SPECIAL DELIVERY: Princeton High baseball player Joaquin Hernandez-Burt fires the ball in action last spring. After going 5-4 with a 2.25 ERA in 2014, junior Hernandez-Burt has emerged as the team’s ace. PHS is slated to open its 2015 campaign by hosting Robbinsville on April 1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

While the Princeton High baseball program doesn’t have strength in numbers, it boasts some talented players.

“We are limited in depth, we only have 29 kids in the whole program,” said PHS head coach Dave Roberts, who guided the Little Tigers to a 9-14 record in 2014.

“I am probably carrying 13 players on varsity. I am very happy with the quality of the starting players.”

PHS features a quality starting pitcher in junior Joaquin Hernandez-Burt, who led the Little Tigers in win (5) and innings pitched (49) last season, going 5-4 with a 2.25 ERA.

“Joaquin had a little arm trouble over the winter so we are working him back slowly,” said Roberts, whose team is slated to open its 2015 campaign by hosting Robbinsville on April 1.

“Physically, he’s grown a couple of inches. He is a little heavier, he is filling out. He works hard, we are expecting him to return to where he was last year.”

Roberts is expecting senior Ben Danis, senior Ben Grass, and junior Colin Taylor to round out his mound staff.

“Ben Danis will be used quite frequently, he had some good outings last year,” said Roberts.

“Ben Grass pitched for the Legion team and is joining us as a senior, he will get some innings. Colin Taylor will get some time on the mound.”

Taylor and fellow junior Hayden Reyes will be counted on to trigger the PHS offense.

“Colin and Hayden give us a good one-two punch at the top of the order,” asserted Roberts.

“Taylor is strong in the one hole and we are going to keep Hayden at No. 2. The key is getting those two guys on base. When we were most successful last year, they were able to steal bases and we were able to move them up and score on sacrifice flies.”

Senior John Reid and Hernandez-Burt provide punch in the middle of the lineup.

“I am looking at Reid in the four spot, he had a great year for us last season, he can get RBIs,” said Roberts. “Joaquin also offers a lot with the bat.”

Defensively, PHS looks strong in most spots with Hernandez-Burt and freshman Paul Cook at first base, junior Matt Lambert at second, Reyes at short, Taylor at third, sophomore Tim Frawley at catcher, and an outfield consisting of Reid, Danis, and Steve Majeski.

“I am totally confident in second base, shortstop and third base,” said Roberts.

“They are all good athletes and they look like infielders should. Reid has been in left field for three years. Danis was in centerfield last year and Majeski played well for the Legion team last summer.”

While Roberts is confident in his starters, he acknowledges that they are going to have to be iron men in order for PHS to have a good season.

“It is getting healthy and staying healthy,” said Roberts. “Stamina and endurance will be key. We have 24 games in the regular season and we will be playing four games a week. They need mental strength and focus.”