Preseason Team Preview: West Milford

March 6, 2016

Sun March 6, 2016
New Jersey Staff

High School: West Milford Highlanders
Head Coach: Joe Jordan (8th season as head coach, 14th overall)
2015 Record: 10-14

West Milford, and Coach Joe Jordan, are coming off an especially tough 10-14 campaign in 2015. 2015’s senior-laden club was on the wrong side of 7 total one or two run losses that included a 2-1 walk-off loss to Bergen Catholic. However, it is a new year, and Coach Jordan is excited about the fresh slate that this spring brings around. Although only 4 players return, they are in vital positions that will help West Milford make a run at the Passaic County Championship. Senior P/SS Sean Kelemen (Sussex CC), C Chris Miller (Sussex CC), and OF Zach Messler will make the Highlanders very strong up the middle. Kelemen was the team’s second leading hitter in 2015, and he will be counted on as the #2 pitcher when he’s not leading the squad at short. Miller is the top defensive catcher in the league, and will be vital in controlling the running game. Messler moves to center, and will captain an outfield filled with two new comers.

Junior RHP Calvin Egan will be the ace of the staff. Egan pitched to some tough-luck losses in ’15 including that walk-off loss to Bergen Catholic. The 6’4 220-pounder is an imposing force on the mound, and is coming off a summer in which he took major strides forward. The Highlanders will go as far as his right arm carries them.

The rest of the West Milford roster is still a question mark. The athleticism is clearly evident, but the inexperience definitely jumps out. If the growing pains of early April lead way to growth, then the Highlanders could make a run in a stacked North 1 Group 3 section that now includes both Roxbury and West Essex.

**WM's freshman class is a group to keep an eye on. Coach Jordan is excited about the future of the program, and he has good reason to be. This group of 2019’s is the best crop that the Highlanders have seen in the last decade. They are a physical bunch, and could challenge for varsity time this year.

WM's Biggest Matchups in 2016
+ @ Wayne Valley 4/1
+@ Wayne Hills 4/4
+@ Hawthorne 4/13
+Ramapo 4/18
+@ Lakeland 4/21

Biggest Rivals:
+Lakeland
+Wayne Valley

Fun Facts about West Milford:
Coach Joe Jordan was part of the program’s last two state sectional titles: as a player in 1996 and as Head Coach in 2012

Notable Baseball Alumni:
2010 Pittsburgh Pirates draftee Logan Pevny played three years in the Pirates farm system.