Old Bridge juniors get some needed experience
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

The Old Bridge Junior American Legion baseball team is holding its own with a 5-18 record despite being one of the younger teams in its league.

Composed primarily of freshmen (who will be sophomores this fall) from Old Bridge High School, the team competes in the Middlesex County Junior American Legion League. Players in the league must be 17 years old or younger.

Coach Bob Bennetti said his team has struggled a bit offensively, but that pitching and strong defense have kept the Old Bridge entry in games.

"This is a very young team and the guys are doing very well overall," the coach said. "It's also a great opportunity for them to get more at-bats and experience, to face quality pitching and to try some things they normally don't get to do."

Bennetti said he tries to play his 18-man roster as evenly as possible so that all the players have a chance to develop their skills. Among the wins, a success against Woodbridge stands out thanks to a game-winning three-run rally in the last inning.

"We play to win the games," he said, "but the main goal is for everyone to become better baseball players."

The Old Bridge pitching staff consists of Nick Baldino, Bob Bennetti, Chris Bruno, Joe D'Amico and Justin Morik. The younger Bennetti and Bruno are coming off strong outings that saw them pick up wins against teams from Edison. When not pitching, Bennetti plays second base, D'Amico is at third, Bruno plays shortstop, and Morik is at first base.

Left fielder Matt Kondratyc has been the team's most consistent batter. The lefty-hitter, who enters his junior year this fall, has a .566 average and was selected to represent his team in the league's all-star game earlier this month.

Center fielder Rob Baumann currently leads the team with a .583 average. Russ Seratelli, a versatile infielder, is at .522 with a home run, and outfielder Andrew Chaifetz is batting .475.

Other members of the Old Bridge contingent include catchers Mark Richter and Pete Rahn; both are solid defensively and will be entering their junior year this fall. First baseman Jay Hennin will also be a junior in the fall. Outfielders Rob Conte, Taylor Hendrickson, Joe Procopio and Chris Yuro round out the team.

Old Bridge is in the midst of a five-game week that will test its pitching staff as the team meets Sayreville, Fords, John F. Kennedy, Metuchen and Milltown.

"We have our work cut out for us, but it's also a good test for our team," the senior Bennetti said. "We may have to improvise a bit."