Mother Nature does damage to Memorial's Legion hopes
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
It wasn't the opposing team's pitching or hitting that knocked Brick Memorial's American Legion Post 348 baseball team out of the District 8 tournament. It was the weather.

After pounding out an 18-6 victory over Lawrence Post 414 on Sunday in Wildwood, a later game against Lower Cape May was washed out and moved to Monday morning this week. Whether Brick won or lost, it would've had to play a game some time later in the day. Weather has affected many Brick teams with the repeated rainouts in many tournaments but this one took its greatest toll.

"We're carrying the minimum required 12-man roster and only about six of them could make it on Monday because they're working and their parents are working and can't get them there," said manager Rich Bishop, who also coached all of the players in the spring on the high school varsity. Brick Memorial finished 13-4.

It brought an end to a Brick Memorial team that won a Legion state tournament game for the first time ever. It was sweet satisfaction for the players who saw the varsity team in the spring miss the state tournament by one game but reach the Ocean County tournament finals.

Actually, Brick Memorial had a bigger roster but three players were out with injuries and Joe Ramos was at a Rutgers basketball camp. But Bishop said he was proud of the team in which every player on the roster was under 17 playing against a Lawrence team that had five 19-year-olds playing college baseball (19 is the age limit).

"We played outstanding," said Bishop. "Last year, we made the tournament and lost in two games, 25-1 and 18-6. As one of 64 teams that qualified out of 335, and going farther than ever before, I take this as a successful season. Unfortunately, we could not return with 12 players."

Tim Spaulding, being groomed as a varsity starter for next season after pitching as the stopper this spring, allowed four hits in 4 1/3 innings pitched as the starter. "He's been outstanding," said Bishop. Justin Short pitched five-hit relief and Bishop said he looked fully recovered from arm problems that hindered him during the spring.

Spaulding was supported by a 17-hit attack led by Justin Gordon, who pounded four hits for four RBIs. Jason Promisel and Brendan Melody each had two hits for three RBIs, and Justin Short batted in three runs. Andrew Nelson contributed three hits for two RBIs and Jon DelValle hammered two hits for two RBI.

"Justin Gordon was one of the biggest surprises this summer with his hitting," said Bishop whose team this summer had a 116-60 scoring edge as it surged late in the season from seventh place to third and a playoff spot by winning its final six games. "He's fundamentally sound defensively but matured as a hitter. He was making great contact as was Andrew Nelson."

Although Tom Murray graduated and is heading to Drew University, Promisel has filled in well as catcher and Kevin Curran provides good depth there, said Bishop.

Pitching also looks deep with Anthony Gearity having some good outings this summer as he expects to become a starter next season. Lou Raccuglia can pitch either as a starter or reliever and missed the Legion state tournament game because of the flu.

Bishop said he again will count on Brian Duckworth for next varsity season based on what he did during the Legion as well as varsity seasons, and Mike Rytalewski, a rising sophomore, "will be a key component of the team next season."

And their work is not done. Many who will not be playing a varsity sport in September will play fall ball, which begins Aug. 16 under the direction of Carl Gordon, Joe Short and Tom Nerney. Melody and Ramos are expected to play over the next few weeks on a Toms River showcase travel team.