Spring teams ready for new season

Courtesy Photo Hammonton High School’s baseball team won four games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida last week as it prepared for the start of the 2023 season.

HAMMONTON—Spring sports teams at Hammonton High School and St. Joseph Academy were busy last week as they prepare for the start of the 2023 season.

Hammonton’s baseball team was in Florida last week where the Blue Devils won four times in preseason matchups against several strong opponents.

Among the Blue Devils who played well at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex were Jamison McNally, who threw several strong innings, and Eric Barts, who collected a pair of hits in Hammonton’s opening game. Later, Frank Sacco had a hit to back strong pitching from Austin Schoell, Paul Kalani and Lucas Guerrier in another Hammonton win.

The Devils wrapped up the trip with two more wins, the first sparked by Matt McAleer’s triple and an RBI from Jonathan Calderone. Brayden Markhart earned the win.

In Hammonton’s final game of the trip, Drew Haines, McAleer and Jonovan Carde each had multiple hits while Ryan Beebe and Kole Bagnell pitched well in the Blue Devils win.

Hammonton has a pair of scrimmages this week before it opens the season on April 3 at home against Millville.

St. Joseph’s baseball team played several games in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last week, as they begin the season with new head coach Chris Caprio.

The Wildcats played well on their trip, and will scrimmage twice this week before opening the season at Absegami on April 3.

St. Joe’s softball team looked solid in its first preseason action against Middle Twp. last week, then headed to Florida for a series of preseason matchups. The Wildcats are looking to repeat as South Jersey Non-Public B champions, and return a number of varsity veterans and a few newcomers to coach Les Olson’s strong roster.

St. Joseph scrimmages three more times this week and will begin its new season on April 3 at Audubon.

Hammonton’s softball team will play three scrimmages this week before the Blue Devils open the season at Vineland on April 3.

On the track, Hammonton’s boys and girls teams have been busy working out for the last two weeks and both teams begin the new season next week with meets on April 4 and 5.

The Blue Devils boys volleyball team saw its first preseason action last week, and will scrimmage one more time before playing their season-opener at Absegami on April 4.

On the tennis court, Hammonton will continue its preseason workouts until it opens the season on April 4 at home against Cedar Creek.

Hammonton’s golfers saw their season opener canceled by rain last week, and the Blue Devils had five matches slated for this week.

At St. Joseph, the boys lacrosse team has three scrimmages scheduled for this week as they prepare for their season opener on April 3 at Winslow.

The Wildcats girls lacrosse team has also been practicing and will open its season at home on April 3 against West Deptford.

Also at Hammonton, the girls 7v7 flag football team opens its season at home on March 31 against Absegami at 5:30 p.m.