A new era for Becton baseball has started and so far so good.

After the Wildcats shutout Harrison on Friday, Becton was 4-1 and was looking to get back on top of the BCSL National.

Coming into the season new head coach Damon Affinito, who took over for Paul DeSimone, had a good group of young and up-and-coming players this season and so far it has shown.

And this coming despite Affinito just getting the job at the beginning of the year so there is still a learning curve this season. Last season, the Wildcats were 12-9.

He has been happy with the defense and the pitching, but thee are some aspects of the offense that needs improvement, Affinito admits. "We really need to work on our bunting better," said Affinito. "This is a big deal in the close games and against the better teams."

There are nine letterman back led by senior third baseman/first baseman/pitcher Jeremy Liebeck, who was second team All Bergen County and first team All BCSL National.

"He’s got a good fastball, now overpowering, but it moves very well," said Affinito. "He’s not afraid to throw a curveball."

As of last week, Liebeck was 3-0 that included two victories in starts and a victory in relief in the 6-5 decision over Hasbrouck Heights, one of the co-champions of the BCSL National last season. The senior hurler also has a 3.59 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.

In addition, there are three second team-All BCSL National players coming back this season, including senior pitcher/third baseman/shortstop Matt Germann, senior catcher Anthony Hediger and sophomore pitcher/shortstop Matt Fleck. Junior second baseman/pitcher K.J. Ross garnered honorable mention All National honors as a freshman last season.

It is a senior dominated team with starters, right fielder Jarett Foote and first baseman OJ Younes. Third baseman/outfielder Dominique Jones will plenty of playing time while senior outfielders, Erik Smith and Vinny Youngclaus will also see time. Foote leads the team in RBI with eight along with Liebeck while the senior has scored seven runs, tied for the team lead. He has also cracked a pair of home runs to lead the Wildcats.

While Foote is the senior in the outfield, sophomores will gain from a year of experience in centerfielder Dan DeRosa and left fielder Ryan Stuiso.

While Liebeck is the ace with his years on the staff, the Wildcats have a capable second and third starters in Germann and Fleck, both right handers like Liebeck. "He throws a good fastball that is more of a cut fastball," said Affinito who added about Fleck. "Matt’s got a good curveball and really moves his pitches around."

But Fleck has not only shown his ability on the mound, but with the bat. The sophomore led the team in hitting as of last week with a .444 batting average, eight hits and scored seven runs.

Germann showed his progress this season as he no-hit Harrison, 11-0 on Friday. The senior struck out eight batters and gave up four walks. He has a sterling 1.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 13 innings and has only allowed one hit.

If the season continues like it has so far, the Wildcats will be battling with the likes of Hasbrouck Heights, Lyndhurst, St. Mary’s and Wallington for the league title. If there is success in the league season, Becton will probably get a bid in the county tournament and a high seed in the state tournament.