Orange HS baseball team boasts solid experience; seeks winning season

ORANGE – The Orange High School varsity baseball team, which returns seven starters, has its sights set on a winning record in 2016. “We’re still young, but this is the most experienced team we’ve had during my time here,” said Wally Boyett, now in his seventh season as head coach.

The team returns two seniors, Shamil Roberts and second baseman Welingion Jimenez. Roberts, who pitches and plays first and third base, is the team captain and leader. “Both guys have played a lot of varsity games over the past three years and we expect big things from them on and off the field,” Boyett said.

Also returning for Orange are juniors: center fielder/pitcher Jason Juarez; outfielders Jean Carlos Tejada, Demetrius Maxwell, and Anderson Paul and infielders Ezechiel Conserve and Juwan Harris. The sophomore class includes catcher/pitcher Adam Tizio and two players selected to the Super Essex Conference Colonial Division All-Conference team: shortstop/pitcher Chrystian Walker (second-team) and first base/pitcher Joshua Fields (honorable mention). Newcomers include junior DH/pitcher Antonio Jimenez and freshman utility man Moses Garcia.

“I think last year’s late-season success (five consecutive wins) and the work they put in during the summer and fall has created some confidence in this year’s team,” said Boyett. “Most of our key players have been together for a few years, so we feel this team can be competitive and win its share of games in the Colonial Division.”

In addition to Boyett, the Tornadoes coaching staff includes assistants David Guglietti and John Boykin. Orange opens the 2016 season Friday, April 1 at 4 p.m. at home against Shabazz.

OHS baseball schedule

April 1, Shabazz, 4 p.m.

April 2, at Lincoln (Jersey City), 11 a.m.

April 4, at Science Park, 4 p.m.

April 6, Bloomfield Tech, 4 p.m.

April 8, at Newark Central, 4:30 p.m.

April 11, at Barringer, 4 p.m.

April 13, Weequahic, 4 p.m.

April 15, at Shabazz, 4 p.m.

April 18, East Orange Campus (Unity Cup Game), 4 p.m.

April 20, St. Benedict’s Prep, 4 p.m.

April 21, Newark Tech, 4 p.m.

April 23, at Trenton Tournament, 10 a.m.

April 25, Science Park, 4 p.m.

April 27,at Bloomfield Tech, 4 p.m.

April 29, Newark Central, 4:30 p.m.

May 2, Barringer, 4 p.m.

May 4, Urban Leadership Charter, 4 p.m.

May 6, St. Benedict’s Prep, 4 p.m.

May 9, at Weequahic, 4 p.m.

May 11, Newark Arts, 4 p.m.

May 13, Snyder (Jersey City), 4:30 p.m.

May 16, at Hillside, 4 p.m.

May 17, at Newark Tech, 4 p.m.

May 18, at University Academy (Jersey City), 4 p.m.

May 20, at Morris Catholic, 4:15 p.m.