Malik Wilson has been an active coach in a variety of sports for many years, including serving as an assistant football and baseball coach at his alma mater, Marist High School.
But this summer, Wilson truly enjoyed one of his coaching endeavors, working with the 12-year-old All-Stars in the Greenville American Cal Ripken League in Jersey City.
“It was definitely a lot of fun and certainly an excellent experience,” said Wilson, who once played baseball for the Jersey City Recreation Stars of Tomorrow program 20 years ago. “I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”
It was a memorable summer, because Wilson’s team captured the District 6 Ripken championship, Greenville American’s first district crown since 2002, and went all the way to the Ripken state championship game, losing in the finals to Millburn recently in a tournament that was held in Union City.
“I really felt we had a good chance to do well in the tournament,” Wilson said. “I felt we had a very good 1-2 punch in our pitching staff.”
The pitchers Wilson was alluding to are right-handers Dujuan Walker and Corey Caddle.
“They really gave us a good chance to win every game they pitched,” Wilson said. “I really had faith that they would come through.”
Here’s something unique about this team. Both Walker and Caddle played catcher when they weren’t pitching, so they bounced back and forth from the mound to behind the plate. It’s very rare to see one catcher pitch, never mind two.
Wilson could also count on another right-hander, Robert Shivers, who was the team’s No. 3 pitcher and regular shortstop.
“Robert is a tremendous leadoff hitter and got us going,” Wilson said.
Marquois Francois – now there’s a big league name – was the team’s first baseman, with Mikal Trice, an 11-year-old, playing second base.
Victor Guzman was the team’s third baseman.
“Victor has an excellent bat and led the team in RBI,” Wilson said.
Guzman also hit two home runs during the District 6 tourney.
Devon Tutten was the team’s left fielder, with Luis Cruz in center field and Juan Losano, Jr. in right.
Edeny Vega, a catcher/outfielder, Myles Shivers, a reserve outfielder and Robert’s brother, and Stephon Andrews, a utility infielder, round out the team’s roster.
Wilson said that he was extremely proud of the way his team showed resiliency in the District 6 tourney.
“We lost to Teaneck early on and had to come from behind to win the title,” Wilson said. “We had to come back and beat Teaneck twice, which wasn’t easy.”
In the state tournament, Greenville American went 2-2 in pool play against Branchburg and host Union City, moving to the championship game, where they lost to Millburn, 14-7.
“It was a good run,” Wilson said. “I’m proud of the kids. They played well and went to the state championships.”…
After playing Senior Babe Ruth baseball for many years, the township of Weehawken decided to shift its attention this summer and play American Legion baseball.
And the Weehawken Junior American Legion team (ages 17-and-under) enjoyed some major success in their first year in a new league, earning a berth in the District 2 tournament.
“It proved to be a very good move for us,” said Weehawken Junior Legion head coach Fernando Fuentes, the former Weehawken High standout catcher (Class of 2001) who was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees. “We made the jump into American Legion and played all the top Hudson County teams.”
During the summer, Weehawken posted a 12-5 record and finished second in the league to Lyndhurst, earning a trip to the District 2 tournament in Roselle Park.
“The kids definitely responded to the tougher competition,” Fuentes said. “They really played good baseball all summer and actually played like college kids. Even when times got tough, they never put their heads down and played so well. It was unbelievable.”
Leading the way for the Weehawken Junior Legion squad was right-handed pitcher Eric Gerbehy, who will be entering his senior year at Weehawken High this fall. Gerbehy started six games this summer and posted a 4-1 record.
“He puts the ball in play and throws strikes,” Fuentes said of Gerbehy. “He’s more than likely going to be the ace of the Weehawken High pitching staff next year.”
Fuentes serves as an assistant coach for the Weehawken High baseball program, working with head coach Anthony Stratton.
Fuentes also called upon the services of two other right-handers who will be seniors this fall at Weehawken, namely Carlos Valerino and James McMahon.
Jason Pineda, who will only be a sophomore at Weehawken this fall, had a brilliant summer as the Junior Legion’s catcher. Pineda, who is expected to be the quarterback for Chris Johnsen’s football team this fall, batted .515 for the Junior Legion team.
Valerino shared first base duties with Roberto Moran, who hit very well, batting .416.
“Roberto’s a big kid, like 6-foot-2, and he’s going to do some pitching in the future,” Fuentes said.
Ray Feliciano, who will be a senior in the fall and has played varsity baseball every year since he was a freshman, was the Junior Legion second baseman, where he batted .555.
“He’s got a chance to play on the next level,” Fuentes said of Feliciano. “He’s a tough player.”
Damian Corredor, another member of the talented Corredor athletic family, was the team’s shortstop. Kenny Minier, who has advanced up the ranks in rapid fashion, was the third baseman.
Mike Jodice, Josh Saenz, Jacob Romano and Fernando Andujar shared time in the outfield.
Although the team suffered two straight setbacks in the District tourney, eliminating Weehawken from contention, it was still a very solid summer.
“It’s great to see their development,” Fuentes said. “They’re learning the game and they’ve been very respectful. At the end of the season, the kids all went around and hugged each other, congratulating each other. That really made my summer. The bond they made is the greatest feeling I’ve ever enjoyed as a coach, since I played.”
It’s safe to say that Weehawken has found a new home in American Legion baseball.
The EXTRA INNINGS weekly feature focuses on the best stories that come from local baseball and softball leagues throughout the area.
If you have any noteworthy information to contribute to the EXTRA INNINGS, feel free to contact Jim Hague by voice mail at 201-798-7800, ext. 751, by general mail at 1400 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, or via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com.
Please include a telephone contact name and number, in order to secure further information for a possible story. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
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