St. Joseph juniors have a solid summer season

METUCHEN - After stumbling out of the gate to open the summer season at 6-5, the St. Joseph Junior Legion team rolled off seven straight victories at one point to finish the season 13-7.

The seven-game winning streak was snapped by South Brunswick Black in the opening game of a double header. Up 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning, St. Joe's could not shut the door on South Brunswick as the Blacks surmounted a late-game comeback to take the game by a 4-2 score.

In the second game of the double-billing St. Joe's lost to Metuchen 10-8 to finish out the season.

"Overall it was a very productive summer for a lot of guys that will be fighting for varsity spots come next spring," St. Joe's head coach Michael Butler said. "There are some really talented sophomores that should get some serious consideration for varsity time in the near future."

Sophomore Shane Alvarez left a trail of smoke on the base paths this summer, collecting 28 stolen bases in 20 games in addition to hitting over .400.

"Shane was in the middle of almost every rally," Butler said. "He continues to improve in the outfield and at third base and second base. He even gave us some effective innings on the mound with his solid curveball."

Also pitching for the club this summer was fellow sophomore Victor Diaz. Diaz also hit well over .300 thanks to his ability to hit to all fields.

"He pitched for another program, but when he did pitch for us he was the ace of the staff," Butler said. "He has a very strong arm and really good tools."

Perhaps the only reason the team didn't win close to all 20 games was its difficulty to fill the lineup card on a consistent basis. With several players splitting time with other clubs, the team was often shorthanded on the bench.

"A double-header against South Plainfield and Colonia Blue really summed up the summer we had," Butler said. "In the opener against South Plainfield, we went on a tear and won the game 13-2. We then lose a bunch of guys for the second game and play with only 11 guys. We go down 8-3 and I tell the guys we only needs singles and walks, and that is exactly what the go out and do. They never gave up and came back to tie and eventually win the game 9-8 against a really good team."

First baseman Tim McCaig and third baseman Mike Tumminello were the emotional and vocal leaders of this summer's team and a big reason the team always continued to play hard.

"Both Tim and Mike have great attitudes," Butler said. "They always work hard and they embody the program and the environment that varsity coach Paul Esposito is building here at St. Joe's. There are a number of guys here at St. Joe's that you wouldn't see play and say 'wow', but they all have heart."

An alumnus of St. Joe's, Butler is especially proud of the direction head coach Paul Esposito is taking the Falcons.

"The pieces were in place at St. Joe's and the baseball team has always been among the top teams in the county, but Esposito has them winning with the right attitude, and that is always better," Butler said. "You can win with the wrong attitude, but that's not what it's all about."

- Shawn Layton