Wesleyan senior catcher Chris Bonti North Jersey Eagles athletics photo

Grinding out 38 regular season games on the North Jersey Eagles ACBL summer baseball schedule, the Eagles catcher, Chris Bonti, helped lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in team history.  

After 8 additional playoff games, most of them on the road, the North Jersey Eagles won their first ACBL championship.  As the catcher for 7 of the 8 playoff games, including the semi-finals and finals, Chris Bonti recorded the first to final out of an amazing playoff stretch of one run victories.

"Most of the playoff games came down to just one run, Bonti recounted as he and his teammates lifted the championship trophy on Long Island. Every game was an experience all of us will remember."

With a team made up of mostly "Big East" players, Chris started 42 games mostly as catcher, leading a talented pitching staff.

"Chris Bonti made the difference this year, stated General Manager Mr. Casey." Our three Florida boys, Chris Smith Tyler McCarthy and Chris Bonti were instrumental in winning the championship."  

Chris Bonti completed the regular season with a .296 batting average, 25 runs scored, 3 home runs and 14 RBIs and an amazing .439 OBP, plus batted .500 against left hand pitching.  

"It was great meeting and completing against players from UCLA, Princeton, Stanford, and all over the country. I recommend this experience to everyone."  

Chris will complete his senior season at Wesleyan (Conn.) during the upcoming year.