Orange HS baseball team seeks banner season with solid returning core

ORANGE, NJ (updated Tuesday March 28, 9:18 a.m.) – The Orange High School baseball team, which returns a solid core from a 12-11 team in 2016, has its sights set on competing for a division championship in 2017.

“Our returnees are talented players that had success last season,” says Wally Boyett, now in his eighth season as the OHS Head Coach. “Our pitching staff is deep and expectations are high as we look to compete against the best in our division.”

The pitching staff is led by senior Jason Juarez, a 2016 All-Super Essex Conference-Colonial Division First Team selection. Juarez went 5-1 last season with 52 strikeouts and only 10 walks, one of the best strikeout-to-walk ratios in the state. Other starters include juniors Chrystian Walker (All-SEC-Colonial Division First Team) and Joshua Fields (All-SEC-Colonial Division Second Team). “These two guys know how to pitch, but they need to be a little more consistent on the mound,” said Boyett.

Middle relief pitchers are seniors Nelson Aquino, Jean Carlos Tejada and Kelly Collin; junior Adam Tizio and freshman David Johnson-Guzman.

Offensively, the Tornadoes will be led by Walker, Juarez and Fields. Walker led Orange in all offensive categories last year, including average (.451), hits (32), runs (30), RBIs (21) and stolen bases (14). Juarez finished with a .342 average and second in total hits (25), while Fields hit .338 with 23 hits. “For us to have a chance this year, these three guys must play to expectations,” Boyett said.

Also returning for Orange are seniors: outfielder Demetrius Maxwell, Anderson Paul, Tejada, Collin, infielder Aquino and catcher Ezechiel Conserve.  Junior catcher Tizio also returns. Newcomers include junior infielder Richil De La Rosa Reyes and freshman: infielders Anthony Ozaria and Johnson; and outfielders Devon McKay and Steve Lazarre.

“I think the success we had last season and in the summer (playing in the league championship game) has created some confidence and excitement in this year’s team,” said Boyett. “Most of our key players are back (losing two seniors from last year’s team), so we feel this team can be right there with the top of the Colonial Division.”

In addition to Boyett, the Tornadoes coaching staff includes assistants David Guglietti and John Boykin. Orange opens the 2017 season on Saturday, April 1, at home against Arts High School at 11 a.m.

Schedule

April 1, Arts, 11 a.m.
April 3, Irvington, 4 p.m.
April 5, St. Benedict’s Prep, 4 p.m.
April 7, at Technology, 4 p.m.
April 8, Lincoln of Jersey City, 11 a.m.
April 10, at Barringer, 4 p.m.
April 12, at Verona, 4 p.m.
April 13, North 13th St. Tech, 4 p.m.
April 17, at East Orange Campus (Unity Cup Game), 4 p.m.
April 19, at Newark Tech, 4 p.m.
April 21, Science Park, 4 p.m.
April 24, at Irvington, 4 p.m.
April 28, Technology, 4 p.m.
April 29, at Trenton Tournament, 10 a.m.
May 1, Barringer, 4 p.m.
May 3, Shabazz, 4 p.m.
May 5, at University, 4 p.m.
May 8, at North 13th St. Tech, 4 p.m.
May 10, Belleville, 4 p.m.
May 12, St. Benedict’s Prep, 4 p.m.
May 15, Newark Tech, 4 p.m.
May 17, at Science Park, 4 p.m.
May 19, Hillside, 4 p.m.

  Orange High School baseball