Bayonne baseball: Ready to make another run

Bayonne senior pitcher Justin O’Connor should be the ace of the Hudson County pitchers

It was a mystical, magical season last spring for the Bayonne High School baseball team, posting an astounding 25-3 record, including the championship of the Ed “Faa” Ford Memorial Hudson County Tournament, defeating St. Peter’s Prep in the title game by a 4-3 decision.

It was also the first county title for head coach Dave Hoffmann in his six seasons at the helm of the team he once played for. Now, as preparations were being made for his seventh season guiding the Bees, Hoffmann believes that his team should certainly be among the contenders for the distinction of being the county’s premier team come sometime in June.

“It’s something that we always aspire to be,” Hoffmann said. “We always want to be county champions. To be able to achieve that goal was something special. And we’re going to strive to hold onto that crown and embrace that title. We take it very seriously.”

As the Bees were making plans for the 2020 season when the season was shut down and immediately halted by the threat of the COVID-19 coronavirus that has engulfed the world, Hoffmann realized that repeating as county champions would be a tall order to achieve.

“We lost eight position players from last year’s team,” Hoffmann said. “But we have kids that were waiting in the wings, players who were role players who helped us in different aspects. Those kids are now able to assume their responsibilities and play major roles this season, if and when we play.”

Gone from last year’s champions include catcher Shane Paradine, the Hudson County Most Valuable Player, and Jonathan Lee, the Hudson County Most Outstanding Pitcher, who pitched to a 7-1 record and a 1.27 earned run average. Paradine is now at Stony Brook University.

So even with the major losses, Hoffmann is basically saying that he expects the Bees to be right in the thick of things once again this season.

“I’m absolutely confident in what we have returning,” Hoffmann said. “We’re excited about that.”

The Bees did get six practices in before the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association placed the decree to halt all spring activities until Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, ordered all scholastic activities to cease for the time being.

The Bees were scheduled to scrimmage top rivals Bloomfield, Toms River North and Toms River South last week to get ready for the start of the season.

“That was going to be the challenge,” said Hoffmann, who was preparing to begin his seventh season as the head coach of the Bees. We wanted to catch these guys up to speed. If and when we are able to come back, we’re going to force feed things on them.”

So while Hoffmann was unable to conduct practices with his team, he was holding viral get-togethers online.

“We are doing virtual things online,” Hoffmann said. “I think these have been helpful, just to keep in contact with the players. We needed something to lift their spirits a little. By doing these virtual things, it has helped their mindset a little. By doing these virtual things and showing them what they should be doing, we have to be ready to go when we get the green light to get back out there.”

Hoffmann has no idea what the NJSIAA or the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League has planned for the Bees regarding the schedule.

“We have to be ready to start the season right away,” Hoffmann said. “If we have to, we’ll plaey doubleheaders, We can work out a season and be able to get a certain number of league games in.”

If and when the season kicks off, the Bees will have a deep and talented pitching staff, led by snior right-hander Justin O’Connor, probably the county’s best returning hurler from a year ago. O’Connor was a First Team All-Area selection in 2019, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.09 earned run average, striking out 47 batters in 35 innings, surrendering just 21 hits.

“He’s had some career for us,” Hoffmann said of O’Connor. “He’s our No. 1 guy and he thrives under that role. I know he’s the best returning pitcher in the county and I know a lot of people would agree with that. We’re counting on him to be our ace this year.”

Senior right-hander Julian Gonzalez also returns. Gonzalez pitched to a 5-1 record and a 1.70 ERA last year.

“He pitched some big games for us,” Hoffmann said of Gonzalez, who has a gaudy 10-1 record over two seasons with the Bees, posting a 5-1 record, including a no-hitter against Ferris. He has some really good stuff and mixes it up well.”

Gonzalez has already given a commitment to Keystone College, an NCAA Division III institution in Factoryville, Pennsylvania.

O’Connor and Gonzalez form a nice 1-2 pitching punch for the Bees, but in reality, the team can go an incredible nine deep on the mound.

“We have a lot of pitchers,” Hoffmann said. “We’re going to need them with whatever schedule we play.”

Chances are that the pitchers will be called upon to throw in three-inning stretches maximum when the season resumes, so having a deep staff will be imperative.

Right-hander Brian Baranok returns. The All-Hudson County third baseman was a quality hurler when called upon last year.

“I’m expecting a lot from him,” Hoffmann said of Baranok. “He has to be a leader.”

The rest of the staff is relatively unproven on the varsity level.

Junior left-hander Quincy Mitchell is a transfer from Union High School. Senior Liam Doherty-Burke is a right-hander who pitched in limited innings last season. Sophomore Richie Bukowski is a right-hander who just got his feet wet a little last year. Senior Isaiah Olmo is a left-hander and a transfer from Hudson Catholic. Senior right-hander Nick Valencia was basically a pitcher on the junior varsity last year. Junior Ian Malone is another righty. So is senior Aidan Calcaterra, who just got clearance to return to action after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee,

So the Bees have basically 10 kids who can grab the ball and head to the mound this season. That’s depth.

“We’re okay with that,” Hoffmann said.

The Bees have a huge hole to fill behind the plate, but they have Paradine back there -- namely freshman Aidan Paradine, Shane’s little brother. The Bees also have sophomore Rob Geisler to maintain the pitching staff.

“Both are competing and both will play,” Hoffmann said.

Senior Carlos Miranda was off to a fine season, but he suffered a concussion in the early stages of last season and missed most of the season. Miranda batted .338 before being relegated to the bench after the injury, Miranda is getting a chance to play first base this season. Miranda started there as a sophomore.

Senior Brian Cotter is a three-year varsity player, will get the chance to start at second base. Senior Gonzalez is the shortstop and a solid defensive player. Baranok, a four-year varsity player and three-year starter at third base, will settle the infield down. Baranok, an All-Hudson player last season, hit .394 with 18 RBI last season. Baranok is a player to watch. He’s 11 hits shy of reaching the impressive 100-hit plateau for his career.

Hoffmann is convinced that Baranok can be the leader that the Bees had with Paradine the last two seasons.

“I really do think he can do it,” said Hoffmann of Baranok, who has already committed to play at Ramapo College next spring. “He’s best friends with Shane, so we’re hoping some of what Shane did for us rubbed off on him. I think he’s excited to do what he could do and have the same kind of year he’s enjoyed the last two years.”

Junior Tyler Johnson is a very athletic kid who can cover left field. Mitchell can cover a lot of ground in center field.

“He’s smooth,” Hoffmann said. “He’s very quick. It was limited, but I liked what I saw in the first week of practice.”

Valencia will see a lot of time in right field, but look for sweet-swinging junior Santiago Jimenez to make a difference somewhere in the lineup, either in the outfield, first base or designated hitter. Jimenez can flat out hit the ball. If he was stuck in phone booth, Jimenez could hit his way out of it. Calcaterra will also get a chance to play once he gains medical clearance.

“He can help us,” Hoffmann said of Calcaterra, the son of soccer coach and former athletic director John Calcaterra. “He can swing the bat.”

Senior Anthony Klick is another who will see time in the infield, on the mound or even catcher.

So don’t cry for the Bees. Don’t forget, the Bees buzzed their way to 25 wins last year. It wasn’t a fluke. They’ll be back.

“We hope so,” Hoffmann said. “Winning is part of our culture. So for us to finally win the county crown was huge. It meant a lot. We want to keep it moving forward.”