After ups and downs, Salem State slugger on a roll in his senior year

By John Vellante, Globe North Correspondent

Two years ago, Salem State slugger Ken Luongo put together a sophomore season to remember. In just 67 official plate appearances, the Wilmington High grad batted .433 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. His slugging percentage was an astronomical .851.

His numbers a year ago, while still impressive, dropped a bit. His average dipped to .368, he hit only four home runs, and knocked in 28. His slugging percentage fell to .544.

"I just became too aggressive at the plate," said Luongo. This year, he has taken a new approach. And once again, he's on a tear and is one of the most feared hitters in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference.

The 6-foot, 2-inch, 215-pound first baseman/designated hitter finished the month of March batting .369 and had already equaled his home run and RBI total of a year ago. His slugging percentage is a robust .667.

"Last year I was doing some real heavy weight lifting," said Luongo. "This year I decided to concentrate more on agility. I slowed down and became a lot less aggressive at the plate. I am taking more quality swings rather than quantity swings. I am focused more. Last year's approach was just too fast. It's a whole different approach this season. I'm more relaxed and the results are more satisfying."

Luongo has also recorded two wins on the mound, including a complete-game effort against Toccoa Falls College in Tampa. In that game he swatted two home runs, good for six RBIs, in the 16-5 rout.

"I prefer to play first base, but love to pitch, too," said Luongo, an All-Cape Ann League performer in football, wrestling, and baseball at Wilmington High. "I'll do whatever it takes to make things smoother for the team. If Coach [Ken Perrone] wants me to play first, I'll play first. If he wants me to be the designated hitter, I'll be that. If he needs me to pitch, I'll pitch."

How important is Luongo to the Vikings? "I can sum it up in one word," said Perrone, whose team ended March with a 15-0 rout of Clark for his 600th career win. "MVP." He was the MVP his sophomore year, MVP his junior year, and right now looks like MVP his senior year. I've been here 27 years and I can't recall any player being MVP three years in a row.

"He's a real strong kid and I hope he gets the opportunity to play pro ball. He's bigger and stronger this year and has paid the price to take his game to the next level. The whole team looks up to him, and when he steps to the plate, they expect something to happen and it usually does." Salem State struggled through March with a 7-9 record. But with a steady diet of MASCAC games on the April schedule, Luongo is hopeful things will turn around.

"We're ready to make a move," he said. "We're really upbeat. We have a load of young talent and we just have to get the ball rolling. Every game it seems we're looking for that one play to break it open and get us going." Perrone, who has never had a losing season in 27 years at Salem State, said: "You have to remember that we lost 12 seniors that won 101 games in four years. This year's team is young but talented. We've won some good games this year and lost some others that maybe we shouldn't have because of our inexperience. Hopefully, we'll get things headed in the right direction."