Piners look to reload rather than rebuild
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD - For the past two years, the township high school baseball team proved to be one of the elite squads in the Shore Conference.

The Piners captured their second straight B South title last season en route to registering an overall mark of 19-9.

The key to Lakewood's success and prominence was no secret. The Piners were loaded with solid pitching that led them to both the semifinals of the Shore Conference and Central Jersey Group III tournaments.

However, as Lakewood High School (LHS) prepares to open the 2006 campaign, pitching is a question mark for head coach Gene Drumright and assistant Vinnie Currao.

"We lost all of our starting pitching from the last two seasons," Currao said. "We had a number of solid arms the past two years. They carried us and were a huge part of why we performed at such a high level."

Gone are John Gergenti, who posted a 9-2 mark his senior year, pitcher Ricky Maldonado and third baseman Lex Wolfe. In total, Lakewood graduated seven starters, leaving the team based in inexperience.

"John and Ricky did a majority of the pitching for us last year," Currao said. "If we had a big game we needed to win, one of those two guys were the ones we looked to. Replacing seven starters is not going to be easy."

The Piners, however, do return three players with varsity experience. Seniors Bert Cappas and Mike Dennis, and junior Jim D'Aloia, will be asked to provide leadership and stability to a program in the midst of rebuilding.

Cappas will be the team's opening day starter when LHS hosts Manchester on Saturday. Cappas, who will also play shortstop, throws a fastball, change-up and knucklecurve.

"He is going to be our main guy this year," Currao said. "He's looked good in the preseason so far. He can mix speeds and change locations. He has good movement on his fastball."

When not roaming centerfield, D'Aloia will see some innings on the mound, along with seniors Tim Baggs, Carlos Rodriguez and Joe Primmer.

"We've got a bunch of arms to put out there," Currao said. "But the question is experience. These guys will be getting that experience as they go along."

Besides Cappas starting on opening day, Currao said the rest of the rotation is not settled yet.

"We're still looking at guys to see who will fit best in certain matchups," Currao said.

Lakewood boasts a couple of talented newcomers as well. Junior Charles Cunliffe and senior Kevin Ruiz are locked in a battle for the starting catching position. Both have shown signs of being able to handle the starting role, Currao said.

Junior Mike Muth and sophomore Kyle Flannery are competing for the first baseman's job, while senior Matt Rosado will split time at both second base and shortstop, depending on who's pitching.

Junior Joe Curry and sophomore Max Wolfe have both looked good in the preseason.

"I think it is a great thing that we've got all these guys competing for starting positions," Currao said. "It keeps everybody on their toes and sharp. When you are rebuilding a team like we are, you need to take a good, long look at as many players as you can to find the right combinations."

Senior Tim Doyle, Matt Pecoraro, and sophomores John Sanchez and Justin Rafferty are all in the mix for extended playing time as well.

"It's going to be an interesting season," Currao said. "We want to be as competitive as we can be on a game-to-game basis. I think this group is going to get better with each game. If we can remained composed and cut down on mistakes, we're going to be OK."