Pitcher/slugger Ferriero returns for another season
By Jim Hague
The Harrison High School baseball team did a lot of eye opening last season. Led by diligent coach Sean Dolaghan, the Blue Tide rolled to 14 wins, including a shocking upset of St. Peter’s Prep in the Hudson County Tournament and wins in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I state playoffs.
After losing just two starters to graduation, Dolaghan hopes to build on that successful season.
“It definitely put us on the map,” Dolaghan said. “It was good to see us get recognized for how well we did. We won some games last year, like St. Peter’s Prep and St. Mary’s, teams we never beat before. It gave our kids a lot of confidence and now we have high hopes for this season. You could tell from Day One that these kids are ready to compete this season.”
To get his team ready, Dolaghan scheduled some tough opponents in preseason scrimmages, foes like Dayton Regional, Park Ridge and neighboring rival Kearny.
“We want to be able to play the better teams,” Dolaghan said.
It must have worked, because the Blue Tide came out smoking in their first regular season game last Saturday, defeating St. Benedict’s Prep, 10-0. Not a bad way to start the new campaign.
“The kids were definitely ready,” Dolaghan said.
Leading the returnees is senior right-handed pitcher/infielder Anthony Ferriero. The ace of the pitching staff, Ferriero had an impressive 7-2 record with an earned run average just a hair above 2.00 last season. It was Ferriero who earned the win in their historic upset of Prep.
Ferriero is also a sensational hitter, batting .500 with five homers and 38 RBI, earning All-Hudson County honors.
“When Anthony is on the mound, we know we can beat just about anyone,” Dolaghan said. “It’s a different confidence level for everyone when Anthony is pitching. He can definitely do better this season, but if he gives us just half of what he did last year, we’ll be fine. He had a special year. If he comes close to that again, we’ll be a good team.”
Senior Sean Byrne also returns to the mound corps, although Dolaghan is so impressed with his pitching staff, he may leave Byrne at shortstop for the entire season, even though Byrne was impressive as a pitcher last year, winning three games.
“He’s much better at shortstop and when he’s at shortstop, we’re a much better team,” Dolaghan said of Byrne, who hit close to .400 last season. “He’s a very good shortstop.”
Byrne might be called upon to serve as the team’s closer, becoming like the Mariano Rivera of Harrison.
Senior Felipe Flores also returns. Flores was the team’s catcher last year, earning All-NJIC Meadowlands Division honors last season. This year, Dolaghan converted the hard-throwing Flores into a full-time starting pitcher and it’s already paid dividends, as Flores fanned 13 in the shutout win over St. Benedict’s last Saturday.
“I was concerned that Felipe might have a tough time going seven innings, but he proved me wrong,” Dolaghan said. “He looked strong.”
The Blue Tide pitching staff also features senior Jairo Quintanilla and sophomore Sebastian Sanchez.
What gave Dolaghan the ability to move Flores from behind the plate came when junior Emil Zorillo transferred into Harrison from the Dominican Republic. Zorillo has been a major find behind the dish.
“He has a cannon for an arm,” Dolaghan said. “He’s one of the best I’ve seen. He hit at least three homers during our scrimmages.”
And Zorillo started off the season in fine fashion with a homer, triple and four RBI. He’s a player to watch.
The first base duties are being shared by Ferriero when he’s not on the mound and senior Luis Velasquez.
Dolaghan has a pair of sophomores to man second base, namely his cousin, Tommy Dolaghan, and Moises Roque.
“Tommy knows the game and he’s a good player,” the head coach said of his cousin. “He’s a nice fielder and has a very good future. Moises is also a good player. They have a nice little competition going and they push each other.”
Byrne is a mainstay at shortstop and should be one of the top performers in the NJIC Meadowlands Division this season. Quintanilla plays third, but the versatile Ferriero might see time there as well.
Sophomore Adam Huseinovic, who started every game last year as a freshman, returns to his slot in left field.
“Adam hits the ball and hits it hard,” Dolaghan said.
Flores has been shifted from catcher to centerfield when he’s not pitching. When Flores is on the hill, senior Justin Agosto is in center.
The Blue Tide’s right fielder is senior Christian Otero.
Harrison will get to know how good it is in a hurry, as the Blue Tide faces league rivals Becton Regional and Lyndhurst this week. Talk fire.
But Dolaghan thinks his team will be ready. His coaching staff, consisting of Charlie Comprelli, Jimmy Morais and former Kearny High and Montclair State pitching ace Jairo Mendez, feel good about the prospects.
“Our team is based on our pitching and defense,” Dolaghan said. “We’re going to be a good team no matter what because of that. But if we can hit, we can be a great team. We have to be able to push some runs across this season. A lot of these kids are back from last year and the confi dence is there. We have a ‘Core Four’ of seniors (Ferriero, Flores, Byrne, Quintanilla) who have been through a lot and want to do well again this year.”
Chances are that they will.