Spring Sports Preview: Returning Athletes Form Core of UC Baseball Roster

All but one player returned to the baseball team’s roster this season. And although the missing person happens to be Rey Lopez, the Third Team All-County third-baseman and pitcher who graduated last year, the Vikings are angling to improve on last year’s record of 9-16.

“I think we’ll be pretty competitive this year,” head coach Jim Reagan Jr. said. “We’re looking to be one of the top three teams in the Mountain Division.

Leading this year’s cast is returning shortstop Dave Schanz. Schanz, a junior, is a three-year varsity starter at one of the most challenging positions on the diamond.

“He’s the kid you always want to coach,” Reagan said. “He’s extremely hard-working, the first one at practice and the last one to leave.”

In Union Catholic’s third-to-last game last year, Schanz sustained a broken jaw after running the bases in a home game against New Providence. Union Catholic won the conference-crossover game 10-6, but lost Schanz for the team’s final two games.

“It was a freaky play at second base,” Reagan recalled. “Schanz was trying to steal second and it was an errant throw by the catcher. The shortstop came all the way across the line and they collided.”

The injury sidelined Schanz for the entire summer, Reagan said. But he came back to play a few fall games and, after a healthy basketball season, looks to be at 100 percent for the start of the baseball season.

“He has smooth hands in the field and at the plate is a real leader for us,” Reagan said. 

Schanz will bat leadoff. He hit in that spot and in the number-two slot last year.

Senior left-hander Rich Birch, meanwhile, heads the pitching rotation.

“The key for Rich will be his control,” Reagan said. “He had some really good wins for us in summer legion. He uses his speeds well. If he can throw strikes he will be pretty effective for us.”

Reagan reported that senior right-fielder Ryan Gerhart, who produced a number of home runs and RBIs last year, take the third spot in the batting order. 

The team’s pitching prospects include freshman Anthony Colletti, son of the assistant boys basketball coach for St. Mary’s of Elizabeth.

“We’re hoping by the end of the year that he can give us some quality innings,” Reagan said. “He throws hard and has a real good understanding of the game.” Behind the plate will be returning sophomore catcher Mike D’Antico.

Scotch Plains residents include junior infielder Ryan Coughlin and freshman backup second baseman Joe Bonaccorso. 

NOTES: The Viking’s home-opener is Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Morris County foe Mendham. In last year’s home-opener, Mendham came from behind to edge Union Catholic 4-3.

UNION CATHOLIC VIKINGS
BASEBALL 2011 

PITCHERS:
Rich Birch, senior left hander
Evan Dickerson, junior right hander
Matt Nowicki, senior right hander
Anthony Colletti, freshman right hander
Drew Tomlinson, freshman left hander
Andrew Woody, senior right hander
Ryan Gerhart, senior right hander
James Weyand, junior right hander 

CATCHERS:
Mike D’Antico, sophomore
Brandon Suarez, senior 

FIRST BASEMEN:
Evan Dickerson, junior
Zack Perez, junior 

SECOND BASEMEN:
Oscar Mujica, junior
Joe Bonaccorso, freshman 

THIRD BASEMEN:
Anthony Colletti, freshman
Mike Reis, junior 

SHORTSTOP:
Dave Schanz, junior 

BACKUP INFIELDER:Ryan Coughlin, junior 

LEFT FIELDER:
Matt Nowicki, senior 

CENTER FIELDER:
Christian Mora, junior 

RIGHT FIELDER:
Ryan Gerhart, senior 

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:
April 1 at Rahway, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 2 Mendham, 2 p.m.
April 5 at Dayton, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 7 at Brearley, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 8 Johnson, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 9 at Middlesex, 10 a.m.
April 12 Roselle Catholic, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 14 at Union, 4 p.m.
April 15 at Hillside, 4 p.m.
April 17 Dad’s Club Invitational at Roselle Park April 17, 9 a.m.
April 20 Plainfield, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 21 at Summit, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 23 St. Mary’s, Elizabeth, 2 p.m.
April 26 Dayton, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
April 29 at Gov. Livingston, 7 p.m.
May 2 Bernards, 4 p.m.
May 3 Rahway, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
May 5 at Johnson, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
May 10 at Roselle Catholic, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
May 12 at Plainfield, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
May 16 Holmdel, 3:45 p.m.
May 17 Summit, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
May 18 at Scotch Plains, 4 p.m.
May 23 Brearley, 4 p.m. – Mountain Division
Vikings in Union County Conference’s Mountain Division 

UNION COUNTY CONFERENCE
BASEBALL FOR 2011
WATCHUNG DIVISION (7 schools): Cranford, Elizabeth, Gov. Livingston, Linden, Scotch Plains, Union, Westfield.
Newcomers: Cranford, Gov. Livingston.
Left: Plainfield, Rahway.
Defending champion: Scotch Plains.

MOUNTAIN DIVISION (8 schools): Brearley, Dayton, Johnson, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle Catholic, Summit, Union Catholic.
Newcomers: Brearley, Dayton, Plainfield, Rahway.
Left: Cranford, Gov. Livingston, Hillside, Roselle.
Last year’s champion: Cranford.

VALLEY DIVISION (7 schools): Hillside, New Providence, Oratory Prep, Roselle Park, Roselle, St. Patrick, St. Mary’s, Elizabeth.
Newcomers: Hillside, Roselle.
Left: Brearley, Dayton.
Last year’s champion: Dayton.