Baseball Preview: Eagles to Be Tested Off the Bat

It won’t take long for West Deptford High School first-year baseball coach Mike Rucci to find out what type of squad he has. In fact, it will take no time at all.

The Eagles will be tested right out of the gates as they open the season Friday against Haddon Heights–which swept the Eagles in a pair of meetings last season–and follow Monday with a contest against two-time Colonial Conference champion Haddonfield.

The season will not be made or broken in those two conference showdowns, but they could provide West Deptford with an early idea of where they stand.

“I feel like we are really looking forward to it,” said Rucci. “We have seen Haddonfield play, so we know what to expect. Against Haddon Heights last year, we were swept, but both the home and away games we had the lead, and lost it late.

“You hope to start well, so you build confidence and that can carry you a long way. A high school season goes so quick that if you get hot early that can carry you through the year.”

West Deptford is hoping to get back on top of a conference that it won five-straight seasons from 2004 to 2008. To do that, the Eagles will need strong seasons on the hill by starters Tony Urban and Jason Fox. Rucci said Fox will start against Haddon Heights, while Urban will go against Haddonfield.

“Fox and Urban are the biggest pieces of puzzle because they are our one-two punch,” Rucci said. “Last year they were 11-5 on a team that was 16-10, so you can see how important they are.”

Fox and Urban are also a key part of the offense and will hit second and fourth, respectively. Tom Jakubowski will also hit in the middle of the lineup, fresh off a season where he hit over .400.

While the trio will have a major impact on how far the Eagles go, Rucci believes the team’s supporting cast and depth will play a big role.

“We have a lot of role players, which is huge for a baseball team,” he said. “You have to have a couple guys to carry you through, but you also need those other guys who will lay down a bunt or do a hit and run, and we have a core of guys that will be role players.”

Here is a look at the 2011 baseball team.

Coach: Mike Rucci

Last season: 16-10

Returning letter winners: Jason Fox (sr.) SS/P; Tony Urban (sr.) P/OF; Tyler Jarrell (sr.) P; Brandon Thayres (sr.) C; Tim Merget (sr.) 3B; Tom Jakubowski (jr.) 1B; Tim Krott (jr.) OF.

Promising newcomers: Joe Ponto (jr.) OF; Brendon Glass (jr.) OF; Zach Moran (jr.) P/3B; Dan Riley (jr.) P; Chris Dellquilla (jr.) IF; Tyler Strano (so.) C/DH; Harry Sturgis (so.) 3B-P; Brandon McCall (so.) IF; Ty Caspellano (fr.) IF/P

Team to beat: Haddonfield

Three storylines to watch

–Using speed on the bases. As a former catcher, Rucci knows a thing or two about throwing out base runners. However, he also knows not all catchers are created equal and plans on translating that knowledge into a lot of stolen bases for his team.

“I will take advantage of some catchers,” Rucci said candidly. “Being a catcher for so long you can pick up on things maybe other guys don’t see, and I think that plays into our advantage.”

Rucci said the overall team speed is excellent and that it should help to jump-start the offense.

–Jakubowski on first: Tom Jakubowski will be a key cog in the batting order. Fresh off of a sophomore season in which he hit .420, Jakubowski figures to hit in the heart of the Eagles’ lineup. Rucci said Jakubowski has been hitting the ball well during the preseason and may add a power element to the team.

“He’s a gap hitter who can hit for average, but I also think he will hit some home runs and doubles,” Rucci said.

–Rucci in his first year. When Rucci took over the team he brought with him a new philosophy that the team had to adapt to during just a few short weeks of practice. Rucci said the whole team has bought in, which is crucial, given the difficult start to West Deptford's schedule.

“I’m really looking forward to the season,“ he said. “These guys practice hard every day and if we continue to get better, as we have just through our five or six scrimmages, I look forward to us having a successful season.

"The guys have really done a nice job believing in the system we have given to them.”