The Marauders of St. Peter’s Prep lost some key components to last year’s team that finished 22-7 and lost to Marist in the Hudson County Tournament finale.
But veteran head coach Pat Laguerre believes that the Marauders will be a force to be reckoned with once again this season.
“I think we exceeded expectations last year,” Laguerre said. “So the experience we gained last year is a positive for us. We still have to incorporate some new guys who will play big roles, but we have a good group of players back from last year. I think it might take us a little while to get established, but I’m counting on our experience to get us through the tough times.”
Leading the way for the returnees is senior pitcher/third baseman Antonio Velardi, who is one of the top versatile performers in the state. Headed to Iona College on a scholarship in the fall, Velardi won six games on the mound and batted better than .340. He appeared to be in midseason form in a preseason workout.
“He just loves to take the ball,” Laguerre said of Velardi. “He likes pitching in big spots and big situations against the best competition. He also performs well in those situations.”
Laguerre mentioned a two-hitter than Velardi threw last year against state-ranked Bergen Catholic.
“We’re going to depend on the kid to take a lot of the heat off us,” Laguerre said. “Not only is he a good pitcher, but he’s one of the better offensive players in the area.”
Senior Corey Caddle also returns. Caddle, the football star on the Prep state championship team who has already signed a letter of intent to play football at Fordham, is perhaps an even better baseball player.
“He’s pitched very well for us,” Laguerre said of Caddle, who won five games last year. “He’s an experienced pitcher.”
Caddle is also an experienced centerfielder who catches anything and everything that is hit to him.
“He’s a three-year starter in centerfield,” Laguerre said. “He’s the one who makes us go. He gets a lot of big hits.”
Dan Cooney is another right-handed starting pitcher who Laguerre can call upon. The senior, headed to Babson College in the fall, won four games for the Marauders last year.
“He has really pitched well for us,” Laguerre said. “When he’s on the mound, we have our best defensive lineup in the field. Cooney throws strikes and gets people out.”
The Marauders have a ton of talent in their pitching staff, not to mention depth.
Freshman Jack Carey is in the mix as a starter right away.
“We’re trying to figure out what’s the best spot for him,” Laguerre said. “But he’s going to be right there.”
Other pitchers include senior righties Justin Scherzo, Joe Kopacz and Stephen Kellner and junior lefty Dylan Connors.
“I like our pitching staff,” Laguerre said. “I like the depth, the ability and the experience.”
Senior Nicholas Camilleri will be the one to catch all the pitchers. Camilleri, a returnee on the Hudson Reporter All-Area team, has been a member of the varsity since he was a sophomore.
“He’s experienced and good defensively,” Laguerre said. “He’s also made big strides as a hitter. He can handle the pitchers and he’s become a good offensive player.”
Camilleri is headed to St. Peter’s University to play baseball in the fall.
The first base duties are up in the air, with a trio of juniors, namely Thomas Hojnacki, Pat Lavin and Elijah Tait, all batting for playing time. All three should see action.
Senior Mike Marino is the returning starter at second base. Marino is as steady as they come in the infield.
Senior Tristan Brandt is the shortstop.
“We just need him to be steady and consistent in the field,” Laguerre said.
Velardi is the third baseman when not pitching. When he’s on the mound, either senior Andrew D’Avella and sophomore Matt McDermott will handle the hot corner.
Senior Kyle Bowes is a three-year starter in left field and another who earned All-Area honors last season.
“ Bowes has hit better than .300 in all three years with us,” Laguerre said.
Caddle is the centerfielder. He has no peers there.
“He’s one of the best players in the state,” Laguerre said. “Just with his mix of speed and power, that collective effort makes him one of the best. We’re going to rely heavily on Corey. We’re going to rely on his experience, rely on his ability to hit. We don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket, but he’s a key component.”
Junior Mike Mitchell is another who will see action in centerfield when Caddle is pitching.
Right field will be shared by Lavin and/or senior Nick Doran.
Cooney will see time at designated hitter, with senior Anthony Duran, a newcomer, and junior Colin Powers also getting quality playing time. Both Duran and Powers can spell Camilleri at catcher as well.
The Marauders were set to open their season against Union City and Hudson Catholic, as well as an independent game against St. Joseph of Metuchen, so the Marauders will know early on just how good they truly are.
“We definitely have chemistry,” Laguerre said. “That’s a plus. We have to see how far we can go. We have to blend our talent together and see how they handle things. I think we’ll be alright.”
The Marauders will be more than alright. They will contend for county and state honors once again. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.