Pierce brings expertise to Mustangs squad

BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Although it is only his first high school head coaching job, Brick Memorial baseball coach Jeff Pierce understands what it takes to build a winning team.

Pierce was a star pitcher for the Mustangs who went on to pitch for Rutgers University, where he pitched on two NCAA Tournament teams in 1998 and 2000, getting a tournament win in the latter year. Using a fastball, curve and change-up, he went from a starter in his sophomore year to a reliever, picking up a victory over the University of Connecticut when the Scarlet Knights won the Big East Tournament.

But it’s not just the Brick Memorial pitchers who are tuned in to Pierce’s teaching.

“Everyone is responding,” Pierce said. They know I played on the next level.”

And Pierce has seen the team steadily improve last season when it went 9-11 under Frank Casey, who left because of time conflicts with a new accounting job.

“I know the guys pretty well, which helps because I know what goes on and what needs to be fixed,” Pierce said.

Evan Rizitello, the junior varsity coach last season, stays aboard and was moved up to varsity assistant. Rich Bishop, who came on for this season as freshman coach, was moved up to the junior varsity coaching position, while Chris Hughes will coach the freshman team.

Pierce has plenty of pitching to work with, including senior Joe Short, who was the ace last year, and junior Chris James, who fit well into the rotation later in the season. James, who quarterbacked the football team to 18 victories and an NJSIAA playoff championship two seasons ago, had considered skipping baseball because of its time-consuming schedule so he could do off-season work for football and maybe compete in outdoor track and field instead. But James has reconsidered and Pierce is glad about that.

“He looks good,” said Pierce of James, who throws a fastball, curve and slider.

Pierce says Short’s curve “got better” to complement his fastball and splitter.

Juniors Brian Streilein, who relies on a sharp fastball, and Mark Ceracchio, whose curve tops off a good assortment of pitches, also are looking good in practices for a spot in the rotation. Junior Chris Meyers, who also throws a curve, also has done well in practices, while senior veteran third baseman Joe Baldasare is expected to be the closer with his hard pitches.

Their pitching will be sorely needed in the grueling Shore Conference A South, as the season starts next Friday against Toms River East, and follows with another tough game against Toms River North. Pierce says his pitchers have thrown well in scrimmages scheduled heavily throughout last week, in which the Mustangs did well.

“We’re playing almost every day,” Pierce said.

“Pitching is the main thing for us and we’re improved there,” Pierce said. “Our defense has been a little shaky at times and then pulls together. The thing is that we didn’t hit in key situations last year.”

The hitting also has picked up after a slow start, Pierce said, with veteran catcher Andy Case, a senior, leading the way.

“I think we’ll be decent. We’ll give teams trouble,” Pierce said. “The thing is that some of our guys are three-sport athletes but as soon as their winter sport ended, they prepared well for this season.”

Jay Frank, a senior, is back at shortstop. When he’s not pitching, Streilein may go to first base where senior Tom Pfeiffer also is battling for the start. Ceracchio can play second base when he’s not pitching. Rob Gonzalez, a senior up from the junior varsity, also is doing well in practices at second base.

Senior John Rutowski can play every infield position except first base, and that could be a big help in the tightly compressed schedule when some prospective infielders are needed to pitch.

Kyle Strang, who accepted a scholarship/financial aid package to St. Peter’s College, is back in the outfield after he was moved by necessity to first base last season. Rob Russo, a senior who played many innings in the outfield, is back there while either senior Jim Marvin or junior Tom Clarke will play in the other outfield spot.