TJ Hunt

Scouting Director, New Jersey

High School: Wayne Valley

Head Coach: Jeff Hoover (12th season, 178-105)

2015 Record: 21-7, Passaic County Champs, Big North Independence Division Co-Champs

The boys from the south side of Ratzer Road in Wayne have a lot to build on from last year. Coach Hoover led the Indians to a 21-7 record, which was good enough for a Co-Championship in the Big North Independence Division as well as a Passaic County Tournament title. However, key graduation losses leave the indians with some major holes to fill. Ace RHP Mike LoPresti (St. John’s) was one of the top pitchers in North Jersey. He led the pitching staff in wins with 7, which was good for 3rd in North Jersey when it was all said and done. Another huge loss will be 1B/RHP Joe Pascucci. Pascucci was a big bat in the middle of Coach Hoover’s order, leading the team with 30 RBIs, good for 13th in all of North Jersey.

With all of this said, the Indians return 4 starters from last year’s championship team. Leading the pitching staff this year will be Seniors RHP Alex Kokos (Rowan), LHP Sean Lewandoski, and RHP Chris O’Shea. All three seniors contributed quality innings last year, and will utilize their experience in leading the staff this year. Kokos will be the jack of all trades this year. He will be top pitcher, their rock at shortstop, and will hit at the top of the lineup. Look for Valley’s success to be largely dependent on how the rest of their pitching staff performs. Sean Lewandoski, in particular. The tough lefty is very methodical in his craft. He paints the corners and shoots for the knees, while using his offspeed to get hitters out in front and create poor contact. Wayne Valley shows no lack of talent, and will look to reload in 2016.  The 2015 JV squad went 23-1 while being led by a talented sophomore class.  Those sophomores have since become juniors, and will be counted on to continue the success that has become so common for the Indians.

Offensively, Kokos, O’Shea, Lewandoski, and C Tyler Walther (WIlkes) will be the mainstays in Coach Hoover’s lineup. Walther possesses plus receiving skills behind the dish, and is equipped with a quiet body and strong hands and forearms.  Walther can make any borderline pitch look like a definite strike to an umpire. With these four senior leaders, the talented junior class has a gritty group to lead them to success. The most intriguing story for the Indians in the early going will be which junior steps up to make a name for himself.  It will be vital for the inexperienced 2017 class to grow up quick, and find the confidence needed to repeat as Passaic County Champions and to challenge in the state tournament.

Coach’s Bio:
Jeff Hoover, 12th season 178-105
+2 Passaic County Championships
+Graduated from Northern Highlands, 1985
+Played on Highlands’ North 1 Group 3 Championship team, the only major championship the baseball program has to this day
+Played his freshman ball under Coach John Mazzo, who is now the HC of Passaic Valley

Team’s Biggest Matchups in 2016:
+@ Lakeland - 4/4
+vs. Wayne Hills - 4/9
+@ Hillsborough - 4/16
+vs. Lakeland - 4/27
+@ Wayne Hills - 5/9
+***@ William Paterson University vs. Pompton Lakes (9th annual senior game)*** - 5/24

Biggest Rivals:
+Lakeland
+Cross-Town Rival Wayne Hills
+Passaic Valley

Fun Facts About Assistant Coaches:
+Volunteer Varsity Assistant Coach Nick Crouch is the varsity hockey coach at Lakeland.
+Assistant/JV Coach T.J. Schneider is also a varsity football assistant coach at Wayne Valley
+Volunteer Assistant Coach Dan Johnson played college baseball at Millersville University
+Freshman Coach James Camb played varsity baseball at Passaic Valley and won the 2007 Passaic County Championship under HC John Mazzo

Notable Baseball Alumni:
+Derrick Bligh - (Iona) 2x 1st Team All-Passaic pitcher
+K.C. Abel - (William Paterson) 2x 1st Team All-Passaic, 3rd Team All-State Group 3
+Michael Tolerico - (Montclair State) 2x 1st Team All-Passaic, 3rd Team All-State Group 3
+Brian Kokos - (Rutgers-Newark)
+Anthony Simone - (Scranton)