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Schools

Ridge Baseball Ready to Open Season

Team began working out indoors before snow finally melted.

The 2011 Ridge varsity baseball team is ready to begin its season this Friday, April 1, with a 4 p.m. away game at Middlesex High School in Middlesex Borough.

Seeing beyond the snow on the field, the team had to wait to get out on the field to prepare for the season. Due to the weather, the team, not unlike most spring sport teams, began working out indoors. Their scrimmage schedule was cut to a minimum due to wet and snow covered fields and practice has been limited.

Overview

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The Red Devils bring an experienced team to the field this year. Coach Tom Blackwell is entering his sixth season at the helm and expects the squad to take their experiences from 2010 to bring in a winning season in 2011. "We are playing a very strong schedule with each team having the ability to win it all," Blackwell said. 

Last season's results

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Last year the Devils had a tough season, finishing with an 11-16 record. Their season brought them an opportunity to play in the state tournament (lost in their first game to Woodbridge).  In the Somerset County tournament, the team lost 3-1 in the quarterfinals to eventual tournament winner Montgomery.

Players to watch

  • Greg Fazio, Pitcher, Shortstop (Sr) - Fazio has been our starting shortstop for 3 years.  We will be looking for him to be big contributor offensively and defensively this season.
  • Andrew Graziano,3rd base (Sr) - We will be looking to Andrew to provide strength at the plate and complete the left side of the infield with Fazio.
  • J.B. Kole, Pitcher, outfield (Sr) - JB had some arm trouble in 2010, but we expect big things for him this year.  He throws hard and has great composure on the mound.

Who will be missed

  • Rob McCarthy, 1st base, Pitcher — Rob was the team'snumber one pitcher and had a great season at the plate.
  • Charles Dennis, 3rd base — Playing for DeSales, Charles is making a big impression at college with his bat.  

Coach's Take

  • "I would argue this conference is the best in the state.  We are in a 9-team division and we play everybody twice and the schedule is brutal. We have as much talent as any team in the conference and I expect us to do well this year and to be there in the county and state tournaments." — Blackwell

They said it

  • "I think our team is really solid this year.  We have a lot of returning underclassmen and really good senior leadership.  Our lineup and depth are really good and the pitching is really strong." — J. B. Kole  

2011 Ridge High School Varsity Baseball Roster

Name Year Position Greg Fazio senior shortstop, pitcher J.B. Kole senior pitcher, outfield Jon Tam senior pitcher Dan Curcio senior center field Brad Halperin senior first base Ryan Calish senior  pitcher Brett Matzen junior infield Boomer Saunders junior pitcher Tom Felato junior third base J.D. Moore junior outfield Ross Lazicky junior infield Greg Lauricella junior pitcher Justin Lazo junor  outfield Dan Volpacchio junior infield Jake Blanchard junior infield Zach Luisi junior infield, pitcher Brian Winkler junior catcher, pitcher Garrett Kritczow sophomore outfield, pitcher Eric Klacik sophomore utility Eric Falvo sophomore pitcher Andrew Graziano senior third base, pitcher
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