(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) MAKING A MARK: Hun School baseball player Mark Rende waits for a pitch in 2009 action. Last Thursday, junior shortstop Rende contributed an RBI as Hun opened the spring with a 5-4 win over defending Prep A champion Lawrenceville. Rende and the Raiders will look to keep on the winning track as they host Blair on April 7 and Academy of New Church on April 8 before playing Peddie on April 10 and Rutgers Prep on April 13.

Putting Last Year’s Frustrations Behind, Hun Baseball Upbeat About 2010 Season

Bill Alden

For the Hun School baseball team, last spring was an extended exercise in Murphy’s Law.

After winning back-to-back state Prep A titles in 2007 and 2008, the Raiders fell on hard times last year as they struggled to a 6-14 mark.

In assessing the disappointing 2009 campaign, longtime head coach Bill McQuade acknowledged that nothing went Hun’s way.

“Last year we were short on pitching and short on experience,” said McQuade, who is entering his 40th season at the helm of the program.

“A lot of guys hadn’t played on varsity before; it was their first taste of playing at that level and they took their lumps.”

In McQuade’s view, his returning players are bringing an optimism into the spring after getting last year behind them.

“It’s unbelievable; it’s a whole different feeling,” said McQuade, whose club didn’t waste any time showing that things will be different in 2010 as it edged defending Prep A champion and rival Lawrenceville 5-4 last Thursday in its season opener. “I am excited about our prospects.”

The upbeat McQuade is particularly excited about his two top starting pitchers, Princeton-bound senior Mike Ford and Brown recruit Anthony Galan.

“Ford is looking great; his curve ball is tighter,” said McQuade. “Last year, he was more of a thrower trying to strike out people. Now, he is more of a pitcher, changing speeds better. He was in the high 80s with his velocity on our spring trip to Florida and could hit 90 when he stretches his arm out. Galan is a post-grad from Watchung Hills who is heading to Brown. He is a strike machine; he is only 5’10, 170 but he is a real competitor. It is great having two kids who are legitimate No. 1 pitchers.”

Hun has some other mound options who should help the team be competitive. “The Dudecks (sophomore David and senior Brendan) will be Nos. 3 and 3A in terms of pitching,” said McQuade.

“They aren’t pitchers but they are athletes and competitors. They will battle you no matter what game you are playing; it could be tiddlywinks and one of them will win. Alex Fabian should help us. Pat Andrews is in the mix; he pitched in Florida and looked good.”

McQuade believes his team’s athleticism will help it defensively. “We are quick, we have speed all over the field,” asserted McQuade.

Around the horn, seniors Chris Leach and Andrews will be at catcher with Bucknell-bound senior Will Mooney holding down first base, Brendan Dudeck at second, junior Mark Rende at shortstop, Ford and Galan sharing third and the group of David Dudeck, senior Julian Dandridge, sophomore Ronald Sessas, junior Andrew Levine, freshman Evan Birch, and Fabian in the outfield.

Hun’s offense should be in better shape this spring. “We should definitely score more runs this year than we did in 2009,” said McQuade. “We hit the ball down in Florida. We have much more experience than last year but we do need to see more live pitching.”

In McQuade’s view, his batting order has scoring potential from top to bottom.

“David Dudeck is our lead-off batter; he has great instincts,” added McQuade. “Brendan Dudeck will bat second and then we have Ford in the three hole. After that, it should be Mooney, Levine, and Galan at 4-5-6. Sessas, Dandridge, Rende should help at the bottom of the order.”

McQuade believes his club can prove that 2009 was an aberration and again be a force in the Prep A title hunt.

“I think we will be a contender, I love the personality and attitude of this team,” said McQuade, whose club hosts Blair on April 7 and Academy of New Church on April 8 before playing Peddie on April 10 and Rutgers Prep on April 13. “If we don’t compete every game and put ourselves in position to win, it will be disappointing. I think we have the talent to do well.”

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