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Post 48 Finds its Roles this Summer

No one likes a losing season, including the Guilford Senior American Legion Baseball team, but the fact that nearly the entire roster is eligible to return next summer sure eases the pain. Post 48 had a rocky campaign this year, posting its lowest win total since 2006, although the disappointing record comes with a silver lining.

Guilford was 8-17 this summer after winning 27 games combined in the last two. Third-year coach Fred Parcesepe had an unproven lineup with many athletes who were getting their first Senior Legion experience. Compounding the youth factor were the holes at the top of Post 48's starting rotation. Parcesepe had banked on Connor McGinley and Mike Donlan to lead the staff, but Donlan labored with injuries all summer, and though McGinley was strong, he missed nearly 10 games.

"My expectations coming into the year were very high, especially with Connor McGinley and Mike Donlan," said Parcesepe. "Connor ended up being everything I expected, however, he missed over 10 games. Mike Donlan was hurt or away all year and only threw 16 innings. With those two guys not in the picture, my expectations had to change. I had high expectations next year, but still I'm disappointed with the overall play of the team this year."

What Parcesepe and everyone involved in Guilford Legion baseball are excited about is the group that is returning next season. Post 48's only player who's used up eligibility is Mike Juliano, leaving one big hole to fill. Juliano mostly played right field, hitting .303, with five RBI and six runs.

"He is big shoes to fill in a lot of aspects of the game in mentality, position wise, and even when he was hurt, I had to argue with him to get him out of the game," Parcesepe said. "If I had to pick an MVP, it would have to be Mike, just being there every game and his leadership alone."

However, Guilford is going to have a lot of seasoned players to welcome back next season. Team leader in hitting Mike Afeltra (outfielder), who batted .327 with 16 hits, 14 steals, and 11 RBI, will return. Starting shortstop Zach Battipaglia is also set to return after leading the team with 12 runs this summer and 10 RBI. Joining Battipaglia on the left side of the infield will be third baseman Ryder Miconi, who hit .257 with 10 runs, eight RBI, and six stolen bases, as well as second baseman Matt Brockett (9 runs, 9 stolen bases, 8 RBI).

McGinley (2 wins, 1.35 ERA, 20 strikeouts in 26 innings) and Donlan (1 win) can both return next seaso nand also helping with the arms will be Ryan Fraser, who led the team in innings pitched (36) in winning two games with a save and a 2.72 ERA. CJ Anthony also pitched well this summer, winning one game with a 1.63 ERA in 30 innings pitched.

"Matt Brockett, Andrew Kelly, Ryan Fraser were all great and CJ Anthony was a big surprise. He had one the lowest ERAs on the team so we are going to be more reliant on guys like him next year," said Parcesepe. "I'm looking for a whole team of leadership next year. We need 9, 10, and 11 guys looking to lead us."

Though he wants more leadership moving forward, Parcesepe didn't suggest a lack of leadership was his team's problem this summer. Rather, the coach said his team needed to go through some growing pains before it would be ready to contend in the State Tournament.

"It was growing pains; when the confidence was there, we played better," Parcesepe said. "When we struggled, it compounded so much that the work from [assistant coach] Jason Soares and I was on the mental part of the game-pushing it behind you, don't let offense carry to defense. The kids played hard every game."

For Guilford, the hope is the growing pains help them sprout up the Zone III standings and into a full-grown state title contender by this time next year.

"I hope the guys took away the fact that they were young and understand next year needs to be a good year," said Parcesepe. "We can't come into next year and have a letdown year. We have to come into next year believing we are the best team in our zone. That's going to be my job. I'm not going to stand for mistakes like I did this year to allow them to grow. You have to come in here and play like a winner. If not, you are underachieving."