BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES 2002/2003 RECRUITING CLASS
September 10, 2002, Bloomfield, NJ -- The Bloomfield College baseball team is eagerly awaiting the 2003 season and with good reason. The Deacons recently signed 15 promising players and look to be a top contender in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference next season.
Incoming players include: Chris Aguero (Elizabeth H.S./Elizabeth, NJ), Bernardo Aviles (Clifton H.S./Clifton, NJ), Carlos Cruz (Elizabeth H.S./Elizabeth, NJ), Peter Dziopa (Clifton H.S./Clifton, NJ), Joe Franzese (St. Edmunds Academy/Brooklyn, NY), Franklin Marinez (Union H.S./Union, NJ), Cale McKendrick (Raritan Valley Community College/Bridgewater, NJ), Eladio Ortiz (Plainfield H.S./Plainfield, NJ), Hector Rodriguez (Bloomfield H.S./Bloomfield, NJ), Jonathan Torres (Elizabeth H.S./Elizabeth, NJ), Jay Touhey (Roselle Catholic H.S./Roselle, NJ) Brian Girgente (Palomar Community College/San Diego, CA) and Webster Zackery III (Hyde Leadership School/New Haven, CT).
“We’re very excited to be bringing in such a strong group of players. We’ve got a good core group and many of these players should contribute immediately,” said head coach Matt Belford, who is entering his second season.
The recruiting class is led by a number of standout players, including Eladio Ortiz, a left-handed pitcher and centerfielder who was named All-County and All-Area Group 4 by The Star-Ledger, All-State by The Home News Tribune, and All-Area by The Courier-News. He was also selected to play in the All-State Game in Princeton, NJ.
Webster Zackery III is a 6’3”, 225-pound power-hitting outfielder who ran the 60-yard dash in 6.6 seconds. He was named the New Haven Press Scholar Athlete Leader of the Year and was selected to the Connecticut First Team All-League squad.
Jay Touhey was a first-team all-area first baseman for Roselle Catholic High School, and turned down many Division I offers to play at Bloomfield College. The 6’4”, 245-pound power hitter is also a Presidential Academic Scholarship award-winner.
Joe Franzese of St. Edmunds Academy in Brooklyn is a third baseman and catcher who was selected to the All-City and All-Metro Area teams. He is a Presidential Academic Scholarship award-winner.
Transfer Cale McKendrick led all Division III schools in doubles in 2000 and led three of the 10 offensive categories in the nation that year for Rutgers-Newark.
Hector Rodriquez was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher for Bloomfield High School who turned down academic and athletic offers from Division I institutions to attend Bloomfield College. He is a Bloomfield College Trustee Athletic/Academic Scholarship award winner.
The Bloomfield College baseball team enjoys a 50-year legacy and is one of the school’s most successful sports. The baseball team has competed in the District playoffs seven of the past 10 years, winning them twice. Several players have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams and many have played in the minor leagues.
Bloomfield College was elected to active membership in NCAA Division II in July. The College offers intercollegiate athletic teams in men’s and women’s soccer and basketball, women’s softball and volleyball, and men’s baseball and cross country as part of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Students may also participate in intramural sports programs.
