Brick Township Legion team shows promise
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

Despite a 6-8 record, Jason Groschel was pleased with the season turned in by his Green Dragons during the American Legion baseball season.

Many players could not make the games because of other commitments until the closing days of the season, and that's when the team and its players started showing their potential. It won its regular season finale and then reeled off two victories in the Legion Ocean County Division playoffs as the No. 12 seed with triumphs over No. 15 seed Point Pleasant Beach, 16-6, and No. 13 Lakewood, 12-2, before losing to No. 5 seed Jackson Jaguars, 3-2, in the pre-quarterfinals. Right-hander Pedro Serrano threw a gritty three-hitter and allowed three runs on a wild pitch, a squeeze bunt and an error.

"When we had the team there, we felt we were playing good baseball," said Groschel. "We need improved hitting, improved defense and pitchers to step up behind F.J. Lucchetti [for next spring]."

Lucchetti was the team's ace last spring when the varsity went 12-11 and made the NJSIAA and Shore Conference tournaments, and was the ace over the summer months as well.

"I was pleased with the team, because the summer is tough," said Groschel. "A lot of guys are pulled in different directions with jobs, family commitments - not only vacations but even day trips - a few went to Europe on a class trip. And then there are guys who play other sports and have summer basketball and workouts getting ready for football season. Most of the guys on the team also play football."

And then there was the Brick National Senior League team that went all the way to the District 18 championship game before losing, and had many players on its roster from the Green Dragons team. That team needed to play six games to get to the championship game, falling into the losers' bracket after winning their first three and then knocking off two opponents to get to the championship game.

"We had to move some games, but it mostly affected our pitching," said Groschel. "Their arms were sore and they were tired."

But Groschel made it clear that he wasn't complaining.

"They needed their pitchers and it was good to see them do well, even though it left us thin in some games," said Groschel.

Brick National's Juniors also reached the district championship game, going unbeaten into the championship round before losing back-to-back games to the survivor of the losers' bracket. The success of both teams over the summer is further encouragement to Groschel about the success of his program in the years ahead.

With those seasons ended, the Senior boys rejoined forces with the Green Dragons, and Groschel could not be much happier with the efforts of many of them.

"I was pleasantly surprised with Kurt Loftus, who played solid at catcher and hit the ball extremely well. He led us with three home runs," said Groschel.

Lucchetti "did what he is supposed to do" in terms of pitching and "playing solid defense at first base. He struggled a little with the bat, but he'll be okay," said Groschel.

Lucchetti showed solid power in the spring as he worked his way up the batting order, and his talents earned him a spot on the prestigious Carpenter Cup team.

Groschel also praised the reliable defensive play of shortstop Chris Simon, who also pitched, and third baseman Phil Corde. The coach said cleanup hitter Chris Sorice, who also played at third base and pitched, "was good for multiple hits every game and hit a couple of home runs."

John Vitale also picked up his hitting late in the schedule, said Groschel.

"He hit the way he should," said Groschel. "He's a big, strong boy who has been in these situations before."

Groschel also was pleased with the pitching of Serrano, who spotted his fastball, curve and change-up well in a 2-1 season. Carl Rex, a 6-foot-1-inch pitcher who will be a sophomore at Brick Township this fall, also got an opportunity to pitch late in the season and showed the ability to overpower hitters.

"At times, guys had to play out of position because we were thin on numbers, but at the end of the season, we had all 15 players and I was able to play the boys where it was best for the team," said Groschel. "We got good pitching and were swinging the bats better at the end of the season.

"It's a good evaluation tool for next year," Groschel said of the summer season.