BLOOMFIELD, NJ – The Bloomfield High School baseball program enjoyed a great summer competing in the High School Developmental League-Essex County Division.
The Senior team (18U), under head coach Danny McDowall, won its regular season division title with an 11-2 record.
The team advanced to the league’s state tournament. Because most of the players had to play in a showcase tournament that weekend, Bloomfield had to use some players from its Junior (16U) squad.
And with those 16U players, Bloomfield had a good run. In the first round, they were losing 4-2 to Montville with the game being suspended due to lightning. The game resumed the next day. Montville extended the lead to 6-2, but the Bengals rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie it. Then in the bottom of the seventh inning, rising sophomore Joe Czerepusko delivered an RBI double to give the Bengals a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory.
Unfortunately, the Bengals then fell to Watchung Hills, 8-0, to finish with a 12-3 record.
The 16U squad meanwhile finished third in its division. They were slated to play Cedar Grove in the league playoffs, but the game was cancelled due to Cedar Grove’s lack of players. The Bloomfield 16U team was coached by BHS alum John McAndrew, Class of 2014 and a student at Bergen Community College.
It marked the first year that the Bengals competed in the High School Developmental League, after participating in the American Legion Essex County League for many years. The American Legion League disbanded.
Based on a successful summer, BHS head varsity baseball coach Mike Policastro is excited about next spring. The Bengals had a tough season this past spring, going 6-21, but will return all but one starter in the field. The lone graduated starter is right fielder Danny Carter, who had a sensational career for the Bengals. Kyle Tice, who was the team’s DH, will move to right field. next season.
In addition, the Bengals will return eight of 10 pitchers, including six starters. BHS also will have some promising young players who were on the JV team.
NOTE – For the third straight season, Carter made First Team on the All-Super Essex Conference after batting .488 with 42 hits and boasting a .568 On-Base Average and .802 Slugging Average. For his four-year career, Carter batted .409 with 140 hits, 85 RBI, .460 OBA and .544 Slugging Average. Carter will attend William Paterson University.
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