A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, April 3, 2014 Page 13

Fanwood Corner Store34 Martine Ave. (Times)

Kwick Mart Food Store190 South Ave. (Times)

7-11 of Garwood309 North Ave. (Leader)

King’s Market300 South Ave. (Leader)

7-11 of Scotch PlainsMountain & Park Ave. (Times)

Mountain Deli2385 Mountain Ave. (Times)

Scotch Hills Pharmacy1819 East 2nd St. (Times)

Wallis Stationery441 Park Ave. (Leader/Times)

Exxon Tiger Mart421 Central Ave. (Leader)

Krauszer’s727 Central Ave. (Leader)

Robert Treat Deli113 Quimby St. (Leader)Westfield Mini Mart

301 South Ave., W. (Leader)

Area stores that carry The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains-Fanwood TIMES:7-11 of Mountainside

921 Mountain Ave. (Leader)Garwood Shoprite

563 North Ave. (Leader)

7-11 of Westfield1200 South Ave. W.(Leader/Times)

Baron’s Drug Store243 E. Broad St. (Leader)

Westfield Tobacco & News108 Elm St. (Leader)

Westfield Train StationSouth side (Leader/Times)

DeMARTINO, IONTA, BOWMAN SELECTED CAPTAINS

Baseball Blue Devils HavePitching Depth, Team Speed

By DAVID B. CORBINSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Team depth throughout, team speedand a number of returning veterans,who experienced a wild and crazyride that ended at the Group 4 cham-pionship game last year, may make ita very exciting season for this year’sWestfield High School baseball team.

“We got, what I believe, is a verydeep team. If one guy goes down, wehave enough people that we will haveabsolutely no problem filling in. Theygot a lot of experience last year goingto the county finals and the statefinals, playing in some big situations.I think this team has the potential tobe pretty, pretty strong,” Blue DevilHead Coach Bob Brewster said.

The Blue Devils, who appearedmediocre in the first half of the sea-son, caught fire at the right time towin the sectional title and the Group

4 semifinal game before falling to theNo. 2 Eastern Vikings, 8-1, in theNJSIAA Group 4 Championshipgame. Additionally a number of theJVs, who won the county tournamentand finished 20-3, will help fill anyvacancies and add to a nine-strongpitching staff.

“We are very deep with our pitch-ing staff. We got nine, four lefty pitch-ers and five righty pitchers. The bigthing is making sure we get enoughinnings for all of them. As it is now,our pitchers give us five good in-nings, I have enough confidence withthe guys coming in to get the finaltwo innings,” Coach Brewster said.

Senior co-captain Brad DeMartinois the Blue Devils’ mound ace.

“He’ s becoming a student of thegame. He’s understanding what to doon the mound. His control is improv-ing all the time. I have a lot of confi-

dence with him on the mound,” CoachBrewster said.

Seniors Brad Norris, MikeAndroconis, Anthony Perconte andLuke Iorio, and juniors AndrewMalacrea, Ben Herbster, Sean Elliottand Jack Bunting will all get theopportunity to scuff their cleats onthe mound, and they all will have theluxury of having senior co-captain/catcher Mike Ionta behind the plate.

“That helps tremendously. Our kidslove throwing to him, because theyknow nothing is going to get by him,”Coach Brewster said.

Defensively, Androconis, seniorCalvin Robertshaw and Herbster willplay first base. Senior co-captain TylerBowman and junior Matt Catanzarowill play second, while senior MattStorcks and junior Danny DoCampowill play short. Senior Mark Luino,

FERRARO, CHAMBLISS, CRISCUOLO 1-2-3 IN LINEUP

Blue Devil Softballers LookTo Grab UCT Title & More

By DAVID B. CORBINSpecially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

More is expected this year from theWestfield High School softball teamthat features a senior heavy squadthat includes five four-year starters.

Last year, the Lady Blue Devils,who finished 20-7 and won their con-ference, achieved their major goal ofcapturing the Union County Tourna-ment (UCT) championship, and theydid it with emphasis by toppling thetwo-time defending champion Gov-ernor Livingston Highlanders, 15-1,in five innings. Unfortunately, theirrun in the sectional tournament wascut short with a 3-1 loss to NorthHunterdon.

“We are definitely looking to de-fend our county title. We also want to

play deeper into the state tourna-ment. It’s important that we play bet-ter in our independent games than wedid last year,” Blue Devil Head CoachCaitlin MacDonald said.

Last year, Crissy Ferraro, CaliChambliss and Julia Criscuolo, allnow seniors, were the Blue Devils’ 1-2-3 punch in the batting order, andthat same lineup beginning is ex-pected this year.

“We are really still working onfiguring out our lineup, so I’m notpositive, but those look like the topthree spots in the lineup right now,”Coach MacDonald said.

As the leadoff hitter, Ferraro withher fleet of foot and slap-shot hittingstyle earned her a .424 (36-for-85)batting average (BA), 15 walks and13 stolen bases in as many attempts.Her speed was also an asset while shewas covering centerfield.

Chambliss batted second in thelineup and had a .432 BA (41-for-95)and was the team’s power hitter with11 doubles, four triples and four homeruns. She led the team with 34 RBIand 36 runs scored. Defensively, sheruled the infield with her intensity atshortstop.

Julia Criscuolo led the team with a.465 BA (47-for-101) and producedkey RBI with Ferraro and Chamblisson base. Defensively, she solidified

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Probitas Verus Honos

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times

DIVING IN FOR A TRIPLE...Blue Devil Sam Velez dives into third base for a triple in a scrimmage game against the RidgeRed Devils in Westfield last week. The Blue Devils are looking to defend their Union County title and more.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times

TEAM CAPTAINS...Pictured, left to right, are: Brad DeMartino, Mike Ionta and Tyler Bowman.

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