Nick Allen following in steps of role model

Cherokee's first-year baseball coach, Marc Petragnani, appreciates the play of Nick Allen, but he said the senior shortstop offered more than what can be viewed on any stat sheet.

"Nick is just a fantastic leader," said Petragnani, who was a varsity assistant the previous five seasons. "His leadership and work ethic is great, and I wouldn't trade him for anybody."

Allen came into this season with his mind free from recruiting after signing with George Mason in November.

He has played both second base and shortstop during his Cherokee career and is viewed as a college second baseman.

"Nick is a middle infielder who is athletic, who is an offensive player, who has a shot to be an impact player," George Mason coach Bill Brown said yesterday.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Allen is that rare commodity - a leadoff batter with some pop in his bat.

Last season, he hit .436 and had 13 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles. But his main job is getting on base and scoring. He scored 29 runs last season.

This season in two games, Allen is 4 for 9 with two doubles, a home run, and five runs scored.

He is the catalyst for a a 2-0 Cherokee team that has been stopped only by the inclement weather. The Chiefs have had three games postponed. Cherokee is ranked No. 7 in South Jersey by The Inquirer and hosts No. 1 Bishop Eustace in today's 11 a.m. winner's bracket of the Grand Slam Classic.

In baseball, individual production is the most important aspect, but Allen said that leadership can't be minimized. He points to last year's 13-8 Cherokee team as an example.

"Last year, we had talent, but we couldn't seem to put it together," he said. "This year, we made it a point to get the team going, and I feel our team chemistry is great and will take us far."

Growing up, Allen had only to look across the street for his baseball role model. That happened to be former Cherokee catcher Chris Henderson, now a junior at George Mason.

Allen spoke to Henderson while going through the recruiting process, and they both talked about how good it would be to become college teammates.

The only problem is that it may not happen because it's likely that Henderson could be selected in the major leagues' first-year-player draft.

This season, Henderson is batting .418 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs for a 28-6 George Mason team that is ranked 25th in the latest Collegiate Baseball poll.

"One of our dreams was to play together, and we never got that chance because we're three years apart," Allen said. "It looks like he will get drafted and as much as I'd like to be teammates with Chris I hope he is able to play pro ball."

Allen said that Henderson had an impact on his decision to attend George Mason.

"Knowing somebody I look up to is already there, that definitely affected my decision," he said.

For now, all Allen is worrying about is the season. Cherokee appears to have the offense to contend in the Olympic Conference American Division and Group 4. Lefthander Dan Smith is among the better pitchers in South Jersey, and the Chiefs' chance at contention will likely depend on developing staff depth.

It's a staff that should have no shortage of run support led by Allen, the catalyst.

One reason he is among the top hitters is that he never stops taking his hacks. Allen plays baseball year-round and said he took about two weeks off in November before resuming workouts.

"I really like our team one through nine," he said.

And it all begins at the leadoff spot, where Allen leads off the game - and leads the team in all other areas as well.