Piners baseball facing tough times this season
Lakewood baseball has a 4-13 record
BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer
The coaching staff of the Lakewood High School baseball team weren't sure what to expect when they told junior left-handerNickHolman hewould be making his first varsity start against Southern Regional last week. After all, Holman had primarily been a junior varsity pitcher before being handed the ball against a formidable Southern squad.

Holman impressed a lot of onlookers as he scattered three hits and struck out four as Lakewood posted a resounding 12-2 victory lastWednesday in a nondivisional game that was shortened to five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

"He did an outstanding job," said LHS assistant coach Vinnie Currao. "We weren't sure how many innings he was going to be able to give us, being that itwas his first varsity start. He showed us a lot out there in this game."

Holman changed speeds and hit locations to baffle the Southern lineup. Holman walked just three batters and stayed away from trouble.

"He stayed ahead in the count and was able to work both sides of the plate," Currao said. "Southern is a very good ball team. I think that he frustrated them a lot. He isn't the hardest thrower out there, but there is something about a left-hander that gives teams problems."

LHS jumped out to a 6-0 lead after half an inning.Holman delivered the key blowin the opening frame, a two-run triple. Holman, who had played sparingly as a designated hitter and part-time outfielder, drove a ball into the gap to break the game open.

"He helped himself out in a big way," Currao said. "Not only did he do a great job of shutting themdown, he had the big hit in the first inning. I think getting that many runs in the firstmade it a little bit easier for him. All he needed to do was to relax and throw strikes."

Lakewood followed the win over Southern by knocking off Lacey, 11-3. Max Wolfe paced the offense, going 4-for-5 with three runs batted in. Jordan Seda and Chris Guzman each poked three hits.

Junior Mike Downey had four RBIs and John Sanchez contributedwith a pair of hits as the Piners scored four times in the first inning to build a comfortable lead.

"Thewhole lineup hit in this game," Currao said. "We scored 23 runs in two games. We haven't done that all season. We were seeing the ball well and waiting until we got good pitches to hit. Nobody was chasing or jumping at bad pitches."

Seda pitched and went the distance for the complete game victory.

"It's nice to pitchwhen you have a sizable lead," Currao said. "It takes the pressure off. The kids can go out and not be afraid to make a fewmistakes.Our defense played really well behind him. We turned a couple of double plays and kept them off the bases."

Unfortunately the luck for the Piners ran out against Jackson in an Ocean County Tournament game Sunday. Jackson rallied froman early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Piners 13-3.

"They're a very good club," Currao said. "We took an early lead but we realized that it was going to take a huge effort to beat them. Our guys battled and put up a fight for three or four innings. In the end, they had too much firepower for us."