New Glen Ridge HS head baseball coach Liam Penberthy is optimistic this season

GLEN RIDGE – Under new head coach Liam Penberthy, the Glen Ridge High School baseball team is certainly looking to improve on last year’s 4-20 record.

Despite the record though, Penberthy knows the team isn’t too far away as 13 of those losses were one run defeats.

“The team also lost a handful of games by two runs,” he said.

While new to his current role, Penberthy is familiar with many of the players. Last year, Penberthy, 26, joined the program as the junior varsity coach.

“Last season, my first here, I was the JV coach. I had numerous conversations with (Head) coach (Jay) Tiseo during last season regarding the future of the GR baseball program. Once he informed me he was going to be stepping down, he encouraged me to apply for his position and I thank him for the opportunity he provided for me just a season ago, to join his staff,” said the new GRHS coach. “As for being hired, I believe my experience and knowledge of the game has prepared me for this opportunity. My only concern was my age. I was unsure if anyone would be willing to take stock in a young coach who admittedly still has plenty to learn about the game. And for that, I am also grateful. Being the JV coach last season made the transition to head coach very smooth. I knew the kids and they were familiar with me. Coach Tiseo and I have similar philosophies and tendencies when it comes to playing the game the right way.”

Penberthy attended Rowan University and St. Peter’s College and served as the assistant football coach at Cedar Grove for the last two seasons. In addition, he was an assistant at Verona for its wrestling program over the last two seasons and worked as an assistant baseball coach for his alma mater, Bloomfield High School, from 2012 to 2014.

While in high school, Penberthy was a multi-sport standout who competed in football, baseball and wrestling. His high school career was highlighted by a sectional championship in wrestling in 2007 and a sectional championship in baseball in 2008.

In his first year as the Ridgers baseball coach, Penberthy said he expects his team to show up daily prepared to compete “whether that is in practice, scrimmage or game. If we can learn to compete on every pitch, every at-bat, every inning, we will give ourselves a chance to be successful. We must focus on what we need to do as a player and be willing to make sacrifices for the good of the team and the outcome will take care of itself,” he said.

Making his first season an easier transition, Penberthy said he has the pleasure of having a strong senior class.

“The senior class is a quality group of kids who genuinely care for one another and share a passion for baseball. The entire group has done a tremendous job so far, leading by example for the underclassmen. I remind them constantly of the opportunity to leave their impression on this program forever. I ask how they want to be remembered. The seniors understand this is all that’s left for them, not just as Glen Ridge baseball players, but as a Glen Ridge athlete.”

Some key returning players include seniors Keeler Patton, Robert Spitaletta, Griffin Cancro, Mathew Buchman, Mac Kortrey and Jackson Curtis.

“Keeler, a first baseman and designated hitter, is a lefty bat with some pop, can hit to all fields,” Penberthy said. “He is a vocal leader on the field. Robert Spitaletta, a shortstop, is a three-sport athlete who also competed on the football and wrestling teams and he’s athletic and has a strong arm. He is also a threat on the base path. Griffin, a third baseman and catcher, will bat in the middle of our order. He is athletic and hard-working and he has a very strong arm. Meanwhile, Matthew Buchman is athletic with a good read off bat; he runs well and can create havoc on base path. He also has some pop at the plate.

“In addition, Mac Kortrey, a pitcher and outfielder, has good range in the outfield and we will look to get quality innings out of him on the mound. Carter Crutchfield, an outfielder, is a very heady player who is dealing with an injury right now, but we hope to get him on the field as soon as possible. Lastly, Jackson Curtis, a catcher and outfielder, is a left-handed bat who figures out a way to put the bat on the ball. He does not strike out much and he will add depth to both the catcher and outfield positions.”

Along with the seniors, the coach said sophomore pitcher and second baseman Owen Hannigan also returns.

“Owen was a freshman starter last season on the mound. He has tremendous control of all his pitches and has fluid mechanics,” Penberthy said. “We will look to get quality at-bats and innings at second base when not pitching. He loves the game of baseball.”

Newcomers to the team include juniors James Malik, Grant Naylor and Maxwell Thompson.

“James Malik, a pitcher and outfielder, is a hard-working kid and we will be looking to get quality innings from him on the mound, while Grant Naylor, a pitcher and second baseman, loves the game,” said Penberthy. “He is not the biggest or the strongest, but goes out and does his job. He has a chance to provide some flexibility in the rotation. Maxwell Thompson, an outfielder and pitcher, is also in the mix to fill one of the everyday outfield spots, as well as eating up some innings on the mound. He is an athletic kid, who can cover a lot of ground and he also provides speed on the base path.”

Another newcomer to the varsity group will be sophomore catcher and third baseman Brian Schnack.

“Brian has a smooth left-handed swing,” Penberthy said. “He provides depth at the corner infield spot as well as behind the plate. He is a coachable kid who lives, eats, breathes baseball.”

Others in the mix for playing time this season will be sophomores Simon Ogilvie, an infielder, and outfielder Cole Greenberg.

“We have a plethora of freshmen who have been a pleasant surprise,” Penberthy said. “While still not yet accustomed to the high school game yet, these guys go out each and every day and want to improve. They possess knowledge and it is obvious they have been prepared and taught how to play the game at the lower level. They have the urge to continue honing skills they already possess, as well as learning new ideas/techniques. If they can continue to work hard every day and not become complacent, this program will reap major benefits in the future.”

Without a doubt, the coach said his Ridgers’ biggest strength is their team chemistry.

“The kids jell together very well,” Penberthy said. “We have a quality group of kids who share a passion for the game and enjoy playing together. We have a nice balance throughout the program of players in each grade. That is important, especially with such a small team. I expect our team to be a solid defensive club that will make the routine plays. Of course, every kid wants to make the diving catch to win the game, but in order to have that chance, we cannot give teams extra outs, free bases, etc. If we make the routine plays, we will put ourselves in a position to win. Offensively, we must execute. Whether it’s a stolen base attempt, hit-and-run, squeeze bunt, etc., we must put pressure on the defense and sometimes you will only have one chance in an at-bat.”

Penberthy, whose squad opens the season Friday April 1 at home against Cedar Grove, spoke on the team’s schedule ahead.

“Anyone with any high school baseball knowledge knows the Super Essex Conference is extremely tough, top to bottom.  No matter the division within the conference, there will be tough opponents every step of the way. We have a chance to compete within the Liberty Division for sure. With teams such as Columbia, West Essex, Cedar Grove, East Side and Verona among others, we will have our hands full. We also host Belleville and Bloomfield Tech in cross-divisional games. We take on Butler and Midland Park in out-of-conference contests.”

Helping Penberthy this year will be junior varsity coach Rich Adams and volunteer assistance Rob Rollo.

The following are other upcoming games:

April 2, at Belleville, 11 a.m.

April 4, at Columbia

April 6, North 13th Street Tech

April 8, at East Side