Metuchen Junior team needs a little more pop
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Correspondent

METUCHEN - After jumping out to a 5-2 start to the summer season, the Metuchen Junior Legion team dropped two straight to fall to 5-4.

A tough 4-2 loss to Bishop Ahr White was topped by an even tougher 5-2 loss to Father & Son.

Holding a 2-1 lead over Father & Son heading into the bottom half of the seventh behind the arm of starting pitcher Mike Jachim, Metuchen let the lead and the game slip away as a dramatic three-run home run by Father & Son's Stephen Nappe stole the win from Metuchen.

"It was another tough-luck loss for Mike Jachim," Metuchen head coach Walt Smolenski said. "He held a lead against South Brunswick into the seventh with two outs before a couple of unearned runs gave South Brunswick a 4-2 victory. He's pitched really well for us all summer. He's got a great fastball and a really nice change, and he's just been a bit unlucky as far as the wins and losses goes."

Jachim has also been productive at the plate, batting .470 with 10 RBIs and one home run through seven games.

Metuchen High School freshman James Warren is also off to a strong summer season with a 2-1 record on the hill.

"James has been pitching really well," Smolenski said. "If he's getting his curveball over for strikes, then he's really tough to hit. He's coming along nicely and should be ready for a strong sophomore season."

Smolenski has also been pleased with the offensive production he's getting from atop the batting order. Leadoff man Pete Scrom and third baseman Chris Lauro have been the catalysts for the Metuchen offense thus far this season.

"Pete has done a nice job getting aboard and stealing bases," Smolenski said. "Laura has either been hitting atop the order or in the No. 2 hole. He's been playing an excellent third base and he has a lot of pop in his bat."

Catcher Kevin Walsh has been the team's clutch performer on both sides of the ball this summer. From behind the dish, Walsh has already nabbed four would-be base stealers.

"In addition to giving us solid defense, Kevin has come through with some big clutch hits," Smolenski said. "Hopefully he can continue getting the timely hits."

Timely hitting is something that has plagued Metuchen during its current losing streak. While the team has struggled to get the clutch hit, its opponent has come through as seen in the two seventh-inning defeats Metuchen has suffered recently.

"It's an area we need to improve," Smolenski said. "At times we try to do too much in key situations. The key is to get these young players the at-bats to give them the confidence and the patience. Right now our starting pitching has been the main strength of the team. I think as the summer progresses, we will improve our hitting."

After hosting Fords for a home game earlier in the week, Metuchen will travel to Piscataway today before closing the week playing host to South Brunswick Gold tomorrow.