Secaucus has to be considered one of the favorites in the Bergen County Scholastic League and has the potential to make some noise in the NJSIAA Group I playoffs. Leading the way for veteran coach Tony Falco’s team is senior pitcher Chris Paciga, who ranks with Prep’s Pete Duda as perhaps the best pitcher in Hudson County. The fire-balling Paciga had moments of dominance last year as a junior and could continue that this season.
But the Patriots are more than just Paciga. Senior Chris Raggi is also a very capable hurler and has the potential to dominate opponents in the same fashion as Paciga. That could be a lethal 1-2 punch for the Pats.
North Bergen and second-year coach Brian Boyce welcomes back some talented performers, with the leader being crafty pitcher Mike Vijande, the pitcher with the most gyrations and moves next to Elvis. Vijande fired a no-hitter last year against Memorial and could prove to be one of the best around as well this season. Emil Fuda has a ton of promise and potential on the mound for the Bruins.
Emerson welcomes back Jhosandy Morel for another season. Morel had a downright stingy 0.87 earned run average last season and could prove to have another solid campaign, putting the Bulldogs in the middle of the playoff hunt.
Ferris was fortunate that calmer heads prevailed and veteran coach Mike Hogan was able to return to the coaching box. Although the Bulldogs were hurt a little by graduation, promising catcher Izzy Cuadra looms as a player to watch.
Weehawken looms as another BCSL threat, with veteran coach Tony Colasurdo calling the shots. Leading the way for the Indians is one of the most promising players in New Jersey in senior catcher Fernando Fuentes, who has been projected as one of the top 10 prospects in the state. Fuentes has the ability to hit .500 or better and he is a brilliant defensive backstop.
Dickinson, under the tutelage of head coach Mark Everett, is always a tough opponent. Pitcher Wilmy Vargas is a fierce competitor with a good fastball and a solid mix of assorted pitches.
Marist welcomes a new coach in Gene Klumpp, Jr. and he also inherits one of the best stories in Hudson County baseball, if not the state, in his team captain, Crystal Vargas, who will attempt this spring to become the first female to win a boys’ varsity baseball game as a pitcher. Vargas is definitely one of the feel-good stories of the spring.
Former long-time St. Peter’s Prep assistant coach Rich Nesbit takes over as the head coach at Lincoln, while Mark Hennessey becomes the new head coach at Snyder.