Spotlight on: Camden Catholic senior Pete Galiano

Camden Catholic baseball coach Bob Bergholtz was trying to give his offense a jolt, so he moved senior centerfielder Pete Galiano from the cleanup spot to leadoff.

Instead of a spark, the move created an all-out explosion.

Galiano hit three home runs as the Irish beat Gloucester, 18-4, last week in the Ralph Shaw Tournament at Audubon. In Camden Catholic's next game, an 11-3 loss to Cherokee, Galiano went 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs.

Galiano said he had never hit more than two home runs in a game at any level. And he was surprised when he achieved the feat.

"The third one was the worst one I hit," he recalled. "I honestly didn't think it was going out."

Home runs are not new to Galiano. He has hit seven this season and is batting .423 with 22 RBIs.

Galiano also is a strong fielder, using his athletic ability to patrol center field and a rifle arm to gun down runners.

He was among the top football players in South Jersey, and made the smooth transition from wide receiver to quarterback as a senior. The football team won the WJFL Constitution Division, went 10-1, and advanced to the state Non-Public Group 2 final before losing to Holy Spirit.

"I loved playing football," Galiano said.

He likes baseball even more.

Galiano says he will play baseball in college and, as of now, plans to attend Delaware as a walk-on. Of course, if a scholarship opens up at another school, Galiano would consider any offer.

Wherever he ends up playing, Galiano projects as a leadoff-type centerfielder - not one expected to hit three home runs every time out, but someone who should not surprise anyone with what he can accomplish.