With the Greater Middlesex Conference providing a pipeline of talented players, the Middlesex County College baseball team appears primed to contend for a region title.
“A big part of our program and its success is trying to recruit the GMC and making that relationship with all the coaches from every division,” sixth-year Blue Colts head coach CJ Mooney said. “We don’t shy away from any division that can offer us players. The big thing is getting the message out that we do run a serious program here, that we want (student-athletes) to come here and get a great education at a low cost with the opportunity to grow and develop.
“If you don’t have a lot of options coming out (of high school) senior year, Middlesex County College is a viable option to be developed and then go on to play at the NCAA level.”
Middlesex County College’s current 34-man roster features players from five states including Florida, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Eighteen former GMC players are on this year’s team, which is off to a 3-0 start, outscoring opponents 37-15 during a season-opening road trip to the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the Blue Colts are scheduled to play seven games in five days.
Before departing for Myrtle Beach, Mooney asked his players what their team goals were for this season.
Topping the list was winning the school’s first ever Region XIX championship and securing a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series.
The region in which the Blue Colts compete, featuring powers such as Brookdale Community College and Rowan College of Gloucester County, often occupies two of the eight spots in the season-ending national tournament.
“Top to bottom,” Mooney said, “that shows how strong our region is.”
Mooney said he wants players from Middlesex County to know they don’t have to travel outside the county to play competitive baseball.
“The level of competition (in Region XIX) is second to none,” Mooney said. “The biggest misconception is it’s just junior college baseball. How good can it be?”
Mooney said the region features pitchers busting 90 mph on the radar gun and players who get selected in MLB’s First-Year Player Draft, adding “there’s a lot of talent at this level.”
The Blue Colts livestream their games on YouTube, where they are also available for video replay, enabling college coaches to scout players.
A 2010 graduate of Middesex County College, who went on to play at Rutgers-Camden, where he was named to the ABCA/Rawlings Division III Gold Glove Team as one of the nation’s best defensive first baseman, Mooney captained the 2007 Spotswood High School baseball team that won GMC and state tournament titles.
He was named Region XIX Coach of the Year in 2016 after guiding the Blue Colts to a 28-14 mark that was one win shy of the program’s single-season record for victories. The following year, Middlesex County College finished with 25 victories, marking the first time since the 2003 and 2004 seasons that the Blue Colts won 20 or more games in consecutive years.
Mooney, who works full-time at the college as an academic adviser, recorded his 100th career victory during the 2018 campaign.
A deep pitching staff, including a trio of solid frontline starters, and a potent offense bode well for the Blue Colts this season.
Chris Michael of Colonia, Nick Clemente of East Brunswick and Nick Estes of St. Joseph comprise the top of the rotation.
“With those three and a mix of other freshmen and sophomores, we have the potential to have one of our best staffs in our six years here,” said Mooney, noting Pether Minier of Perth Amboy and Frank Shipman of Edison will also eat up innings.
“We’ve got guys at the top but also a lot of guys who fit in nicely starting, relieving and closing. We have the depth and balance to be able to compete.”
The Blue Colts are succeeding at the plate in the early going, as well. Leadoff batter Mike Russo of Old Bridge has been a sparkplug, reaching base, stealing bases and batting .556 through three games. Bryan Fernandez of Sayreville is batting over .400 and Clemente is hitting .375 with six RBI.
Michael went the distance, fanning six in a 4-3 season-opening victory over Spoon River College of Illinois. Fernandez provided offensive support with two RBI.
In a 15-6 drubbing of Massasoit College of Massachusetts, Fernandes stayed hot at the plate, collecting three hits including a homer. He also scored four runs. Clemente tripled with the bases loaded and finished with four RBI. Russo delivered three hits and plated three runs. Russo and Clemente combined to steal five bases. Shipman did not allow a run and fanned five over four innings for the win. Minier struck out three in two innings of relief.
Russo reached base safely in all five trips to the plate, singling twice and scoring four times in a second victory over Spoon River College, this one by a 16-6 margin. Clemente singled, doubled and drove home two runs. Winning pitcher Bryan Camello of Bound Brook earned his fifth career victory.
The Blue Colts were back in action today with a doubleheader against Mohawk Valley Community College and Illinois Valley Community College.
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