Falcons end strange season with big finish
St. Joe's team reaches potential predicted of them
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

METUCHEN - Under first-year head coach Paul Esposito, the St. Joseph High School baseball team captured its first state sectional title in 18 years and just its second sectional title in school history with a 1-0 victory over Christian Brothers Academy.

It marked a triumphant end to a season that saw the Falcons struggle to measure up to their preseason expectations for much of the year, before finally playing to their perceived potential down the stretch.

Falcon pitcher Kevin Poll was outstanding during the title run, winning three state games and allowing just four runs in all. Poll was on the winning end in his team's 6-2 win over Red Bank Catholic, 14-2 win over Holy Cross, and 1-0 thriller over CBA in which he allowed just two hits.

"Kevin gave us a great effort all season and really came through for us in the states," Esposito said. "His performance against CBA was one of the best pitched games I've seen at the high school level in a long time."

The magical run for the Falcons came to an end with a loss to nationally ranked Seton Hall Prep in the NJSIAA Parochial A final. St. Joe's could manage little offense against Seton Hall Prep's Rick Porcello. Porcello, a first-round draft pick in this year's Major League Baseball draft, led his team to a 10-1 victory.

The game marked the end of the high school careers of Poll and six other Falcon players. Shortstop Eddie Brown, catcher Nick Ciardiello, first baseman Tim Furey, center fielder Nico Vargas, and pitchers Alex Egiziano and Dan Post will all leave holes come next spring.

Brown hit atop the Falcon order and led the team with 26 stolen bases and 36 runs. He hit .345 with four home runs.

"Eddie was the type of player you could always depend on," Esposito said. "He was the engine of this team, and when he got going everybody followed."

Ciardiello also had a fantastic season, belting eight home runs and driving in 29 runs.

"He really tore it up in the states, hitting two home runs in his last two at bats against Red Bank Catholic," Esposito said. "Nick and the rest of the seniors really elevated their game at the end of the season."

Furey also got in on the long-ball fun in the state tournament, leaving the yard against Notre Dame and Holy Cross.

In the 1-0 win over CBA, Vargas came up with the play of the game. In a scoreless tie in the eighth inning, Vargas put the ball in play when Esposito called for the hit-and-run with second baseman Chris Bielak on first.

"Nico's ability to put the ball in play landed a runner in scoring position," Esposito said. "Chris had the awareness to take home on a passed ball, and he deserves a lot of credit too. Chris was the player that brought our team toughness, and it was fitting for him to score the winning run in that game."

While the Falcons are certainly losing some quality talent, third baseman Brian Kostner's return next spring should keep the team headed in the right direction. Kostner led the team with 40 hits and a .386 batting average.

"Brian is such a solid hitter," Esposito said. "He only struck out four times in 29 games, and hit two line-drives off Porcello in the Parochial A Finals."

Esposito is hoping this year's success in the state tournament becomes something of a habit for his Falcons.

"Winning the sectional title was a nice accomplishment," Esposito said. "We kind of stumbled into the tournament and we surprised some people that didn't expect too much out of us. Winning a state title will now be our expectation instead of our hope."