Bring the beauty, economy and healthful benefits of the sun into your home with daylight harvesters and solar powered fans.

Insist on the Original - Solar Illuminations is your local certified dealer & installer.

visit www.solar-illuminations.com

call 973-228-6504

West Essex's coach Joe Cardinale likes the potential of his SEC-Liberty Division team which has a strong pitching staff anchored by junior right-hander Chris Murano and a fine 1 through 9 lineup that includes sophomore Caden Lozito. (Photos by Gene Nann)

continued from page 1)

SHP defeated the Knights, 10-5, in the 2023 GNT quarters, taking control with a 7-run fourth inning after Wessex had taken an early 4-2 lead, including scoring three earned runs off of the Pirates’ ace right-hander Marcelo Harsch.

“We had the lead in the fourth inning before they had a big rally (scoring 7 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning) and took control of the game,” said Cardinale. “Sure, it would be great to have another chance to play them.

“They are a tremendous program and certainly one of the standard bearers in Essex County baseball.”  

West Essex is still a young team, but the talented sophomores who saw considerable action on last season’s 16-9-1 squad (9-4 in the SEC-Liberty) have even more varsity baseball experience under their collective belts.

Among those key juniors are standout right-hander Chris Murano (1.77 ERA with 42 K’s in 27 1/3 IP while allowing just 12 hits) to help anchor the deep pitching staff for the Knights, while the everyday lineup features top hitters such as second baseman Max Garcia (.373 BA, 17 runs, 8 stolen bases), leftfielder Jack Epstein (.459 BA, 7 extra base hits, 10 RBI) and designated hitter Danny Giannetti (.351 BA, 10 runs).

Other top hitters this season include veteran senior center fielder Devin Fogg (.532 BA, 25 hits, 14 runs, 8 doubles, 13 RBI and 7 stolen bases) and sophomore right fielder Caden Lozito (.359 BA, 11 runs).

Another top starting pitcher to watch is senior Drew Feuerstein (2.19 ERA, 19 K’s in 16 IP).
The Knights have already clinched the SEC-Liberty Division title and will almost certainly be moved up to the American Division in 2025.

“My understanding is that the SEC baseball divisions had been done on a 2-year cycle so we were already set to be back in the Liberty this spring,” said Cardinale. “We look forward to playing the best teams in our conference, and our kids want to face top competition.

“There should be some big games in May and we’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Super Essex Conference-American Division standings:
Livingston 7-0-1
Seton Hall Prep 7-1-1
Columbia 4-3-1
Montclair 4-4-1
Caldwell 3-6
Millburn 2-7
Nutley 1-7

Liberty Division:
West Essex 10-0
Verona 7-3
Barringer 5-3  
Bloomfield 3-7
MKA 2-5
West Orange 2-6
Glen Ridge 1-6               

Follow Steve Tober on 'X' (formerly Twitter) @Chattermeister

Senior center fielder Devin Fogg (7) is a talented all-around payer for West Essex along with junior Jack Epstein who continues to spend plenty of time running the bases in 2024.

Ccopyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster