Baseball – 2014 Preview: Matawan

Matawan Huskies

Head Coach: Bobby Carnovsky, second season
Record Last Year: 15-9 (9-3, second in B North)

Key Losses: Dan Incle (1B), Justin Harnett (2B/P), Shawn Johnson (SS/3B/P), Robbie Marshall (P), Mike Denino (OF), Anthony Principe (OF)
Key Newcomers: Luke Adduchio (Sr., OF/1B), Sal Barreto (Sr., UTIL), Nick Smith (Jr., P/OF), Adam Elliot (So., SS/P), Alex Cella (Jr., OF), Billy Rodriguez (Jr., OF), Matt Esposito (Jr., P/INF)

Team Outlook

The Huskies are coming off three stellar seasons, the last of which came under second-year coach Bobby Carnovsky and saw Matawan finish second in B North, just a game behind Wall. The downside of having a very good senior-led team is that it becomes a completely different team the following year, which is the challenge Matawan is faced with this year. Only three starters return from last year and all of the team’s statistical leaders have moved on to graduation, leaving the Huskies with plenty of unknowns heading into opening day.

Matawan might have been even better last year if not for an injury-shortened season for current senior Mike Creamer, a first-team All-Shore kicker/punter on the football team who made a significant impact (six doubles and 15 RBI) in just 13 games. Creamer will also head up the rotation, which is a good-news-bad-news proposition considering the Huskies like him at shortstop. Senior pitcher Nick Santuccio could be a major key to the season in that he can keep Creamer at shortstop when he’s on the mound. Based on his 2.95 ERA in 30 innings last year, Santuccio should be a reliable option at the very least.

Senior catcher Cory Nusbaum is also back this season, which gives Matawan two starting pitchers, a shortstop and a catcher returning to the starting lineup. Seniors Justin Henderson, Joe Garofalo and Chris Veary also return with some playing experience and junior center fielder Joe Piscopo is ready to roam center field after helping lead Matawan to its first sectional championship in boys basketball since 1957. Despite some question marks, there is also some upside to the Huskies, particularly if Creamer bounces back from last year’s injury-shortened campaign and Santuccio continues to progress on the mound.

Mike Creamer (MAT) turns two from All Shore Media on Vimeo.