The MKA baseball team just wants to be able to have a chance for a win when the final out is on the board in the seventh inning under its new head coach.
Mike Sasso took over for long-time head coach Ralph Pacific, who had more than 500 victories under his belt for his long career, and has experienced the ups-and-downs of head coaching in the early going.
As of late last week, the Cougars were 1-4-1 with three of the defeats by three or few runs and also defeated a then undefeated Verona team, 7-6, on April 8. The one dud was a 10-0 loss to Barringer at home on April 12 in a Super Essex Conference Liberty tussle.
New Leaders on the Field
The 2024 Montclair Kimberley baseball team is still young just like the 2023 squad that went 11-15 and had five seniors. This season’s Cougars only have three seniors, all co-captains in first base/third base Nolan Gyves, right field/picher Zach Goyal and catcher Eli Solomon.
“We have a group of captains which happen to be our only seniors,” said Sasso, an MKA alum, who graduated in 2012. Sasso has been an assistant coach for the Cougars for the previous six seasons. “All three young men are great leaders on and off the field and our team follows their lead.”
Outside of the defeat at home to Barringer, Montclair Kimberley has played the Liberty Division tough. The Cougars will have another chance to avenge the defeats to the two teams. They hosting West Essex (8-5 loss on April 9) on May 6. Then they travel to Barringer on May 13.
“I think the start of our season has gone well so far,” said Sasso. “We played some of the best teams tough and down to the wire. Once we find a way how to finish we will be a team to watch out for.”
Players to Watch
The top player returning this season is junior shortstop Quinn Carlesimo. He was named to the All Super Essex Conference Liberty Division first team in 2023. Carlesimo also had ad.360 batting average last season with nine stolen bases. He was second on the team in runs scored with 25. “Quinn is a fantastic shortstop who has great range and a very strong arm,” added Sasso. “He has a great baseball IQ and lives up to the pressure. I know Quinn is trying to take his abilities to the next level. I’m excited to see what else he has in store for the season.”Â
One of the other top returnees is Solomon behind the dish who also led Montclair Kimberley in RBI last season with 23. He was placed on the All SEC Liberty honorable mention list in 2023. “Eli is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached,” said Sasso about Solomon who will be attending Harvard University this fall where he might try to walk on the Crimson baseball team. “He is constantly at the field before practice starts and the last to leave when it ends. He is a true leader in and out and that is why he is one of our captains.”
On the Mound
The Cougars will miss graduated senior and pitching ace, Jack Amirata, who is playing at Gettysburg College this spring. The ace on the mound this season is junior Alesandro Rizos. He had three wins last season and a save in the 6-5 victory over rival Montclair. In addition Rizos plays first or second base when not on the mound. The junior was hitting .438 as of last week.
“Alesandro has proven to me that he is ready to take his game to the next level,” added Sasso. “Alesandro is looking to have a big year as he tries to take his game to the collegiate level.”
After Rizos, the other Montclair Kimberley starters on the mound are junior Brooks Barrett and Goyal, all are righty pitchers.
With Carlesimo and Rizos at shortstop and first base, the rest of the infield will have Gyves along with Barrett seeing time at third base. While Rizos might see time at second, Barrett will also get innings at second base. Two other underclassmen will see time on the infield in freshman Finn Balan and sophomore Lucas Barbetta.
Junior Jake Rendino is the most experienced outfielder coming back and will patrol centerfield. Rendino had eight stolen bases in 2023. Another junior, Josh Katz, gets the start in left field. In right field there are big shoes to fill with the graduation of Nic Lembo. Right field will have a few players seeing time including Goyal, freshman Lucas Barbetta and another freshman Shea Ievers.
Along with a rematch with Verona in the Liberty Division, Montclair Kimberley has the annual rivalry battle with Montclair on April 26.
Montclair Kimberley Baseball Schedule
(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)
April 15 West Orange
April 16 at Bloomfield
April 19 Glen Ridge
April 24 at Verona
April 26 Montclair
April 27 Gill St. Bernard, 3 p.m.
April 29 Belleville
May 4 Pingry, 2 p.m.
May 6 West Essex
May 8 at Glen Ridge
May 11 at Morris Catholic, TBD
May 13 at Barringer
May 15 at West Orange
May 17 at Governor Livingston, 7 p.m.
May 18 Glen Ridge, 11 a.m.
May 20 Cedar Grove