Belleville HS baseball team seeks to turn around its season

BELLEVILLE – The Belleville High School varsity baseball team hopes to turn around its fortunes after a tough week.

The Bucs lost all four games in the week to move to a 2-9 record.

BHS fell to Newark Academy, 6-2, April 18, at home. Two days later, the Bucs fell at Millburn, 12-4. The next day, they lost to Lodi, 10-8 at home. On Saturday, April 23, the Bucs lost to Paterson Kennedy, 5-2, at home.

Fielding woes have plagued the Bucs.

“Our defense is hurting us,” BHS head coach Joe Sorce said. “We’re averaging three-and-a-half errors per game.”

Sorce, however, noted that the highlight of the week was the pitching of junior Mark Cruz, who pitched a complete game against Kennedy in which he allowed just one earned run.

The Bucs enter a critical week as they hope to earn some power points to qualify for the state tournament.

In addition, the seeding meeting for the Greater Newark Tournament – which is considered the Essex County tournament – will be held Tuesday, April 26. The first round starts Saturday, May 7.

Despite the struggles, Sorce has been encouraged by his players’ work ethic.

“Our guys are working hard and focusing on one game at a time, as we try to turn our season around,” Sorce said.

BHS games this week:

Monday, April 25, Livingston, at home. Junior Alex Luna will get the start on the mound.

Tuesday, April 26, Glen Ridge, at home. Sophomore Danny PInedo is the scheduled starting pitcher.

Wednesday, April 27, at Caldwell, Brayan Villar will get the start on the mound.

Friday, April 29, Nutley, at home, 7 p.m. Cruz will get the start on the mound. Moreover, Robert Zanfini, the brother of late BHS head baseball coach George Zanfini, will throw out the first pitch. Several of George Zanfini’s former players will be in attendance. Zanfini, who died last August at the age of 72, coached the Bucs from 1974 to 1982, leading BHS to the Big 10 titles in 1976 and 1978 and the GNT title in 1981. The Bucs’ home baseball field on the campus of BHS is named in his honor.