Former OBHS players leading Old Bridge team BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer The Old Bridge America Legion baseball team is off to a solid start this summer, as a trio of former players hope to cultivate yet another powerhouse team from Middlesex County. Composed of players from the Old Bridge High School baseball program, the American Legion entry has thus far relied on speed and pitching, according to coach James Vafiadou, who is managing the team along with Chris Baldino and Corey Bruno. All three are former members of the Knights. "We've had a little trouble scoring runs, so we're trying to use our speed, do some hit and run, and manufacture runs," said Vafiadou, who plays for Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham along with Baldino. The Old Bridge contingent's pitching has kept the team in games. Junior Mike Augliera has hurled a pair of complete games to record victories over South Brunswick and Monroe, the latter a 1-0 decision. Augliera hung tough against South Brunswick, and his teammates scored four sixth-inning runs to pull out a 4-3 triumph. Another junior, Nick Balinger, has had a pair of good outings, while Joe Caria, Danny Soto and sophomore Jeremy Rusakowski have shown promise on the hill. They've received solid help from a defense that includes fleet center fielder Vinnie Galya and shortstop Danny Walsh, both juniors. The team's top hitters in the early going have been junior catcher Eric Diaz and two sophomores - third baseman/outfielder Frank Baldini and infielder Rob Vafiadou. Other members of the team include junior infielders Joey Dunn, Trevor Haughney and Ian McIntyre, outfielders Jeff Haberman and Tyler Zangoglia, and catcher Dan Cwiek. Sophomore Danny Cuevas is an outfielder. Coach Vafiadou, who played Legion ball himself in previous years, said the experience is beneficial. "The guys get to keep playing, and in some ways the competition is better than high school because some guys are back from college and playing," he said. "It's a good way to prepare for the next season with a little less pressure than high school, but we still take the games very seriously." It also gives Vafiadou, Bruno and Baldino an opportunity to pick up some coaching experience and work with the players who will be playing for their alma mater. "I really enjoy doing this," he said. "It's been a lot of fun, and it's good to kind of give something back."