CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK

The Daily Journal www.thedailyjournal.com/sports SPORTS Friday, March 27, 2009 – C3

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Josh O’Neill
Veteran players leading the Vineland
APRIL
2009 BASEBALL SCHEDULES
6
7
8
at Millville
at Atlantic City
at Sacred Heart
4pm
4pm
7pm
Millville
YEAR: Senior
THE SKINNY:
Talented
charge for strong local teams 1
3
6
8
9
at St. Augustine
at Millville
Mainland
Atlantic City
at Absegami
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
9 at Holy Spirit
11 at Egg Harbor Twp.
13 Oakcrest
14 Atlantic City
15 Millville
7pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
4pm
hurler on By BEN WATANABE ability of Miles and Dave Silipino job of Dom Hilliard (So, C). Mog 15 Hammonton 4pm 20 at Ocean City 4pm
team loaded Staff Writer (Jr, LF), and expects increased moves into the ace’s role with 17 at Oakcrest 4pm 22 at Williamstown 4pm
18 at Hedelt Tournament* TBA *Myrtle Beach Tournament in Myrtle
with quality bwatanabe@thedailyjournal.com roles for Luke Root (Jr, 3B/IF) and Logan Fote (Jr, P/IF), Dave Asroff 20 Ocean City 4pm
arms. Sawyer Brown (So, 2B/P). Ryan (So, OF/P), Kyle Clark (Jr, P) and Beach, S.C.
23 Egg Harbor Twp 4pm
A look at the baseball Farabella (Sr, P/OF), the lefty who Craig likely to see a few innings. 24 St. Augustine 4pm Delsea Regional
landscape in the greater won last year’s South Jersey title First base and right field are pla- 25 at Hedelt Tournament* TBA APRIL
game, hopes to grow into the ace toon jobs until one guy steps for- 27 Millville 4pm 3 Williamstown 4pm
Cumberland County area:
Barry Larro role vacated by Mike Ney. ward. Dan Errig (Jr, 1B/P) and Pat 29 at Mainland
MAY
4pm 6
8
at Kingsway
Highland
4pm
4pm
Cumberland Reg. PREDICTION: Every year, the Schaffer (Jr, 1B) will share time at
VINELAND Chiefs lose a piece that seems first base and designated hitter,
1 at Atlantic City 4pm 9 St. Joseph 4pm
YEAR: Senior 4 Absegami 4pm 14 at Deptford 4pm
COACH: Tim Jess irreplaceable, and every year, they while Tom Kavalchick (So, OF) 6 at Egg Harbor Twp 4pm 16 Cumberland Reg 4pm
THE SKINNY: fill the void. and Asroff are candidates in right
(3rd season, 26-20) 7 at Hammonton 4pm 17 at GCIT 4pm
Base hit field. 11 Oakcrest 4pm 23 Salem 4pm
machine and CONFERENCE: Cape-Atlantic
13 at Ocean City 4pm 25 Joe Lang Tournament* TBA
mainstay in League American Conference SACRED HEART PREDICTION: This is not the year
to have uncertainty in the Royal 16 at Sacred Heart 7pm 29 at Williamstown 4pm
center field GROUP: IV South *Al Hedelt Tournament at Oakcrest 30 Kingsway 4pm
LAST YEAR: 14-10, playoff quali- COACH: John Triantos Division. All seven teams are play-
for good Colts off contenders, and even a good Millville MAY
fier (4th season, 76-15) 4 at Highland 4pm
team. team could be in over its head APRIL
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 CONFERENCE: CAL National 5 at Schalick 4pm
quickly. 1 at Ocean City 4pm
KEY PLAYERS: Anthony Parker GROUP: Non-Public B South 3 Vineland 4pm
8 at Clearview 3:45pm
Anthony Parker (Sr, SS), Joel Rodriguez (Sr, 3B), LAST YEAR: 25-3, playoff qualifier 4 Grand Slam Classic* TBA
11 Deptford
12 at Cumberland Reg
4pm
4pm
Vineland David King (Sr, 1B) RETURNING STARTERS: 3 SCHALICK 6 Atlantic City 4pm 14 Glassboro 4pm
TOP NEWCOMER: Bobby KEY PLAYERS: Juan Velazquez 7 at Cherry Hill East 4pm 18 at Gloucester City 4pm
YEAR: Senior Romano (So, CF) (Sr, C), Carlos Sepulveda (Sr, 2B), COACH: Travis LaFerriere 8 at Egg Harbor Twp 4pm 20 Clearview 4pm
THE SKINNY: OUTLOOK: The power hitters in Chet Godfrey (So, P/3B) (2nd season, 3-17) 11 Grand Slam Classic* TBA 22 at Gateway 3:45pm
13 Grand Slam Classic* TBA
Vineland’s the middle of the order should be TOP NEWCOMER: Chris Bell (So, CONFERENCE: Tri-Co Classic
15 Oakcrest 4pm
26 at Wildwood 4pm
shortstop/CF able to hit with anybody. Parker, 1B) GROUP: II South
17 Absegami 4pm
*Joe Lang Tournament at Pitman
is an equal Rodriguez and King will compile OUTLOOK: Shades of the 2006 LAST YEAR: 3-17
18 Grand Slam Classic* TBA Cumberland Regional
threat with plenty of home runs and runs bat- season, the Lions will be young RETURNING STARTERS: 5 20 at Hammonton 4pm APRIL
bat, legs or ted in, provided the top of the and talented. Unlike that year, KEY PLAYERS: Ricky Pauley (Jr, 22 at Mainland 4pm 1 at Kingsway 4pm
glove. order gets on base and the bottom however, Sacred Heart will not be P), Danny Thomas (Jr, CF/P), 24 Ocean City 4pm 3 Highland 4pm
of the order gives pitchers any able to sneak up on anyone, after Tyler Buff (Sr, C) 27 at Vineland 4pm 8 Williamstown 4pm
29 at Atlantic City 4pm 13 Salem 11am
reason to risk pitching to the meat winning the Diamond Classic and TOP NEWCOMERS: Jordan
Juan Velazquez of the order. spending a portion of last season Haney (Fr, P/OF), R.J. Hollenbeak MAY
1 Egg Harbor Twp 4pm
14 at Clearview
16 at Delsea
4pm
4pm
Sacred Heart Southpaw Santos Cintron (Jr, P) ranked No. 1 in South Jersey. (Jr, 1B/P)
4 Oakcrest 4pm 17 Schalick 4pm
YEAR: Senior carries a heavy load on a team Velazquez is back behind the OUTLOOK: Entering preseason 6 St. Augustine 4pm 23 Deptford 4pm
THE SKINNY: lacking in proven arms. Whoever plate, hoping to culminate a proud practice, the Cougars had plenty 8 Mainland 4pm 25 Baseball Classic Tourn.* TBA
“Big Puppy” among Victor Serrano (Sr, P), four-year career with an all- of positions open due to graduat- 11 at Absegami 4pm 27 Kingsway 4pm
has improved Luis Gomez (Sr, LF/P) and Nick around senior season. He and ing nine seniors from the previous 12 at West Deptford 7pm 29 at Highland 4pm
13 Hammonton 4pm 30 Camden 4pm
every year. Conto (Jr, P/IF) consistently Sepulveda are impact seniors. year. The openings gave a number
15 at St. Augustine 4pm MAY
Now plans to throws strikes to Nick Montana Keep an eye on Isaac Gonzalez of underclassmen chances to
19 at Shawnee 4pm 1 Woodrow Wilson 4pm
bring it all (Jr, C) will see more time on the (Jr, RF), Jacob Mercado (Jr, LF) show their stuff, and it appears
21 at Buena 4pm 4 at Williamstown 4pm
mound. and Al Etter (Jr, CF). many seized their opportunities. *Grand Slam Classic at Wash. Twp. 6 at Wildwood 4pm
together.
Parker, Romano and O.J. Arbona The hope is Holvin Figueroa (Fr, Casey Clement (Sr, P/OF), Joe Sacred Heart 8 at Deptford 4pm
(Jr, 2B) bring speed to a lineup P/3B) develops into a solid No. 2 Farrell (Sr, OF/1B) and Buff are
APRIL
11 Clearview 4pm
Sawyer Brown that lost a lot of base stealers to behind ace Godfrey, who went 5-0
with a 1.13 earned run average as
the lone returning seniors. To
qualify for the state tournament
2 Lower Cape May 4pm
12 at Delsea
18 at Woodstown
4pm
4pm
graduation. 3 at St. Joseph 4pm
Buena Regional PREDICTION: The season opens a freshman. Bell, a strong right- for the first time since 1996, the 6 Middle Twp 4pm
*Baseball Classic TBA
YEAR: Soph. with road games against St. handed swinger, could be a name Cougars need breakout cam- 8 at Cape May Tech 4pm Schalick
THE SKINNY: Augustine Prep and Millville, so the locals hear a lot over the next paigns by juniors like Thomas, 9 at Holy Spirit 4pm APRIL
11 at Pitman 12pm 1 at Gloucester City 4pm
Showed Clan find out right away how good three years. Gianni Parente (Jr, SS/P) and Hol-
13-18 Cocoa Beach,Fla.Tourn. TBA 3 Clayton 4pm
flashes of they are. PREDICTION: A repeat of last sea- lenbeak, who was injured all of
22 Wildwood Catholic 4pm 6 at Pitman 4pm
promise for son’s achievements is unlikely, but last season.
24 at Buena 4pm 8 Wildwood 4:30pm
South Jersey with the conference in a state of PREDICTION: A good mix of expe-
champs in MILLVILLE flux, the Lions can be competitive rienced players and newcomers
27 Williamstown
MAY
4pm 9 at Salem
16 Penns Grove
4pm
4pm
freshman COACH: Roy Hallenbeck if they find enough pitching. give LaFerriere a solid base on 1 St. Joseph 4pm 17 at Cumberland Reg 4pm
year. (11th season, 146-101) which to build. 2 at Bridgeton Noon 20 Ptiman 4pm
Bridgeton 7pm 22 at Pennsville 4pm
CONFERENCE: CAL American ST. AUGUSTINE 4 at Middle Twp 4pm 24 Gloucester City 4pm
KEY GAMES GROUP: IV South
COACH: Mike Bylone
BRIDGETON 6 Cape May Tech 4pm 29 at Clayton 4pm
LAST YEAR: 16-7, reached 8 St. Augustine 7pm MAY
sectional quarterfinals (2nd season, 17-7) COACH: Mike Valella 11 Holy Spirit 4pm 1 Woodstown 6:30pm
■ Vineland vs. Millville; CONFERENCE: CAL American (7th season, 33-102)
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 13 Glassboro 6pm 5 Delsea 4pm
April 3 at Millville, April 27 at
KEY PLAYERS: Mike Trout (Sr, GROUP: Non-Public A South CONFERENCE: CAL-National 16 Vineland 7pm 6 at Glassboro 4pm
Vineland. The Fighting Clan OF/P), Efren Fernandez (Sr, 3B), LAST YEAR: 17-7, playoff qualifier GROUP: II South 18 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm 8 Salem 4pm
look to knock off the Thun- RETURNING STARTERS: 3 LAST YEAR: 3-22 20 Buena 6pm 11 GCIT 4pm
Jon McMahon (Sr, OF/1B/P) 22 at Lower Cape May 4pm 13 John Rose Tournament* TBA
derbolts, who will probably be TOP NEWCOMER: Ismael Colon KEY PLAYERS: Brent Reale (Sr, RETURNING STARTERS: 5
23 Oakcrest 6pm 14 John Rose Tournament* TBA
favored in both meetings this (So, IF) P), Nick D’Ottavio (Sr, C), Steve KEY PLAYERS: Manny Cepeda 26 Hammonton 6pm 15 John Rose Tournament* TBA
season. OUTLOOK: Having Trout is nice, Schrenk (Sr, RF) (So, P/SS), Aaron Nichols (Sr, CF), 27 at Woodstown 4pm 16 at Kingsway 11am
■ Grand Slam Classic — but with or without the highly TOP NEWCOMERS: Cory Dick Tyler Haydak (So, C/IF/P) Buena Regional 18 at Wildwood 4:30pm
Many of South Jersey’s top regarded center fielder, the Thun- (So, P/1B), Kevin Baxter (Fr, P/OF) TOP NEWCOMER: Robert Scarla-
APRIL
20 at Woodstown 4pm
teams from 2008 waste no derbolts would be among the best OUTLOOK: Line-drive hitters and to (So, P/IF) 1 St. Joseph 4pm
*John Rose Tournament at Alden Field
teams in the CAL and Group IV fleet baserunners could replace OUTLOOK: Wins and losses aside, 3 at Middle Township 4pm Bridgeton
time testing themselves in the power-hitting batters of recent the Bulldogs have enjoyed strong
South. 4 Grand Slam Classic* TBA APRIL
the new year, taking on some
Righty Josh O’Neill (Sr, P), Trout, Hermits’ teams. leadership from their upperclass- 6 Cape May Tech 4pm 2 at Holy Spirit 4pm
of the best on the opening
McMahon and lefty Harrison With Tony Messina (Sr, SS/P), men in recent years. That may 7 Wildwood Catholic 4pm 4 LEAP Academy 11am
weekend of the season.Mil- Moore (Sr, P) round out a pitching Steve Dombrowski (Jr, CF) and continue this season, but it will 8 at Bridgeton 4pm 6 at Wildwood Catholic 7pm
lville and Buena are slated to 11 Grand Slam Classic* TBA 8 Buena 4pm
staff as deep as any. Add Anthony Matt Draper (Sr, 2B) at the top of have to occur with fewer candi-
13 Holy Spirit 11am 9 at Middle Twp. 4pm
participate. Ramos (Sr, P/IF), a transfer from the lineup and Schrenk and Mike dates. Only one senior is slated to 18 at Hunterdon Central 11 at Glassboro 11am
■ 35th Annual Joe Hart- Sacred Heart who will be eligible Carmolingo (Jr, 3B) at the heart of be among the starters, with two or Tournament** 11:30am 14 at Woodbury 3:45pm
mann Diamond Classic — May 1, and Millville should field a the order, there appears to be bal- three juniors potentially in the mix. 22 Lower Cape May 4pm 18 Atlantic City* 11:30am
Vineland, Millville and quality arm every game. ance throughout the lineup. Jor- All five freshmen who started a 24 Sacred Heart 4pm 20 Middle Twp. 4pm
defending champ Sacred Fernandez and McMahon will pro- dan Morey’s (Sr, LF) absence for year ago are back, and all are in 27 Middle Twp 4pm 24 at Lower Cape May 4pm
29 at St. Joseph 4pm 25 Al Hedelt Tournament* TBA
Heart aim to earn return invi- tect Trout in the lineup, hoping to at least the first month due to a contention for starting spots.
30 St. Augustine 4pm 27 Holy Spirit 4pm
tations to South Jersey’s pre- avoid a similar ending to last year, torn labrum in his throwing arm Corbin Watkins (Jr, OF) and Brett
MAY 28 at St. Joseph 4pm
mier invitational tournament, when Cherry Hill East intentionally will put a damper on the amount Shelton (Jr, OF) flank speedy 4 at Cape May Tech 4pm MAY
walked Trout almost every time up of runs, but shouldn’t doom the Nichols, an underrated defensive 6 Bridgeton 4pm 2 Sacred Heart Noon
starting the second weeked
and ousted the Bolts from the Hermits offensively. outfielder. Haydak is slated to start 8 at Holy Spirit 4pm at Sacred Heart 7pm
in May. playoffs. Daron Moore (So, LF) Reale is the top arm, followed by a at catcher, although he could turn 11 Camden Catholic 4pm 6 at Buena 4pm
■ Fourth Annual John Rose and Will Biggs (Sr, C) gave sur- host of candidates. Messina and into a “super-utility” player based 12 John Rose Tournament*** TBA 7 Clayton 4pm
Memorial Tournament, 13 John Rose Tournament*** TBA 9 at Wildwood 1pm
prising contributions and look to Dom DiPietro (Sr, P/3B) are the on his versatility. Diminutive short-
14 John Rose Tournament*** TBA 12 John Rose Tournament** TBA
Alden Field — Salem, build as second-year starters. only other returning arms, so stop Cepeda has surprising pop.
15 at Wildwood Catholic 7pm 13 John Rose Tournament** TBA
Bridgeton, Cumberland PREDICTION: Depth helps over another pitcher has to emerge PREDICTION: The Bulldogs proba- 16 at Gloucester Catholic 11am 14 John Rose Tournament** TBA
Regional and Schalick con- the long haul, but in the one-and- from among the underclassmen. bly don’t have the talent to con- 18 at Lower Cape May 4pm 18 Cape May Tech 4pm
vene at the Bulldogs’ home done format of the Diamond Clas- PREDICTION: The home run and tend, but there are bright spots in 20 at Sacred Heart 6pm 20 Lower Cape May 4pm
field for a round-robin of night sic and state tournament, even the RBI numbers might not be as the sophomore class for this 21 Millville 4pm 22 Wildwood Catholic 4pm
Bolts could be beatable. gaudy, but the Hermits will hit, as improving program. *Grand Slam Classic at Wash. Twp 26 St. Joseph 4pm
games. New additions Buena usual. Once the pitching gets set- **Hunterdon Central Tournament *Al Hedelt Tournament at Oakcrest
and Woodstown bring the ***John Rose Tournament **John Rose Tournament at Alden Field
field to six teams, and may BUENA REGIONAL tled, the Hermits must avoid
defensive lapses at key moments
CUMBERLAND REG. at Alden Field Cumberland Christian
challenge Colts’ three-year in games. COACH: Rich Husted St. Augustine Prep MARCH
COACH: George West
stranglehold on title. (7th season, 106-59) (5th season, 40-47) APRIL 31 at Christian Academy 4pm
■ 24th Annual Carpenter 1 Vineland 4pm APRIL
CONFERENCE: CAL National DELSEA REGIONAL CONFERENCE: Tri-Co Royal
GROUP: III South
3 Mainland 4pm 3 Gloucester Christian 4pm
Cup — The area’s best play- GROUP: II South 6 at Absegami 4pm 7 at Atlantic Christian 4pm
ers join the Tri-Cape roster in LAST YEAR: 17-9, reached COACH: Ray Scipione LAST YEAR: 12-9, reached 8 Hammonton 4pm 9 Calvary Christian 3:30pm
Philadelphia to take on the state semifinals (3rd season, 23-15) sectional semifinals 14 at Myrtle Beach Tourn.* TBA 17 Christian Academy 4pm
top players throughout South RETURNING STARTERS: 7 CONFERENCE: Tri-County RETURNING STARTERS: 8 15 at Myrtle Beach Tourn.* TBA 18 at Gloucester Christian 11am
KEY PLAYERS: Ken Miles (Sr, Conference Royal Division KEY PLAYERS: Barry Larro (Sr, 16 at Myrtle Beach Tourn.* TBA 21 Atlantic Christian 4pm
Jersey and Southeastern 17 at Myrtle Beach Tourn.* TBA 23 at Baptist 3:45pm
Pennsylvania. CF), Joe Cifaloglio (Sr, C), Tyler GROUP: III South CF), Darren Fischer (Jr, RF/P),
20 at Oakcrest 4pm May
Callahan (Jr, 1B) LAST YEAR: 11-7, playoff qualifier Andrew Owens (Jr, 1B/P)
21 Egg Harbor Twp. 4pm 2 Pilgrim Academy 1pm
TOP NEWCOMERS: Brandon RETURNING STARTER: 3 TOP NEWCOMER: Brandon 24 at Vineland 4pm 11 at Kings Christian 4:15pm
Bakely (Jr, SS) KEY PLAYERS: Alec Mog (Sr, Boswell (Jr, P) 25 Lenape 11am 12 The Christian
PLAYOFF INFO OUTLOOK: All but four members P/SS), Jesse Butch (Sr, CF), OUTLOOK: Coming off back-to- 27 at Mainland 4pm Home School 4:15pm
return from last year’s South Jer- Jason Flood (Sr, LF) back playoff Group III South semi- 29 Absegami 4pm 18 Baptist 4:15pm
➤ All teams with a .500 record sey championship team, seeming- TOP NEWCOMER: Garrett Craig final appearances, the Colts are 30 at Buena 4pm 19 at Pilgrim Academy 4:15pm
or better on the Friday, May 8 MAY 21 at Calvary Christian 3:45pm
ly putting the Chiefs in good posi- (Fr, P/IF) primed to go even farther this sea-
1 at Hammonton 4pm 26 Kings Christian 4:15pm
cutoff date qualify for the state tion to contend again. While many OUTLOOK: The big swings that son with eight starters back in the
4 Ocean City 4pm
tournament. Preliminary round bodies are back, however, the characterized the Crusaders’ first fold.
games begin May 15. Public Chiefs need to replace the intangi- two years under Scipione may Gage Mick (Sr, P/Util) and Owens
sectional finals are Friday, May bles brought by their ace, their take a furlough this season. The were the top innings-eaters last tion of average, on-base percent- anced divisions in South Jersey.
29. Public state semifinals and leading hitter and a four-year var- lineup probably won’t have a lot of year, and both return. Fischer and age and run production to the Every Royal team made the state
Non-Public sectional finals will sity infielder, all of whom graduat- power, so pitching and defense Jack Tyler (Sr, 3B/P) round out a middle of the lineup. tournament last season, a feat
be Tuesday, June 2. State ed. may decide Delsea’s fate. rotation that goes four-deep. Larro PREDICTION: The Colts’ depth is they are likely to repeat.
finals are Saturday, June 6. West loves the speed and on-base Pitcher management is the main brings his usual strong combina- needed in one of the most bal-

2009 CONFERENCE, PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

CAL American CAL National Tri-Co Royal Tri-Co Classic Tri-Co Diamond Group I South Group II South Group III South Group IV South Non-Public A South Non-Public B South
1. Millville 1. Holy Spirit 1. Williamstown 1. Pitman 1. Glou. Catholic 1. Pennsville 1. Gateway 1. West Deptford 1. T.R. North 1. Don Bosco 1. St. Rose
2. St. Augustine 2. Middle Twp 2. Deptford 2. Wildwood 2. Pennsville 2. Pitman 2. Audubon 2. Timber Creek 2. Millville 2. Glou. Catholic 2. Bishop Eustace
3. Absegami 3. Sacred Heart 3. Kingsway 3. Gloucester 3. Woodstown 3. Maple Shade 3. Collingswood 3. Shawnee 3. Washington Twp 3. CBA 3. Sacred Heart
4. Egg Harbor Twp 4. Buena 4. Clearview 4. Clayton 4. Penns Grove 4. Penns Grove 4. Haddon Twp 4. Cumberland 4. Cherokee 4. Holy Spirit 4. Holy Cross
5. Vineland 5. St. Joseph 5. Cumberland 5. Salem 5. Glassboro 5. Gloucester City 5. Buena 5. Clearview 5. Lenape 5. St. Augustine 5.St.Joseph (Hamm)