baseball that filled seats, won ballgames and brought home championships to Bradner.
Despite the Olean Oilers residing relatively low on the professional baseball circuit, their historical significance to the area is something that many argue should continue to be recognized.
Pitler himself vitalized baseball in the Olean area and characterized an exciting era of localized sports. With his help, the Oilers ascended to a role of prominence in Olean. The community embraced Pitler and the Oilers.
“They [the fans] remember the guys who participated,” Pollock said, referencing stars like Warren Spahn, an MLB Hall of Famer who spent time at Bradner playing for rival squad Wellsville.
The history of the Olean Oilers does not merely lie with league titles or batting statistics. Rather, it lies with the community who came out to cheer on the young ballplayers and managers who put on quite the show.
While time has slowly dimmed the bright light that was the original Oilers at Bradner, the team’s impact on its community should not go unnoticed. The Oilers brought a fun and exciting brand of baseball to the Olean area — a memory worth remembering.
“The Oilers are kind of a faded memory,” Pollock said. "Maybe that's the story."
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NEWTON, NJ—The Newton High School Softball team is ready to get back on the diamond for the new 2024 Spring Season under the coaching of Paul Filan for the fifth year.
“We bring back a good amount of experience and production from last year and we have two newcomers who are going to have an immediate impact on our team this season,” Filan said
The team brings back seven starting Varsity players:
Newcomers to the team include one freshman, three sophomores and two juniors.
“If we can keep improving daily and come together as a team we will have a great chance to compete for the NJAC Colonial Division title,” Filan said.
The Braves start their season on the road, playing at Sussex County Technical High School on Tuesday, April 2 at 10 a.m.
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – Golf coverage continues with highlights from the Piscataway Chiefs match versus Monroe High School on Wednesday.
Their spring season opener, the Chiefs’ Javier Vazquez, a junior, narrowly missed out on the victory, losing by one point to Monroe’s senior standout, Jack Manfre, 39-40 on the road.
The Falcons took the next three slots on the leaderboard with Shreyas Kuntamukkala shooting a 41 for third place, and Krish Anand and Aiswarya Senthil tying for fourth with 42 points each.
Piscataway saw a commendable performance from Yanting Ren, Om Purnant, and Vinnie Novak who finished with scores of 48, 53, and 57, respectively.
Monroe clinched the win, 164-198.
With spring break closing schools next week, the Chiefs are back in action April 9 when they travel to the East Brunswick Bears to take on a team they have fallen to each of their last five meetings.
Tee-Time is at 3:40 p.m.
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GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ -- Freshman Roger Rice carded a 77 and Cougar teammates, junior Will DesMarais and senior Dylan Wickham, each shot a 78 as the Chatham boys golf team placed 8th out of 23 teams competing in the 19th Garden State Cup held Wednesday at the Blue Heron Pines Golf Club.
Rice tied for 14th in the field of 118 golfers over the 6,429-yard, par-72 layout in Atlantic County. Michael Asselta, a sophomore from St. Joseph of Montvale, was the medalist with a two-under-par 70. DesMarais and Wickham tied for 21st.
Westfield was the top-scoring team with a 308 and Moorestown was second with a 310. Chatham's team score was 318.
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