Point Boro Baseball Plans and Practices for New Season

When it comes to the Point Borough varsity baseball team this spring, the recipe for success will be a dash of this and a smidgen of that.

“We’re a team that will do a little bit of everything,’’ said Point Borough’s second-year coach Dave Drew. “Since we aren’t a power-hitting team we will play situational baseball. When needed, we will play small ball. We will bunt. We will steal.

“But if we are going to be competitive, we need to pitch well and play defense.’’

Point Boro opens the 2012 season at 10 a.m. Saturday at Barnegat High School.

The Panthers got hot at the end of last season, making a run that got them to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group II semifinals where they lost to West Deptford, an eventual Group II finalist.

“Reaching the sectional semifinals was important to every player returning this spring,’’ said Drew, who played at Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean County College and Felician College. “It emphasized the importance of every at-bat, every pitch to all our players.

“But at the same time, it is a new season. This is a new team with new players. We are still learning as a team.’’

Point Boro, which was 14-11 last spring, does open the season with a solid No.1 pitcher in John Dunbar.

Dunbar, a right-handed senior, was 4-6 last year after starting the season 0-3.

“The way he started wasn’t pretty,’’ Drew said. “We didn’t score many runs for him in the beginning. It wasn’t his fault.

“In the state tournament, he was huge. He is tough mentally. He doesn’t care who he is pitching against. He is a kid who doesn’t feel pressure.’’

Drew said Dunbar has worked on developing a change-up as a third pitch.

“He’s a hard thrower with a good breaking ball,’’ Drew said. “But like all our pitchers, John needs to throw strikes for us to have a chance to win.’’

Point Boro also has a proven hitter in Deven DelPriore, who can play nearly every position on the diamond.

“Deven batted around .500 and was one of the best hitters in the Shore Conference,’’ Drew said. “He is a line drive hitter and had 10 doubles last year.’’

Drew said DelPriore will bat No.3 followed by senior clean-up hitter Jack Vitale and junior Ryan Prout in the five spot.

“Vitale has some pop,’’ Drew said. “He is a line drive hitter, but has the ability to hit the long ball.’’

Point Boro will also count on another strong season from senior Keith Murphy in the leadoff spot.

Murphy was a catalyst for the Panthers and is a base-stealing threat who also covers acres of ground in centerfield.

Point Boro also returns junior Ryan Thrunk at second base. Kurt VanBenschoten was a role player last year, but is expected to see more time as a third baseman and pitcher.

Ryan Lees will see time as an outfielder and pitcher and, Drew said, Andre Taylor will get most of his playing time in left.

Drew will also tap a strong sophomore class for depth. Sophomores Terry Berkeley (catches/designated hitter), Mike Dunham (pitcher) and Dan Gonella (outfield) could also see varsity time.

Point Boro has scrimmaged Red Bank Regional, Howell, Keyport, West Milford, Brick, Ocean, Monroe and Point Pleasant Beach and fared well, although they lost to Point Beach 9-6 on Monday afternoon.

Drew thinks Point Boro can be competitive in Shore Conference Class B Central, where a loaded Jackson Liberty team and traditional power Wall are listed as the championship favorites.

“It always comes down to hard work,’’ Drew said. “We talk all the time about hard work and effort. If you make the effort there is always the chance the season will be positive."

Photos were shot at Point Borough-Point Beach scrimmage on Monday afternoon at the field behind G. Harold Antrim Elementary School, Point Beach.