Brick Memorial's American Legion finishes up strong season

Anthony Gearity didn't play much this summer for Brick Memorial's American Legion baseball team.

But when he did play, he left quite an impression. Gearity will be the player leading the way for the Mustangs next season.

"He's the real deal," said Brick Memorial High School varsity coach Rich Bishop, who took over the team early in the American Legion season before varsity assistant Evan Rizzitello took over for most of the summer while Bishop was away. "When he's on, he's very tough."

In fact, Gearity was perfect at one point. He pitched a perfect game this summer against Southern Regional that Brick Memorial won, 4-0.

"We shut him down for the summer because his shoulder was a little stiff from pitching so much in the spring, except for that one game against Southern," Rizzitello said.G

earity struck out seven in that game.

"It was the first time I was ever a part of a perfect game," Rizzitello said. "I know it's only the summer, but when he accomplished that, it was a big deal."

Center fielder Jon DelValle saved the perfect game with a diving catch in the sixth inning that robbed a Southern batter of what appeared to be a double. All of the other fielding plays were routine.

When Gearity isn't pitching, he plays at second base. That versatility makes him even more valuable for next season.

The team finished 12-2-1 and was in third place in the Ocean County division behind Jackson — which beat Brick Memorial in 11 innings — and Toms River South.

The top three teams are invited to the American Legion state tournament. But because Brick Memorial went in last year and had to forfeit a game, league rules prohibit participation the following season. The forfeited game was postponed because of rain and was rescheduled for a weekday early afternoon, at a time when many players and the parents who would be driving them to the game had to work.

"We tried every avenue of appeal, but we could not get it changed," said Rizzitello, who was helped over the summer by his brother, Paul, his dad, Ed, Tim Brennan and Mark Angelo.

"We're excited about next season," Rizzitello said.

The varsity last spring finished just above .500 for a second year in a row, and qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament while just missing the NJSIAA Tournament.

"We have a pretty deep pitching staff and we can go to all of them," Rizzitello said. "The majority of players had varsity experience, but the main thing was that we had chemistry. A good number of players were on the junior varsity which won the Ocean County Tournament."

Phil Sigona was 4-0 over the summer as the top pitcher on the Legion schedule. Bishop said he "did an outstanding job pitching and hitting." Sigona struck out 28 and walked only two in 22 innings with a 0.32 ERA.

"I'm not really surprised, because he works hard and is a big kid," Rizzitello said. "We just need him to execute on the mound.

"Pitching probably helped us achieve a good record in Legion," he said. "There's always a lot of offense in Legion, but our pitching was phenomenal."

Andrew Nelson went 2-1 with 39 strikeouts in 25 innings and "will be a starter or closer, wherever we need him," Bishop said.

Lou Raccuglia was 2-0 with two saves, striking out 36 in 26 innings. His ERA was 1.36.N

elson and Raccuglia helped make up for the departure of June graduates Justin Short, who beat Brick Township in the Mayor's Trophy game in May, and Tim Spaulding, who was named the Most Valuable Pitcher. Other graduates included shortstop and second baseman Brian Staub, who was named the team's MVP and is headed to Springfield College later this month, and first baseman Jose Ramos. Short and Ramos received the Coaches' Award. Justin Gordon, another graduate, was selected for the Offensive Player Award.

"Our strikeout-to-walk ratio was our most impressive stat," Rizzitello said. "You usually want a 2-to-1 ratio, and we were 5- to-1."

Bishop and Rizzitello credited the play of catchers Jason Promisel, who will be a senior this fall, and Chris Austin, a junior who hit a grand slam over the summer, for keeping the pitchers settled.

"Both did a great job at catcher," Bishop said.

Nelson also will play in the field when he is not pitching and was moved from third base to first base this year. He also can play at shortstop.

Kevin Nilsen is touted as the next bright prospect. He plays third base and also pitches. Nilsen batted .370 during the Legion season.

"He's the missing link to what we needed after last season," Bishop said.

"He will be a very good player," Rizzitello said emphatically.

Mike Rytelewski, who became the regular shortstop as a sophomore on the varsity last spring, batted .450 during the American Legion season. He also can pitch, along with junior Mike Nebesne.

Rytelewski batted in the heart of the order with Nelson, a .429 hitter with 11 RBIs, and left fielder Brian Duckworth, who hit .437 with five doubles and seven RBIs. DelValle capitalized on his speed in the leadoff spot with an on-base percentage of over .500 as he batted .413 and stole 10 bases. Kevin Krotulis, a senior, played in right field. Tom Tressito was the first outfielder off the bench. "We're looking for big things out of him next season," Bishop said.

Dylan Stalfa and Ed Gearity, Anthony's brother, give good depth to the outfield. Both are juniors this fall.