As the seasons begin to change and the familiar sounds and smells of spring begin to appear, high school baseball season is approaching quickly. Following a season with a record of 14-14, Roxbury High School baseball is back and training for a season even stronger than the last. The team is matched with a long and strenuous schedule, preparing them for a long and exciting season.
Roxbury Baseball is led and coached by Coach Greg Trotter, who has been with the team for many years. After an interview conducted with the Coach, he explained that, “our kids and coaching staff have high expectations for this season. We are returning all of our pitchers and adding a few guys that were injured as well as others that were not varsity players last season. If our pitching stays healthy, we expect to be very good on the mound. Offensively, we have some athletic kids in the lineup. We expect to take a step forward on the offensive side of the ball. Our guys have worked very hard in the offseason and are competing hard to earn a spot on the field.”
Despite losing key team players, such as Matt Rattay, Colin Richter, and Matt Capko, there are many more this season to watch out for. Senior pitcher, Kyle Phillips, who is also committed to East Stroudsburg University, is coming back from a strong Junior season with Roxbury. Last year, Phillips accumulated an ERA (earned run average) of 3.28 and was statistically the top pitcher for Roxbury. Michael Paxos Jr., had 14 hits, nine runs, and 22 strikeouts, and will likely be heavily utilized this season. Other players to look for are Luke Hunter, Joseph Ronchetta, Ryan Johannessen, Colin Donnelly, and Michael Stigliano, who will also likely be seen a lot this year.
The team’s season officially starts on March 31, in a matchup against Delbarton High School at home. Prior, scrimmages against West Essex, Parsippany Hills, Donovan Catholic, Hanover Park, Caldwell, and Cranford will take place in preparation for their season. They are playing in North Jersey Section 1, Group 3 for states this year, and will be competing against Morris Knolls, Ramapo, Wayne Hills, and many more skilled opponents.
Some highly anticipated matchups are as follows: Morris Knolls, Wayne Hills, Sparta, Mount Olive, and Ramapo, all being previously skilled teams, providing Roxbury with intense series and games. Last season, Roxbury Baseball accumulated 489 PP (Power Points), rewarding them with the number five spot in the 2023-2024 North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 standings. Despite losing last year to Montville in the First Round of Morris County Tournament, and Wayne Hills in the NJSIAA Quarterfinal Round, things are looking up this season.
With a combination of promising players, and returning veterans, it’s looking like Roxbury baseball will be making a significant impact this season. The team’s challenging preseason schedule paired with intense matchups will be a true test of strength, endurance, and stamina, while also a way of showcasing their growth and dominance on the field. The Gaels will step on the field for the first time this year on March 17, away against West Essex for a fun matchup to begin high school baseball preseason.
