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NVOT Baseball Preview
NVOT pitching key to season
By J.C. Baumuller
Managing Editor
Published: March 26, 2008
Third baseman Rob Segedin is gone. So is center fielder Nick Pulsonetti.
For four years they could be counted on for the key hit and the team made it to the Bergen County Tournament final game three of the four years they played.
Alas, they graduated from high school and they will be missed.
But Old Tappan brings back a ton of pitching, including the No. 1 and No. 2 starters from last year’s 25-8 team, junior Alex Caravella and senior James Puglia.
"In order to have success, we are going to have to pitch," said Old Tappan coach Tim Byron. "That will carry us. We are not going to fare well in a high scoring game."
The Golden Knights also have Mike Soumas and Jon "Ice Man" Scott, who closed all of the key wins for Old Tappan last year.
"I adapted to it last year," Scott said of his role as closer. "I enjoy the pressure of coming in to save a game. At first I didn’t like it, but I pitched in 20 of our last 25 games. And I love to pitch."
Byron has not decided if Scott will remain in the bullpen. A lot depends upon the ability of Soumas and/or sophomore Steven Casamento to step into the starting rotation.
"If our starters can get us through the fifth," said Byron, "we can finish with Scott."
The players know that without Segedin and Pulsonetti pitching is the key.
"We have to pitch well," said Caravella, "in order to win the one- and two-run games. [On offense] we have to put the ball in play and not strike out."
Puglia agrees that without the power hitters the team must put the ball in play.
"We have to play ‘small ball’ and rely on our pitching," he said. "Scott worked hard over the summer and is throwing harder this year. And Byron knows how to work with the pitchers."
Senior catcher Tyler Gallo, who has the best view of all the pitchers, said he couldn’t wait for the season to begin.
"It’s a new season, a new start," he said. "Allie (Caravella) is only going to get better and Scott is always reliable. We have good chemistry on the team. We all get along.
"We have to find our lineup, just like we did last year. We have 12 or 13 scrimmages to get us work and get us ready for the season."
Defense is another key and Byron admits there are a few holes, especially when Caravella, who plays first base or Puglia, who plays second is on the mound. There are also new players at short, third and right field.
"We had a young core group on last season’s team," said Gallo. "And that group is back. We all played in the county final, so we have experience. The pitching will keep us in games. I am happy where we are."
Last season’s record: 25-8
Key players: C Tyler Gallo, P/2B James Puglia, P Jon Scott, P Mike Soumas, seniors; P/1B Alex Caravella, junior
Outlook: Pitching will carry the team as far as they will go. Tough legacy to follow as team has been in Bergen County final game four of past five years.
E-mail: baumuller@northjersey. com or call 201-894-6702
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