Post No. 515 off to solid start for Kenney
By Paul Godino
Staff Writer

MARIE ORTIZ Suzie Foster of Matawan battles Katie Harney of Brick for the ball at the Monmouth-Ocean Senior Soccer All-Star game in Neptune on Saturday.

Solid defense and pitching have carried Post No. 515 in the Monmouth County American Legion Baseball League.

The team, made up of players from Christian Brothers Academy, had an 8-3 record as of Monday on the strength of solid defense and pitching.

Coach Marty Kenney, who is also the CBA coach, is optimistic but a little surprised about his team’s success so far.

"It’s really too early to tell (how the team is doing)," Kenney said. "We’re off to a better start than I thought."

The squad lost a lot of last year’s stars, who carried CBA to Monmouth County and Shore Conference tournament titles, to graduation so there is a certain lack of leadership experience for the team, according to the Coach.

Kenney said he hopes Lou Santangelo will step up as the vocal leader, and Chris Contrino could lead by quiet example with his solid play at shortstop.

He said the pitching staff, led by returning varsity hurlers Ryan DeSarno and Bobby Acampora, has the potential to be among the best Post No. 515 has had in a while.

Rounding out the summer’s pitching staff are Mike Melissinos and Matt Woehnker. Kenney said they both have good size, at about 6-2 and 6-1 respectively, and both are throwing the ball well.

Santangelo moves behind the plate from first base this summer to take the place of departed catcher Anthony Buffone, who will be moving on to try and earn a spot with the University of Maryland.

Contrino, along with outfielders Tim Stroebel and Justin Arasin, is coming off of a good junior season for the Colts.

Chris Arnella and John Palumbo have been competing for second base, both with good gloves and hitting, Kenney said.

The American Legion summer league is usually where Kenney evaluates new talent, he said. Typically he will be giving some of the younger players more innings and this summer has been no different. Fortunately he has been getting some very good play out of younger players who are seizing the summer opportunity.

Chris Kenny is a 6-2 basketball convert who has moved into the vacancy at first base and has added a left-handed bat. He throws right-handed.

Gene Crimoli is another left-handed batter who has been leading off this summer.

Pat Sullivan is an outfielder who Kenney said adds good speed to the lineup.

Chris Lillis also is hitting the ball better than expected so far.

While lack of leadership experience is Kenney’s biggest concern, there are a several smaller weaknesses which the coach said should be easy to correct. A lot of mistakes have been coming on the base paths, Kenney said, but those should diminish as players see more time this summer.