WEST CALDWELL- It all starts back in the middle school years for many of the Montclair players, who by the time they reach the high school varsity have a definite familiarity with the ways of Mountie baseball, which is valuable background to have ingrained yet doesn’t mean the results will always be what you desire when it comes to the tough, day-to-day challenges of America’s pastime.
Montclair, which has been an annual contender to keep an eye on in both the Greater Newark Tournament and in the NJSIAA North 1, Group 4 diamond wars, has another very promising team this spring, one with a high quotient of experience to bolster the title-contending hopes in 2024.
“A lot of our guys have experience which goes back to the 7th grade with our different Montclair teams,” said veteran co-head coach Ron Gavazzi, who guides the Mounties along with right-hand man Anthony Genchi. “From a program standpoint it’s a great place to be with a number of players who certainly understand what we’re trying to do and then go out and compete at a high level each day; but, we also know that doesn’t guarantee anything because you still have to go out and earn it.”
The Mounties (6-3-1, 3-3-1) have dropped tough 1-run games to division-leading Livingston (4-3, April 5), Columbia (5-4, April 12) and Seton Hall Prep (8-7, Wednesday, April 17), plus had a 1-1 tie in 8-innings vs. SHP (April 1), but have also won six of their last eight including a nice, come-from-behind 10-5 win at Caldwell on Monday afternoon in West Caldwell.
The schedule is unrelenting in the Super Essex Conference-American Division with upcoming contests including a huge conference game at the Livingston Oval noon Sunday a day prior to the GNT seeding meeting.
“We like our team and their ability to get timely hits, defend well and also pitch effectively,” said Gavazzi. “Still, we expect close games and it always comes down to executing well in key spot in order to prevail.”
Helping to lead the team is junior 3-year starting infielder and pitcher Benjamin St. Pierre (.414 BA, 12 runs, 7 RBI) who leads off and provides one of the more potent bats in Essex County. No. 2 hitter Patrick Van Note is a sophomore second-year starting shortstop who is another capable table-setter and is also a sure-handed defender to help anchor the Mounties infield.
No. 3 hitter Luca Van Hamburg, a senior first baseman, has bounced back nicely after missing last season due to a torn UCL. The cleanup hitter is veteran senior infielder-outfielder Derek Lacey.
Junior outfielder Sam Dorian, senior catcher Nate Ullman, outfielder Jesse Blaue, senior second baseman Shea Goal and senior leftfielder Mack Mathisen are among the other veteran Mounties to watch.
Owen Snyder, who picked up the mound victory at Caldwell on Monday with a crisp, 8-pitch inning of relief, provides excellent depth at catcher.
The Mounties trailed Caldwell 4-1 through five innings but then broke out with six runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to cap the comeback win.
Van Note scored two runs and had a hit and RBI, Ullman was 2-for-4 with a double and Mathisen was 1-for-2 with an RBI. |
