Multiple players eye starting pitching spots in lead up to first game
Rolando Gautier begins his second year as the Clearview Regional High School Pioneers head baseball coach with high hopes.
Last year the team notched a 15–9 record and made a statement by defeating rival Williamstown in the first round of the playoffs. However, the season was punched to a halt at the bats of Egg Harbor by a score of 15–6.
Gautier says the team will miss multiple players from last year, including two players both playing Division 1 ball this year — Tim Dezzi, Rutgers, and Trip McCaffrey, University of Massachusetts-Lowell.
Dezzi was a four-year Clearview varsity shortstop and career hits leader.
McCaffrey spent two years with the team as an outfielder after transferring from Gloucester Catholic High School.
The Pioneers also lost two catchers at the end of last season.
Gautier’s prediction for this year, “We are going to hit.”
Gautier describes his coaching philosophy to be heavily reliant on good, consistent hitting.
He also said, “I think our pitching is going to take a little bit of time, but I think it is going to step up for us this year.”
Being a former NCAA Division 1 outfielder and pitcher at Austin Peay State University, he knows a good arm when he sees it.
“We have a pitching problem. And that is good,” he said, referring to the quantity of “good arms” vying for a starting role on the mound this year.
Due to the number of games in a high school season, a roster can only hold up to four starters.
Junior Anthony Pron was the go-to closer last year, according to Gautier.
“Pron was our closer last year. He dominated,” the coach said.
Gautier mentioned Brandon Drapeau, a junior Clearview acquired from Gloucester Catholic High School after Drapeau transferred schools.
Drapeau missed much of last season due to the transfer, but Gautier was impressed with his pitching and ability to switch over to first base and be a two-way player.
A two-sport athlete on the rise as a Clearview pitcher is Daniel Sullivan.
“He’s a surprise for us,” Gautier said of the senior.
Sullivan transferred from Kingsway late in his high school career and plays both basketball and baseball for the Pioneers.
Alex Soriano is a pitcher with endurance.
“He pitched a lot for us last year and did very well,” Gautier said.
Brett Yurgin is another man on the mound to look out for but can also be seen holding down the outfield.
“He’s expected to carry us both ways,” Gautier said.
“We’ve got good arms, “ he added.
While the competition will be intense, the head coach feels it will be good for the team.
Also a threat in the Clearview infield is senior shortstop Robert Gallagher.
“He is a Division 1 commit, going to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell next year,” Gautier said.
“Our team has really good leaders this year. I feel confident in our upperclassmen. I think these guys are really hungry. They want to set their own legacy, because two years ago, the guys won South Jersey, and I think they want to get there really bad. I think leadership overall is going to step up this year,” he said.
The 2016 Pioneer team won the NJSIAA South, Group 4 Tournament and made it to the semi-finals of the state tournament.
With his 18-man roster, five being seniors, Gautier is looking ahead to a long, successful 2018 season.
However, this can’t start before the weather clears up and the Pioneers can get outside. Luckily, all teams are in the same boat when it comes to practice conditions.
When the weather breaks, “we are going to pound defense. We are going to take thousands of ground balls and get our guys in live situations as often as we can,” Gautier said.
Gautier even mentioned possible scrimmages against the junior varsity and freshman teams, a tool he says is a healthy dose of pressure for the varsity players.
The Pioneers’ first game is set for Saturday, March 31 against Bridgewater-Ruritan at the Bob Burrough Classic Tournament. The time is TBA.
