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Sports

Braves Baseball: Unfinished Business

Senior laden squad seek state title

Following one of the most accomplished years in school history, the Manalapan Braves baseball team is poised to achieve unprecedented success.

The 2010 season witnessed the Braves reach new heights.  Manalapan improved upon a 19-9 mark in 2009 to win a school record 22 victories, all while losing just 8 games.   The Braves won the Class A North title outright one year after winning the Public Division crown and finishing second to non-public powerhouse Christian Brothers Academy.  A 5-3 victory over Wall High School clinched the school's first Monmouth County Tournament title.  And Manalapan advanced to the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament, foreshadowing the program's first ever run to the state sectionals in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs.  By season's end, the Braves ranked sixteenth in the state in Star-Ledger's final rankings for the 2010 baseball season.

The 2011 squad remains nearly intact from the record breaking team of a year ago.  The departed include third basemen and three hitter Joe Ramirez and number two starter Lawrence Schoer, who have continued their playing careers at Farleigh Dickinson University and Felician College, respectively.  Ramirez tied for the team lead in hits and on base percentage last season en route to a Second Team All Group IV selection, and Schoer complied a 7-3 mark while receiving All Monmouth Third Team honors.

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Sixth year head coach Brian Boyce maintains a roster of eighteen that includes fifteen seniors and a host of players that were recognized for their play last year.  

"We have a senior laden team, guys that have started with us since sophomore year.  We have some good leadership in [Rich] Ricciardi and [Kyle] Rubbinaccio.  [Alex] DeCastro's our leader by example in centerfield.  [Nick] Kreiger's an emotional leader.  They're great kids," said Boyce.  The four seniors serve as co-captains for the Braves. 

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The pitching staff is anchored by Monmouth County Player of the Year and Second Team All State selection Kyle Rubbinaccio.  The 6'3" righthander was nearly unhittable as a junior, posting a 9-0 mark with a miniscule 1.29 E.R.A. and 56 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.  The stopper's final victory came in a three inning relief stint versus Wall to clinch the Monmouth County Tournament title.  Rubbinaccio will relocate to South Bend in the fall and pitch for Notre Dame.

"Our team's looked very good in the preseason. I think we have a lot of expectations this year and we just have to carry it over to the regular season and get the job done," said the righthander.  After finishing as the third leading scorer on the hardwood in the Shore Conference with 21 points per game, Rubbinaccio will toe the rubber this spring for a Braves team loaded with powerful arms.

Duel threat Nick Kreiger contributes with both the bat and the glove.  The outfielder and southpaw pitcher hit .392 a year ago and posted 40 strikeouts in 38 innings of work.  Junior righthander Joseph Serrapica possesses good stuff and has displayed a strong arm.

"[Stephen] Canoro gives us depth.  Billy Gulino has done a tremendous job in the preseason.  And [Jake] Winston wasn't healthy last year, but he's healthy this year." said Boyce.

Winston is the key factor for the Braves staff.  After struggling with shoulder issues and command last season, the senior southpaw appears poised to establish himself as one of the division's best arms.

The pitching expects to get significant run support from a team that averaged nearly 8 runs a game last season and batting a cool .367.  The lineup begins with All Monmouth First Team selection Rich Ricciardi.  The senior shortshop led all Braves batters in runs scored and tied for the team lead in hits and on base percentage.  Ricciardi batted .426 as a junior and displayed range and sure hands up in the middle. Says Boyce, "he's our our catylist."  Ricciardi sprained an ankle in the preseason but does not expect to miss significant time.  Junior second basemen Brian Lamboy, a .347 hitter last season, will slide over to the left side of the infield during the shortstop's absence.

The outfield can mash.  All Group IV Third Team honoree Alex DeCastro hit .390 in 2010 and serves as a power bat for the Braves.  The senior had 15 extra base hits last season, including 5 homeruns.  Derek Kawa batted .369 last season and knocked 3 out of the park.  The aforementioned Kreiger scored 27 runs while swiping 14 bases.  Newcomer Vito Gadaleta will serve as a fourth outfielder and possesses a powerful righthanded bat.

Senior Marco Ferrante hit .289 a year ago and will play first, while newcomer Joe Serrapica will handle the hot corner following Joe Ramirez's graduation.  Senior Billy Gulino will also see time at third.  Senior backstop Chris Baird hit .354 and works well with the pitching staff.

The success of last season had much to do with the current senior class.  With a roster overflowing with experience, 2011 is a win now year for Manalapan.   But do not assume the Braves are content with their strong showing a year ago.

"One of our mottos this year is 'unfinished business.'  We went far last year.  Our goals are a little loftier this year.  We know what it's gonna take to get there," said the Braves coach.  "We're not going to sneak up on anybody.  Teams will get up to play us."

Rich Ricciardi is aware that Manalapan will be getting the best efforts of their opponents.  "The biggest challenge is having the target on our backs.  Everybody's gunning for us this year.  Last year we were underdogs coming out of the preseason.  This year everyone expects a lot out of us," said the shortstop.

For the Braves to win a third straight divisional title, they will have to persevere in a talented Class A North.

"C.B.A.'s always a challenge.  They're talented and play hard.  Middletown South has good pitching.  Marlboro's always scrappy, they play extremely hard, and they have some good pitchers.  Howell hits.  Pick your poison.  Middletown North hits.  Freehold Township is a cross town rival.  Every team in the division plays us hard.  We try to be up for every game.  We don't take any team lightly, no matter what their record is," stated Boyce.

Alex DeCastro agrees.  "Every year CBA has a great team.  We play them the first game of the season.  It's going to be a good game.  Middletown South has good pitching.  Everyone in the A North is always decent.  Anyone can beat anyone any day," said the senior.

The opponents do not get any easier outside of the division, as Manalapan will battle a number of Shore Conference powerhouses and a nationally ranked foe.

"We have a tough out of conference schedule," Boyce said.  "We play Toms River South, Toms River North, Don Bosco, and Jackson Memorial, and Old Bridge is supposed to be very improved this year.  We want to make sure they are ready for playoffs, and those type of games get us ready for that."

Success has followed the Braves skipper from his days as coach at North Bergen to his current role in the Manalapan dugout.  The Star Ledger's selection as Monmouth County Coach of the Year is quick to acknowledge those around him for his success.

"We have five coaches that work hard.  They're here every day, on the kids, and we hold them accountable for almost everything.  And I've been fortunate, coming down and being surrounded by having these guys come through the program and solidify us as a pretty decent team," said Boyce.

With an intense season ahead, it would be easy for a team to loose focus.  But Nick Kreiger maintains the proper perspective.

"Right now we're just focusing on Friday and getting the first win."

The Braves open the 2011 season at Class A North rival Christian Brothers Academy Friday at 3:45.

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