JFK seniors get some valuable experience
Mustangs field one of county's younger Senior Legion teams
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

ISELIN - While the JFK Senior Legion team has struggled at times this summer, its young lineup is gaining valuable experience that should prepare many of its players to make the jump to varsity baseball come next spring.

The team heads into this week's action 4-11-2 on the summer season.

"All of the players on this year's team will be back in the spring and will battle for spots on the varsity team," JFK head coach Jerry Smith said. "It's a good experience for the players because in many cases they are playing against tested varsity players and even college freshmen."

Senior Chris Grimes heads the list of returnees on this summer's team. Grimes made the varsity lineup his freshman season as the team's designated hitter. He played at the hot corner the past two seasons and is now transitioning to become the team's full-time shortstop. When Grimes sees mound time, teammate Erik Enright takes over at short. Platooning at third base with Grimes' relocation is Chris Kornmann and Chris Lubertowicz.

"Chris carried his tremendous play during the spring right into the summer," Smith said. "He got off to a really slow start in the spring due to a separated shoulder. He couldn't throw, but he was determined to play, so he saw time as the DH the first half of the season."

The shoulder injury definitely held Grimes back as he managed just five hits through JFK's first 14 games. It was a different story in the second half of the season, when he collected 25 hits in 46 plate appearances to hit close to .543. He finished the regular season batting .375.

"Once he got going, he never slowed down, and he's kept this pace into the summer," Smith said. "Because he's such a good student, he's getting looks from some great schools like Lafayette and Brown."

On the right side of the infield is first baseman Brian Schroeder. Like Grimes, Schroeder earned a varsity spot his freshman year as the designated hitter. As a sophomore, Schroeder saw action as the team's closer out of the bullpen this spring. His strong arm could have him starting next spring.

"It's up in the air how we will use him next year," Smith said. "He could also see time catching. He's been very impressive this summer putting up some big power numbers against kids that will be sophomores in college next year."

Pitcher John Martelle has been solid this summer picking up a lot of the team's innings.

"John's steady performance may provide us with the opportunity to leave Brian as our closer," Smith said. "He appears ready to make the jump to varsity pitching."

Left fielder Mike Giordano is having a solid summer as the team's No. 5 hitter and will be expected to play varsity ball for a third straight year come next spring.

Mike Kubu has been playing right field this summer, with a trio of sophomores in Jorge Rivera, Kyle Grimes and Joe Marciano sharing time in the outfield and making favorable impressions on Smith in their bid to crack the varsity lineup.

"None of the sophomores have varsity experience, but they all play well," Smith said. "The competition this summer is just as good as it is during the varsity season, if not better, and all of the sophomores have held their own."

After suffering two losses in a doubleheader with Father & Son last week by scores of 8-3 and 13-3, JFK is hoping the momentum from its upset 8-7 win over Piscataway can carry over into this week. A rematch with Piscataway is scheduled for tomorrow at Columbus Park. First pitch is at 7 p.m. The team will end the week with a 5:45 p.m. road game against Clara Barton Friday.