Schools
Spring Sports Preview: Johnson Baseball Off to 2-2 Start
Crusaders, 19-9 a year ago, look to keep improving.
The Johnson baseball team will look to get back on the winning track this week after a 2-2 start.
And, although the Crusaders are playing .500 ball through their first four games this spring, fourth-year head coach Dave Kennedy is far from hitting the panic button.
“Am I happy with the results so far? No, but there’s no reason not to feel optimistic,” said Kennedy. “We’re battling some injuries right now, but I expect this team to be very competitive this year.”
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Johnson, which has defeated Roselle Catholic and Summit, suffered its two losses to Roselle Park and Union Catholic. “Roselle Park and Union Catholic came to play and beat us, so hats off to them,” said Kennedy.
The Crusaders are situated in the Mountain Division of the Union County Conference along with Brearley, Dayton, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Catholic, Summit and Union Catholic and are currently 2-1 in divisional play.
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One of the injuries that Johnson has incurred is to junior left-hander Nick Campione. “Nick broke his hand in the pre-season, and its actually the second time he’s broke it this school year. He also had it broken in the Thanksgiving football game,” said Kennedy. “I’m hopeful that he can come back soon.”
Johnson didn’t play this past Saturday, but Kennedy and the team stayed busy rebuilding the pitchers mound at the high school field. “It was a process and took about four to five hours to do it,” said Kennedy. “But we’re really happy with it.”
A year ago, Johnson went 19-9, reaching the semifinal round of the Union County Tournament for the first time since 2002, where it bowed to Westfield, 5-4.
Key players this season for Johnson include senior right-hander Mark Wilson, senior left-hander Anthony Fischetti, senior righty Brandon Santos, junior third baseman Mark Wrobleski, sophomore shortstop jay Shapiro, senior centerfielder Corey Ryan and senior rightfielder Tom Crisonino.
Wilson has been very sharp on the hill this spring and owns both of Johnson’s victories. He, along with Shapiro and Wrobleski have all hammered home runs. Kennedy pointed to this week as a huge one for the Crusaders as the team will play five times in seven games, although today's home game against Rahway has been rained out.
On Wednesday, Johnson will play at Watchung Hills, and Friday will see the Crusaders play against Hillsborough as part of the Roselle Park Dad’s Club Tournament. Johnson then hosts Hanover Park on Saturday before playing at Cranford on April 18.
“It’s a tough schedule, but we want to play tough teams,” said Kennedy, who was a standout at Glen Ridge. “We’re hitting and fielding the ball pretty well so that’s a good sign early.We’re looking for some good things to happen.”
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JOHNSON CRUSADERS 2011 BASEBALL SCHEDULE
April 1: vs. Roselle Catholic (Win, 11-2)
April 4: vs. Roselle Park (Loss, 11-9)
April 7: vs. Summit (Win, 8-1)
April 8: at Union Catholic (Loss, 10-6)
April 13: at Watchung Hills, 4 p.m.
April 15: vs. Hillsborough at Roselle Park, 7 p.m.
April 16: vs. Hanover Park, 11 a.m.
April 18: at Cranford, 12 p.m.April 19: vs. Dayton, 4 p.m.
April 20: vs. Rahway, 4 p.m.- (Rescheduled from April 12)
April 21: at Brearley, 4 p.m.
April 23: at Scotch Plains, 12 p.m.
April 25: vs. Plainfield, 1:30 p.m.
April 27: vs. New Providence, 4 p.m.
April 28: at Roselle Catholic, 4 p.m.
May 3: at Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.
May 5: vs. Union Catholic, 4 p.m.
May 10: at Rahway, 4 p.m.
May 12: at Dayton, 4 p.m.
May 17: vs. Brearley, 4 p.m.
May 19: at Linden, 4 p.m.
May 20: at Summit, 4 p.m.
