The Warwick Tree Post American Legion baseball team has gotten off to a 1-5 start this summer but is looking to turn things around in short order.

Although the record is not pretty, Tree Post has been competitive in most games and recently picked up its first win over Howard Rogers. Tree Post has fell victim to multiple 1-run losses and another pair of close defeats to powerhouse Upper Deck.

“This is not the start that we wanted but it’s been competitive. We lost two 1-run games. We have just been leaving too many men on but that will come, guys are just getting back into it,” said Tree Post manager Mike Fratus, who returns for another summer.

The Tree Post senior lineup is made up primarily of Toll Gate and Pilgrim players. The Titans and Patriots failed to reach the RIIL playoffs earlier this month, so the players had a longer than expected layoff between seasons. The time off has led to some rust that is just starting to be shaken off.

“They hadn’t played in four weeks so guys are just starting to get their timing back, they’re now starting to hit,” said Fratus.

Key players for Tree Post include Toll Gate’s Jeremie and Jamie Luna, as well as a few college players.

“Jeremie and Jamie Luna have been key. Our returning guys from college like (Bishop Hendricken alum) Brendan McCaffrey are back, Zach Scotti is a gamer and is positive influence in the dugout, his baseball IQ is through the roof. We have an older group. We have a huge strength in our outfield with Dom Calise. Pitching wise, Matt Colvin has been great. There’s a good mix of guys and some of them are standing out right now,” said Fratus.

As the club enters the meat of its schedule, Fratus hopes it continues to do more of the same: put the ball in play. Tree Post has not exactly been struggling at the dish, but is still looking to truly break out in order to turn things around in time for playoffs next month.

“We just need some big hits, hits with runners on base. It’s not a matter of not hitting it hard, we’re just hitting it right at guys,” Fratus said. “We just need a lucky break, we needs some balls to drop and to be hit in the gap. We need that to gain some confidence.”