Aviators Looking to Match, Surpass '11 Playoff Run

The 2012 edition of Heights' high school baseball team is hoping to at least duplicate or go a little further in the state tournament.

Last season the Aviators team (13-12) went on a run in the state tournament before falling to Emerson in the Group 1 North 1 state semi-finals.

But Hasbrouck Heights head coach Rocco Minichiello knows he will have to replace two of the big spark plugs of that run as designated hitter/first baseman Danny Wynne and catcher Alberto Mlenak graduated last year.

If Heights is going to be successful this season it will have to be from the juniors that dominate the squad with 11 players.

For Minichiello he said a repeat of 2011 this season will be about how well they do on the mound. "It comes down to pitching and I think we’re going to be good enough defensively," said the Heights head coach.

The Aviators do have senior first baseman/pitcher Mike Pasqualone who saved his best pitched games for last during the state tournament and pitched the key games en route to the sectional semi-finals.

"He can throw hard and can move it around," said Minichiello about Pasqualone who had a 3.25 earn run average last season. "He didn't come on until late in the season," said the Heights head coach. "Mookie took on the role (as ace in the playoffs) and he did well."

The other top two pitchers are juniors, Ray Espinoza and Joey Crabbe, both right handers. Espinoza will start against Weehawken on Monday in the season opener. "He has looked the most consistent in the preseason," said Minichiello about Espinoza who throws a fast ball, changeup and curve ball. "He threw a lot of balls last season. His pace is much better this season."

Both Pasqualone and Espinoza will see time at first base when not pitching. Pasqualone was an All North Jersey Interscholastic Conference first team player at first last season and hit above .400 for the season.

Along with Pasqualone Crabbe was one of the team's top hitters coming back hitting in the low .300's in batting average. "He hits the ball hard and came in the season in shape," said the Heights head coach about Pasqualone this season.

Catching the top pitchers of Pasqualone, Espinoza and Crabbe is junior Gabe Toledo who transferred from Bergen Tech and replaces Mlenak.

Even before the Aviators take the field against Weehawken, the starting lineup was thrown topsy turvy when starting second baseman senior Chris Abramo suffered a broken nose and a concussion after a ground ball took a bad hop and hit him in the face in a scrimmage at Emerson. Abramo was expected to leadoff for the Aviators, but Minichiello expected that he would be out until the beginning of May.

When not pitching, Crabbe will anchor the infield at shortstop while sophomore Robert Klenk takes over for Abramo at second base. Junior Kevin O'Leary will play third base full-time.

In the outfield the top full-time player returning is sophomore centerfield Michael Matties who has played extensive innings as a freshman. Also after the top three, Matties could be the next in line for innings on the mound.

The other players in the running for outfield time this season are senior John Viola, junior Kenny Partyka, junior Brandon Kaehy and junior Mark Shenloogian, who is the lone lefty hitter on the team.

The other players who could see time are junior second baseman Jesse Diaz, junior third baseman David Jackson and junior catcher/pitcher/utility player Ryan O'Connor.

For the Aviators the opener against Weehawken will be a good test as will April 11 when Heights hosts St. Mary, one of the top teams in Bergen County and the favorite to win the Aviators’ division, the NJIC Meadowlands B division.

Like last season when Heights played Wood-Ridge in Staten Island, at the home of the Yankees farm team, the Staten Island Yankees. The Aviators are slated to take on rival Blue Devils on May 18 in Ramapo, New York at the home of the minor league team, Rockland Boulders, an independent team as part of the CanAm League that also includes the Newark Bears.

Hasbrouck Heights 2012 baseball schedule

(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

April 2             at Weehawken

April 4             Hawthorne

April 5             at Saddle Brook

April 7             Cliffside Park, 11 a.m.

April 9             Westwood

April 11           St. Mary

April 16           at Wallington

April 17           at Wood-Ridge

April 19           Secaucus

April 20           at Pascack Hills

April 23           North Arlington

April 25           at Queen of Peace, 7 p.m.

April 26           Emerson

April 27           Becton

April 30           Lyndhurst

May 1              at Harrison

May 4              Weehawken

May 8              New Milford

May 9              Saddle Brook

May 10            at Elmwood Park

May 11            at Hawthorne

May 15            at St. Mary

May 17            Wallington

May 18            Wood-Ridge