BELLEVILLE – Despite finishing a tough season with a 3-21 record, the Belleville High School varsity baseball team had several highlights.
The Bucs, under head coach Joe Sorce, swept rival Bloomfield in the two Super Essex Conference-American Division meetings, winning 3-0 in Bloomfield and 6-3 at home. Junior Brayan Villar earned both wins.
Senior captain/catcher Dylan Walicky was named First Team All-SEC-American Division. He also was selected to play for the Northwest in the state Senior All-Star Game on June 14 at Diamond Nation in Flemington. Sorce also is one of the coaches for the Northwest.
Walicky’s twin brother, captain Dustin Walicky, was selected Second Team All-SEC-American, while junior Sam Abreu and Villar made Honorable Mention.
The Bucs will have several key returning players.
Sam Abreu hit .282 and will be a senior.
Mark Cruz hit .269 and will be a senior.
Villar had two wins as a pitcher and will be a senior.
Alex Luna and Anthony Roman both saw a lot of innings out of the bullpen and will be seniors.
Dan Pinedo earned a letter as a sophomore and will be a key player, said Sorce.
Josh Rodriguez (shortstop/pitcher) and Chris Amparo (third baseman/outfielder) earned letters this year and will be sophomores next year.
Belleville will have two summer teams. Approximately 11 players who will play Junior Legion are incoming freshmen.