Nutley HS baseball team has strong experience; looks to contend for titles this season

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photos by Steve Ellmore: Nutley vs. Rutherford, pre-season scrimmage, March 12, at Msgr. Owens Field.

NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School varsity baseball team, year in and year out, is considered a legitimate contender for Super Essex Conference, Greater Newark Tournament, NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 state tournament and NJSIAA Group 3 state championships.

Last spring, the Raiders uncharacteristically had a down season, as they finished with an 11-15 record.

But with a strong returning group, the Raiders are poised to reclaim their elite status.

Nutley will begin the season April 2 at Montclair in a SEC-American Division game.

Returning players

• Dan Caraballo, senior catcher, right fielder. Caraballo, who will play baseball next year at Nicholls St. University in Massachusetts, was  the starting right fielder last year, but will probably be the starting catcher this spring. Caraballo also ignites the Raiders’ offense as the leadoff hitter.
• Pete Lopez, senior center fielder. Lopez is a second-year starter and third-year letterwinner.
• Marty Higgins, junior shortstop. Higgins is the No. 3 hitter and will also occasionally serve as a pitcher. He already has committed to St. John’s University.
• Trevor Santos, sophomore right fielder, pitcher. Santos started in left field as a freshman and is a good lefty pitcher who will see plenty of time out of the bullpen, said NHS head coach Bob Harbison.
• Kevin Hogan, sophomore first baseman, third baseman. The No. 5 hitter started at first base last year as a freshman.
• Josh O’Neill, junior pitcher/second baseman. A three-year starting pitcher, O’Neill has committed to attend Stony Brook University. He will probably hit No. 6 in the lineup.
• John Luberto, junior pitcher/third baseman. A second-year starting pitcher, Luberto will most likely hit in the No. 7 spot.
• Ryan O’Mara, senior catcher, designated hitter. The No. 8 hitter in the lineup, O’Mara lettered last spring.
• Wayne Wittman, senior outfielder, first baseman, pitcher. A versatile player, Wittman looks to fill an outfield spot with Caraballo catching.

Key newcomers

• Justin Lucia, sophomore second baseman, third baseman. A versatile infielder, Lucia is the probable No. 9 hitter.
• Blayke Alvarez, junior utility infielder. Alvarez is a very good baserunner, noted Harbison.
• Andrew Budine, sophomore pitcher.
• Wesley Gardner, senior lefty pitcher.
• Jose Abreu, senior righty pitcher.

Harbison expects the top hitters to be Higgins, Santos, Hogan, Caraballo, and O’Neill.

Defensively, Higgins will be the anchor at shortstop, while Caraballo, though new at catcher, and Lopez, in center field, should keep the defense in check, Harbison said.

The team’s top pitchers are O’Neill, Luberto, Budine, Santos and Higgins. Jose Abreu, who is sidelined with an injury, also could help in the rotation once he’s healthy.

The pitchers have been impressive, backed by strong offensive experience.

“At this point, our top pitchers have been pretty good,” said Harbison, entering his 15th year at the helm. “We have some offensive experience, and we should do well on that end, but that has yet to be seen consistently. I expect us to be strong defensively.”

Teamwork will play a key factor in the Raiders’ ability to achieve their goals of winning conference, GNT and state titles.

“We need to play as a team, and (get) consistent outings from our pitchers,” said Harbison. “We can get there if we play together.”

NOTE – The Raiders took part in their annual spring training in Orlando, Fla., March 13-19, where they went 4-2, including beating Don Bosco Prep.

Schedule

April 2, at Montclair, 4 p.m.

April 4, at Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4 p.m.

April 6, Livingston, 4 p.m.

April 7, Caldwell, 10:30 a.m.

April 9, at Seton Hall Prep, 4 p.m.

April 11, Newark Academy, 4 p.m.

April 13, East Side, 4 p.m.

April 14, at Columbia, 10:30 a.m.

April 18, Montclair, 4 p.m.

April 20, Millburn, 4 p.m.

April 21, Kearny, 10:30 a.m.

April 23, at Livingston, 4 p.m.

April 25, at Caldwell, 4 p.m.

April 27, Seton Hall Prep, 4 p.m.

April 28, at Bayonne, 7 p.m.

April 30, at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.

May 1, at Bloomfield, 7 p.m.

May 3, Hasbrouck Heights, 4 p.m.

May 7, at East Side, 4 p.m.

May 8, at Montville, 7 p.m.

May 9, Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

May 14, Columbia, 4 p.m.

May 16, at Millburn, 4 p.m.

May 17, Pequannock, 4:15 p.m.

May 22, Belleville, at Jackals Stadium, Montclair St. University, 7 p.m.

  Nutley High School baseball