Glen Rock baseball’s 2017 season has been nothing but a success. Currently with an 18-5 record and in the second round of the state playoffs.

The team also finished with a 14-2 league record and tied with Rutherford to share a league title win for this season.

An experienced roster has helped the team thrive this year, as the team holds nine seniors.

However, this season was also a rebuilding stage for the team as the baseball team lost twelve seniors last season.

That year also ended in a league title but unfortunately a second round loss to Jefferson in states.

New senior captains Matt Williams and Connor Smith have gathered the troops together and the team has been able to bounce back.

“Last year we graduated twelve guys so a lot of people were expecting us to have a drop off this year because of the talent we lost last year,” head coach William Crispino said.

Coach Crispino finds the team’s chemistry as the main key to the team’s ability to win baseball games this year.

“These guys aren’t worried about impressing college coaches, they’re just worried about winning baseball games and it shows on the baseball field. They just do their thing,” Crispino said.

Glen Rock’s baseball seniors cannot believe the journey they have been on and how their high school sports careers are about to end soon.

Connor Smith, outfielder, pitcher and co-captain for the team, talked about his last four years in the program.

“Baseballs been a sport that I’ve played my whole life and not playing it anymore is definitely going to change the dynamic of my life,” Smith said.

Colin Morrow, senior outfielder, has had to adjust this season from playing catcher to outfielder due to an injury in his knees for hockey.

Morrow looks back on changing his attitude from improving individual stats as a younger player, to doing whatever it takes to win.

“When you’re younger it’s all about individual development, there wasn’t much on the line about winning and now that we are in high school winning is huge at each level you play in,” Morrow said.

Luke Nuzzo, senior, plays second base for the program, and he described how his teammates are why he is so motivated to play everyday.

“Definitely gonna miss the team and the players. Everytime going to practice. Couple kids Matt Kopyta (Junior) always has a goofy smile. Ashton (Dalessio, Junior). It’s just the fun kids,” Nuzzo said.

Crispino talked about the emotions he had on senior night as the senior players took pictures with their parents before the game and went out to win against Lodi 8-4.

“It always is because it’s the beginning of the end, you know the end is near whether you go all the way or not it’s always tough,” Crispino said.

Crispino also talked about the leadership qualities of the seniors as they try to go out with a bang.

Not only the captains but the other seniors as well.

“Noah Kastleman on the mound is a leader by example he never gets flustered no matter what the situation is. Colin Morrow brings his hockey mentality to the field and Luke Nuzzo is just a tough kid who does whatever you ask him to do and does it well,” Crispino added.

Whether the team gets the victory versus High Point on Saturday, kids and coaches can still look on this season as one to remember.