(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) TAGGING ALONG: Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball infielder Nico Mercuro, right, tags out a foe in recent action. Last Wednesday. Mercuro, a rising Princeton High senior, pounded a double and scored a run as Post 218 fell 3-1 to Hamilton Post 31. The loss dropped Princeton to 0-8 on the season.

Mercuro Swinging a Productive Stick As Post 218 Looks to Build Momentum

Bill Alden

Bringing a 0-7 record into last Wednesday, the Princeton Post 218 American Legion baseball team dug an early hole against first-place Hamilton Post 31.

Princeton gave up a run in the top of the first inning and it looked like it may be another rough outing for cellar-dwelling Post 218.

But Nico Mercuro and his Princeton teammates weren’t about to lie down for Post 31, which dominated the Mercer County American Legion League (MCALL) last year.

Mercuro, a rising senior at Princeton High, lined a double in the bottom of the second and later scored on a single by Jess Russo as Post 218 knotted the contest at 1-1.

“I just guess fast ball and swing the stick and see what it can do for you,” said Mercuro, reflecting on his double.

Playing at third base, Mercuro also used his glove to keep Princeton in the game, making some superb plays at the hot corner.

“I just play wherever the coach puts me,” said Mercuro, who has also played second base and shortstop this summer for Princeton. “You field the ball and take it one step at a time.”

Unfortunately, Post 218 failed to take a big step forward against Post 31 as it ended up falling 3-1.

“That was a tough loss,” acknowledged Mercuro. “We are still struggling on the ground everyday; trying to push out and get that first win.”

In reflecting on Post 218’s tough start, Mercuro acknowledged that the team’s offense needs to pick it up.

“We don’t have enough offense; you can’t expect to get a win without scoring runs,” lamented Mercuro. “We have to swing the sticks.”

In Mercuro’s view, breaking through offensively could swing things in Post 218’s direction. Post 218 will have plenty of chances to get on the right track in the next week as it hosts Lawrence Post 414 on June 22, plays at Broad Street Post 313 on June 23, hosts WW-P on June 24, plays at Ewing Post 314 on June 25, and then hosts Trenton Post 93 on June 28.

“One of these days, we will push out and jump on the board with a lot of runs,” said Mercuro. “That would give us a little confidence and get us rolling a little bit.”

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