The 2017 Varsity Barrons’ baseball team had a memorable season last year holding a 25-6 record. The team, led by Coach Urbano, made it to the semifinals but fell short in a 8-7 walk off loss against St. Joes in the GMC’s. The Barrons also faced defeat against Monroe (3-1)  in the tournament semifinals.

After a historical season, many vital players left the team last season, including Coach Urbano and 2017 Major League Baseball draft pick and Home News Tribune Baseball Player of the Year, Harry Rutkowski.

Coach Urbano retired from teaching and coaching at Woodbridge and is now an assistant coach at Kean University.

Rutkowski, the team’s starting pitcher and first baseman, has continued his baseball career at Rutgers University and is now pitching in Division 1 competition. Rutkowski was recently named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after pitching six scoreless innings to help his team win the weekend series against Penn State.

The boys’ baseball team, lead by Coach Monaco, the newly appointed coach, is ready for their Spring 2018 season.

Coach Monaco anticipates a great season.“It is an honor to become the head baseball coach here at WHS. The program has a long tradition of success,” Coach Monaco said.

Coach Monaco has been playing baseball for most his life, from Little League until college, and coached baseball for seven years. This season, he expects “to compete everyday as hard as [the team] possibly can, and to continuously grow as student athletes and baseball players.”

The players share Coach Monaco’s enthusiasm on the new season, and plan to compete all the way up to the state championships.

Mike Medvetz, senior captain and long-time baseball player, highly values the efforts of the coaching staff. “This year, I am playing wherever coach needs me,” Mike said.

Jack Golden, a junior on the Barrons’ varsity team, said his goals this season are “beat Colonia, win the White Division and win the State Championship.”

Coach Monaco predicts this season to be “very fun and competitive” and hopes to see many Barrons at their upcoming games lasting through the spring season.

After winning a game, the boys return to their locker room and ring the team’s victory bell. Each player who contributes greatly to the win gets their own separate turn making the baseball bell chime.

The Barrons’ Baseball team plans to “ring the bell” continuously this season after every win.