Legion Team Showed Grit Promise

The West Orange American Legion team completed its season recently with a 9-12-1 record. But it's not the record so much that coach Mike Loreto's club was chasing — rather it was the objective of improvement.

"We were in a lot of close games,'' said Loreto, who was assisted by Larry Prince. "We just couldn't get that timely hit. This season was about building confidence. Confidence goes a long way in the improvement of a baseball team."

The team was made up of players who will all return to the high school program next season — seven seniors, six juniors and two sophomores — all saw time and were able to play a wide variety of positions.

"The kids did well, we really lost some tough games,'' said Loreto, who added that the high school team went 13-9. "Baseball is a game of inches and we're trying to get them to understand that."

The club opened the summer with a 16-4 win over Nutley, then beat their Essex County rivals 3-1 in the second game. West Orange split with Vailsburg (Seton Hall Prep), South Orange, Ironbound and Millburn. 

"We try to get the kids prepared to play any position on the field,'' said Loreto.

Right-handed pitcher Corey Feigenbaum, who'll be a senior, was 6-0. "He pitched very well,'' Loreto said. "He had a shutout against South Orange (an 11-0 win). He pitched well and I was able to have my best defense when we had everybody in the right positions."

Left fielder Joe Bottenger, who also caught in some games, hit in the upper 400s. He'll be a senior in the fall.

"He had a great year batting and he caught a little too when we needed him in the pinch," Loreto said.

Shortstop and leadoff hitter Robert Trenk, another senior to be, was one of the team leaders.

"Couldn't ask for a better kid to be on the team, he gave us 150 percent every time," Loreto said. 

Loreto's son Giovanni continued to show the promise he revealed in the high school season. He pitched eight superb innings, throwing just 86 pitches in a 1-0 loss to Belleville. He came back a few days later and threw three scoreless innings against Montclair. Giovanni, a righty, was 2-0 for the varsity.

"We tried to teach him to keep going and fighting," said Loreto.

Frank Bakirtzis, who caught, played third base and also served as designated hitter, was a pleasant surprise. He hit three home runs.

"He showed some power,'' said Loreto.

Adam Miller, another right handed pitcher, showed promise. Miller will be a junior. Matt Scalora played right field and Ryan Prince — the coach's son — was the primary starter in right.

"Matt filled in wherever we needed him in the outfield or when we rested people — he was our all around outfielder,'' the coach said.