Pats have the pieces to contend on diamond
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
For Freehold Township's baseball team to go from a winning team to a contender is a matter of consistency.

The Patriots maintained the program's winning tradition the last year. However, it was a season of peaks and valleys that had the team pushing hard just to make the playoffs.

Coach Frank Gualtieri believes his 2008 Patriots are better than that.

"We have the pieces for what could be a competitive team," he said. "The elements are there."

For the Pats to achieve that and be a serious A North contender this spring, it will come down to playing on an even keel.

"What we want as coaches is for the team to play consistently," Gualtieri pointed out. "You have to do it on a daily basis. It's a matter of listening and learning, working hard and being smart."

Freehold Township's potential starts with its pitching rotation. Mark Grajek, Matt Cadigan and Austin Henderson are all proven varsity starters. They all pitch within their talent, and at their best won't beat themselves with walks.

Grajek was 5-3 for the Pats in '07 with a 2.69 earned-run average. Cadigan didn't get a lot of run support, but he did pitch to an under 3.00 earned-run average.

"Our pitching is a strength," said Gualtieri.

This is an unusual starting rotation because all three are lefties. It does give the team a little edge.

"The majority of teams see righties," noted Gualtieri. "It's a different look and it does shut down running games."

Greg Lewis and Dan Klinsky are ready in relief in case any of the starters gets in trouble. Like the starters, they are southpaws. The team's lone righty,Mike Surick, is another arm that Gualtieri can use.

The Pats have quality and quantity in the pitching department.

Offensively, this could be as good as the Pats have had one though nine, in quite some time.

Klinsky (center fielder when not pitching) starts it off at the top of the lineup. He serves as the sparkplug,while in themiddle of the lineupChrisBallester (shortstop/third base) is a proven run producer.

Ballester, a three-year starter, batted .373 last year with seven doubles, two home runs and 13 RBIs. A sore back has benched Ballester the first week of the season.

Stephen Talbott (outfield), Chris Gheraldi (catcher) and Tom Wojciechowski

first base/designated hitter)make it difficult for team's to pitch around Ballester.

What Gualtieri likes about his lineup is its balance. This teamisn't one-dimensional. It can use its speed tomanufacture runs and it can also erupt for a big inning, thanks to the power of hitters like Ballester.

Bryan Gillis (second base), Ian MacLean (first base), Rob Stasiak (outfield) and Dan Rowe (first base/DH) are all veteran seniors who were on the team when the Pats won the '06 A North crown. They have championship experience.

Sophomore Brandon Coluccio is one of the newcomers who will be seeing playing time this spring. He's a catcher.

Wins over Howell (18-5) and Ocean (4-1 on a Cadigan two-hitter) has the Pats at 2-0.