NO QUIT: Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball player Nano Sarceno launches the ball in recent action. Last Thursday, Princeton High rising senior Sarceno went 1 for 3 with one run to help Post 218 defeat Trenton Post 93/182 8-5. Princeton, now 2-13, plays at South Brunswick Post 401 on July 5, hosts Hamilton Post 31 on July 7, and then plays at Bordentown Post 26 on July 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Even as the losses piled up this summer for the Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball team, Pete Nielsen never lost faith in his players.

“We have the ability,” said Post 218 manager Nielsen. “That has been my message throughout the whole season.”

After starting the 2024 season with 12 straight losses in Mercer County American Legion League (MCALL) action, Post 218 displayed its ability, posting a 13-9 win over Broad Street Post 313 on June 23.

“They were ready and hungry for their first win,” said Nielsen. “We came out a little flat to start but then in our second inning we got five runs and were able to keep tacking on runs. Once you start to get the ball rolling, it is just keep it going from there. We didn’t score anything in that third inning and in the fourth, fifth, sixth, we put up two runs each inning. In that seventh inning, getting two runs was crucial for us.”

Princeton High rising senior Travis Petrone kept things rolling for Post 218 in the win, going 4 for 5 with one run and three RBIs.

“Travis was the catalyst for our lineup that day,” said Nielsen. “He was the guy that got the things going for us.”

Princeton had guys throughout the lineup get hits in the win over Broad Street. Nate Nydick went 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI while Nano Sarceno went 2 for 5 with a run and three RBIs. James Schiavone, Ray Nault, and Anders Hedin each contributed two hits.

“It was good production, everyone was able to produce for us and got something going,” said Nielsen. “It was all one through nine.”

On the mound, starter Ray Nault went five innings with eight strikeouts with James Schiavone coming on in relief to pitch two innings, striking out five and giving up one hit.

“Ray is our guy — he threw a great game for us,” said Nielsen. “He threw that ball really well, he got guys out up and down the lineup. He was getting up to his pitch count; he wanted that last batter in the fifth so I let him go. We had a little shakiness on the defensive side. James was able to keep it there for us and got the last couple outs in the sixth and then finished it off in the seventh for us. Both Ray and James were great for us on the mound that day.”

In the wake of the breakthrough win, the Post 218 players savored the victory.

“We have had a lot of games that could have went our way but sadly they didn’t,” said Nielsen. “It was definitely a mix of excitement and relief that we got that first one under our belts.”

After a 13-3 loss to first place and undefeated Allentown on June 25, Post 218 got another win as it topped Trenton Post 93/182 8-5 last Thursday to improve to 2-13.

“We got a seven-run inning in that third, that was crucial for us,” said Nielsen, whose team trailed 2-1 after two innings. “It put Trenton out and allowed us to be able to play our own game after that. Again, it was one through nine hitting and contributing for us.”

Once again, Princeton got contributions throughout the batting order. Catcher Hedin, a rising PHS junior, went 3 for 3 with one run and one RBI while Petrone was 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs and Mike Prete, Sarceno, Schiavone, and Nydick each chipping in one hit.

“Anders has found something, he is another guy who has come up big for us, especially in that Trenton game,” said Nielsen. “He had a double in the gap that helped us in that inning to get the seven runs in. Travis ended the inning with a two-run double to get those last couple of runs for us. Mike Prete had a great game as well — he is finding his swing now. Everyone is doing their job right now.”

Post 218 got a good job from pitchers Gavin Lauer and Nydick against Trenton as starter Lauer went five innings with four strikeouts and Nydick pitched two no-hit innings in relief with four strikeouts.

“Gavin and Nate did throw the ball really well for us on Thursday,” said Nielsen. “We were able to back them up with good fielding and then have offense on the side. It was the complete game, we are having those complete games now.”

With five games remaining in regular season play, Nielsen believes that Princeton can build on its two-win week.

“It is showing that we have the ability to go out and compete against anyone in this league,” said Nielsen. “They have all of the confidence in the world right now between everyone, between the coaching staff and all of the players. Everyone has that confidence boost right now to go and do something with those last five games of the season. It is just using what we have done the past couple of games and using that as momentum.”

The stretch drive for Post 218 will start when it plays at South Brunswick Post 401 (5-8) this Friday.

“We are going to use this July 4th break to give us a re-set right now,” said Nielsen. “We will be back at it on July 5 against South Brunswick. It is going to be a good matchup for us. If we are able to get a win against South Brunswick that will be a good catalyst going into the last four games of the season.”