THE PRICE IS RIGHT: Princeton High pitcher Wes Price fires a pitch in a game last spring. PHS is depending on senior Price to emerge as a key starter this season. The Tigers, who fell 8-7 to Hightstown in their season opener last Monday, host Hamilton West on April 5,WW/P-North on April 6, and Robbinsville on April 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In Dom Capuano’s view, the key to success for his Princeton High baseball team comes down to his players just being themselves.

“We need to make sure that we understand who we are,” said PHS head coach Capuano, who guided the Tigers to an 11-14 record last spring. “We have been preaching it. They have been doing a good job of it, making sure we are doing the little things right to maximize what we can do.”

As PHS has gone through the preseason, Capuano has seen that message getting through.

“We have had three scrimmages and each one has gotten better, the little things have gotten better,” said Capuano, whose team got edged 8-7 by Hightstown last Monday in its season opener. “I think 100 percent we are going to be a better team at the end of the year than we are right now. We have a bunch of room to grow.”

Capuano is looking for seniors Wes Price (14 strikeouts, 7 walks in 15.1 innings in 2022) and Jon Tao (15 strikeouts, 15 was in 15 innings) to grow into aces for the Tiger pitching staff.

“Wes and Jonny have the experience, they are going to be relied on,” said Capuano. “We are most likely going to have three starters a week and they will be two of them.”

Others in the mix to get innings on the mound include freshman Chase Hammerschlag, sophomore Travis Petrone, and senior Jude Blaser.

“Chase will get a lot of time, he can really eat up some innings,” said Capuano. “Travis will get some innings. Jude has been the best arm on JV the last two years, so I am hoping he can do some things now that he is getting the opportunity.”

A pair of juniors, Alex Winters (.327 average in 2022) and Dylan Newman (.373), figure to be catalysts in the PHS batting order.

“Alex is going to play a big role in how successful we are — he definitely has earned that spot,” said Capuano of Winters, who went 2-for-4 with a run against Hightstown. “So far this year, he has looked like he can really do some good things up there (at leadoff). It us going to be up to him and Dylan to lead everybody else. Dylan had a really good year last year. We are floating him back between second and third. Ideally I would like him to hit third.”

Lacking power hitters in the middle of the lineup, PHS will be playing some small ball to manufacture runs.

“We are not the same lineup as last year when we hit .310, but even in the last scrimmage, we saw some good things,” said Capuano. “We can earn our outs and really move people over, bunt, hit and run — do the small ball things that will lead to bigger things.”

Looking to jump start things, Capuano will be mixing and matching his hitters.

“Jon Tao has been atop of the lineup at three or four for a good part of the preseason,” said Capuano. “Everybody else is kind of floating in and out and figuring out their way. We still have a couple of batting spots open, we will see.”

The loss of four-year starting catcher Carl Birge to graduation has put PHS in a tough spot defensively.

“Our main goal is for that to not be a position that will harm us, we don’t expect them to be Carl,” said Capuano. “We want them to be who they are and do the things that they are supposed to do. Right now it is looking like it is between Matty Baglio, a senior, and Matt Akey, a freshman. It looks like those two will bounce back and forth.”

The Tiger infield is looking sharper. “I think our infield should be way better and improved, last year we made 60 errors in the infield,” said Capuano.  “Jack Durbin, a senior, is working at first base right with junior Mike Prete and sophomore Nano Sarcedo. Those three have been over there the most, whoever is hitting is going to play there. We have got (junior) Ben Walden at second and (junior) Nick Akey at short — they are going to be the starters. Those two have looked good so far, especially defensively. At third base, Chase, (sophomore) Jai Justice, and Jude are jockeying back and forth for that spot.”

Across the outfield, PHS is featuring some veteran performers.

“Alex is going to be in center, Dylan is working his way back from an injury, eventually he will be in right,” said Capuano. “Right now Mike Prete or Travis Petrone is there, again whoever hits. Left is looking like Jonny Tao when he is not pitching. Jude might be out there a little bit, Travis could be there.”

In order to maximize their prospects, the Tigers need to work on being sharp on the mound, in the field, and at bat.

“We just have to limit hurting ourselves, limit mistakes, limit the errors, limit the walks,” said Capuano, whose team, will look to get in the winning track as it hosts Hamilton West on April 5,  WW/P-North on April 6, and Robbinsville on April 11.

“I think walking is going to be a big thing, pitching and not striking out offensively. If we can keep the ball in play, we will be OK. But if we don’t do what is necessary, teams could get ahead of us.”