Vernon baseball ready for 2019 season

VERNON — If any local fan is concerned about the effort being put in by the Vernon High School baseball program during pre-season practices and scrimmages, well don’t be because the Vikings understand full well the importance working diligently in the weeks leading up to regular season competition.
A veteran coaching staff and strong leadership on the roster could prove very beneficial for the Vikings this spring.
“My three leaders/captains this year are Adam Driscoll, Ryan Bell and Justin Lavorini," Vernon head coach Scott Berge said. “All three of them will be playing next year at the collegiate level. I expect them to lead by example through hard work, dedication and putting we before me. We have a very talented team returning and hope to bring home a banner this year."
Driscoll, a senior pitcher had a 2-1 record on the mound, with a 3.00 earned run average and a .386 batting average in 2018. Lavorini, a senior pitcher and first baseman had a 5-3 record with a 1.86 earned run average and a .296 batting average last year. Bell, a senior short stop had a .320 batting average last season.
Beyond, Bell, Driscoll and Lavorini other returning student-athletes for Vernon include Jadon Mutz (senior, pitcher, outfielder, .274 batting average in 2018), Ben DiCarlo (senior, second base, .267 batting average in 2018), Noah Franetovich (junior, outfielder) and DJ Springstead (sophomore, outfielder, .300 batting average in 2018).
Promising newcomers looking to make a positive impact for the Vikings this season include Chris Halpin (senior, third base, pitcher), Justin Meador (senior, first base, outfielder, pitcher), Nicholas Kruger (senior, utility player), Frank Fogge (junior, third base, pitcher), Nicholas Zinno (junior, catcher), Zachary Lamb (junior, pitcher) and Peter Parigi (junior, outfielder).
The Vikings had an overall record of 11-9 in 2018 and they had two wins in the always difficult Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Freedom Division. Vernon competes in the NJAC Freedom Division along with Lenape Valley, Newton, Hackettstown and High Point.
Vernon advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament as the No. 8 seed in 2018 and defeated ninth seeded Lakeland in the opening round. In the Sectional quarterfinals, they were defeated by top seeded Pascack Hills.
“We have a solid core of returning players who worked real hard in the off-season and are talented," Berge said. “We’re looking to challenge for the League title and to advance further in the (NJSIAA) State Tournament. Returning 10 of the 11 wins on the mound including the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers from last year-all three are looking very solid in the pre-season. Also returning top four bats from last year and thus expectations are very high for this team.’’