Tough stretch will test Bombers' baseball team
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

After getting off to a 5-0 start the Sayreville War Memorial High School baseball team is looking to get back on track following three successive losses.

"We really came out of the gate flying, and then we had the nor'easter and we didn't play for eight days, and that hurt us," Coach Mike Novak said. "Right now we're in a stretch where we have nine games in 10 days, so we're going to be asking a lot of our pitchers, and we need them to step up."

Sayreville began its 10-day trek at home with a 10-7 loss to Monroe in a see-saw game that the Bombers led 6-5 at one point. Novak's team was slated to visit North Brunswick yesterday and South Plainfield this afternoon. The Bombers have previously defeated both of those teams. On Friday, Carteret comes to call and Sayreville hosts Perth Amboy on Saturday.

Fortunately, the Bombers have a relatively deep pitching staff. Mike Rochford has already posted a pair of victories, while Ed Goldmann, Tom Berardi and Jim Foley have one win apiece. Berardi also tossed six strong innings against South Plainfield but did not figure in the decision. Steve Witkowski and sophomore Jake Campbell round out the staff.

Novak said he has been particularly pleased with his team's performance at the plate. Goldmann, who plays center field when not pitching, leads the team with a .517 mark and 14 RBI. He has seven doubles and two triples to his credit and he has scored eight runs.

Nick Ruszala, the left fielder and lead-off man, is batting .429 with 11 RBI and 11 runs scored. Right fielder Bobby Rinaldi is at .421 and Rochford is hitting .368.

Novak noted that Robert Pearson has been a pleasant surprise after recovering from a broken ankle that occurred during a junior varsity game last season. Pearson earned the third base job with a strong preseason and is batting .379 with six RBI.

"Overall the hitting has been there and we're scoring runs," Novak said. "There are a few guys who are still coming around at the plate, but we're getting the job done. As a team, I'd like to see us play a little better defensively."

The Bombers have played just two error-free games and have committed 15 miscues on the year, including four in Tuesday's loss to Monroe that were compounded by the 12 hits pounded out by Monroe batters.

The coach said his team's senior leadership is strong. Novak credited his veterans for the team's fast start, and the experience factor should pay off as the Bombers look to get back to their winning ways.

"Most of the games we won were close, and that's where our experience really helped us," he added. "Many of these guys have been here before, and they know what it takes to win. We hit a little bump with the weather, but our guys are poised enough to bounce back. Right now we're still in good shape as far as qualifying for the tournaments; we just need to put together a couple of wins."