The Wayne Hills High School baseball team is starting off their 2024 season very strong! The boys are currently 10-2 and ranked number one in the Independence Division.
The team started their season with a trip to Florida for Spring training. During this trip, you could see that the boys were going to excel this season, although they lost their first two games they were able to show their strength the third and fourth games defeating a team from Pittsburgh and New Jersey, Blair Academy.
The boys opened up their first game against Lakeland on April 5th. The Patriots were able to pull off a win starting their season strong. Senior Dean Qira, pitched first during this game with senior Corey Mulholland taking his spot on the mound after the 5th inning. With 92 pitches thrown during the game Dean only allowed one hit and threw 6 strikeouts! Dean Qira is committed to play at a high level at Stevens Institute of Technology. He has an unmatched understanding for the game and has had an amazing season so far with a 0.84 ERA (earned run average), 33 strikeouts, while pitching 25 innings and has thrown 428 pitches. Pitcher Dean Qira stated, “We are always making sure no matter what game it is that we play 100 percent. I think that helps us play better as a team.”
The team’s winning record has brought great fortune for the season so far, ranking at the second seed for counties. If the boys continue to show their talents on the field and in the dugout the boys hopefully will go far in counties and states! Junior Case Baratta, who plays outfield stated, “We have a very experienced team, and all rounded players. We are excited to make a statement in counties and states.”
Senior Sal Cifalino is new to the team playing his last three years at DePaul. As a new player on the team with experience with another great school he states, “This team is special. We play with a certain swag that separates us from everyone else. Our energy is unmatched on and off the field.” Sal is always prepared to make a flashy play on the field, giving him the ability to show show everyone the great player he is.
This team is built with very strong players and have a great future with juniors Casey Baratta, Max De Lagarde, Chris Pellegrino and sophomores Andrew Lynch and Chris Cundari. If the boys are able to keep their energy up, we might just see a new trophy in the Hills trophy case.
