Memorial baseball to start season in the Sunshine State
Mustangs open against Medina (Ohio) next Thursday
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
A high school baseball player's dream is hoisting the championship trophy at the end of the season.

But there's another baseball fantasy to be considered at the start of the season- getting away from the bone-chilling temperatures and teeth-chattering gusts ofwind and taking to the diamond under sunny, mild skies with a backdrop of palm trees.

Aah, heaven on Earth. What could be better?

Many college baseball players have that opportunity. And Brick Memorial's baseball team likewise is flying the friendly skies on Jet Blue out of Newark Airport on Wednesday to open its season in the balmy setting of Orlando against three teams well beyond the Garden State. And when the game's over, it's time to head to the amusement park and the comfortable setting of the Caribbean Beach Resort where they're staying.

"For themost part,we've had a real good year of fundraising," said coach Rich Bishop.

But themeans to the end haven't been as healthy. Players have rolled up their sleeves bagging groceries,working at theBlueClaws home park at FirstEnergy Field in Lakewood and other blue collar endeavors. They've covered most of their expenses that way, saidBishop, and they have to reach into their own pockets for the rest.

It begins next Thursday when the Mustangs play Medina from Ohio at 8 p.m. before taking on Skyline High School from Logmont, Colo. (outside of Denver) at 1:30 p.m. On April 5, the Mustangs take on Montour, Pa., outside of Pittsburgh, in a 4 p.m. game. They head back the following day on Sunday and on that Monday, they open their Shore Conference A South slate against Lacey at home at 6 p.m. So there's not much rest.

"We may be playing another school before we come back. We're still talking about that, but we're not sure at this point," said Bishop.

Playing under the lights in the opener will be a great experience and a prelude to six night games Brick Memorial will play on the lighted field across the street at the Brick American Little League field.

Certainly, it will make for a memorable season for the team and its secondyear head coach. But why do this for a team that won only five games last season? Because the team is loaded with experienced and improved players who are deep in pitching and have cut down on mistakes that were its Waterloo last season.

Along with winning the Ocean County championship of the American Legion, BrickMemorial has started off well in preseason, tying state acclaimed Immaculata, 7-7, while rolling byManalapan, 12-2, and Howell, 13-3. It also beat Point Pleasant Borough, 6-1.

"The defense has done very well," said Bishop. "We were 13-7 in fall ball after winning the American Legion so the kids have confidence. They're hitting the heck out of the ball and we're getting good pitching."

But can it carry over to the season?

"We absolutely have better defense," said Bishop.

And there are enough pitchers to suit up a starting football team.

Jose Ramos, who sent two Immaculata pitches over the fence, has power to spare and a trusty glove at first base. "I'm surprised. I didn't think he had that kind of power," said Bishop.

Justin Gordon is like older brother Jason who is playing atOceanCountyCommunity College - the soft hands and defensive mindset of a solid second baseman. "We expect big things from him," said Bishop.

Brian Staub, who pounded out a .370 batting average last season, is back at shortstop. "He's stinging the ball real good and playing excellent baseball," the coach said.

Third baseman Andrew Nelson plays beyond his years as a sophomore with a good arm to match his good hands in the hot corner.

But the one looking to recapture some of the glory for another season is catcher Tom Murray, a senior who had the walk-off hit against Brick Township at BlueClaws Stadium last season and who hit just under .400. "He knows how to call a game," said Bishop. "He's excellent at blocking the ball and he has average arm strength. He has improved from last season."

Backing him up is towering 6-foot-4- inch senior Nick Graziano, whose sturdy 225-pound frame and solid bat merits an opportunity to play somewhere on a regular basis, if not behind the plate.

They'll be catching a lot of pitches from Anthony Roca, a senior who throws a cutter, changeup and curveball; and Ryan Patrick, the only lefty on the deep staff whose control and changeup led to a fine 1.88 ERA last season. Justin Short challenges hitters with four pitchers - twoseam and four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. Brendan Melody, a junior, has the best torque on his fastball and Anthony Gearity has superb mechanics while throwing his curve, changeup and fastball as the stingiest pitcher during the Legion season.

Third baseman Nelson also is on call to the mound while three other players will take the ball in relief- senior Sean Breeden, a converted infielder on the junior varsity last season, and junior Tim Spaulding as setup relievers and senior Evan Mancini as the closer.

Prior to any possible game-ending appearances, Mancini will track down any balls hit out of the infield in center field as one of a number of players who give Brick Memorial good team speed.Mike Spinelli, a junior still savoring a fine hockey season, is back in left field and Melody is in right. Juniors Anthony Piezzo and Alex Berrardi also are good outfielders who can step in at any time.