1998 BASEBALL TEAM TEAM YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2014 Every Steinert Baseball team has expectations laid out for it every season. Win the Colonial Division, win the Mercer County Tournament, win a Central Jersey title and win a state title. It was no different for the 1998 Steinert Baseball team but the ending was very peculiar. The '98 Spartans lost the Colonial Division by one game and were ousted in the Mercer County tournament in the second round by rival Hamilton West. It would have been easy for them to pack it in and call it a day, however, they persevered and became Group IV State Champions. The 1998 Baseball team ended with a 24-7 record and outscored its opponents 222-125. A memorable play that made this team seem to be a team of destiny was Chris Talar’s amazing catch to clinch the Central Jersey Championship against Middletown South. They capped their season with a 3-2 win over Bayonne High School in the Group IV final at Toms River North High School. The 1998 Baseball team definitely had its share of ups and downs, but was one of those teams that Coach Rich Giallella stated, "Got hot at the right time.” They received contributions from seniors all the way down to freshmen." It was a total team effort that will be remembered forever in Steinert lure. Members of the 1998 Steinert Baseball Team are Captains Rich Brooks, Kevin Kerins, and Matt Wolski as well as Kris Boros, Mike Cortina, Jason Croux, Rob Danbury, Nick Ferrara, Ed Francis, Shane Gonzales, Joe Hernandez, Brad Jenkins, Joseph Mingo, Ryan Neylan, Richard Pingator, Nicholas Pingator, Scott Rich, Jamie Riese, Michael Rogers, Michael Santoro, Gary Sudol, and Chris Talar. The coaching staff was Head Coach Rich Giallella, and Assistant Coaches Jim Benedict, Kevin Dettlinger, Frank Gatto and Ron Yacyk. Click Here to enlarge the team photo. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE