MILLBURN - The future of the Belleville baseball program was in full view on Wednesday in Millburn.
And the Bucs baseball program liked what they saw as the Belleville Senior American Legion team would tie up the game at two and win it, 4-2, over Millburn in an Essex County American Legion contest.
And two of the main contributors to the Belleville victory will be a freshman and a sophomore next spring for the Bucs high school season.
“This was a good win for us against a good team,” said Belleville manager Joe Sorce. “”We’re young and we have seen very good progress this summer.”
Incoming freshman shortstop Steven Basantes smacked a pitch over the head of the Millburn left fielder in the top of the eighth inning to score Anthony Lantigua, who was 2-for-4 on the day, and Gerard Gilfone for a double and the 4-2 lead. Before the at bat Basantes was hitless in three appearances.
For the first six innings, incoming sophomore southpaw pitcher Anthony Rivera limited Millburn to two runs with one coming on a controversial play at the plate. The southpaw struck out four and scattered five hits.
Both are part of the young Belleville legion team this summer that has taken its lumps, but head coach Joe Sorce is hoping it leads to more wins next spring. It was the fifth victory for the Senior Bucs this season.
In addition it was an incoming senior, Gilfone, who shut down Millburn with two innings of scoreless relief in the seventh and eighth innings.
He also gave the team an added boost on the mound, especially in the bottom of the seventh inning. With runners at second and third in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out, Gilfone would strike out the next two batters to get out of the jam.
Gilfone's key punch outs seemed to revitalize the Belleville offense in the top of the eighth inning. "Our kids battled back with runners at second and third and Gerard got some big strikeouts," said Sorce.
In the eighth inning after Keith Everett popped out, both JD Rossi and Anthony Lantigua mustered infield hits to put runners on first and second. Gilfone would fly out and then Basantes would fly out to left field. Rossi was 2-for-4 in the game with one run scored. And also Lantigua was 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
With two outs and the outfield in, Basantes would make his lone hit count by smacking it over the left fielder's head for a double and scoring Lantigua and Rossi. “I think it was a fastball outside," said Basantes after the game and who was not surprised that the outfield was shallow. "I had to come up with a big hit for the team."
Against Millburn Basantes played shortstop, but said that he would play anywhere on the field. He also pitches.
For Rivera the only time that Millburn got on the board was in the fourth inning with the two runs that included a play at the plate. "He (Rivera) had some great command on his fastball and his curveball," said Sorce.
The Senior Bucs sent the game into extra innings with the running of first baseman Josh Caba. With one out Caba coaxed a walk was then able to get to second on a wild pitch and stolen third base. The Millburn catcher overthrew the attempt at third and Caba beat the throw at home to tie the game at two.
Belleville Senior Legion finishes its season with a pair of home games, Thursday against Cedar Grove, 5:45 p.m. and Friday at home against rival Bloomfield at 5 p.m.
