As summer begins and schools close their doors, a new Legion baseball season embarks. And Sussex East’s Post 28 Legion baseball team, which is stacked with quality starting pitching and has a good mixture of experience and youth, is optimistic about their chances of winning a state championship this year — despite winning only one of its first three games.
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Cris Barrientos’ solo home run in the bottom of the second inning trimmed a 3-1 R.C. DuPont lead, but Post 28 couldn’t continue the rally and went on to lose 9-2.
Post 28 returns a solid nucleus of starting pitchers in Colin Warner (Wesley University), Zac Spece (Arcadia University), Trevor Abbott (Indian River), first team All-Conference starter Mike Casale, first team All-Conference and honorable mention All-State pitcher C.J. Bell (Sussex Central), while adding Luis Barrientos and D.J. Long (Sussex Central) to this year’s team.
And, position-wise, Post 28 is deeper than they’ve been over the past couple of years, according to assistant head coach Brendan Warner. This year, they have the luxury of playing the best possible lineup because they have so much versatility.
Warner mentioned that Cameron Travalini (Indian River), Sean Lewis (Indian River) and Bell could play just about every infield position, plus the outfield if necessary.
Travalini and Bell are slated to play second base. In addition to pitching, Barrientos is slated to play third base, where he earned an honorable mention All-State selection as a sophomore. But he can also play shortstop, as can Bell.
Long, a second-team All-State shortstop, gives Post 28 their best option at shortstop, though Lewis showed he could play the position after a couple of injury-marred seasons by earning an honorable mention All-State selection.
Bo Wilkinson is slated as the team’s starting catcher after splitting duties with long-time Sussex East catcher and Indian River alumni D.J. Clark. Bryan Lynch (an Indian River alumnus) will provide depth at catcher, as well as both corner infield positions.
Warner and Casale will split the first baseman’s duties, depending on who’s pitching.
Brian Scott (Sussex Central), Matt Williamson (Indian River alumni) and Martez Hagans give Post 28 three speedy outfielders, in addition to Josh Sweetman and Abbott (both from Indian River).
The problem, as will probably be the case with all Legion teams this year, is getting everyone at the same game to field the best team. Some days, players may have to play a position they haven’t played since Little League, or maybe ever. Last season, Abbott had to play first base in the second game of a double header because that’s the way it worked out with the pitching and who was available on that particular day.
As of the first week of the season, Post 28 has had to reschedule two double headers to a later date because players are having a difficult time getting off work. The coaches understand that not every player has the flexibility to amend their work schedule to suit their Legion baseball schedule and that many have financial responsibilities.
“We have so many kids that can play a number of positions,” Warner said. “And we’ve told them to be ready to play anywhere. Right now, our biggest weakness is not being able to get a full contingent of players all the time. And we understand that the kids have to work and that some have to pay car insurance, but it is a concern.”
And as of this week, Post 28 — especially its pitchers — is still trying to get readjusted to playing baseball on a regular basis. Many of the players haven’t played in about a month and the coaching staff is taking a cautious approach the early goings of the season.
They’ve tried to limit their pitchers to about 75 pitches, no matter what, so far. Warner cruised through five innings and held a 3-0 lead against Dover’s Post 2 before being pulled as a precaution, and eventually Post 28 lost that game, 6-3, after giving up six runs in the sixth inning.
Spece fell victim to a tight strike zone against R.C. DuPont and threw 43 pitches in the first inning. He eventually walked in five runs in bases-loaded situations. Spece was pulled in the middle of the third, in favor of Warner, but by then the damage was done. R.C. DuPont was up 5-1 and eventually went on to win 9-2.
Trevor Abbott earned Post 28’s lone win thus far in a 13-1 win over Milford on June 7.
Currently, Post 28 is scheduled to host Oak Grove in a double header on June 16 but the team is trying to reschedule it to Sunday. Post 28 will play their home games at the old Indian River High School field – except for Sunday games, which will be played at the Pyle Center, according to head coach Jody Sweetman.
Post 28 will then travel to play Georgetown’s Steever’s squad at the Sports at the Beach complex for a 6 p.m. game on June 19.