Thomas Attamante is better known as an outstanding goalie and leader for the North 1 Group IV champion West Orange High School boys soccer team. But in the spring he's not too bad a catcher for the Mountaineer baseball team.
Attamante had a huge hand in the Mountaineers 5-3 win over Newark East Side.
Newark East Side loaded the bases with none out against junior righty-hander Adam Miller. The Raiders trailed just 4-3 when Miller struck out Christian Delgado. Delgado was immediately out, but when the ball got behind Attamante the ball was once again in play.
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The runner at third, seeing the ball roll away, headed home. But Attamante made his pattened slide to grab the ball. In one motion he fired the ball to Miller who tagged the runner before he could score the tying run. Miller ended the inning with a strikeout.
In the seventh, pinch-hitter Henly Concepion, batting for pitcher Giovanni Loreto, slammed a solo homer over the right-center field fence for some breathing room. The Mountaineers, who host Bloomfield this afternoon, are now 3-1 on the season.
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Coach Steve Zichella was happy with just about all aspects of his team's play, but was very impressed with Attamante.
"He's a good leader, he works hard and he's doing particularly well," said Zichella. "It's a play we practice. He's as good as anybody picking up the ball. It was a perfect time for it."
The double play seemed to lift the Mountaineer's spirit. They hadn't scored in three innings as Newark East Side crept back in the game.
"They seemed like they had a lot of energy and were making their push; I was concerned they might mount a comeback, but that homer (by Concepion) knocked out their momentum."
Miller pitched six strong innings for the win. He didn't walk a batter. Loreto pitched the seventh for the save.
"Adam's ability to work ahead (in the count) was fantastic," said Zichella.
Robert Trenk continued his strong early season, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Alex Bahia also had two hits.
The busy week continues after Bloomfield. The Mountaineers play host to powerful Seton Hall Prep Thursday, then play at Nutley Friday.
