Baseball team has all the bases covered

 

By Matt Sommo

With opening day set for March 26, hopes are high for the 2006 RVCC Baseball team.

The team’s main strength is the turnout. In previous seasons, injuries and low turnout hurt the squad, but this spring’s roster shows about 20 players. Three returning players are centerfielder John Chismar from Middlesex, outfielder Steve Lobman from Bound Brook and pitcher Zac Knapp from Middlesex. The three captains are Chismar and infielders Jared Pasko and Mike Klebaur.

The pitching rotation looks deep as well, with Knapp, Ernie Lukacs and Mike Greeley. There is also a surplus of relievers.

Offensively, the lineup should produce as well, leadoff through number nine. Dustin Smith, a Hunterdon Central graduate, and Lou Falciani should supply a lot of offense. Speed can be used to the team’s advantage as Chismar, and Struble, as well as Bill Bush, Dave DeRosa and Jimmy Casey, are the speedsters on the team.

Practices have been going well, and the team is meshing as a cohesive unit. Everyone gets along and treat each other well. The players are looking forward to playing on the new field, as it has been awhile since the baseball and softball teams have had a "home" field at RVCC. One word to describe the season is optimistic.

(The author is a former RVCC student and athlete and is now an assistant coach of the baseball team.).