BELLEVILLE, NJ – The Belleville High School varsity baseball team, which finished its season Friday, May 25, featured several players who made valuable contributions.
The Bucs will graduate three seniors: Dan Pinedo, Justin Klus, and Dariel Collado.
Pinedo, a captain, was an Honorable Mention selection on the All-Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division. “Dan helped us as a pitcher, outfielder, and catcher,” said BHS head coach Joe Sorce. “He ended his senior season hitting .283.”
Klus, a pitcher and a runner off the bench, led the team in innings pitched. Collado was a backup outfielder and relief pitcher.
The Bucs fell at West Essex, 13-8, in the season finale to finish with a 6-18 record.
Belleville was led offensively by juniors Brian Defreites and Chris Amparo. Defreites led the team with a .390 batting average, .532 on-base percentage, and 19 stolen bases. He was named Second Team on the All-SEC-Liberty Division.
Amparo got hot in the last few games. His average jumped from to .333. He also was a threat on the bases with 17 stolen bases.
Junior Derek Lombardi was named Honorable Mention on the All-SEC-Liberty Division. “Derek was very versatile for us,” Sorce said. “He caught the majority of the innings. When he wasn’t behind the plate, he was on the mound or in the outfield.”
Sophomore Albert Carrero, who missed the majority of his freshman season with an injury, really helped on the mound, said Sorce. He led the team with three wins and had a team-best 2.65 ERA. He also caught, played third base and the outfield.
Overall, the team will be returning 13 players who earned a letter this season. “Hopefully we will make greater strides next spring,” said Sorce.
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