Telecom fails first test, still looking for heart and leadership

April 20, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Austin Ruiz is one of Telecom's few players left over from its championship team two years ago and is one of its only vocal leaders. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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The Telecom Yellow Jackets are perennially one of the top baseball programs in Brooklyn, but there is a clear need for heart and leadership after they failed their first big test of the season when they lost to Tottenville 11-1 in Dyker Heights on Friday.

“We’ve been spoiled,” said head coach Ed D’Alessio, who is in his 15th year coaching the team. “We’re a small school, a small program; we’ve been successful, but it’s hard to keep it going. You are going to have years where it’s hard to keep the talent going.”

Two years ago, Telecom won the Public School Athletic League city championship, and last year it was a serious contender. But now there are just three players left over from the championship roster. D’Alessio said many of the new players are untested or immature.

“We’re good overall, but we don’t have the fire that we had with past years teams,” said Austin “BooBoo” Ruiz. “Guys have to realize that we all have a part to play, we all need to step up and do our parts. They’re still trying to figure that out.”

The Yellow Jackets’ lack of experience was exposed against Tottenville as sophomore pitcher Mark Barillas struggled early, walked three batters and allowed three runs in the first inning. In an early hole, D’Alessio didn’t like the way his team responded and as a result isn’t sure whether the tough loss will even be a wakeup call for his team.

“Hopefully this loss can turn out to be a good thing and motivates us to work harder,” said senior pitcher Nick Candelario. “Right now we aren’t showing a lot of heart. We’re talented, but we need to keep our heads straight and focused throughout games.”

The potential is there despite the large roster turnover of the last two years. Ruiz is one of the best power hitters in the league, anchoring the lineup. They also have speed in shortstop Kevin Urena and a good all-around hitter in center fielder Marcos Castillo. Najay King has potential to become an impact bat as well. Barillas, the No. 2 starter, has a good bat too.

As D’Alessio says, though, Telecom will only go as far as its pitching staff carries it. On Friday it didn’t look so good, but top starter Evan Layne was sitting out due to a pitch count restriction. Barillas struggled, but is young, and Candelario and Luis Araujo are a pair of seniors that Telecom will rely upon to be stoppers.

“Our program is probably where it has always been,” D’Alessio said. “We just got a little exposed. We played one of the best teams in the city, and if you don’t come with your A-game, you are going to get pounded. People are saying we’re a city championship team. Is it possible? Sure, but it’s going to be tough, and we’re going to need to find some leaders to show us the way.”