Among the other pitchers to watch on the roster in addition to Sozio and Brown are senior Sean Skikus and sophomore Dan Vybihal, both of whom are currently dealing with arm discomfort, but there is hope that both can return for the team’s stretch run while adding some nice, additional depth to both the rotation and bullpen.

Overall, despite its occasional rough patches this spring, Caldwell baseball remains an optimistic and forward-looking group that could very well once again make some noise in a strong state section come late May.

“Sure, it’s a cliché, but we do make it a point to take it one day at a time, and just focus on the next game,” said Smith. “We have a good group of kids who work hard and come ready to compete each day and that’s always a nice plus over the course of a season.”

NOTES- Smith has a strong coaching staff with veteran varsity assistant Jimmy Phillips, who is a former standout outfielder at West Essex, along with Rob Cifelli and Bob Siedler. The sub-varsity staff is also solid with JV coach Jack Docteroff and freshmen coach Todd Romano, the Chiefs’ outstanding head football coach who stepped into guide the frosh when Smith had a need to be filled. Romano is a former head varsity baseball coach at Newark Tech where he did a terrific job with the Terriers diamond program…Marco Sozio’s older brother, former Caldwell basketball and baseball standout Lorenzo, Jr., is also helping coach with the Chiefs baseball program this spring…Former Chiefs star Nick Bergamotto is continuing to excel at the next level as he is a key contributor as a junior infielder for Siena College which entered recent action with a 19-28 record, but with a solid 15-11 mark in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) where the ex-Caldwell star is also a conference All-Academic Team honoree. He is batting .252 with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 19 RBI. Last spring he batted .264 with 53 hits, including 11 doubles, 5 homers and 31 RBI.

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