Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Students Baseball Team News

There is more to learn on a baseball field than hitting, throwing, and catching.

Lessons on developing a confident mindset, being able to persevere, and building lifelong friendships are as crucial as hitting the cutoff man, stealing a base, and moving over the runner.

That is the theme presently underway this spring among the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School baseball team players and staff.

The 14 players who comprise the roster respond to this mission, and they react to a bunt sign.

Their coaches from whom they receive crucial guidance are Middle School teachers Nick Costanzo and Matt Jarvis.

Coach Costanzo, who claimed that “he has played this game his whole life,” is loyal to his team, school, and the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District.

The 2017 graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School believes in molding his players.

" We try not to emphasize wins and losses, but, of course, we want to be competitive,” said Coach Costanzo, who is in his second year in the dugout. “We are more concerned about building confidence, and then we will feed them to the high school program.”

Coach Costanzo preaches to his players to remain positive and to shake off the negatives.

“We want them to persevere. If they strike out, don’t bring that when you return on the field,” Coach Costanzo said.

Joe DeLucia, an 8th Grader who is the team's catcher, shares his coach's beliefs with his teammates.

“Leadership and teamwork are important. I want to keep our team in check,” said Joe, whose twin brother Matt is a teammate. “We are a team, and we are building chemistry, and we will win games.”

“Picking up your teammates is so important,” Coach Costanzo revealed. “You will establish lifelong friendships from playing on this team.”

So, this team is focused on what is essential.

And, yes, they are also focused on the scoreboard.

The team improved to 3-2 on the season after Bridgewater-Raritan defeated the J.P. Case Middle School of Flemington, 3-1, on April 24.

Here is the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Baseball Roster

Player, Position

Luca Bozzo, C and OF
Jake Correa, SS and 2B
Joe DeLucia, C
Matt DeLucia, CF and P
Vito Lodese, OF, 1B and P
Sai Patel, 1B and P
Grayson Petronzi, OF and P
Tyler Plank, 3B and P
Colton Reimann, 2B and P
Cody Rible, SS and P
Chase Rutherford, OF, and P
Andrew Schmieder, 3B and P
Jack Sternadori, C, OF and P
Nick Yacykewych, OF and P

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