LEGION:Tyler put his time in on and off the field

Hopewell Post 339 pitcher/shortstop Tyler Cignarella (R) is awarded the MCALL Georgia Johnson memorial scholarship by Mercer County Legion scholarship chairman Al Frascella.

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor

Yesterday, Tyler Cignarella was awarded this year’s Mercer County American Legion League (MCALL) Georgia Johnson memorial scholarship. It’s one of many academic accolades this Hopewell Valley athlete has had bestowed upon him recently.
“To be recognized for academics as well as athletics is always a great honor,” stated Tyler. “You work hard in the classroom, you really want it to pay off.
“It’s good to see when it does.”
In addition to the MCALL award given him at the annual MCALL picnic at Lawrence Legion Post 414, the recent Central High School graduate and Post 339 pitcher/ infielder has garnered the Hopewell Valley Soccer Association scholarship and the Jeanne Erickson Memorial Scholarship.
“Any kind of award is great but the good thing is it helps toward my education,” stated Cignarella, who is headed to the College of New Jersey.
On the varsity baseball field, he was named MVP as both a junior and a senior at HVC.
“Whatever Tyler does in life he’s going to be successful,” stated first-year Hopewell Legion coach Joe Fuhrman.
“He’s a bright kid and it shows on the field. His IQ on the baseball field is just as good as his GPA in the classroom.”
Cignarella was the staff ace for a Hopewell Valley varsity team that went 17-7 and played a similar role for a Post 339 team that needed to win its last game just to finish .500. While the Bulldogs punched their ticket to the Central Jersey Group II playoffs, there’d be no such postseason berth for the legion team.
No matter. Ciganarella approached his role for the post with the same zeal as he did for his varsity team. Fuhrman, for one, appreciated Tyler’s efforts. As a young first-year skipper, he was looking for a player who could step in and assume the role of leader.
Tyler did just that.
“As a player, he was straightforward and a hard worker,” stated Fuhrman. “He always reminded everyone of the situation and he got us the big play when we needed it.”
Still, Cignarella knew the difference between business and pleasure.
“Tyler knows there’s a time when you have to be serious and times when it’s time to have fun,” stated Fuhrman. “When it’s time to be serious, he was the best out there; when it was time to have fun, he’s the best person to be around.”
In varsity action, Cignarella hit .354, adding 4 home runs, 18 RBIs, 18 runs scored along with 5 doubles, a triple and 9 stolen bases.
At season’s end, he was named All-Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) first team and to the All-Area second team at second base, where he played on days when he was not pitching.
While the Bulldogs got off to a slow start, by the end of the campaign they stood that start on its head, went 17-7, won a few games in postseason action and were eliminated by eventual Sectional champion West Windsor-Plainsboro North. For a team that finished 11-12 just a year before, it was a varsity field of dreams, especially for the seniors.
“We won a lot of one-run games and really pulled it out so it really shaped up to be a pretty good season,” stated Cignarella.
“It was a great way to go out; everyday, you didn’t know who was going to come up big for the team.”
In addition to his work on the hill and at second base, Tyler played shortstop for Post 339. According to Fuhrman, he was a good one.
“At shortstop, he’s as good as there is--soft hands, great arm from the hole,” stated Fuhrman. “He was an all around leader out there. He kept the infield in line.”
A member of the National Honor Society, Tyler received a Hopewell Valley Testamur, which is awarded to students as evidence of completion of course requirements and a grade-point average far in excess of New Jersey State graduation requirements.
What stands out most about Cignarella is his willingness to stand tall--albeit quietly--in the face of adversity.
Two weeks into his legion season, Fuhrman said Cignarella hurt his wrist. Though the injury affected his play on the field, Tyler didn’t complain. Nor did he make excuses.
“He just battled and battled and battled—he fought through it,” stated Fuhrman.
“At the end of the season, he was there for us.”
On the field of play, Cignarella, who batted cleanup, was special for his ability to help win. Despite the injury he batted over .300 for his legion team this season.
“He was one of our leading hitters,” stated Fuhrman. “On the mound, he was as good a pitcher you can ask for in this league.”
“He had that knack that made him special—that knack to win ballgames.”
Come September, Cignarella will join Fuhrman at TCNJ (Joe is already a student there). But he won’t play baseball for the Lions, opting instead to play soccer at TCNJ.
One gets the feeling that what is Lions baseball coach Dean Glus’s loss is TCNJ men’ soccer coach George Nazario’s gain.

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NOTES: The sons of the American Legion did all the cooking and the Post 414 Ladies Auxiliary did a great job once again with the annual MCALL picnic which is hosted every year at the Lawrence Legion Post.

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MCALL Awards

Joe Logue Player of the Year — Nick Cifelli (Ewing Post 314)
Bus Saidt Most Valuable Player — Russ Stupienski (Bordentown Post 26)
John Shanders Manager of the Year — Jon Conant (Ewing Post 314)
Lou Massella Pitcher of the Year — Mike Murphy (Hamilton Post 31)
Ed McGlone Gold Glove — Mike Constantini (Hamilton Post 31)
Hap Puca Rookie of the Year — Alex Silagyi (Hamilton Post 31)
Bill Leary Memorial Batting Champion — Nick Cifelli (Ewing Post 314)
Fred Schmitt RBI Champion — Anthony Gambino (Hightstown Post 148)
Home Run Champion — Russ Stupienski (Bordentown Post 26)
Stolen Base Champions — Jose Garcia (Trenton Posts 93/182) and Kevin Kocsak (Broad St. Park Post 313)
ERA Champion — Anthony Gambino (Hightstown Post 148)
Strikeout Champion — Mike Murphy (Hamilton Post 31)
Sam Abraham Sportsmanship Award — Brian Witkowski (Ewing Post 314)
Team Sportsmanship Winners — Ahbi Chandel (Bordentown Post 26), Billy Barron (Hamilton Post 31), Claudio Espinal (Trenton Posts 93/182), Dan Westfall (Hightstown Post 148), Beau Horan (Princeton Post 218), Andrew Septer (Broad St. Park Post 313), Brian Witkowski (Ewing Post 314), Joe Mayes (Hopewell Post 339), Dom Capuano (Lawrence Post 414), Mark Rende (North Trenton Post 458), Sam Sparella (Robbinsville Post 530); Chet Otis (WW-P)
Chuck Giambelluca Dedication and Service to the MCALL Award — Warren C. Lewis
Ed McGlone $1,000 Scholarship — Matt Chotkowski (North Trenton Post 458)
John Shanders $500 Scholarship — Brian Witkowski (Ewing Post 314)
Georgia Johnson $500 Scholarship — Tyler Cignarella (Hopewell Post 339)
Mel Dempster $500 Scholarship — Mike O’Byrne (North Trenton Post 458)
2008 Joseph DiFante $500 State Baseball Scholarship — Matthew Hui (Plainsboro)