The idea is almost too unbelievable for words. Just the thought jumps out and startles you, like an electric shock or a winter’s chill. As true as it can be, the Hudson Catholic baseball team has a 4-16 record.
It’s true. Hudson Catholic, one of Hudson County’s premier diamond dandies and programs for ages, has fallen on tough times, the worst season in the school’s rich baseball history. Veteran coach <B>Mike Zadroga</B>, who has been a fixture in Hudson County baseball circles for the last 30 years, is experiencing his first losing season ever.
“In all my years, nothing even comes close to this,” said Zadroga, who is one of two coaches to ever capture HCIAA championships at two different schools, winning one with Dickinson (1982) and Hudson Catholic (1995). “It really has been a strange situation.”
Zadroga has collected 450-plus victories over his storied career and has enjoyed nothing but success since replacing the late <B>Joe “Rocky” Pope</B> as the head coach of the Hawks nine years ago.
“It was almost like I walked into Hudson Catholic for the first time,” Zadroga said. “I knew we were against it a little, because we lost 15 players from last year’s team, 15 players who had varsity experience.”
Twelve players from a year ago graduated. Two were lost to the team this year due to academic difficulties. One transferred to another school. Losing more than a dozen players in a single swoop would be devastating to any program, even one as successful as Hudson Catholic has been in the past.
“Before we lost our two pitchers to academics, I felt like we could be competitive,” Zadroga said. “But they were ruled ineligible two days before the start of the season and that changed everything.”
The team’s lone experienced performer? Sophomore catcher <B>Darren Lionakis,</B> who had three at-bats last season. That’s it. One player with three plate appearances.
“It’s not inexperienced,” Zadroga said. “It’s no experience. We had to go back to basics, doing the simple things. Instead of working on cutoff positioning and situations, we had to be very basic. Where most teams are fine-tuning things, we were still learning. We had three weeks in preseason, but we could have used three months. It was strictly fundamentals. It was boring, but it was necessary.”
Needless to say, the Hawks experienced their fair share of growing pains. And with the growth came the losses, one after another, to an eye-popping total. Seven losses in a row became eight and eight became nine. It wasn’t easy for anyone.
However, through all the hardship, Zadroga saw the light. He saw a young team that was willing to get its teeth kicked in, yet was back at the batting cage the next day, wanting to improve, longing to win.
“It was challenging, but it was also interesting to watch the kids develop,” Zadroga said. “They were maturing and developing character. When you’re winning consistently, 15 to 20 games every year, those things become commonplace. But in a funny way, watching these kids come back every day really rejuvenated me and made me want to keep coming back. I’ve learned a lot about them, but I think they’ve learned a lot about me as well. I learned that I love it and that I still have the passion for it.”
Zadroga added, “So it really has been mixed emotions for me. It’s been fun and great to see, but it’s also been frustrating, all at the same time. Talk about your range of emotions.”
Zadroga has watched the emotional and physical development of his players, like Lionakis, who has all the tools to be an All-County performer like his older brother, Jon. Or third baseman/pitcher <B>Rich Mercier,</B> who is a sophomore like Lionakis. <B>Eric Dolaghan</B> is also a sophomore. Pitcher <B>Will Costigan</B> is a junior. The future looks very bright.
Tuesday night, the Hawks handily defeated Emerson, 11-1, with Costigan throwing a three-hitter. It was a crowning moment for a team experiencing a troubled season.
“It was almost as good as winning a county championship,” Zadroga said. “We played a near perfect game. I was so proud of the kids. It made the entire frustrating season worthwhile. And they accepted the win without going crazy. They’ve been in some tough battles all year and deserved the win. They come every day, work hard and play together.”
Zadroga added, “I really can’t wait until next year. I really look forward to working with them. It’s going to keep me around for a few years. Am I proud of the record? No. But I’m proud of the attitude and the character. In a funny sort of way, it’s been very rewarding.”
Zadroga knows that the losing season was just a little glitch in the general positive picture.
“There are definitely better things to come,” Zadroga said. “I know that.”
And we should all know that and expect that from a coaching great like Mike Zadroga. Call it a temporary condition.