The pitching of Tripp Fabiano, left, and hitting of Aaron Erb led DJacks Super 14U in season-opener.
By Rich Bevensee
Aaron Erb may have the best of both worlds when it comes to refining his hitting stroke.
At the Diamond Jacks facility at Diamond Nation in Flemington, he leans on Travis Anderson, a well-respected coach and former professional ballplayer.
And at home, Erb taps into the knowledge of big brother Jacob, who was a standout in his own right at Hunterdon Central.
Erb saw to it that his exceptional teachers would be proud of him on opening day. Anderson penciled Erb as his leadoff hitter when the Diamond Jacks Super 14U squad played the Sugar Kings, and the lefty-hitting Erb responded by going 3-for-3 with a three-run triple to fuel the Diamond Jacks’ 16-1 decision in three innings on Friday night at ‘The Nation.’
Erb said that ironing out some kinks in his lefty swing this winter could not have been possible without his brother Jacob, 23, a 2020 Hunterdon Central graduate. Jacob went on to play football at Division 3 Susquehanna.
“I usually pull out my shoulder since I’m a lefty hitter and I’m right-hand dominant,” Erb said. “My brother was the same way, and he taught me the way to fix it. It took a little while to get it because I play football and basketball, too, but once I got into winter training I tried to work on that.
“Jacob was a really good baseball player, so he’s the one who, when I get home, critiques me the most. First he’s like, ‘What are you doing out there?’ Then he gives me some pointers. I take it to heart because he knows what he’s doing. He has always tried to make me the best I can be.”
Erb led a Diamond Jacks lineup which saw the first 12 batters reach base safely and score 12 runs in the top of the first inning. Erb began the game with a sharp single to right, and 11 batters later he stroked a three-run triple into the right field corner. Erb singled again in the third inning.
Also contributing to that first inning blitz, Antonio Sivio ripped a two-run single and Ryan Sharma, Tyler LaGanga and Alan Pena added RBI singles.
“I always love barrels,” Anderson said. “So many games like this can be walk fests and to hit the ball like we did, it’s so good. I want these kids to have really good at bats. I told the kids let’s not throw at-bats away. I want them to be more aggressive than passive.”
Sivio added an RBI single in the second inning, and Sharma drove in a run with a double down the left field line in the third.
Right-hander Tripp Fabiano pitched ably in the season opener for the Diamond Jacks, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with three strikeouts over two innings. After allowing the Sugar Kings to rally for a run with two outs in the first, Fabiano faced the minimum in the second, thanks in large part to starting a 1-6-3 double play.
“I did a lot of athletic training this winter – plyometrics, lifting,” Fabiano said. “My arm feels like I can throw more now. I feel like I have more stamina and I’m more explosive. My arm was feeling good today, feeling loose. In the bullpen I was rushing too much at the start and I had to pace myself down, but toward the end it felt better.”
“We always talk about attacking the zone,” Anderson said. “By the time he took the mound it was 12-0, so you want to make sure you’re establishing your zone. We’re not trying to split it into thirds. We’re trying to split the plate in half, outer half, inner half. Make sure you’re getting strike one. I thought he was cutting the ball just a bit, a little adrenaline, which is fine, but he got through it.”
Tyler Izbicki pitched around a walk to record a scoreless third inning in relief.
For the Sugar Kings, who hail from Ocean Township, Everett Hoffman drove in the team’s only run with an RBI single in the first. Matthew Damato (one run on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in two innings) and Mason Dondero (three runs on two hits and two walks with a strikeout in one inning) pitched well in relief.