Saint John Vianney Expects To Compete For Title Despite Some Key Losses

Photo above: Ciaran Devenny, Dan Schirmacher, JohnMichael Brodrick, Victor Jamandron, Nick Gugliara & Nick DeLuise

HOLMDEL – Coming off their most successful baseball season in 33 years, Saint John Vianney has their work cut out for them if they want to come close to duplicating last year’s magical run through the state playoffs.

After coming up short in the Monmouth County and Shore Conference Tournaments, everything came together for the power-laden Lancers in the state playoffs, as they completed one of the most memorable runs in NJSIAA tournament history, winning their first Non-Public A title since 1981 and second in program history.

Their path to the championship wasn’t as easy one either, as they bulldozed their way through some of the elite baseball programs in the state.

In winning the Non-Public South A title, they beat a Bishop Eustice (25-4) - ranked No.8 in the state - in the quarterfinals, Shore Conference nemesis No.11 CBA (18-8) in the semifinals and four-time defending group champion No.5 Gloucester Catholic (25-6) in the final. In the Non-Public A final they took care of No.3 St. Joes Montvale (24-6) to close out the string of five consecutive tournament wins.

Following last season’s breakout year, SJV head coach Mike Morgan sent four of his former players to division-one schools and one to a top-flight division II program.

Gone are first-team All-Shore catcher Anthony Santoro (Rutgers University), first-team All-Shore first baseman Joe Rotelli (Carson Newman College), first-team All-Shore outfielder Evan Pietronico (NJIT), first-team All-Shore pitcher Justin Chin (NJIT) and second-team All-Shore shortstop Chris Morris (Seton Hall University).

Including the five aforementioned athletes, the Lancers must replace an additional four senior starters in the infield and outfield, along with two pitchers; altogether, 14 seniors have graduated from last year’s team.

“We lost some guys that were key players for us last season,” Morgan said. “But I’ve got backups that were behind those kids for the last year and a half. They didn’t get to show their talent and there are players here that have the potential to be just as good. We’ve got a lot of younger kids that are ready to step up this year.”

Senior Nick Gugliara was a key contributor down the stretch and playoffs last season for the Lancers and will be patrolling centerfield this season. Sophomore Stephen Adami has won the starting job in leftfield and either senior Dan Gesior or junior Zach Richards will be in right. Gesior will also see some time on the mound.

Ciaran Devenny gets the starting nod behind the plate. Devenny was a backup last season seeing limited action and all signs are pointing to a big year out of junior backstop. At first base Sebi Bellone gets the start and Morgan expects the sophomore to have a breakout year.

Second base will be manned by junior Victor Jamandron who was on varsity last season and saw some playing time. He’s another player who Morgan expects big things from this year. Returning senior Nick Deluise will be at third base and he’s another experienced playoff veteran who had a number of starts last season.

Junior Brandon DeKovics and senior Vincent Durso are fighting for playing time and could see considerable time in the field as well.

The Lancers pitching staff has the potential to be very good with four hurlers back with starting experience. Senior righty Danny Schirmacher appears to have nailed down the No.1 spot in the starting rotation. Schirmacher recorded a win in the Lancers playoff run last season and had 39 innings pitched with only 12 walks and a very respectable 1.20 WHIP (walks, hits per innings pitched) for the season.

Seniors JohnMichael Broderick, lefty Chris Perez and Jeff McPeek all have starting experience and will be in the starting rotation. DeKovics and junior Sean Rutkiewicz also have a chance to log some quality innings this season.

“I don’t know if you can accomplish any more than we accomplished last year,” Morgan said. “We’re not a superstar team right now, but I think we know how to compete. I’ll steer them in the right direction but it’s up to them. A lot of these guys were around last year and don’t play inexperienced; there’s no doubt they’ll be competitive.”

The Lancers open the season today, April 1, at Red Bank Regional at 3:45

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