Mater Dei baseball on the fence to make playoffs Seraphs need a strong week to qualify for state tourney BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer The Mater Dei High School baseball team has gotten used to playing close games, and coach Pat Riddell noted that a few more hits could easily have impacted his team's 5-9 record. "Our pitching has been outstanding and we've played well defensively, the coach said. "It's just that we're not hitting with any consistency. It's been frustrating, but the guys are still working hard, and that's what's important." The Seraphs face a five game week and they need to run the gamut to qualify for the NJSIAA non-public playoffs. Teams must have a .500 or better record at the end of play May 9 to qualify. Mater Dei's week was set to start at Ocean on Monday and then at St. Rose yesterday afternoon. Today the Seraphs host Henry Hudson Regional in the afternoon before heading to Lakewood to play St. John Vianney under the lights at FirstEnergy Park. Monsignor Donovan comes to visit the Mater Dei tomorrow. The busy week will stretch the Seraphs pitching staff a bit, but all three of Riddell's starters are having solid springs. Sean Beinert is 2-3 with a 2.75 ERA. The senior, whose sinker frequently results in ground ball outs, has kept his team in games despite having only six runs to work with in his outings. A pair of sophomores have also shown plenty of promise on the hill. Mike Gallo, a location specialist, is 1-2 with a 2.88 ERA. In two of his starts the Seraphs have been shut out. Pete Kwencinski, a power pitcher, is 1-0 with a 3.58 ERA. "We have a nice mix of pitchers and they've been good game in and game out," Riddell said. "They've kept us in games." At the plate Connor Hughes has been Mater Dei's top hitter. The senior catcher is hitting .309 with seven RBIs and a homer, which came in Friday's 3-2 triumph against Keansburg. Second baseman Francisco Araneo is also having a good year at the plate. The junior whacked his third triple of the season to drive home the game-winner against Keansburg. Overall,Araneo is hitting .289 with seven RBIs. Kwencinski, who plays third base when not pitching, is at .270 with a homer and five RBIs and left fielder Chris Thompson is hitting .225 with five RBIs. Thompson blasted his first homer of the campaign in the Keansburg win. Right fielder Travis Paulson has contributed some big hits. Despite batting .205, the junior has four doubles and eight RBIs. He also belted a three-run homer in Mater Dei's 10-2 success over St. Rose earlier in the season. The remainder of the Seraphs lineup includes first baseman Chris Ammermann, center fielder Bill Hazeltine and designated hitter Justin Vega. Beinert and Gallo split time at shortstop. Junior Chris Rios rounds out the pitching staff. CatcherAlf Ericson, a junior, and infielder James Ferber, a sophomore, provide depth. "There have been a lot of bright spots and we have some young guys who are gaining experience that will help them next season," Riddell said. "Right now we just want to finish strong and get some wins for our veteran guys who have been putting in the time and working so hard. They deserve to see some results." The coach noted that the Seraphs junior varsity has recovered from a slow start to string together several wins. Riddell said a few of those players may join the varsity for the final few games.