Belleville HS baseball team looks to bounce back; Brayan Villar hurls shutout vs. Bloomfield

BELLEVILLE – The Belleville High School varsity baseball team hopes to bounce back after losing three of four games during the week to move to a 2-5 record.

The Bucs lost to undefeated perennial power Seton Hall Prep, 9-3, April 11, at home. BHS trailed 4-3 in the fifth inning before SHP pulled away. Junior Anthony Roman pitched into the fifth inning and did a nice job, said BHS head coach Joe Sorce. Sophomore Dan PInedo, who filled in at catcher for injured Dylan Walicky, hit a two-run double in the fourth and did a nice job behind the plate, Sorce said.

The Bucs fell to Montclair, 9-1, April 13, at home. Junior Brayan Villar hit a solo homer for BHS.

The next day, Villar was stellar on the mound as he fired a complete-game shutout in the 3-0 win at Bloomfield. Villar struck out 12 while scattering six hits and two walks.

“Villar has clearly emerged as the ace of the staff,” Sorce said.

The Bucs fell to West Orange, 15-0, April 16, at home to end the week. “They jumped on us early and we were onto our third pitcher in the second inning,” Sorce said. “On a good note, junior Brandon Basantes pithed 3 ⅓ of scoreless relief with seven strikeouts. Brandon should get a start this week.

Here is the Bucs’ schedule this week:

Monday, April 18, vs. Newark Academy. Mark Cruz will get the start on the mound

Wednesday, April 20, at Millburn. Villar or Basantes will start on the mound.

Thursday, April 21, vs. Lodi. Villar or Basantes will get the start on the mound.

Saturday, April 23, vs. Paterson Kennedy. Cruz most likely will get the start.

The Bucs were scheduled to play Linden on Friday, April 22, but Linden cancelled. The Bucs will try to find an opponent to play that day.