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Hun Baseball Loaded With Talent As It Looks to Regain Prep A Title
By Bill Alden
Over the last two seasons, the Hun School baseball team has put a lot on the shoulders of ace pitcher Steve Garrison.
The gifted lefty has risen to the occasion, posting a 12-2 career mark in leading the Raiders to the state Prep A title in 2002 as a freshman and then winning the lion's share of games last spring as Hun went 8-9.
This spring, longtime Hun coach Bill McQuade believes he has the talent to take a little heat off the fireballing Garrison.
"All the veteran kids are bigger and stronger," said McQuade, the dean of baseball coaches as he enters his 34th year at the helm of the Hun program. "The new kids are good hitters, better than we've had in the past."
Still, McQuade acknowledges that junior Garrison is the linchpin as Hun looks to regain the State A title. "Nothing fazes Stevie," said McQuade, noting that Garrison is a man among boys on the high school level with his velocity, assortment of pitches, and pinpoint control.
McQuade is expecting big things from the staff's two other southpaws, junior Gene Pavitt and freshman Sean Munley. "Gene is pitching much better this year," asserted McQuade, noting that Pavitt's mound work was a bright spot of Hun's 3-1 record on its annual preseason trip to Florida.
"Last year, he had a sore arm and had problems with his control. He threw really hard in Florida. If he throws the way he can, he should have a big year. Munley has a lot of poise. He reminds me of Stevie, nothing bothers him."
Hun should also get some innings this spring from seniors Eli Obus and Mike Eulo and junior Jon D'Angelo.
The Raiders also boast depth at catcher with senior co-captain Tom Monfiletto and sophomore Brian Scanlon, a sophomore transfer from Rutgers Prep. "Tom is an excellent catcher but I think he'll play some at third because of Scanlon," explained McQuade. "Brian bats lefty and is excellent defensively."
McQuade is confident his infield will be better this year with a year of experience under its belt. He plans to play Pavitt at first base, senior co-captain Mark Kvarta at second base, senior co-captain Matt Stillitano at shortstop, and Monfiletto and junior Wellington Talkpa at third.
In the outfield, Hun will feature senior co-captain Jack Martin together with classmates James DiVicenzi and Will Barrett as well as Garrison and Talkpa and promising freshman Shane Davis.
Offensively, McQuade hopes that this year's line-up won't be prone to the dry spells that hurt the Raiders last spring. "If we're going to do well offensively, Wellington is going to have to have a big year," maintained McQuade, who is expecting punch from Garrison, Monfiletto, Pavitt, and Stillitano.
"He experiments a lot with his swing. We're trying to get him to settle on one stance. Shane Davis has good power, he hit the ball well in Florida. He will find his way into the lineup. He's a player."
As he looks at his squad, McQuade believes he has players all over the field. "I can't wait for the season to start," declared McQuade, who noted that his team will be tested early as it plays at Peddie School on March 31 before hosting Lawrenceville School on April 2. "This team has a great feeling about it. Everyone is picking everyone else up. There is competition at every position."
