St. Joe's baseball looking to get back on a winning streak
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
The St. Joseph's High School baseball team finished off a busy week with a match-up againstDonBosco Prep, one of the nation's elite baseball programs. Despite a solid effort from the Falcons, the teamfell to 4-4 on the season after an 8-1 defeat.

"Don Bosco is a nationally ranked team, and I thought we played them pretty well," St. Joe's head coach Paul Esposito said. "They have sevenDivision I players on their roster and some great pitchers. We just couldn't generate a whole lot of offense. We do think we can compete with anybody."

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak started earlier in theweek. The team started the streak with a 5-0 victory over Woodbridge. SamFourre tossed a completegame four-hitter to record the win. Fourre fanned eight along the way while catcher DaveMilanes led the offensewith three hits and a pair of RBIs.

After shutting out Woodbridge, St. Joe's followed with an 11-8 win in a slugfest against division rival Piscataway. Senior Sean Hille recorded his first win of the season as teammates Rob Ellis and Milanes lead the team offensively. Milanes belted a three-run homer andEllis finished the game with three hits.

"Dave had a very good week for us," Esposito said. "Rob Ellis is also off to a fast start this spring. He's one of the team leaders in both hitting and stolen bases.He's also been playing really well defensively in centerfield."

The Falcons stretched their winning streak to three in a 13-5 victory over Roselle Catholic. Reliever Joe Esposito pitched five strong innings to notch the win. Ellis continued his hot hitting with a double and a home run. First baseman Brian Beck finishedwith three hits, including two doubles. Beck knocked in three and scored three while right fielder Mike Hamel drove in a pair.

"Brian is another guy who is off to a strong start with the bat," Esposito said. "He's been a nice presence in the infield."

Joining Beck in the infield this year is shortstop Brian Koster, third baseman Phil Gianakos, and the platoon of Chris Vielak and Victor Diaz. Vielak and Diaz both pitch for the Falcons and occupy second basewhen not on the hill. Diaz usually provides relief pitching but can start games when needed, as he did in Sunday's loss to Don Bosco.

"Brian Koster is an experienced varsity player and he was anAll-County player last season," Esposito said. "He's hitting well over .400 and doing a solid job for us defensively."

New to the varsity infield this year is sophomore Gianakos. At a school rich in baseball tradition,Gianakos is certainly carrying his weight.

"He cracked the starting lineup and he's playing well," Esposito said. "He's off to a nice start."

Rounding out the St. Joe's outfield with Ellis in center and Hamel in right is left fielder George Gonzalez.

The Falconswill try to start anotherwinning streak this week with match-ups against Old Bridge and South Brunswick. Old Bridge comes to townApril 17 for a 3:45 p.m. game followed by South Brunswick's noon visitApril 19.