Steinert High’s Anthony Peroni smiles before an at-bat during a 10-1 win at Trenton April 6, 2015. (Photo by Suzette J. Lucas.)
Here is fair warning to Anthony Peroni’s date to the Senior Prom: if the Steinert baseball season is still in progress, don’t even think about telling him to trim his beard or get a haircut, no matter how far his locks trickle over the back of his tux.
Never mess with a baseball player’s superstitions, especially when he’s hitting the heck out of the ball.
“The last haircut I got was probably two months ago for the fashion show in January,” Peroni said on April 4 after the Spartans beat No. 1 state-ranked Gloucester Catholic. “Every year I never shave. I won’t shave for the rest of the season, I won’t get a haircut or anything. I like having something from the start of the season to the end to show how it grows, just like the team.”
And Steinert definitely grew in early April, winning its first seven games. Included were three extra-inning victories in which the Spartans came from behind in the seventh, and the win over nationally-ranked Gloucester Catholic.
In the middle of it all was Peroni. Junior shortstop Shane Keledy said he is “the kind of guy you like to follow,” while junior pitcher Anthony Francioso said Peroni’s knowledge of the game makes him a top-notch captain.
Steinert head coach Brian Giallella was in complete agreement with his players.
“He’s a great kid, just a hard worker,” he said. “He wants to be here, he loves playing baseball. You can see guys on our team are gonna follow him and he’s gonna be the one that is going to lead the way.”
Which is something that Peroni has focused on since coming up through Nottingham Little League and Babe Ruth League.
“I always pride myself in being a good leader on this team and showing them how to do things, in the game, in the field and everything,” Peroni said. “I try to do the best that I can.”
Aside from being a leader, Peroni is also one of the most dangerous bats in Steinert’s lineup. Swinging out of the three hole, he hit .409 with three doubles, two home runs nine RBI and seven runs scored in the season’s first two weeks.
“He’s a contact hitter, a solid contact hitter,” Giallella said. “He’s a strong kid, he’s worked hard, and he’s a gap hitter. He’s a guy that’s gonna get extra base hits. He has a good swing and good approach at the plate. He’s smart, he knows what to do in certain situations.”
The senior got his season off in a rousing manner by hitting an eighth-inning, walk-off homer to beat Allentown on opening day. It helped ignite Steinert’s hot start as the Spartans hope to return to the Central Jersey Group III title game and win it this time after losing to Hamilton last year.
“The sky’s the limit for this team,” Peroni said. “We’ve got unbelievable talent that can really take us to a special place. Beating the number one team was a good start. We haven’t won anything yet, but that was a good start.”
Because of his bat, Peroni became a regular as a sophomore as he was moved from behind the plate to third base.
Starting 24 of the 28 games he played in 10th grade, Peroni batted .281 with nine RBI and eight runs scored. Last season, he blossomed at the high school level, hitting .375 (30-for-80) with 21 RBI, a home run and 14 runs scored.
This season, Peroni is back at his comfort level. With Ryan Scholey graduated, Peroni returned to his post behind the plate.
“I’ve been catching since I was a little boy, I really think it’s my home,” he said. “I take pride in what I do back there, and the team is good with me, so it’s good to be back there.”
He feels it has also helped him offensively. Catching, he said, puts him more “in tune” with the game as a whole.
Peroni’s move created a little domino effect, as it also allowed Giallella to move Matt Ricci, a lifetime infielder, from right field to third base.
“It just settles everybody down,” the coach said. “We have guys in there at their positions. It’s giving guys a chance to play and gets a lot of different guys in the game, and that keeps everybody ready. Him moving to catcher gives everybody a chance.”
It also puts Peroni in the position where he is best defensively, and allows him to work with and control pitchers he has grown up with. Add that to his ability to block the ball and call a solid game, said Giallella, and you have the perfect catcher.
Peroni’s progress has been helped by a lengthy career playing travel baseball, including Arsenal and USA Baseball. He is now on Dave Gallagher’s 18-year-old national team.
“Travel ball has been a long thing through my career, and it’s been a good ride,” Peroni said.
The ride will continue with Hamilton Post 31 in legion ball this summer, before Peroni joins the Mercer County Community College powerhouse. The Vikings will be in need of a catcher next year after Hamilton West’s Dave Osnato graduates.
“I had offers from Division I schools, but I really wanted to come in and make an impact on a program as soon as possible,” Peroni said. “Coach (Kevin) Kerins has a great staff over there so I’m really looking forward to next year and finding my home there. You have to think big picture when you go there. You’ll get some unbelievable looks [from scouts], and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Actually, if there is a baseball game being played, Peroni looks forward to it no matter what level.
“Baseball is an unbelievable thing,” he said. “It’s so humbling in every way. Hitting the ball and being successful in this game is very hard, and when you do, it really feels great. It’s really just a great thing to be a part of when you get good group of guys and win baseball games like we’re doing. We all come together and form a bond as a team, it’s unforgettable.”
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