Early Season Report: Paramus Baseball

Nine games into the young season, the baseball teamis 7-2, coming off two big wins over quality opponents (Westwood and Bergen Catholic), and a comeback victory over Bergen Tech.

"All three of our starting pitchers are having great seasons," head coach Joe Cervino said.

The rotation consists of Joe Szorentini, Frank Colasante and Nick Henriquez. Cervino is hoping to develop a fourth pitcher for the staff.

Szorentini is now 3-0 after picking up the win against Bergen Catholic. He sports a great ERA (1.40) and has struck out 16 batters in 15 innings pitched. Szorentini has been able to shut down opposing hitters, who are only batting .164 against him. The senior's walk total (7) is a bit high, but four were in the win over BC.

Frank Colasante is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched. He's struck out 25 batters (team-high) and opponents are hitting just .179 against him.

Nick Henriquez is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA. In 10.2 innings pitched he has a great strike out to walk ratio (12 strikeouts to 3 walks).  Henriquez pitched 1.1 innings of relief against BC, and picked up a save.

The candidates for the No. 4 slot in the rotation are Dominic Caporelli (2.21 ERA), Brandon Smith (0.00 ERA) or Joe Mastrofilipo (1-0).

At the plate, Henriquez, who also plays third base, has been phenomenal. The senior co-captain leads the team in batting average (.600), a .636 on base percentage, an unbelievable 1.167 slugging percentage, and 18 hits (five doubles and four home runs). He is second on the team in RBI with 11. 

Szorentini has also been a force at the plate. His .577 batting average is the second highest behind Henriquez. The senior has gotten on base at a .633 clip, and is slugging .846 so far. He hit his first home run of the season in the sixth inning against Bergen Catholic. Szorentini has knocked in eight runs and is the only Spartan to hit a triple so far this season.

"It's awesome to be able to contribute to the team the way I have been," Szorentini said. "I want to help the team any way I can. Being able to help offensively and defensively is a great feeling. I just can't back down. I have to keep it up all season."

First baseman Tony Billera is tied with Henriquez for second on the team with 11 RBI. He is hitting .448 and is tied with four teammates for second on the team with two doubles. Outfielder Chris Covello is batting .483 and picked up his first home run of the season against Bergen Catholic. The senior has nine RBI and leads the team with five walks, showing good plate discipline, having only struck out once (.567 OBP). He's also stolen three bases.

Designated hitter Matt Krum hit his third home run of the season against the Crusaders and is hitting.375 on the year. He has more walks than strikeouts (5:4) and is the team leader in RBI with 12.

"Our three-through-seven hitters are the best hitters in the county right now," Cervino said, because of their run production and high batting averages.

The team is collectively hitting .381 and scored 31 runs against Westwood and BC, hitting for power and average. 

Cervino said he would like to see a higher on-base percentage from the top two hitters Bryan Criscione (.353 OBP) and Taylor Garguilo (.273 OBP).  The pair has struck out a combined 14 times, but when Criscione is on the base paths, he has swiped a team-high seven bags. Garguilo has two stolen bags.

"[Criscione and Garguilo] have displayed good base running," Cervino said. The Spartans have stolen 19 bases without being caught. 

The long-time head coach is also seeking more consistency from his No. 8 and 9 hitters.

The low point of the season so far was a one-run loss to neighboring Ridgewood, 6-5. The Spartans allowed four unearned runs and left the tying and winning runs on base in the seventh inning.

The turning point came in a 19-13 win over Westwood. Paramus was down 9-0 after the first two innings. In the third, the Spartans scored 10 runs with two outs.

"We still have the opportunity to tie or win our league," Cervino said. 

He also hopes the team earns "decent" seeds in both the Bergen County and state tournaments as well as making a run in them.