2022 SSN Baseball & Lacrosse Spring Preview by Shore Sports Network Journal

Kevin WILLIAMS Shore Sports Network Director kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com

Steve MEYER

Shore Sports Networkn Director High School Division steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com

732-233-4460 Managing Editor BOBBadders // bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com

Senior Content Providers MATTManley // matt.manlley@townsquaremedia.com

Shore Sports Network Journal is published by: Townsquare Media 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

SMART TIPS FOR BASEBALL PLAYERS OF ALL LEVELS By

Joseph C. Tauro, MD Ocean County Sports Medicine overuse. Periods of rest are critical for a long career!

OSEPH C. TAURO, MD AND OCEAN COUNTY SPORTS MEDICINE ARE LOCATED AT 9 HOSPITAL DRIVE, TOMS RIVER. DR. TAURO IS A PROFESSOR OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY AT RUTGERS, NJ MEDICAL SCHOOL. Ocean County Sports Medicine is a comprehensive, regional orthopedic practice that focuses on cutting edge medical care and offers a range of specialized treatment options, including both non-surgical treatments and orthopedic surgery. They can be reached at 732-341-6226 or OceanCountySportsMedicine.com

Q: As Baseball (and Softball) season begins what suggestions to you have for athletes in taking care of their throwing arms, especially while the weather is cool?

A: The answer here is pretty basic and can be summarized in a few words: Conditioning, warmup, progressive distance and proper technique. Conditioning of course starts in the off season, emphasizing not just strength but stretching and flexibility. For instance, throwers tend to develop a loss of internal rotation of the arm called GIRD…glenohumeral internal rotation deficit. There are specific stretches for this called sleeper stretches that all athletes, coaches and players need to know and incorporate into their daily routine. Cold arms are stiff and prone to injury so warming up the arm first inside and then outside is necessary. Throwing needs to start with shorter distances and increase to longer distances. Sidearm throwing and curve ball throwing increase the chance of elbow injury especially and should be limited, especially in younger athletes. Q: Have you seen an increase in arm injuries in recent years, even among little leaguers?

A: Nowadays, baseball play can be year round and competition levels have increased so there are definitely more injuries due to

Q: Are there other common injuries associated with baseball? Everyone thinks of throwing injuries with baseball but of course there are lots of other injuries that occur. Sliding into a base bag can cause knee and ankle injuries especially. We see pretty much everything including knee and ankle ligament tears, knee ACL and meniscal injuries, even fractures can occur including growth plate stress fractures in younger athletes.

Q: In general do you see more YOUNG athletes dealing with injuries then maybe 10-20 years ago? A: Well, I’ve been in practice over 30 years and began to see more injuries in younger athletes probably starting 20 years ago. Fortunately, I think that there is more awareness now among coaches, trainers and parents and the rate of injuries has actually plateaued and actually may have come down a little. Q: I would imagine there is always some discomfort and pain when you begin playing a sport for the first time in a while. How do you tell the difference between routine soreness and a possible injury that needs attention? A: That’s a really good question. I often see athletes who waited a little too long to see me and have caused more damage. Any soreness that results in a loss of motion, a feeling of instability especially if accompanied by swelling should be seen if it doesn’t resolve in a week or 2. If there’s an acute injury, especially if a “pop” is heard and there is an inability to bear weight should be seen right away. Dislocations that have to be reduced obviously need to be seen emergently and require follow up with a sports injury specialist. Ocean County Sports Medicine is a comprehensive, regional orthopedic practice that focuses on cutting edge medical care and offers a range of specialized treatment options, including both non-surgical treatments and orthopedic surgery. They can be reached at 732-341-6226 or OceanCountySportsMedicine.com

here have been some impressive teams ranked No. 1 in the Shore Conference over the past several years: Jackson Memorial, Wall, Red Bank Catholic, Toms River North, Christian Brothers Academy. But with the exception of the 2015 CBA team, the nature of the season is such that no team – no matter how good – can make it through a season by winning every championship put in front of it.

CENTRAL

RED BANK CATHOLIC (24-5-1, 11-2-1) The Caseys lost one of the state’s best pitchers in Shane Panzini, who is now in the Kansas City Royals farm system. So how are they the Shore’s No. 1 team to open the season? For starters, the infield is even better this season, with Monmouth commit Matt Scrivanic shifting to shortstop and Alabama commit Sean Griggs moving from the outfield to third base for his sophomore season. Alex Stanyek is also back in the outfield, as well as the starting rotation, which will get a shot of youth with sophomore Steve Svenson and freshman Ryan Prior. The pitching has a chance to be deeper and the lineup remains potent with six of the nine starters back.

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN

(22-6-1, 9-4-1)

If Red Bank Catholic is the team Rumson-Fair Haven is trying to chase down, the Bulldogs have to like their chances. Rumson beat Red Bank Catholic twice in three games and the other ended in a tie. It is not quite the same team: Rumson graduated shortstop Andrew Schmid and centerfielder Thomas Elgrim, but the Bulldogs retain an impressive pitching staff, three out of four infielders, a catcher, two outfielders, and a designated hitter. After capturing the Monmouth County Tournament, Rumson will be thinking even bigger in 2022.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

(22-9, 6-7)

After finishing in the middle of the pack in Class A North, Middletown South turned it on for a run to the Group IV championship – the first for the Eagles since 1996. While Middletown South went 6-7 against Class A North competition, the Eagles went 16-2 against the rest of the schedule and both losses came against Red Bank Catholic. Middletown South will undergo more of a makeover than the two teams ranked ahead, but the Eagles still have junior ace Ben Schild at the top of the rotation and Joe Stanzione in the heart of the order.

JACKSON MEMORIAL

(18-8, 11-3)

While the Jaguars have to replace three major pieces, they also return most of their 18-win team from 2021. Ace and Auburn commit Zach Crotchfelt will make Jackson Memorial hard for any team to beat, while the offense has a chance to reach another level this season with seven starters back and an influx of new talent adding some additional depth. With a good performance from the staff behind Crotchfelt, Jackson Memorial will rack up the A South wins again in 2022 with the ambition of breaking through in the postseason tournaments.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY

(11-12, 6-7)

Despite finishing below .500 a year ago, CBA climbs into the top five to open this season with almost an entire team back. The Colts will be deep with pitching, including four Division I arms atop their rotation. Offensively, CBA has something to prove, as the Colts look for production beyond senior Lehigh commit Jack Frankovic and talented junior shortstop Harrison Campi. There are some candidates in place from a year ago and some new ones working their way in, so the Colts will return to the ranks of A North and Monmouth County contenders this season.

COLTS NECK

(22-8, 12-2)

Fresh off the program’s first NJSIAA sectional championship in program history, Colts Neck has designs on a repeat thanks to a returning core that includes the Cougars’ top two starting pitchers from 2021: Tyler Spencer and Anthony Gubitosi. The Cougars took a hit with the transfer of shortstop and closer Collin Kratzer to P27 Academy in South Carolina, but they still have some offensive firepower to fall back on, led by catcher Joe Cilea and outfielder Brad Salamone.

Last year’s 24-5 RBC team had a shutdown ace and won the Class A Central division and the Shore Conference Tournament, but could not finish off Monmouth County and NJSIAA sectional title runs. Go back to Jackson Memorial in 2018 and Wall in 2019 and those teams did not have the same kind of success in the Shore Conference Tournament that RBC did, while Toms River North in 2017 and 2018 could not complement its success in the SCT with state tournament success. All of that is to say that even when there is a clear No. 1 team, that team doesn’t get No. 1 results. This year, there is not a clear No. 1 team at the outset, which means when it comes to county, division, conference and NJSIAA sectional championships, there are any number of teams that could be holding a trophy and raising a banner at the end of the season. You will have to scroll past the No. 10 team on the list to cover all the championship contenders and that is not a new phenomenon either; within last season’s final Top 10, six of the 10 teams were not ranked to start the season. That might have been the result of a lost 2020 masking some improvements by teams that were not in the Top 10 picture in 2019, but it is more likely just the result of a deep conference and a sport that leaves the door open for underdog stories. It is time to find out who is opening the season as the group of favorites to triumph in this year’s Shore Conference Baseball season, but there is a long way to go on the road to crowning an actual No. 1 team to close out the season.

(19-9, 9-5)

The defending Ocean County Tournament champions are reloaded for 2022 with a team that has several holdovers from the championship-winner of 2021. UCF commit Cam Leiter is back as the ace of the staff after he dominated on the mound during the tail-end of the season, while sophomore catcher Cristian Soto and seniors Anthony Musso and Shane Sajewicz lead the returning offensive core that also includes Leiter. The Golden Eagles would like to end Jackson Memorial’s run atop Class A South and finish the job in the state tournament after losing to Ocean City in the South Group III semifinals.

WALL

(19-7, 12-2)

Even scoring more runs per game than any team other than Ranney, Wall still did not finish the season in the Top 10 because the Crimson Knights pitching never quite settled in. The offense has a chance to be every bit as good this season with the return of Andrew Fischer, Nick Lovarco and Gabe Cavazzoni and should the Crimson Knights find a rhythm in their pitching staff, this is the kind of roster that could finish the season No. 1 at the Shore.

RANNEY

(16-6, 10-0)

With the return of Duke commit A.J. Gracia to the mound after two years waiting for him to get healthy, Ranney will now have a four-man starting rotation that can rival the staff of almost any team in the Shore Conference. It would be hard for Ranney to do better than what teams like CBA, Red Bank Catholic, Middletown South and Rumson-Fair Haven have, but the Panthers could very well be in that class by the end of the year. The challenge, as usual, for Ranney will be to stay sharp against an inferior Class B Central schedule and knock off some teams in nondivisional play, which will set the Panthers up for a march through the postseason tournaments.

HOWELL

(16-11, 7-6)

The last Top 10 spot goes to a Howell squad that is much healthier than it was to start last season, when the Rebels still managed to get off to a strong start despite a litany of injuries. This year’s Rebels squad has a healthy pitching staff that will have left-hander Nick Gomes teaming up with returning ace Dan Furlong, not to mention its usual stable of sluggers who will take on a tough schedule in Class A North and beyond.

TOP WATCHLIST DONOVAN CATHOLIC (15-9, 9-3): With a deep pitching staff led by Shaun O’Keefe and an offense that remains mostly intact, the Griffins are a very tough omission to open the season, with a chance for them to quickly kick down the door. MANCHESTER (13-11, 6-6): The Hawks are right behind division rival Donovan Catholic after finishing the 2021 campaign with a South Jersey Group II championship and bringing back all but two starters from that team. ST. JOHN VIANNEY (12-7, 9-4): The Lancers have been building up for last year and this season and might be flying under the radar while teams like Wall and Colts Neck in their own division and RBC, Ranney, CBA and Donovan Catholic soak up some of the attention among the Shore’s non-public programs. That would be all well and good with the Lancers if they are the last team standing in both chases. BRICK MEMORIAL (17-12, 8-6): After finishing 2021 strong with a trip to the Ocean County Tournament final, the Mustangs return a group that is both ready to embrace the underdog role in Class A South against Jackson Memorial and Central, as well as capable of outlasting the two division favorites. MIDDLETOWN NORTH (11-10, 6-7): Led by All-Shore-First-Teamer Colin Dowlen, the Lions will be good on the mound most days, but will need the depth to step up and a more consistent offense in order to stay in the A North race this season after fading last year. MANALAPAN (18-8, 9-4): The Braves have a lot of new faces in the lineup, but they have two things that will keep them contending: pitching and tradition.

2. TRINITY HALL 3. MANASQUAN 4. RED BANK CATHOLIC 5. SOUTHERN

R UMSON- F AIR H AVEN The Bulldogs are coming off arguably the best season in program history after going 21-3, reaching the Tournament of Champions semifinals, and finishing No. 3 in the state. Their long Shore Conference winning streak came to an end at the hands of Trinity Hall during the regular season but the Bulldogs got payback to win their record eighth straight Shore Conference Tournament title. Standout scorers Chase Boyle, Mia James, and Ava Poupard have graduated so it will be a new cast of goal-scorers for RFH, led by Abby Boyle. Junior goalie Kayse Kieran returns as the starter in goal. RFH So. Abby Boyle

6. RED BANK 7. OCEAN 8. SHORE 9. TOMS RIVER NORTH 10. HOWELL RFH Jr. Kayse Kiernan

RFH Jr. Jackie Braceland

Photo by:

Christine Braceland Photography

n paper, this looks to be one of the deepest seasons of Shore Conference lacrosse.

While there is a clear No. 1 team in the Shore, the rest of the Brielle Orthopedics/Shore Sports Network Preseason Top 10 is not as clear-cut as it has been in previous seasons. It's eady to envision a season with a ton of movement in the rankings as many of the top teams take turns knocking each other off. That should, theoretically, make for a great Shore Conference Tournament down the road. Last season, the Shore Conference had a record year with three sectional champions who advanced to the state championship round. Three teams also finished ranked inside NJ.com's state top 20. Our top teams have been competing for state championships for a while now. Depth has always been the Shore Conference's issue beyond its top four or five teams, but this year looks like it could be different. It should be a fun ride. By Bob Badders – Managing Editor

Rumson-Fair Haven

Wall

(Last season: 20-1; Final Rank: No. 1)

(Last season: 16-4; Final Rank: No. 3)

The reigning Class B North, Shore Conference Tournament, and NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional champions start this season right where they ended last season, and despite graduating some exceptional players, the Bulldogs don't show any signs of slowing down. Rumson has a total of five returning All-Shore players with senior attackman Christian Bockelmann, junior defensemen Beau Kemler, junior LSM Matthew Bockelmann, and midfielders Cole Cashion and Philip Passalaqua. Bockelmann, a Yale recruit, and senior Dan Garvey, a Stevens Tech recruit, to the attack line. Cashion (Yale), Passalaqua (Haverford), and senior Tommy French (Babson) look to be the first-line middies with Kemler (Villanova), Bockelmann (Brown), and junior Luke Jamin leading the way on defense. Will Setteducate and Marshall Halfacre are the Bulldogs' goalies while seniors Noah Beacher and Braiden Spagnuola and sophomore DJ Devine are listed as FOGOs on the roster.

Manasquan (Last season: 17-4; Final Rank: No. 2) The Warriors took a slight step back last season after three straight years as the No. 1 team in the Shore Conference but showed the depth of their program in capturing a third straight NJSIAA South Group 1 sectional title and reaching their fifth consecutive Shore Conference Tournament final. Manasquan's 2021 team was largely comprised of first-year starters after graduating a generational 2019 class and then having the 2020 season canceled due to the pandemic. Stalwarts like senior defenseman Dylan LeBlanc (Loyola) and senior midfielder Robert Pendergist (Jacksonville) turned in First Team AllShore seasons as juniors while players like junior attackman Matt Porazzo (Monmouth), senior defensemen Ryan Bilello (Colgate), senior goalie Carter Groezinger (Embry-Riddle), and senior FOGO Max Pauwels (Quinnipiac had breakout seasons to help lead the Warriors to more championships. James Farinacci joins Porazzo to lead the attack line while Pendergist, Blake Gorski, Dan Hyland, Niland DiLuchio, and Brody Muly lead the way in the midfield. LeBlanc will miss time early this season due to an injury suffered during football season so Bilello will spearhead the close defense with sophomore Kyle Capadanno stepping in to play significant minutes. Sophomore attackman Nick Carabetta, sophomore midfielder Joe Carabetta, freshman attackman Brandon Kunz, and freshman LSM Parker Harms should see plenty of time, as well.

Southern (Last season: 16-5; Final Rank: No. 6) The Rams were in the midst of a solid but unspectacular season last year before catching fire in the state playoffs to win the South Group 4 sectional title. The challenge now is to build off those performances and put it all together from start to finish. Expectations are high for Ocean County's standard-bearer as they return nearly their entire starting lineup while adding an impact transfer. Southern has a stacked first offensive six with senior attackmen Ryan Sininsky, Jack Kolbe, and Jake Cornelius along with senior midfielders Jake Washco and Zach Washco and junior midfielder Joey DeYoung. Sininsky (NJIT) was a Second Team All-Shore selection last season who scored 64 goals while Kolbe, a Merrimack recruit, comes over as a transfer from Robbinsville where he scored 57 goals as a junior. Cornelius is a Drew University recruit. The Washco twins are committed to Eastern University and combined for 67 goals and 34 assists last season while DeYoung (Hofstra) had a breakout season with 43 goals and 17 assists.Defensively, Second Team All-Shore close defender Nate Committee (Bellarmine) leads the way in front of Second Team All-Shore goalie Tyler Sininsky (NJIT), who was incredible during the state tournament last season. Senior defensemen Brock Lefkus (Anderson Univ.) and Ty Smith also return as starters along with senior LSM Chris Laureigh.

The Crimson Knights are coming off the best season in program history, and despite graduating SSN Offensive Player of the Year and current Rutgers freshman Logan Peters, Wall returns multiple starters to make a run at the program's first championships in 2022. Senior midfielder Matt Dollive, a Rutgers signee, leads the way for Wall after a First Team All-Shore junior season and will be joined on the first middie line by Connor Moore and William Madden. Junior John McCurry had an excellent sophomore season and leads the way up top with Jack Meyer and Eugune Haghighi stepping in as first-year starters. Senior Jake Davis, a University of Pennsylvania football recruit, is a returning starter as a defensive midfielder while Jack Belko will also serve as a shortstick defensive middie. Wall's back end is certainly a strength with senior Third Team All-Shore selection Charlie Sasso (Monmouth-football), junior University of Denver recruit Billy Carr, and Third Team All-Shore LSM Dominick Giglio (Monmouth) back after very strong 2021 seasons. Michael D'Amico will step in as a close defensive starter while senior goalie Aiden Kessler backs it all up after a very good junior year in which he earned First Team All-Class B South honors from the coaches.

Shore (Last season: 13-5; Final Rank: No. 5) The Blue Devils have been a consistent top-10 team over the last few years under head coach Gregg Malfa and in 2022 return a talented and experienced team that should be a factor in Class B North, the Shore Conference Tournament, and the state playoffs. Shore returns four All-Shore players with senior midfielder Jamie Mazzacco and senior attackman Carson Cooke earning Second Team All-Shore honors and sophomore midfielder Sam Madalone and junior goalie Walker Hunter being selected as Third Team AllShore members. Cooke, sophomore Carson Spallone, senior Ryan Turner, and junior Ben Levy will be Shore's main attackmen. Mazzacco, who is committed to Williams college for football, leads the midfield along with Madalone, senior Andrew Decker, juniors Aidan Murphy and Aidan O'Brien, and sophomore Lucas White. The Blue Devils should be strong defensively with one of the Shore's best goalies between the Pipes. Hunter (Fairfield) led the Shore Conference in save percentage (67%) and was third with 193 saves last season. Sophomore defenseman Jackson Whitacre and senior LSM Max White lead the way among the poles.

Howell (Last season: 12-6; Final Rank: No. 7) The Rebels were solid in 2021 and return most of their starters to make a run at a division title and push deep into the Shore Conference and state tournaments. Howell returns its top four scorers and its starting goalie and totals three returning All-Shore players. Senior midfielder Tyler Burns (Georgian Court) was a Second Team All-Shore selection last season and leads a talented midfielder group along with Third Team All-Shore selection senior Doug MacKenzie (Georgian Court), CJ Calafiore, and Dax Kukan. Junior attackman Nate Lorenzo was Howell's leading scorer last season with 32 goals and 20 assists and leads the way up top along with senior Vin Burns (Georgian Court) and junior Jack Marich. Senior Colin Fay, a Belmont Abbey recruit, was a Third Team All-Shore selection last year and returns as one of the top goalies in the conference. Senior close defenseman Shayne Hughes leads the group of poles with junior Shawn Megill, senior Adam Conviser, and freshman Colin Finnegan comprising the rest of the starting defense. Howell also has senior Glenn Giordano back at the face-off X. He missed the second half of last season due to an injury.

Christian Brothers Academy (Last season: 15-5; Final Rank: No. 4) CBA is a Shore Conference stalwart, the gold standard in Class A North, and a ﬁxture in the top ﬁve every season. On paper and at least early in the season, this will be a unique year for the Colts as they return just four starters and have youth and inexperience up and down their roster. After

graduating multiple standouts, the Colts are in transition mode and will look to a new cast of players to keep their winning tradition going. The biggest name back is junior attackman Nick Blalock, who had a breakout sophomore season with 36 goals and 10 assists. A lot will be on his plate as CBA's clear No.1 offensive option, especially with junior attackman Brendan Donnelly out for a month or more after suffering an injury during a scrimmage. The other returning starters are senior defensive midfielder Max Avrillon and senior defenseman Peter Canterino. Junior attackman Ian Macrae and sophomore attackman Ryan Martin could become standout scorers while seniors Aidan Guinnesssey and Sean Tennyson lead the midfield. Senior Ty Feiler could be another starter at attack while the defense looks to be junior Ryan Caufield and freshman Luke Krebs alongside Canterino in close defense with freshman Quinn Kelly at LSM. Sophomore Brandon DeSena steps in as goalie and junior Aayush Dave is listed as the team's face-off specialist.

Red Bank (Last season: 10-7; Final Rank: No. 8) Red Bank is one of the more intriguing teams in the Shore Conference thanks to returning seven starters and hiring former Rumson-Fair Haven head coach Andy Eastwood to lead the program. Eastwood was RFH's head coach from 2014 through 2016 and during his tenure, Rumson went 53-15 and won three division titles, the SCT in 2014 and 2016, and in 2015 became the first Shore Conference boys lacrosse team to win an NJSIAA group title by beating Mountain Lakes, 9-8 in overtime, to win the Group 2 crown. He takes over a team that returns three of its top four scorers from a season ago. Junior attackman Ryder Villani netted 42 goals and 22 assists last season and sophomore attackman Andrew Pape had a tremendous freshman year with 28 goals and 27 assists. Senior midfielder Henry Spencer spearheads the midfield after a junior season in which he had 34 goals, 17 assists, and 60 ground balls. Other key returners for the Bucs include senior defenseman Sean Masonius, junior goalie Gavin Lisko, senior defenseman Carter Gibson, senior LSM Donovan Bradley, junior attackman/midfielder Trey Lynch, junior LSM Andrew Savko, senior midfielder Matt Lynch, junior defenseman Alec Teter, sophomore attackman Matt Kelly, and senior Bryce Fernandes.

Middletown South (Last season: 11-4; Final Rank: No. 9) The Eagles lost a good chunk of their core from last season's team that won the first state playoff game in program history but have one of the Shore's top midfielders back to lead the way under veteran head coach Sal Guastella. Senior Luke Rohrmann had a breakout junior season with 35 goals and eight assists and returns as the offensive centerpiece. Junior midfielder/FOGO Beau Servidio is also back after winning 62% of face-offs last season. Other returners for the Eagles include senior John Beyer and junior Steve Kirchner at attack, senior Brendan Gilbert and sophomore Colin Gallagher in the midfield, senior Alec Piasecki at LSM, junior Kevin Dunphy, junior Ryan Dunphy, sophomore Owen Richter, senior Quinn Beyer, and sophomore Will Nugent on defense, and junior Lucas Campos in goal.

Manalapan (Last season: 7-8; Final Rank: not ranked) Manalapan has eight returning starters, led by sophomore midﬁelder/face-off specialist Grant Carle, who was a Second Team All-Class A North selection last season when he had 13 goals and 13 assists and won 76% of face-offs. Senior Frankie D'Amore and sophomores Anthony Macchio and Marc Stefanelli each eclipsed 10 goals last season and will look to step up their offensive production after the graduation of leading scorer Mike DeMayo. Sophomore close defensemen Aidan Wilmot and Jake Horowitz also return along with sophomore Justin Miller, who can play close defense and LSM. Senior Alex Kaplan and sophomore Antonio Santana both saw time in goal last season and give Braves' head coach Nick Filippone two options between the pipes. Junior defenseman Preston Birnie, junior attackman Adam Vender, sophomore attackman Christian Zidarski, and senior defensive midﬁelder Jimmy Bruno are newcomers who could have expanded roles this season.

Bob Badders Managing Editor

S PART OF SHORE SPORTS NETWORK'S 2022 BOYS LACROSSE PREVIEW, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOP RETURNING PLAYERS AT EACH POSITION IN THE SHORE CONFERENCE. IF WE'RE TALKING GOALS, THESE ARE THE GUYS WHO SHOULD BE FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET AT A HEALTHY PACE THIS SEASON. EXPECT TO SEE MANY OF THESE PLAYERS NEAR THE TOP OF THE GOAL-SCORING AND POINT-PRODUCING LISTS ALL SEASON LONG.

Players listed alphabetically

DREW BAROCAS, SO., JACKSON MEMORIAL Barocas had a solid freshman season with 24 goals and 11 assists. With standout senior Matt DeRosa also on the attack line for the Jaguars and demanding the most defensive attention, Barocas should be able to capitalize on more time and space and continue his development. NICK BLALOCK, JR., CBA Blalock established himself as a very good scoring option as a sophomore by registering 36 goals and 10 assists. With the Colts losing their top two leading scorers to graduation, attackman Dan Martin and Ryan Howard, off last season's squad Blalock will be a go-to player for CBA. CHRISTIAN BOCKELMANN, SR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN A returning First Team All-Shore selection, Bockelmann was great as a junior with 47 goals and 22 assists for a high-scoring Bulldogs offense that averaged 14.3 points per game. The Yale recruit had 13 multi-goal games a season ago as Rumson went 20-1, won the Class B Noth division title, won its seventh Shore Conference Tournament championship, secured the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 sectional title, and finished No. 1 in the SSN Top 10. The Bulldogs have a fantastic squad again this season and Bockelmann is one of their most important pieces. VINCENT BURNS, SR., HOWELL Burns sank 19 goals and added 15 assists for 34 points last season and is one of several returning starters for a Howell team that should contend for the Class A North division title. He was a secondteam Class A North selection last season.

CARSON COOKE, SR., SHORE Cooke had a balanced offensive season with 36 goals and 34 assists and was a Second Team All-Class B North selection for a Blue Devils team that averaged 11.9 goals per game. His play helped Shore go 13-5, reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and advance to the NJSIAA South Group 1 semifinals. MATT DEROSA, SR., JACKSON MEMORIAL DeRosa turned in an exceptional junior year for the Jaguars to finish in the top 15 in the Shore in scoring. He scored 30 goals and added a team-leading 41 assists for 71 points and was a First Team AllClass A South selection, helping the Jaguars go 10-7, qualify for the Shore Conference Tournament, and reach the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA South Group 3 playoffs. DeRosa was also a First Team Class A South selection by the coaches. KYLE KAPCSOS, SR., HOLMDEL Kapcsos was a Second Team All-Class B North selection last season when he scored totaled 38 goals and 22 assists and also picked up 55 ground balls. JACK KOLBE, SR., SOUTHERN Kolbe joins the Rams as a transfer from Robbinsville where he scored 57 goals and added 22 assists last season. He is committed to Merrimack College. JUSTIN KURC, SR., BRICK Kurc is Brick's leading returning scorer after netting 28 goals and 13 assists last season. NATE LORENZO, JR., HOWELL Lorenzo was one of the Shore Conference's standout sophomores last season when he scored 32 goals and added 20 assists to earn Second Team All-Class A North honors. ANTHONY MACCHIO, SO., MANALAPAN The Braves are looking to build off a strong first varsity season and Macchio will be a key contributor after scoring 13 goals and assisting on 19 others as a freshman last season. JOHN McCURRY, JR., WALL McCurry showcased tremendous scoring ability in his first high school season with 62 goals and 18 assists, finishing as one of four players in the Shore Conference with 60 or more goals. An SSN Third Team All-Shore selection, he helped the Crimson Knights go 16-4, reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, advance to the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final, finish No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, and finish the season ranked No. 14 in New Jersey.

ANTHONY MUNIZ, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC Muniz moves to attack from midfield where last season he scored 26 goals with 5 assists and was a Second Team AllClass B North selection. ANDREW PAPE, SO., RED BANK The Bucs had a young, high-scoring offense in 2021 and Pape was one of their standouts with 28 goals and 27 assists. He is one of the rising stars in the Shore and could be in for a big season as a sophomore. MATT PORAZZO, JR., MANASQUAN Porazzo, who committed to Monmouth University in October, had a superb varsity debut season as a sophomore when he scored 45 goals and added 10 assists to finish with 55 points. RYAN SININSKY, SR., SOUTHERN Sininsky had a breakout season as a junior by scoring 64 goals and adding 22 assists for a team-leading 86 points that helped him earn SSN Second Team All-Shore honors. He was fifth in the Shore in points, while his 64 goals also led Ocean County and are the most of any returning player in the Shore. An NJIT recruit. Sininsky is one of multiple returning starters for a Rams team that went 16-5, won its seventh straight Class A South division title, and won the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 sectional title last season. MICHAEL TERRY, SR., OCEAN Terry returns as the Spartans' top scorer to lead a young team under first-year head coach Tom Ryan. Terry scored 20 goals with 13 assists last season. RYDER VILLANI, JR., RED BANK The Bucs' returning leading scorer, Villani netted 42 goals and added 22 assists last season. Red Bank has several of its top scorers back this season and Villani leads the way under new head coach Andy Eastwood, the former state championship-winning coach at Rumson-Fair Haven. NICK WALANO, JR., TOMS RIVER NORTH Walano is the Mariners' returning leading scorer after netting 25 goals and adding 10 assists as a sophomore.

Bob Badders

Managing Editor

IDFIELDERS ARE THE ENGINES OF LACROSSE TEAMS. THEY ARE TASKED WITH DOING A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING ON THE FIELD - SCORING, DEFENDING, TRANSITION, MAN-UP, MAN-DOWN - AND THE BEST TEAMS NOT ONLY HAVE STANDOUT MIDFIELDERS, THEY ALSO HAVE DEPTH. THERE ARE OFFENSIVE MIDDIES, DEFENSIVE MIDDIES, AND THE ONES WHO DO IT ALL AND RARELY COME OFF THE FIELD.

Players listed alphabetically

MAX AVRILLON, SR., CBA The defensive midfielder is one of just four returning starters for what will be a very young Colts team. He provided some secondary scoring with five goals and three assists. LUKE BARBER, JR., TOMS RIVER EAST Barber comes to the Raiders from Toms River North where as a sophomore he scored 21 goals with 23 assists, picked up 108 ground balls, and won 55 percent of face-offs. TYLER BURNS, SR., HOWELL A versatile middie for the Rebels, Burns scored 27 goals and added 18 assists for 45 points and also picked up 34 ground balls as a junior for a Howell team that went 12-6 and reached the quarterfinals in both the Shore Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA South Group 4 sectional playoffs. Burns was a Second Team All-Shore selection last season and is committed to Georgian Court University. GRANT CARLE, SO., MANALAPAN Carle had a great freshman season at the faceoff X for a burgeoning Braves squad, winning 69 percent of face-offs and finishing third in the Shore Conference with 152 ground balls. He was a Second Team all-Class A North selection. COLE CASHION, JR. RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN Cashion, who is verbally committed to Yale, was a Second Team All-Shore attackman last season but will shift to the midfield for 2022. He proved to be a talented scorer for the Bulldogs in his debut varsity season with 35 goals and 19 assists, helping Rumson go 20-1, win the Class B North division title,

capture its seventh Shore Conference Tournament title, win the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 1 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 5 in New Jersey JOEY DEYOUNG, JR., SOUTHERN DeYoung, who is committed to Hofstra, added even more punch to Southern's offense last season when he scored 43 goals and added 17 assists to earn Second Team All-Class A South honors from the coaches. He comprises a very good Southern first middie line along with twins Jake and Zach Washco. MATT DOLLIVE, SR., WALL Dollive is an all-situations midfielder who tallied 37 goals and 27 assists plus 45 ground balls last season for a Wall team that went 16-4, finished No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, reached both the Shore Conference Tournament semifinal and an NJSIAA sectional final for the first time in program history, and finished ranked 14th in the state. A returning First Team AllShore selection, Dollive is signed to Rutgers University. TORIN HARMON, JR. RED BANK CATHOLIC Harmon had to sit out the first 30 days of last season after transferring from Shore Regional but still put up very good numbers with 25 goals and 17 assists. With a full season in front of him, the talented Caseys junior could put up some big stat totals. CHARLIE HARRISON, SR., JACKSON MEMORIAL Harrison tallied 19 goals and 11 assists along with 50 ground balls and won 54 percent of face-offs last season and returns as a versatile midfielder for the Jaguars. AIDAN KIRK, SR., POINT BORO Kirk finished in the top 10 in the Shore in both total points and ground balls with 56 goals and 22 assists for 78 points along with 95 ground balls to earn First Team All-Shore honors. He is already Point Boro's alltime leader in goals (80) and points (122) and will once again lead the way for the Panthers. HENRY LINDQUIST, SR., BRICK MEMORIAL Lindquist scored 39 goals and added 12 assists last season and is Brick Memorial's leading returning scorer.

DOUG M AC KENZIE, SR., HOWELL MacKenzie led Howell with 35 goals and added 11 assists for 46 points. picked up 27 ground balls. and had 20 takeaways for a Rebels team that went 12-6 and reached the quarterfinals of both the Shore Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA South Group 4 state sectional playoffs. MacKenzie was a Third Team All-Shore selection last season and is committed to Georgian Court University. SAM MADALONE, SO., SHORE REGIONAL Madalone burst onto the scene as a freshman with 35 goals and 25 assists for 60 points, plus 37 ground balls to help Shore go 13-5, reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and advance to the NJSIAA South Group 1 semifinals. JAMIE MAZZACCO, SR., SHORE REGIONAL Mazzacco put together a superb junior season in which he was a Second Team All-Shore selection and led the Blue Devils with 48 goals and 26 assists for 74 points. He also picked up 58 ground balls to lead Shore’s regular field players. He surged in the second half of the season with 36 goals in the final 11 games of the season. Mazzacco’s contributions helped Shore go 13-5, reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and advance to the NJSIAA South Group 1 semifinals. A standout three-sport athlete who also excelled in football and wrestling, Mazzacco is committed to Williams College for football. MAX PAUWELS, SR., MANASQUAN Pauwels was the Shore Conference leader in face-off winning percentage with a gaudy 80 percent win rate to earn a Second Team All-Shore selection last season. The Quinnipiac commit won 296 of 371 draws on the season and won at least 50 percent of the face-offs in 17 of 21 games. His play helped Manasquan go 17-4, win the Class B South division title, reach the Shore Conference Tournament championship game for the fifth straight season, win its third straight NJSIAA South Group 1 state sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 2 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 12 in New Jersey.

ONEL PASSALAQUA, SR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN A Second Team All-Shore selection last season, Passalaqua was a valuable first-line midfielder for the topranked Bulldogs and provided secondary scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists. He helped Rumson go 20-1, win the Class B North division title, capture its seventh Shore Conference Tournament title, win the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 1 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 5 in New Jersey. ROBERT PENDERGIST, SR., MANASQUAN Pendergist will be entering his fourth year as a starter for a Manasquan program that has been among the best in New Jersey. Last season he scored 30 goals and added five assists while also providing valuable contributions in the defensive end, on the man-down and man-up units, and coming off the wing on face-offs. His efforts last season were a major reason why Manasquan went 17-4, won the Class B South division title, reached its fifth straight Shore Conference Tournament final, won its third consecutive NJSIAA South Group 1 sectional title, and finished the season ranked No. 2 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 12 in New Jersey. Pendergist is signed to Jacksonville University and is a returning First Team All-Shore selection.

LUKE ROHRMANN, SR., MIDDLETOWN SOUTH Rohrmann stepped up to lead the Eagles’ offense last season by scoring 35 goals and eight assists for 43 points, helping Middletown South go 11-4, qualify for the Shore Conference Tournament and win the first NJSIAA Tournament game in program history. BEAU SERVIDIO, JR., MIDDLETOWN SOUTH The Eagles' face-off ace is coming off a sophomore season in which he won 62 percent of face-offs and picked up 66 ground balls. HENRY SPENCER, JR., RED BANK Spencer sank 34 goals and added 17 assists for 51 points while also collecting 60 ground balls last season when he was a Second Team All-Class B North selection by the coaches.

ZACH WASHCO, SR., SOUTHERN A Second Team AllClass A South selection last season, Washco scored 35 goals with 19 assists to help the Rams win their seventh straight Class A South division title and win the NJSIAA South Group 4 sectional title. He is committed to Eastern University. COLIN WESTHOVEN, SR., ST. ROSE Westhoven is the Purple Roses' leading returning scorer after netting 30 goals and 16 assists and also picking up a team-leading 83 ground balls.

Photos by:

JAKE WASHCO, SR., SOUTHERN Washco scored 32 goals and added 15 assists last season as a Second Team All-Class A South selection, helping the Rams win their seventh straight Class A South division title and win the NJSIAA South Group 4 sectional title. He is committed to Eastern University

Bob Badders

Managing Editor

HE GOAL SCORERS GARNER MANY OF THE HEADLINES. THESE ARE THE GUYS DEPLOYED TO STOP THEM. WHETHER AT CLOSE DEFENSE OR ROAMING THE FIELD AS LONG-STICK MIDFIELDERS, THESE "POLES" CAN TURN THE TIDE OF A GAME BY LOCKING DOWN AN OPPOSING OFFENSIVE THREAT. THESE ARE THE DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS WHO SHINED IN 2021 AND ARE LOOKING TO DO MORE OF THE SAME THIS SPRING.

Players listed alphabetically

RILEY BELL, SR., BRICK Bell was a Second Team All-Class A South selection last season when he collected 44 ground balls and added a goal and two assists. RYAN BILELLO, SR., MANASQUAN A returning Second Team All-Shore selection who is committed to Colgate University, Bilello was a force in the back end for a Warriors’ defense that allowed just 4.4 goals per game. He posted 34 caused turnovers and corralled 52 ground balls as Manasquan delivered another successful season by going 17-4, winning the Class B South division title, reaching the Shore Conference Tournament championship game for the fifth straight season, and winning their third consecutive NJSIAA South Group 1 state sectional title. Manasquan concluded the season ranked No. 2 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 12 in New Jersey. MATTHEW BOCKELMANN, JR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN A returning First Team All-Shore selection, Bockelmann was among the best sophomores in all of New Jersey in 2021 serving primarily as Rumson’s long-stick midfielder. He was rock-solid for a Bulldogs defense that yielded just 3.6 goals per game and also provided offense with five goals. His versatility helped Rumson go 20-1, win the Class B North division title, capture its seventh Shore Conference Tournament title, win the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 1 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 5 in New Jersey. Bockelmann is committed to Brown University.

BILLY CARR, JR., WALL A University of Denver recruit, the 6-foot-4 Carr is a returning Second Team All-Class B South selection after picking up 25 ground balls and helping Wall to its best season in program history as the Crimson Knights went 16-4, reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final, finished No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, and finished the season ranked No. 14 in the state. NATE COMMITTEE, SR., SOUTHERN A physical defender, Committee is Southern’s top defenseman and helped the Rams go 16-5, win its seventh straight Class A South division title, reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and capture the NJSIAA South Group 4 state sectional title. He led the way defensively for a Rams team that allowed just 5.04 goals per game and was tremendous during its run to the Group 4 final as Southern allowed just 4.2 goals per game in five NJSIAA Tournament contests. Committee is verbally committed to Bellarmine University. He is also a standout on the gridiron and was an All-Shore defensive end. NICK COSIMANO, JR., RED BANK CATHOLIC Cosimano was one of the top fielders last season in picking up 105 ground balls, which is third-most of any returning player in the Shore Conference. COLIN DEVINE, SR., MIDDLETOWN NORTH The Kean University recruit was a Second Team All-Class A North selection last season and is back to lead the way for Middletown North. Devine had 16 ground balls last season and added five goals and two assists. JAKE GALLO, SR., BRICK MEMORIAL Gallo collected 66 ground balls last season and was a Second Team AllClass A South selection by the coaches. DOMINICK GIGLIO, JR., WALL Giglio was a disruptive defensive presence as Wall's LSM and collected a team-high 89 ground balls for a defense that allowed 6.4 goals per game. His efforts helped Wall to its best season in program history as the Crimson Knights went 16-4, reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final, finished No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, and finished the season ranked No. 14 in the state. Giglio is committed to Monmouth University.

THOMAS HALMI, JR., COLTS NECK The Cougars will field a young and inexperienced team under new head coach Matt Norman but will have a standout veteran to rely on in the back end. Halmi, who is committed to Air Force, picked up 42 ground balls and added three goals and two assists last season. SHAYNE HUGHES, SR., HOWELL Hughes was a Second Team All-Class A North selection last season when he had 14 caused turnovers and 22 ground balls. BEAU KEMLER, JR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN Kemler debuted as one of the best sophomores in New Jersey playing a major role on one of the state’s elite teams. The Villanova recruit was a stalwart in the back end for a Bulldogs defense that yielded just 3.6 goals per game and also delivered four goals and one assist. His emergence as a shutdown defender helped Rumson go 20-1, win the Class B North division title, capture its seventh Shore Conference Tournament title, win the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 1 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 5 in New Jersey. DYLAN LEBLANC, SR., MANASQUAN LeBlanc had an outstanding First Team All-Shore season as a junior with 41 caused turnovers and 57 ground balls for a stout Manasquan defense that allowed just 4.4 goals per game. A Loyola recruit, LeBlanc’s play was a major reason why the Warriors were able to post another standout season with a 17-4 record, the Class B South division title, their fifth straight Shore Conference Tournament championship game appearance, and their third straight NJSIAA South Group 1 state sectional title. Manasquan finished the season ranked No. 2 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 12 in New Jersey. LeBlanc is still making his way back from an injury suffered during football season so we likely won't see him take the field until later in the season.

BROCK LEFKUS, SR., SOUTHERN Lefkus is a key member of a strong Southern defense and was a Second Team AllClass A South selection last season. He is committed to Anderson University. CHARLIE SASSO, SR., WALL While known more for his performance on the gridiron where he is a three-time First Team AllShore linebacker and signed to Monmouth University, Sasso brought the same physicality, intensity, and leadership to a Wall lacrosse defense that yielded 6.4 goals per game. His 34 ground balls were the most among Wall’s close defenders. His play helped Wall go 16-4, reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, advance to the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final, finish No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, and conclude the season ranked No. 14 in the state for the most successful season in program history.

MASON SHENK, SR., ST. JOHN VIANNEY A Binghamton University recruit, Shenk is a standout pole for the Lancers who picked up 59 ground balls last season. JAMES VITALE, JR., ST. ROSE The Purple Roses' LSM was a Second Team All-Class B South selection last season when he collected 66 ground balls. JACKSON WHITACRE, SO., SHORE Whitacre showed talent and poise as a freshman starter for the Blue Devils to collect 20 ground balls and earn Second Team All-Class B North honors from the coaches. MAX WHITE, SR., SHORE Shore's LSM last season, White had 17 ground balls and was a Second Team All-Class B North selection by the coaches. Photos by:

Bob Badders

Managing Editor

OALTENDERS ARE THE LITERAL LAST LINE OF DEFENSE ON THE LACROSSE FIELD. HAVING A GREAT ONE CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE AS THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE AN AVERAGE TEAM GOOD, AND A GOOD TEAM INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER. A HANDFUL OF TEAMS WILL REGULARLY USE MORE THAN ONE GOALIE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT'S ONE GUY BETWEEN THE PIPES GAME IN AND GAME OUT. THESE ARE THE TOP RETURNING GOALIES IN THE SHORE CONFERENCE FOR THE 2022 SEASON.

Players listed alphabetically

ANDREW ARREDONDO, JR., HOLMDEL Arredondo will look to build off of a solid sophomore season in which he made 164 saves with a 55% save percentage. MATTHEW AZZARANO, SR., POINT BORO The Panthers will have experience in goal as Azzarano is back after making 151 saves with a 53% save percentage last season. COLIN FAY, SR., HOWELL Fay was sixth in the Shore Conference with 185 saves and posted a 61% save percentage in his first year as the starter. His presence in goals helped Howell go 12-6 and reach the quarterfinals of both the Shore Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA South Group 4 state sectional playoffs. Fay is committed to Belmont Abbey.

JAKE HULL, SR., TOMS RIVER SOUTH The Indians will rely heavily on Hull after graduating two of their three close defenders from last season. He is coming off a junior season in which he made 179 saves with a 56% save percentage. WALKER HUNTER, JR., SHORE Hunter led the Shore Conference with a 67% save percentage and was third with 193 total saves during a sophomore season in which he was a Third Team All-Shore selection. His play helped Shore go 13-5, reach the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and advance to the NJSIAA South Group 1 semifinals. AIDEN KESSLER, SR., WALL A First Team All-Class B South selection last season, Kessler made 137 saves with a 57% save percentage to help Wall to its best season in program history as the Crimson Knights went 16-4, reached the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final, finished No. 3 in the SSN Top 10, and finished the season ranked No. 14 in the state. MATTHEW LABIANCA, SO., JACKSON LIBERTY LaBianca won the starting job as a freshman last season and made 161 saves with a 54% save percentage PAUL MAZZEO, SR., BRICK MEMORIAL The Mustangs' netminder returns after posting a 53% save percentage and making 145 saves as a junior. EVAN SINGER, JR., TOMS RIVER NORTH Singer had a very good sophomore season in finishing fifth in the Shore with a 62% save percentage and tied for fourth with 189 saves. TYLER SININSKY, SR., SOUTHERN

CARTER GROEZINGER, SR., MANASQUAN In his first season as Manasquan’s starting goalie, Groezinger earned Second Team All-Shore honors by posting a 61 percent save percentage and making 111 saves for a team that yielded just 4.4 goals per game. His play in goal helped Manasquan go 17-4, win the Class B South division title, reach the Shore Conference Tournament championship game for the fifth straight season, win its third straight NJSIAA South Group 1 state sectional title, and finish the season ranked No. 2 in the SSN Top 10 and No. 12 in New Jersey. Groezinger is committed to EmbryRiddle.

Sininsky was a Second Team All-Shore selection last season with his signature being an unbelievable postseason that led the Rams to the South Group 4 sectional title. In five games in the NJSIAA Tournament, Sininsky made 53 saves, an average of 10.6 per game, to lead Southern to the South Group 4 state sectional title. The Rams’ defense allowed just 4.2 goals per game during the state tournament. For the season, the NJIT commit made 172 saves and was second in the Shore Conference with a 65% save percentage. He was a huge reason why Southern went 16-5, won its seventh straight Class A South division title, reached the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals, and captured its third sectional title in program history.

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Matt Manley Senior Staff Editor

HE SHORE CONFERENCE IS IN A GOLDEN ERA FOR PITCHING – THAT MUCH IS NOT ALL THAT DISPUTABLE. A BETTER QUESTION IS, WHEN DID IT BEGIN? AN EVEN BETTER ONE IS WHEN, IF EVER, WILL IT END? The answer is certainly not in 2022. Even after Shane Panzini graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School last spring and signed with the Kansas City Royals after being selected by the club in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, there is still an overflow of talented pitchers at the Shore – the best of whom have extremely promising futures. To get an overview of the 2022 baseball season at the Shore, it has to start with a closer look at the top pitchers in the area, who are also some of the best pitchers in the state, as well as on the national radar.

THE TOP TIER (PITCHER OF THE YEAR FRONTRUNNERS): Zach Crotchfelt (Jackson Memorial); Ben Schild (Middletown South)

Jackson Memorial’s Zach Crotchfelt

There are three returning pitchers from the 2021 Shore Sports Network All-Shore First Team and two of them would have been worthy of the Pitcher of the Year award in a lot of other seasons. In the Shore Conference, however, there is seemingly always an elite pitcher to overcome, whether that is Luca Dalatri (three-time Pitcher of the Year from 2014-16), Trey Dombroski in 2018 and 2019, or Panzini in 2021. Even in the lost year of 2020, Panzini would have had to beat out Christian Brothers Academy senior Pat Reilly, who is now flourishing in his sophomore season at Vanderbilt. Last year, Panzini was that pitcher to overcome, and while Schild and Crotchfelt did not beat him out for Pitcher of the Year, they were worthy final candidates for the prize. For the moment, Crotchfelt is the more projectable pitcher at the next level, whether that is at Auburn University – where

Middletown South’s Ben Schild 16

Middletown N

Crotchfelt committed following his freshman season at Jackson Memorial – or with a Major League organization that happens to select him in July’s Draft. At 6-foot-5 and armed with a fastball that has been clocked at 93 miles-per-hour, Crotchfelt was dominant as a junior with the Jaguars, posting an ERA of 0.85 in 41 1/3 innings with 76 strikeouts and 23 walks. The 14 hits Crotchfelt allowed made him the hardest pitcher at the Shore to hit on a per-inning basis, with just 2.71 hits allowed per seven innings. Schild, meanwhile, had a season that would have won him the Pitcher of the Year in almost any other season over the last decade. As a sophomore, the 6-foot-5 right-hander debuted with a perfect 8-0 record, a sparkling 0.62 ERA and 83 strikeouts against just 17 walks in 56 2/3 innings. Schild’s season ended with the best moment of his young career – a two-hit shutout against Montclair in the NJSIAA Group IV championship game to give Middletown South its first state title in 25 years. Schild committed to UConn over the summer and will be one of New Jersey’s best pitchers over the next two seasons, provided he stays healthy.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS Colin Dowlen (Middletown North); Charlie Jones (RFH); Cam Leiter (Central)

RFH’s Charlie Jones

All three of the pitchers in this next tier were on the All-Shore Second Team or better, with Dowlen nabbing a spot on the First Team. Middletown North’s ace and Seton Hall commit is exercising his

extra year of eligibility, which was offered by the NJSIAA to members of the 2021 and 2022 graduating classes with certain stipulations as a response to the canceled 2020 season. Dowlen was dominant last season, striking out 57 batters with a 1.03 ERA in 34 innings while walking only seven. His seminal moment was a 16strikeout no-hitter against

North’s Colin Dowlen

rival and Group IV champion Middletown South, which was a perfect game heading into the seventh inning. Jones has a strong base to be a Pitcher of the Year frontrunner after a breakout, 6-0 2021 season, which resulted in the 6-foot-6 right-hander decommitting from William & Mary and signing with Wake Forest. Jones was on the level of Schild in his propensity to raise his level for big games: he went head-to-head with Panzini and Jackson Memorial ace Matt Potok and led Rumson to victories in each game, with the win over top-seeded Jackson Memorial sending Rumson to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals. Leiter is the legacy candidate, with his uncle, Al, authoring what has to be the greatest résumé of any Shore Conference baseball player of all time. Cam, meanwhile, is beginning to carve out his own piece of Shore Conference history, which began last spring at the alma mater of his father, Kurt, and uncles Al, Mark and John. The Central Florida signee went 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings with wins over Jackson Memorial in the regular season and a 12-strikeout gem vs. Brick Memorial in the Ocean County Tournament championship game, which Central won for the first time in seven years.

UNDER THE RADAR CANDIDATES: Anthony Gubitosi (Colts Neck); Tyler Kane (Manalapan); Colin Reilly (CBA); John Goodes (RFH) Gubitosi took the ball in big games for Colts Neck in 2021 on the way to the team’s first ever NJSIAA sectional championship. The Delaware-bound left-hander rode a fastball that sits in the upper 80’s and a sharp breaking ball to a 6-2 record, a 2.87 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 46 1/3 innings as a junior. Coach Mike Yorke said at the beginning of last season that Gubitosi might be the

Manalapan’s Tyler Kane

Central’s Cam Leiter

See

Pitchers

page 18

Pitchers

Continued from page 17

most talented pitcher he has coached as a high-schooler, which is noteworthy considering current San Francisco Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani played for Yorke in the late 2000’s. Kane is a 5-10 fireballer and 2021 All-Shore Third-Teamer who has a propensity to come out of the gates firing. He dominated at the Last Dance World Series in the summer of 2020, was one of the Shore’s top pitchers during the first four weeks of the season in 2021 before hitting a funk down the stretch. Kane has again started 2022 strong with an 11-strikeout performance vs. Howell and figures to be in the AllShore mix again after punching out 75 batters in 40 1/3 innings last season. Like Leiter, Reilly has good bloodlines to validate his ability, although his pitching does that plenty. The Tulane commit is the younger brother of Pat Reilly, who was a First Team All-Shore pitcher as a junior at CBA and has impressed at Vanderbilt after missing a chance to pitch as a high-school senior in 2020. Colin had an all-division season in 2021 and will be the senior leader of the Colts staff in 2022 after going 3-3 with a 3.11 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings as a junior. Goodes is the least proven of this group, but that is only because his success as a sophomore last year came mostly as a reliever for a Rumson-Fair Haven squad that had its best season in program history. By the end of the season, though, the Bulldogs were using Goodes as their No. 2 option behind Jones. The Rutgers commit ended up with modest stats, but he is only a junior and could be poised to vault Colts Neck’s Anthony Gubitosi himself into the conversation this year

STANDOUT TWO-WAY ACES: Alex Stanyek (Red Bank Catholic) and A.J. Gracia (Ranney) The pandemic robbed Stanyek and Gracia of a chance to showcase their skills as freshmen at their respective schools and neither were completely turned loose as sophomores a year ago, with Gracia not pitching at all while recovering from surgery on his left elbow. Stanyek only threw 13 innings last year, but they were huge innings for a Red Bank Catholic team that finished No. 1 in the Shore and came within a bounce of the ball of getting a chance to finish No. 1 in the state. The George Washington commit will convert from reliever to starter this season, while also serving as Red Bank Catholic’s top returning hitter after earning a spot on the All-Shore Second Team as an outfielder. Gracia, meanwhile, dominated the competition while playing exclusively as Ranney’s designated hitter a season ago. Now healthy, the Duke-bound left-hander will be a top option on the mound for the Panthers and will also patrol centerfield when he is not swinging a dangerous bat in the middle of the Ranney order. Gracia is considered an outfield prospect at the next level but has the arm to keep open the possibility of pitching.

THE UP-AND-COMERS: Luke Rocessano (CBA); Ryan Prior (Red Bank Catholic); Aiden Cody (St. John Vianney); Cullen Condon (Manasquan); Brandon Falco (Matawan); Steve Svenson (Red Bank Catholic); Brevin Bezick (Middletown South) This group has had limited experience at the varsity level, but has demonstrated in a small sample of pitching – whether last season or in the preseason – that the future is bright. Cody has the most experience of the bunch and as an athletic junior with a fastball that can cross the 90-mile-perhour threshold, he has the makings of a lockdown No. 1 for the Lancers during this season and beyond. Condon (28 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings) and Falco (27 in 21 1/3) both pitched as freshmen a season ago for their respective teams, with Condon catching fire down the stretch for Manasquan after getting roughed up in his first few outings as a freshman at the varsity level. Rocessano showed flashes of dominance in 17 innings as a sophomore in 2021 and pitching in a senior-led staff in 2022, the Maryland commit will be a valuable arm as both a reliever and occasionally as a starter. He is coming off a similar season to Goodes at Rumson, but may not see as many starts as Goodes right away. If he pitches his way into a starting role, Roccesano could be high All-Shore material this season. Bezick also gave Middletown South a peek at the future as a freshman last year, when the Eagles turned to the talented left-hander down the stretch of the season when they needed lots of arms to navigate both the end of the Class A North regular season, the Monmouth County Tournament and the NJSIAA Tournament. Prior and Svenson are both in their first season as varsity pitchers, and while their 2022 debut did not go as planned – they both pitched in Red Bank Catholic’s stunning upset loss to Shore on April 4 – they are both highlyregarded pitchers, with Prior only a freshman and Svenson a sophomore. Prior, who is the nephew of former Chicago Cubs phenom and current Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, is an athletic 6-5 and already committed to the University of Virginia. DeSclafani’s breakout at Colts Neck in the late 2000’s was a rough starting point for this Golden Era of Shore Conference pitching, although it has gone to a new level since the breakout sophomore seasons of Dalatri and current Red Sox prospect Jay Groome in 2014. After Dalatri and Groome graduated, the Shore was home to Tommy Sheehan of Manasquan, Trey Dombrowski of Wall, Nick Guzzi of Point Pleasant Boro, Pat Reilly of CBA and Panzini of Red Bank Catholic. Since graduating, Wall alum Teddy Sharkey and Pinelands graduate Noah Dean have also gone on to star as college closers – with Dean up to 100 miles-per-hour as a shutdown left-handed reliever at Old Dominion. The latest crop of Shore Conference pitchers is continuing the trend of excellence and as the 2022 season gets going, the aces on the mound are guaranteed to make headlines through the spring.

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RETURNING 2021 ALL-SHORE AND ALL-DIVISION HONOREES By

Matt Manley – Senior Staff Editor

REMEMBER US? THE (MANY) RETURNING ALL-SHORE AND ALL-DIVISION BASEBALL PLAYERS IN THE SHORE CONFERENCE. FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

THIRD TEAM

MIKE DAMATO, SR., 1B/RHP, MANCHESTER ALEX STANYEK, JR., OF/RHP, RED BANK CATHOLIC BEN SCHILD, JR., RHP/OF, MIDDLETOWN SOUTH ZACH CROTCHFELT, SR., LHP/1B, JACKSON MEMORIAL COLIN DOWLEN, SR., RHP/3B, MIDDLETOWN NORTH

JOE STANZIONE, SR., 1B, MIDDLETOWN SOUTH GABE CAVAZZONI, JR., SS, WALL CHARLIE MEGLIO, JR., SS/RHP, JACKSON MEMORIAL CHARLIE CHROPUVKA, SR., OF, RANNEY CAM LEITER, SR., RHP/DH, CENTRAL CHARLIE JONES, SR., RHP, RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN

JOE CILEA, SR., C, COLTS NECK BRAD SALAMONE, SR., OF, COLTS NECK ANDREW FISCHER, SR., 3B, WALL TYLER SPENCER, JR., RHP/3B, COLTS NECK TYLER KANE, SR., RHP, MANALAPAN ANTHONY GUBITOSI, SR., LHP, COLTS NECK

2021 SHORE BASEBALL COACHES ALL-DIVISION PLAYERS

CLASS A SOUTH

CLASS B CENTRAL

Charlie Meglio, Jr., 3B/RHP, Jackson Memorial Ryan Turner, Sr., OF, Brick Memorial Anthony Musso, Sr., OF/RHP, Central Bobby Sabatino, Jr., SS, Toms River East Cam Leiter, Sr., RHP/DH, Central Zach Crotchfelt, Sr., LHP/1B, Jackson Memorial – Pitcher of the Year Aidan Folsom, Sr., RHP/3B, Toms River South

Lou Spadafora, Jr., C, Ranney Brett Wehringer, Jr., SS, Ranney Phil Trebour, Sr., SS/RHP, Point Beach Diego Tavarez, Jr., 2B/RHP, Ranney Jack Tallent, Jr., 3B, Ranney Charlie Chropuvka, Sr., OF, Ranney – Hitter of the Year Ricky Nagy, Jr., OF, Ranney A.J. Gracia, Jr., OF/LHP, Ranney Colin Matuschat, Sr., 1B, Point Beach Andrew Banick, Sr., OF/RHP, Point Beach Glen Cantalupo, Jr., 1B, Ranney Nick Coniglio, Jr., RHP, Ranney Jack Renaud, Jr., RHP, Ranney Anthony Longo, Sr., RHP/2B/SS, Keyport Marcello Mastroianni, Jr., LHP, Ranney Jack DiPaolo, Sr., RHP/OF, Keyport

CLASS A NORTH Joe Stanzione, Sr., 1B, Middletown South Jack Frankovic, Sr., OF/RHP, CBA Ben Schild, Jr., RHP/OF, Middletown South – Pitcher of the Year Colin Dowlen, Sr., RHP/3B, Middletown North Tyler Kane, Sr., RHP, Manalapan Dan Furlong, Sr., RHP/2B, Howell Evan Wood, Sr., 3B/RHP, Middletown South

CLASS A CENTRAL Frank Scrivanic, Jr., 1B, Red Bank Catholic Rob Scarola, Sr., 1B, Raritan Charlie Tallman, Sr., 2B/SS, Rumson-Fair Haven Matt Scrivanic, Sr., SS, Red Bank Catholic Alex Dekis, Sr., OF, Raritan Christian Zito, Sr., OF/RHP, Monmouth Alex Stanyek, Jr., OF/RHP, Red Bank Catholic Rylan Fegan, Sr., OF/LHP, Shore Ben Hutchins, Sr., RHP/OF, Raritan Charlie Jones, Sr., RHP, Rumson-Fair Haven

CLASS B NORTH Joe Cilea, Sr., C, Colts Neck Gus Dal Pra, Sr., 3B, Red Bank Brady Oswick, Sr., SS, St. John Vianney Ryan Cole, Sr., SS/RHP, Neptune Gabe Cavazzoni, Jr., SS, Wall Brett Patten, Jr., OF, Manasquan Nick Lovarco, Sr., OF, Wall Brad Salamone, Sr., OF, Colts Neck Andrew Fischer, Sr., 3B, Wall Anthony Gubitosi, Sr., LHP, Colts Neck Tyler Spencer, Jr., RHP/3B, Colts Neck

CLASS B SOUTH Rian O’Rourke, Sr., SS/RHP, Pinelands Gavin Degnan, Jr., OF, Donovan Catholic Logan Duffy, Sr., OF/RHP, Manchester Jared Schworn, Sr., OF/RHP, Barnegat Anthony Mursko, Sr., 3B, Donovan Catholic Mike Damato, Sr., 1B/RHP, Manchester Bryson Kirby, So., OF/RHP, Point Boro

By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted order of finish

he collection of teams that is the Shore Conference Class A North division was something to behold last season. The two teams that finished in the top two spots in the standings – Freehold Township and Manalapan – survived the regular-season carnage, but looked something close to sapped in the postseason tournaments. Meanwhile, there was a five-way tie between Christian Brothers Academy, Middletown South and Middletown North. If you are keeping track, that is arguably Monmouth County’s most successful program, the 2021 NJSIAA Group IV champion and the team the only team in the Shore Conference that had two starting pitchers on the Shore Sports Network All-Shore First Team. Those teams, with all those accolades – finished fifth. Their division record was below .500. Only in A North. This season, the division might actually be slightly more forgiving for the teams at the top, but there could still be four or five teams ranked in the Shore Top 10 at any given point during the season. It is a loaded field, one where experience plays a huge factor, but where young guns routinely emerge as players who make a difference in championship chases. It remains to be seen which team will survive the A North gauntlet, but it is safe to say that any team from this division that qualifies for the postseason will be prepared to face just about anybody.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH HEAD COACH: Chris LeMore, 2nd season 2021 RECORD: 22-9 (6-7, tied 5th in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Matt Pontari (OF/3B/RHP), Pat Eagone (CF), Greg Trezza (C), Tom DeMarco (CF), Will Doyle (SS), Jack Shea (RHP), Mike Keenan (RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Ben Cacoilo, Sr.; Jackson Stoll, Jr.; Robert Cangelosi, Sr. First Base: Joe Stanzione, Will Christopher, Jr. Second Base: Joe Bartos, Sr. Steven Boguszewski, Sr.; Brendan Silva, Fr. Shortstop: Matt Silva, Jr.; Steven Boguszewski, Sr. Third Base: Evan Wood, Sr.; Joe Bartos, Sr.; Brendan Silva, Fr. Leftfield: Ryan St. Clair, Sr.; Will Christopher, Jr. Centerfield: Louis D’Alessio, So. Rightfield: Ben Schild, Jr.; Will Christopher, Jr. DH: Will Christopher, Jr.; John Chiusano, Jr.

Middletown South got a hard lesson in how difficult making it through the Class A North division is, finishing a game below .500 in divisional play. Falling out of the division race might have actually helped the Eagles, who honed in on the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments and made the most of it. Despite graduating a strong senior class from the 2020 team that wasn’t and, while the inexperience might have impacted the trip through the division, it did not stop them from steamrolling to the Shore Conference Tournament final and all the way to the Group IV championship. With a bunch of new players integrated and Chris LeMore off and running as the head coach after taking over prior to 2020, the bar is even higher now at Middletown South. Junior ace Ben Schild returns after a brilliant high school debut in 2021 and he will lead a rotation that, while losing some quality contributors, will still have both depth and impact. Behind Schild, senior Evan Wood will take on the No. 2 spot in the rotation after pitching both as a starter and a closer during his do-it-all junior campaign. Junior Will Christopher and sophomore Brevin Bezick are also ready to step up this season after getting some work a year ago. There is also some quality depth in the staff that should give Middletown South a legitimate chance to manage the overlap in tournament play and divisional play that tends to tax teams’ pitching. There is more work to be done in piecing together the offense, but the Eagles got a huge boost with the return of slugging first baseman Joe Stanzione, who opted to take the extra year of high school baseball offered by the NJSIAA in response to the lost 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stanzione will again give Middletown South one of the Shore’s most intimidating hitters in the middle of the lineup and will try to build around him with table-setters like Wood, second baseman Joe Bartos leftfielder Ryan St. Clair and Christopher – all of whom made contributions with the bat in 2021. Schild also gives Middletown South a potential power bat, which he showed off at times in 2021. The Eagles starting nine might be more power-oriented after losing athletic players like Pat Eagone, Tom DeMarco, Matt Pontari, Will Doyle and even catcher Greg Trezza, but shortstop Matt Silva, sophomore centerfielder Louis D’Alessio and versatile infielder Steven Boguszewski will add some speed to the mix. LeMore’s specialty is working with catchers, which he did masterfully with Trezza last season and will try to do again with a deep group of backstops, led by senior Ben Cacoilo. That spot will be a key for Middletown South, which is not a bad thing considering all the options on hand. Last year proved that the program is capable of reloading with young talent and quickly finding roles for new players and with Schild heading up the rotation and Stanzione back in the middle of the lineup, there is a lot to build around once again.

Middletown South Jr. Ben Schild

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY HEAD COACH: Marty Kenney Jr., 2nd season 2021 RECORD: 11-12 (6-7, tied 5th in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Joe Marini (1B/LHP), Mike Natali (OF), Henry Escandon (LHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joe Figliolino, Sr. First Base: Zaine Toneske, Jr. – Transfer from Jackson Liberty. Second Base: Alexey Stoudt, Sr. Shortstop: Harrison Campi, Jr. Third Base: Nick Harnisch, Jr. Leftfield: Liam Sweeney, Sr.; Hunter Del Guercio, Jr. Centerfield: Jack Frankovic, Sr.; Matt DiFeo, Jr. Rightfield: Gavin Kus, Sr. DH: Hunter Del Guercio, Jr.; Wyatt Hunt, Jr.

There was a fairly strong correlation between success in the Class A North division race and senior talent in 2021, with A North’s two most senior-driven teams – Freehold Township and Manalapan – taking the top two spots in the division standings thanks to a group of players who had actually played varsity baseball before, despite losing the entire 2020 season. By contrast, CBA had a team full of sophomores and juniors who had never played a varsity game and it seemed showed at times during the season. That disparity between experienced teams and younger-but-talented squads might not be as pronounced since last baseball calendar is basically fully operational again, but experience can never hurt. Unlike last season, CBA has plenty of it, with starters back at just about every position on the field and two key additions where holes did exist. When breaking down CBA, it has to start on the mound. The Colts feature three senior arms that showed flashes of brilliance last season and will be looking to put it all together this season. Colin Reilly – whose older brother, Pat is currently starring as one of Vanderbilt’s top pitchers – is coming off an all-division junior season and is looking for an All-Shore campaign before he heads to Tulane. Lehigh commit Jack Frankovic is the team’s top allaround athlete and closed his season strong on the mound, including a near-no-hitter against Middletown North. Mike Kelly rounds out the trio of dependable CBA starters, but it doesn’t stop there. Junior right-hander and Maryland commit Luke Roccesano leads a deep group that will back up the big three. Frankovic will also be one of CBA’s top offensive threats and after playing third base out of necessity last season, he is set to shift out to centerfield, where he is at his best. That shifts last year’s centerfielder, senior Liam Sweeney to left, which will give CBA a speedy outfield. The Colts also have a pair of power bats in senior Gavin Kus and junior Hunter Del Guercio to man the corner outfield spots, giving them a good mix of speed out power roaming the grass. Coach Marty Kenney Jr. is able to get Frankovic back out to centerfield because he now has a complete infield after an injury to current junior Nick Harnisch threw his initial plans off the rails. Harnisch will debut at third base this season and at first base, the Colts welcome Jackson Liberty transfer Zaine Toneske, who is already committed to St. John’s. The new juniors at the corners will join returning double-play partners Harrison Campi and Alexey Stoudt, with Campi coming off an all-division season as a sophomore shortstop. Factor in returning catcher Joe Figliolino, and CBA enters the season with one of the Shore’s most balanced and highest-upside infields. There is almost no way CBA dominates Class A North this season because Class A North is not a division subject to domination. There is, however, some major talent to replace for a few of the division’s teams and that opens the door for CBA to make a run at the top spot. The Colts will also look to get back to the top of Monmouth County and the Shore Conference, while also carrying some potential in the NJSIAA Tournament come late May.

HOWELL HEAD COACH: Eric Johnson, 12th season 2021 RECORD: 16-11 (7-6, 4th in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Chris Ellison (2B), Vin Impresa (3B/RHP), Antonio Gatti (CF), Kristian Saucedo (SS), Ryan Behnken (1B), Alex Jenkins (RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Nick Todisco, Sr.; Jeremy Wojenski, Sr. First Base: Nick Gomes, Sr. Second Base: Dan Furlong, Sr. Shortstop: Thomas Strauch, Sr. Third Base: Nick Gallo, Sr. Leftfield: Devon Smith, Sr. Centerfield: Russell Halvorsen, Jr. Rightfield: Ryan Bilello, Sr. DH: Braden Walsh (So., 1B); Joe Zito (So., 3B/C)

Over the last decade or so, the Howell baseball program has routinely reloaded with quality hitters and put together dangerous lineups, regardless of who graduates or even who gets hurt. In that sense, coach Eric Johnson can feel confident that the offensive portion of his 2022 squad should be ready to step up and produce over the course of the upcoming season, despite the Rebels graduating three big bats – including, perhaps, the Shore’s best hitter in 2021 in Chris Ellison. The most encouraging part of 2021 for Howell, however, was on the mound. The Rebels have been snake-bitten at times with injuries in the pitching staff and last year, unfortunately, was no different. Ellison was never able to get on the mound beyond one brief appearance and left-hander Nick Gomes only threw two innings after looking very promising during the summer of 2020. Throw in some struggles by Vin Impresa and one would think Howell’s pitching was a mess all season. And yet, it was not. The Rebels got contributions from many sources, played solid defense and climbed up to the top-half of the standings in the rugged Class A North division. To paint an even rosier picture, almost all of those contributors on the mound are back, led by senior right-hander Dan Furlong, who emerged as the team’s No. 1 starter a year ago. Gomes is also healthy and ready to follow in the rotation, with seniors Ryan Bilello and Stephen Jardim coming off strong junior seasons as well. There is also some upside with senior Jason Pace and juniors Luke Bearse and Aiden Bauer, so Howell should be able to get through games without running any one pitcher into the ground. At the plate, it should be business as usual. There likely won’t be anyone who approaches Ellison’s record-breaking season of 2021, but senior Thomas Strauch and junior Russell Halvorsen are poised for big years after very encouraging 2021 campaigns. Strauch will take over at shortstop after slugging six home runs as an outfielder, while Halvorsen moves to centerfield. Furlong and Gomes are both talented hitters as well, Devon Smith (leftfield), Bilello (rightfield) and third baseman Nick Gallo are poised to thrive in greater roles, and

Nick Todisco and Jeremy Wojenski are both all-division caliber catchers who split time a year ago. Injuries have found a way to catch up with Howell, either in stalling the Rebels out of the gate or catching up with them later in the year. This Rebels roster, however, looks deep enough to last into June, with Howell contending for the outright Class A North championship and making a run at multiple championships as one of the Shore Conference’s best publicschool teams.

MIDDLETOWN NORTH HEAD COACH: Ryan McCabe, 3rd season 2021 RECORD: 11-10 (6-7, tied 5th in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Danny Frontera (SS/RHP), Tyler Sharkey (OF), Dom Scerbo (OF), Kevin Lisser (OF/DH) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Andrew Lombardi, Sr.; Aidan Sheehan, Sr. First Base: Colin Dowlen, Sr.; R.J. Kernan, Jr. Second Base: Mike Weinbel, Sr. Shortstop: Ryan Frontera, Jr.; Colby McMahon, Jr. Third Base: Karl Strauch, Sr.; Colby McMahon, Jr.; Colin Dowlen, Sr. Leftfield: Ryan Fairhurst, Sr.; Jason Quardt, So. Centerfield: Matt Adamson, Sr. Rightfield: R.J. Kernan, Jr.; Jason Quardt, So.; Tony Sansone, Sr. DH: Tony Sansone (Sr., OF)

A year ago, Middletown North hitched its wagon to a pitching duo that nearly carried the Lions to glory. In the end, however, asking Danny Frontera – now at Seton Hall – and Colin Dowlen to shut out the competition at least once per week was too tall a task and when Dowlen dealt with some arm trouble at the end of the season, the Lions faded. This season, Middletown North will look to find more balance in the form of an improved lineup, a fortified defense and a deeper pitching staff. Dowlen returns to lead that staff, with the Seton Hall commit opting to exercise an extra year of eligibility that was offered by the NJSIAA to members of the 2021 graduating class. After a First-Team All-Shore season that included a 16-strikeout no-hitter against Group IV champion Middletown South, Dowlen will be one of the Shore’s foremost aces. Backing up Dowlen with strike-throwers will be paramount and senior Tony Sansone also fits that description. He is not, however, 100 percent to start the season, with a broken bone in his foot still healing, according to coach Ryan McCabe. With Sansone and junior Ryan Frontera rounding out the rotation at some point, Middletown North should have what it needs to compete come tournament time, especially if Matt Adamson and Nick Palmadesso can provide addition depth and impact on the staff. As much as a more balanced staff and a dependable defense are essentials for this Middletown North squad and any aspiring championship team in general, the Lions will have to get a lot more out of their offense as a whole. Both Danny and Ryan Fronter had big seasons with the bat, but the rest of the lineup never quite clicked – which was a disappointment after Middletown North’s entrant into the Last Dance World Series Tournament in 2020 torched opposing pitching. Ryan Frontera will look to lead the offense this season and Dowlen is looking for a bounceback campaign at the plate to add to his dominance on the mound. The health of two key bats should help the Lions this season, with senior catcher Andrew Lombardi and junior R.J. Kernan coming off injury-ravaged 2021 seasons. Lombardi showed major potential as a freshman and hopes to close out his career with a healthy, productive senior season, while Kernan was ticketed to be a middle-of-theorder bat as a sophomore. Adamson will move to centerfield this season, senior Mike Weinbel returns to second base, and both catcher Aidan Sheehan and third baseman Karl Strauch will be important players looking to carve out greater roles in 2022. The corner outfield spots remain up for grabs, with Kernan manning right when Dowlen plays first base. The early injuries and questions make for an uneasy start, but the Lions still have some top-end talent that should make them a dangerous team throughout the 2022 season.

MANALAPAN HEAD COACH: Brian Boyce, 15th season 2021 RECORD: 18-8 (9-4, 2nd in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Tom Guidice (3B), Anthony Matteis (C), Chris Marzo (2B), Anthony Matrone (OF), Ethan Rodriguez (OF), Anthony Mauro (SS), Joe Mazza (LHP), Justin Simone (RHP), Nick DiMaggio (RHP), Sebastian Czajkowski (RHP), Gino Gambale (OF), Ken Sclafani (INF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Christian D’Angelo, Jr. First Base: Max Graime, Sr. Second Base: Colton Gottlob, Sr.; Alex Class, Jr. Shortstop: Christian Zabotka, Jr. Third Base: Sean Caputo, Jr.; Brandon Caputo, Sr.; Colton Gottlob, Sr. Leftfield: Dylan Reiner, Sr. Centerfield: Cristian Bernadini, Jr. Rightfield: Liam Martin, Sr. DH: Brandon Caputo (Sr., C/3B)

For a few months, it appeared Manalapan would be headed for a major transition year after coach Brian Boyce initially announced he was stepping down as Braves coach. Then, in September, the administration convinced him to return to the program that he has shaped into one of the New Jersey’s premier public-school teams year-in and year-out. While there will not be a transition to a new coach for Manalapan, there will quite a bit of transitioning around the diamond. The Braves graduated starters at every position except first base and left field, so what has been a successful feeder program will be significantly tested this season. It has come through before and the Braves are hopeful it can come through again, but in the meantime, returning starters Max Graime and Cristian Bernardini will have to step forward as all-around leaders. Graime was a clutch hitter near the bottom of the Manalapan’s order in 2021 and Bernardini will move to centerfield after a strong A North debut as a sophomore. Senior Liam Martin also got some at-bats as a bench player last year and is set to take over in right field. The Braves are also optimistic about a group of junior newcomers to the lineup, which includes shortstop Christian Zabotka, catcher Christian

Cristian Bernardini will have to step forward as all-around leaders. Graime was a clutch hitter near the bottom of the Manalapan’s order in 2021 and Bernardini will move to centerfield after a strong A North debut as a sophomore. Senior Liam Martin also got some at-bats as a bench player last year and is set to take over in right field. The Braves are also optimistic about a group of junior newcomers to the lineup, which includes shortstop Christian Zabotka, catcher Christian D’Angelo and third baseman Sean Caputo – a trio that should occupy key positions over the next two seasons. Seniors Brandon Caputo, Colton Gottlob and Dylan Reiner are also set to swing the bats for Manalapan’s new-look lineup. With so many new hitters and fielders in the mix this year, Manalapan will lean even more on a pitching staff that returns two major pieces from a year ago. Senior righthander Tyler Kane was an All-Shore performer for Manalapan as one of the Shore’s best strikeout pitchers. His fastball creeps into the 90-miles-per-hour range and will give the Braves a chance against any opponent on the schedule as long as he is on the mound. Classmate Aidan Tumbelson was a pleasant surprise last year as well and will be a dependable second option for Boyce. The season may come down to the emergence of the rest of the pitching staff, with sophomore Dylan Shaffer, junior Danny Burns, junior left-hander A.J. Tanico and senior Chris DiMaggio all looking like important cogs heading into opening day. The offense will need some time to develop and the defense will be a major x-factor with so many new players, but Manalapan’s pitching and history of reloading make a Braves a team that should not be written off.

while also providing Marlboro with a top-of-the-order hitter. Senior Josh Mack also returns with experience and will man first base and the Mustangs bring back senior catcher Andrew Bellone as well. While senior Julien Umanzor and Nick Gomolka are first-year starters, both appear ready for the job. Gomolka will take over at third base after getting 13 at-bats as a junior and Umanzor would have been in the mix to start in 2020 and 2021, but the season was canceled in 2020 and he was injured for the entirety of 2021, according to Helfgott. If that infield clicks, Marlboro can pile on capable outfield hitters Julian Buchmann and Danny Talarico to form what could be a standout lineup. D'Amrosio is projected to pitch as the No. 2 in the rotation behind senior Tyler Villa, who has been a workhorse for the Mustangs since his freshman year. The role of underclass ace was a lot for Villa to handle and Capell took a lot of the pressure off last year, but for Marlboro to thrive this season, it will need Villa to be steady at the top of the staff. Mack and senior Jake Kalfayan also bring experience as potential starters, but will need to clean up their control this year. Between Villa, D’Ambrosio, Mack and Kalfayan, Marlboro’s returning pitchers issued 58 walks in 65 innings a year ago. With some improvement in the rotation and quick learning by the new-look infield, Marlboro will again be a dangerous team at the end of the year. The Mustangs overcame a slow start in 2021 and that could be the task again this season with so many new players in new positions, but Marlboro has shown it can improve in-season and catch fire at the right time.

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP

MARLBORO

HEAD COACH: Todd Smith, 12th season

HEAD COACH: Craig Helfgott, 3rd season

2021 RECORD: 16-9 (11-3, 1st in Class A North)

2021 RECORD: 15-9 (8-5, 3rd in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Mark Capell (1B/RHP), Joe Lomangino (SS), Nick Wright (2B), Alex Jankowski (3B/RHP), Frank Talarico (OF), Antonio Vitale (OF/LHP)

KEY LOSSES: Zach Gorman (OF/RHP), Chris Corchado (1B), Griffin Murphy (C), Patrick Burns (3B), Nick Kolozsvary (CF), Matt Villapiano (LHP/DH), John Abrahamsen (OF), Joe Zappulla (OF/DH).

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Andrew Bellone, Sr.; Gavin McCarthy, Fr. First Base: Josh Mack, Sr. Second Base: Julien Umanzor, Sr. Shortstop: Alex D’Ambrosio, Jr. Third Base: Nick Gomolka, Sr. Leftfield: Danny Talarico, Jr. Centerfield: Julian Buchman, Sr. Rightfield: Paul Santos, So.; Shawn McNiff, Sr. DH: Mike Kansky (Jr., RF)

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Lucas Dixon, Jr. First Base: Anthony Sirico, Sr. Second Base: Sean Keegan, Sr. Shortstop: Ryan Keegan, Sr. Third Base: Mike Avino, So. Leftfield: Giacomo Calamita, Sr. Centerfield: Ryan Costello, So. Rightfield: Jayme Montanez, Sr. DH: Ryan Kopf (Jr., C)

In his first season as Marlboro head coach in 2019, Craig Helfgott navigated the Mustangs through a rocky regular season and led them to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinals to close out the year on a high note. Despite missing out on 2020, the Mustangs picked up where they left off and inched closer to the program’s first baseball sectional championship since 1972 by reaching the Central Group IV final before falling to Middletown South in a pitchers’ duel. If the trend remains state tournament progress, keep an eye on Marlboro as a sectional title contender at the end of the season. If, indeed, the Mustangs finish sixth in the division, that does not discount them from making a postseason run, as Middletown South showed last season. A North is loaded and getting through the 14game grind and getting hot for four games in two weeks in late may and early June are two different propositions. Marlboro’s hopes in 2022 rest with a handful of returnees and some pitching depth, although the Mustangs lost their No. 1 starter (Mark Capell) and all four of their starting infielders. Helfgott likes what he has to replace that group, though, led by junior Alex D’Ambrosio. As a part-time third baseman and flexible pitcher who worked as a starter and reliever, D’Ambrosio is ready to take on the role of shortstop-slash-starting-pitcher

No team brought back more varsity experience in Class A North last season than did Freehold Township and it paid off in the Patriots’ first outright Class A North championship since 2006. The Patriots were loaded with seniors who played as sophomores in 2019 and throughout the Class A North schedule, the group delivered in must-win games and it was enough to outlast a crowded field for the division championship. The downside to making a run with a senior team is most of the team leaves after the season and that is the situation in which Freehold Township finds itself. The Patriots bring back three capable returning players in Ryan Keegan, Sean Keegan and sophomore Ryan Costello, but finding help around them will be the challenge, unless Ryan Keegan and Ryan Costello are ready to carry the lineup with huge breakouts. Keegan was a clutch hitter and one of the division’s better shortstops, while Costello hit nearly .500 after getting the varsity call-up for the postseason run, but both carrying an offense might be a big ask. Though inexperienced, Freehold Township will not be especially young. Anthony Sirico (first base), Giacomo Calamita (leftfield) and Jayme Montanez (rightfield) are all

projected senior starters and catcher Lucas Dixon and designated hitter Ryan Kopf – also an option at catcher – are juniors. The only sophomores lined up to open the season as starters are Costello and third baseman Mike Avino, although outfielders Lex Nelson and C.J. Svoboda will be looking to make an impact at some point. While the offense has some potential behind the all-Keegan middle infield and the Costello-led sophomores, overhauling the pitching staff will be a major undertaking for coach Todd Smith. The Patriots don’t have an obvious choice to open the season as a No. 1 starter and Smith indicated that he could start the season by using his long list of first-year pitchers as tandem starters – splitting the game up into two-to-threeinning stints. Within the current group, Sean Keegan and Calamita are the only pitchers who appeared in a game last season and the two pitched a combined 3 1/3 innings. In a Class A North division stacked with Division I talent, Freehold Township’s unknown roster will be put to the test. Costello and Ryan Keegan are potential All-Shore players at important positions and the offense and defense could very well fall into place around them, but the pitching remains a significant question to start the season. If the committee approach works early, Freehold Township should manufacture an admirable division title defense.

LONG BRANCH HEAD COACH: Ben Woolley, 3rd season 2021 RECORD: 4-21 (0-14, eighth in Class A North) KEY LOSSES: Tyler Abbot (SS/RHP), Andrew Conklin (C), Dave Rodriguez (OF), Robert Baez (OF), Jason Laviola (OF/LHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Shaun Rodriguez, Sr. First Base: Xavier Camacho, Sr. Second Base: Matt Lorme, Jr. Shortstop: Adam Benetsky, Sr. Third Base: Domenic DeMarzo, Jr. Leftfield: Will Reyes, Jr. Centerfield: Thomas Brewer, Sr. Rightfield: Romeo Martinez, So. DH: Mehki Davis (Sr., OF).

One of the many obstacles to competing in Class A North for Long Branch has been fielding the kind of program numbers that can even approach that of teams like Manalapan, Howell, Freehold Township, Middletown South and Marlboro – all of which are Group IV schools and look the part. That gap is closing this season, according to Green Wave coach Ben Woolley, who said this year, his program will be again be fielding a junior varsity team for the first time since 2018. While the additional depth will be key in raising Long Branch’s potential this season, it is the returning senior group that has Woolley and everyone around the program excited to see how this year’s group fairs. Thomas Brewer is a four-year starter for Long Branch and Adam Benetsky was one of the team’s top players last year after looking for a breakout season in the lost 2020 season. Benetsky will take over at shortstop for all-division graduate Tyler Abbot and Brewer moves to centerfield, where he played as a freshman before moving to the infield. Seniors Xavier Camacho and Shawn Rodriguez are also back as key cogs, with Camacho hitting in the middle of the order as the team’s first baseman and Rodriguez moving to catcher. The junior class will contribute three starters to the mix in second baseman Matt Lorme, third baseman Domenic DeMarzo and outfielder Will Reyes, while senior Mahki Davis adds some power to the lineup and the pitching staff. Speaking of the pitching staff, the Green Wave expect to have its deepest stable of pitchers in a while, led by junior right-hander John Ebron, who threw 22 innings as a sophomore in 2021. Sophomore Clinton Campbell and Reyes also look poised for solid seasons as first-

By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted order of finish

n each of the past three seasons, Jackson Memorial has entered the season as the heavy favorite in the Shore Conference Class A South division and, for the most part, the Jaguars have lived up to the billing. Even when the 2020 season was canceled, Jackson Memorial entered the Last Dance World Series tournament and made it all the way to the state championship game. Throw in two division titles that they won by at least two games in the standings, and Jackson Memorial has not had many anxious moments since tying for the A South championship on the way to a NJSIAA sectional championship in 2018. While the Jaguars again enter 2022 as the A South favorite, the grip on the top spot may be loosening some. Central Regional beat Jackson Memorial in divisional play last year and went on to win the Ocean County Tournament championship with a team that has a lot of talent still on hand. Brick Memorial also handed Jackson Memorial a division loss and made it to the OCT ﬁnal, setting the Mustangs up to be a contender as well.

Crotchfelt, he will have a capable lineup to win a lot of games again in 2022. Charlie Meglio is the top returning RBI-man in the Shore Conference and will move from third base to shortstop, with senior J.R. Osmond taking over at third after getting most of his 2021 at-bats at DH. Senior Chris Cartnick enters his second year as the starting second baseman – third if you include the Last Dance in 2022 – and Crotchfelt will be a middle-of-the order hitter at ﬁrst base when he is not pitching. Aidan O’Donnell played his way into the starting left field job as a sophomore and is set for a move behind the plate this season. With O’Donnell’s spot open, junior Matt Koblos is set to join seniors Andrew Patire and Tommy Kendrick in the starting outfield. Sophomore Nick Izzo is another newcomer who will make an impact at DH and at first base when Crotchfelt is on the mound. The Jaguars have all the ingredients to have a big year, starting with a fourth straight A South regular-season title. Ultimately, though, this team is hungry to make it back to tournament time and get a measure of redemption after disappointing ﬁnishes to 2019 and 2021.

CENTRAL REGIONAL HEAD COACH: Jerry Frulio, 11th season 2021 RECORD: 19-9 (9-5, 2nd in Class A South)

Brick and Toms River South also scored wins over Jackson Memorial, which sets up two potential scenarios. Class A South teams are closing the gap between Jackson Memorial and the ﬁeld, or the Jaguars will be highly motivated to dominate the division this year – even more so than usual.

KEY LOSSES: Evan Agrapides (CF), Trevor Coltenback (3B), Connor Shea (2B/RHP), Jeremy Bruner (RHP)

JACKSON MEMORIAL

After Jackson Memorial spent two years (including the summer of 2020) as the clear class of the group of Class A South teams, Central emerged as a legitimate challenger to the Jaguars. Central had a few too many slip-ups along the way in Class A South to win the division title, but the Golden Eagles beat the Jaguars head-to-head and finished the season strong by winning their first Ocean County Tournament championship in seven years.

HEAD COACH: Pat George, 2nd season 2021 RECORD: 18-8 (11-3, 1st in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Matt Potok (RHP), Ty Beck (SS/RHP), Zach Rogacki (C) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Aidan O’Donnell, Jr. First Base: Zach Crotchfelt, Sr.; Nick Izzo, So. Second Base: Chris Cartnick, Sr. Shortstop: Charlie Meglio, Jr. Third Base: J.R. Osmond, Sr. Leftfield: Matt Koblos, Jr. Centerfield: Andrew Patire, Sr. Rightfield: Tommy Kendrick, Sr. DH: Nick Izzo, So.

Over the last decade-and-a-half, Jackson Memorial has been one of the standout programs of the Shore Conference and since 2018, the Jaguars have been particularly excellent. During that span, they are 63-20 with three straight Class A South championships, a 2018 South Jersey Group IV sectional championship and a 2020 Last Dance World Series regional championship – the summer tournament for N.J. high school teams that missed out on the canceled 2020 scholastic season. With the talent that has been on the Jaguars rosters and the regular-season success comes expectations, and while Jackson Memorial has been among the Shore’s top teams since 2018, the Jaguars have run into problems in the postseason since winning their 2018 sectional title. Between 2019 and 2021, Jackson Memorial suffered four shocking

tournament losses on its home field as either a No. 1 or 2 seed in the Ocean County, Shore Conference and South Jersey Group IV Tournaments. This year’s team will try to turn that story on its head with some championship hardware to go with a fourth straight Class A South title. The Jaguars will have to replace three standout players at three important positions – shortstop, catcher and frontline pitcher – but they also have a lot of experience back from a year ago. Auburn commit and senior ace Zach Crotchfelt headlines that group after a dominant junior campaign that saw the 6-foot-5 lefthander land a First Team All-Shore spot. While not as established as Crotchfelt, the rest of the rotation does have some experience, with left-hander Zach McCabe coming off an impressive varsity debut in 2021 and Sage Goeke, Tyler Mehmek and Devin Foderaro also returning with experience. While second-year coach Pat George ﬁts the pieces of the rotation together behind

Jackson Mem. Sr. Tom Kendrick.

(Photo by Ray Rich Photography)

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joe Figliolino, Sr. First Base: Shane Sajewicz, Sr. Second Base: Grant Tillet, Sr.; Brayden Lowden, So. Shortstop: Dom Masino, Jr. Third Base: T.J. Marshall, Jr.; Nick Kozak, Sr. Leftfield: Billy Sottilaire, Sr. Centerfield: Chase Pierce, Jr. Rightfield: Anthony Musso, Sr. DH: Cam Leiter, Sr.

With a talented core of players returning in 2022, Central has its sights set on the top spot in the division and much more tournament success once May rolls around. Senior right-hander Cam Leiter leads the way, both on the mound and at the plate, after his AllShore debut in 2021. Leiter was dominant down the stretch, including a 12-strikeout, nowalk no-decision in the OCT championship game, and also showed power at the plate during the season. Seniors Shane Sajewicz and Anthony Musso were also key two-way players last year and in 2022, Musso will likely see some more innings while also hitting in the thick of the order, while Sajewicz is likely to slot into the No. 2 or 3 spot in the rotation while hitting first or second in the lineup. Sophomore Cristian Soto and junior Dom Masino delivered several big hits for Central as underclassmen last season and will occupy the two most important positions on the diamond outside the mound – Soto at catcher and Masino at shortstop. Returning starter Billy Sottilaire and junior newcomer Chase Pierce will join Musso in the outfield, while Grant Tillet, T.J. Marshall, Brayden Lowden and Nick Kozak figure into the picture at second and third base. Ryan Burke will be another key cog in the pitching staff this season, with Sottilaire, lefthander Ty Bell and Anthony Fraser all arms to watch for the Golden Eagles. Finding dependable innings behind Leiter will be the primary challenge and if Central coach Jerry Frulio can do that, the Golden Eagles have the returning firepower at the plate and the dominant ace at the top of the staff to make a lot of noise in 2022.

BRICK MEMORIAL HEAD COACH: Evan Rizzitello, 12th season 2021 RECORD: 17-12 (8-6, third in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Cole Manfro (SS/RHP), Reese Hackett (CF), Joe Gioia (2B), Brandon Hulsart (RHP/1B), Aiden Patella (OF/RHP), Max Cala (C/DH) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joe Nolan, Jr. First Base: Brady Leach, Jr.; Ryan Mulcahey, Sr. Second Base: Joe Cordi, Jr. Shortstop: Anthony Martino, Sr. Third Base: Jack Flood, Sr. Leftfield: Declan Sheehan, Jr. Centerfield: Ryan Turner, Sr. Rightfield: Nico Maribo, So. DH: Jeremy Luzzo, Sr.; Gavin Atkinson (Sr., 1B)

Senior Anthony Martino and junior Joe Cordi will form a new double-play tandem, although neither is new to varsity baseball. Martino played mostly third base last year with some innings at shortstop, and Cordi got 20 at-bats as a junior. Senior Jack Flood rounds out an experienced infield that should again be a strength of the team, despite some new names in new places. Ryan Turner is the lone returnee to the starting outfield and he is one of the Shore’s top returning hitters at the Shore after finishing 14th in the conference in slugging percentage and 13th in RBI as a junior. There are five players for the two other outfield spots, with Nico Maribo and Owen Jubak making a serious play for time as sophomores. Last season was an encouraging one for Brick Memorial, which overcame some adversity to win 17 games, finish third in the division and come within one big hit of winning the Ocean County Tournament title. With even more stability heading into this season, the Mustangs have a chance to run down Jackson Memorial and have a big season in Ocean County.

TOMS RIVER SOUTH HEAD COACH: Ken Frank, 43rd season 2021 RECORD: 12-12 (7-7, tied fourth in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Joe Schifilliti (2B/RHP), Ryan Mackle (SS), Tyler Madeo (OF), Ty Gibson (1B), Austin Beard (3B), Eli McEwan (C). AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: A.J. Pierson, Jr. First Base: Colin Raimann, Sr. Second Base: Jake Wilber, Sr.; Justin Diaz, Jr. Shortstop: Chris Clark, Jr. Third Base: Aidan Folsom, Sr.; Jake Wilber, Sr. Leftfield: Mike Erli, Jr.; Gabriel Arroyo, Sr., OF. Centerfield: Ryan Schmidt, Jr. Rightfield: Gavin Migliori, Sr. DH: Brandon Elmendorf (Sr., C/1B).

After a slow start to 2021, Toms River South rallied late in the season, inspired by getting coach Ken Frank to 900 career wins and taking off from there. On the way back to a .500 finish on the season, Toms River South reached the semifinals of the Ocean County Tournament by upsetting top-seeded Jackson Memorial in the quarterfinals. The Indians, like many teams, return with much more experience than they had a year ago, particularly at the top of the pitching rotation. While Toms River South must replace staff leader Joe Schifilliti, current senior Aidan Folsom was an all-division performer in 2021 and classmate Jake Wilber was also one of the team’s top three starters. With Folsom and Wilber at the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, Toms River South will have a chance to compete with the top teams in the division if the Indians are able to line up the pitching. Offensively, Toms River South will have more questions after losing most of its 2021 starting lineup. Folsom was a solid hitter as a junior and will man third base when he is not pitcher and Wilber will take third when Folsom is on the mound. Junior Chris Clark is back at shortstop after earning more playing time as the season went on and senior Gavin Migliori brings athleticism to right field, which might be the hardest outfield spot to play in the entire Shore when Toms River South is the home team. Junior Mike Erli also got time in 2021 and will see an increased role this season as the starting leftfielder. A.J. Pierson moves behind the plate for his junior season and could also get some innings on the mound if the Indians need them. The right side of the infield is new, with senior Colin Raimann moving into the open spot at first base and Wilber and junior Justin Diaz splitting second base, depending on who is pitching. Junior Ryan Schmidt has the inside track to play centerfield and senior Brandon Elmendorf is in line to be the designated hitter. Schmidt and classmate Chris Hastings will provide some depth to the rotation and Toms River South will also be looking for sophomore Cooper Cavanaugh to emerge on the mound as well. Cavanaugh and classmate Tyler Kopin could wedge their way into more time as the season progresses, which would give the Indians a look at their future. Regardless of what the future holds, Toms River South’s past is as decorated as any in the Shore Conference thanks to Frank, who is still going strong heading into his 43rd season. Despite being the state’s all-time leader in coaching wins, Frank loves the underdog role and after the Indians learned to embrace it last season, they could be dangerous playing that part again in 2022.

TOMS RIVER EAST HEAD COACH: Keith Smicklo, 4th season 2021 RECORD: 6-12 (5-9, seventh in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Joe Ussery (2B), Elijah Santiago (OF), Mike Florie (RHP/3B), Evan Mills (RHP)

The Mustangs came excruciatingly close to capturing the Ocean County Tournament championship last year, which was an impressive accomplishment considering the Mustangs did not have a lot of varsity experience on the 2021 roster and its top returning player – Max Cala – was injured for most of the season. With on more solid ground following 2021, Brick Memorial could be even closer to a championship team – both Class A South divisional and in postseason tournaments – than it was a year ago.

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Akkash Santiago, Sr. First Base: Ryan Ushock, Jr.; Joe Rome, Jr. Second Base: Josiah Madera, Jr.; Brandon Safoschnik, So. Shortstop: Bobby Sabatino, Jr. Third Base: Donte Carr, Sr.; Josiah Madera, Jr. Leftfield: Anthony Encarnacion, Sr.; Kyle Goglia, So. Centerfield: Kyle Healy, Sr.; Jake Verndon, Jr.; Ryan Koman, So. Rightfield: Aidan Galipolli, Sr.; Jack Mika, Jr. DH: Joe Rome, Jr.; Nico Scala, Sr.

Brick Memorial will be replacing two of its three top 2021 hitters in Cole Manfro and Reese Hackett – both of whom played up the middle – and three top pitchers in Manfro, Brandon Hulsart and Aiden Patella. Despite that, there is a lot to work with for Mustangs coach Evan Rizzitello. Junior Brady Leach returns to the lead the rotation after settling in as one of the team’s top three pitchers as a sophomore. He will share first base and the top of the rotation with senior left-hander Ryan Mulcahey, who was solid in a 14-inning sample in 2021.

The lost season of 2020 was a blow to Toms River East, who was hoping to have a competitive team that spring coming off a run to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III semifinals in 2019. That threw the Raiders into a rebuilding season in 2021 without the perk of coming off a positive season the year prior. The result was a mixed bag when it comes to wins and losses, but coach Keith Smicklo plenty of reason for optimism thanks to the group he brings back.

Toms River East brings back starters at several important positions, including shortstop, catcher and the top of the rotation. Junior Bobby Sabatino was a breakout player as a sophomore shortstop for the Raiders and senior catcher Akkash Santiago gained invaluable experience in his first year as a starting catcher. Senior Anthony Encarnacion and junior Ryan Ushock also return to the batting order, with Encarnacion back in leftfield and Ushock at first base. New second baseman Josiah Madera returns after getting 10 varsity at-bats as a sophomore, while senior Donte Carr and sophomore Brandon Safoschnik battle for time as the fourth infielder. If Safoschnik plays his way into the lineup, he would likely play second base, with Madera moving to third. In the outfield, Encarnacion will be joined by two new starters, with five players in the mix to get at-bats. One of the seniors in the group of outfield hopefuls is Aidan Galipolli, who is in line to be Toms River East’s No. 1 pitcher after ascending to that role as a junior in 2021. The senior left-hander will headline a staff that will get contributions from Ushock and fellow junior D.J. Anema, both of whom got time on the mound last year. Toms River East may also ask its sophomore to make a quick impact – a group that includes Safoschnik and left-handers Brendan Lavin and Jack Mika. With Jackson Memorial, Toms River North and Toms River South dominating the division over the last 10 years, Toms River East has picked its spots with deep tournament runs and will be looking to do the same this season. The teams ranked ahead of the Raiders in this spot are deeper and more proven, but Toms River East has demonstrated it can beat any team in the field and be a tough opponent in the tournament setting.

TOMS RIVER NORTH HEAD COACH: Andy Pagano, 8th season 2021 RECORD: 10-13 (6-8, 6th in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Brandon Valles (LHP/OF), Nick Mortellitto (2B), Lucas Malave (C), Jack Tava (1B), Zach Goodale (CF), Sean Mindas (OF). AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: A.J. Chesney, Jr.; Evan Kwortnik, Jr. First Base: Ty Kazanowsky, Jr.; Kieran Mullholland, So. Second Base: Jack Pesso, Jr.; Dominic Urso, So. Shortstop: Ryan Baker, Sr. Third Base: Dom Saldida, Sr.; Kevin McVicar, Sr. Leftfield: Nate Obeng, Sr.; Brendan Fiaschetti, Sr. Centerfield: Jeremiah Pruitt, So. Rightfield: Brendan Lavallee, Jr. DH: Jon Loalbo, Jr.

Losing seasons have not been the norml at Toms River North, so to see the Mariners with a 10-13 record to close the 2021 season is somewhat jarring. The Mariners were back-to-back Shore Conference champions in 2017 and 2018 and despite losing a lot of talent from those teams, the 2019 team was again competitive near the top of the A South standings. On the bright side, Toms River North finished the season by hammering Jackson Liberty and Donovan Catholic – both on the road as a No. 11 seed – to reach the Ocean County Tournament semifinals, where the Mariners fell to eventual champion Central in a competitive, 4-2 game. For Toms River North to climb back toward the top, it will need a lot of contributions from first-time varsity starters. Senior third baseman Dom Saldida and senior shortstop

Ryan Baker were both starters last season and will give the Mariners an experienced left side of the infield around which to build. On the other side of second base, juniors Ty Kazanowsky (first base) and Jack Pesso (second) move into starting roles after getting a taste of varsity baseball in coming off the bench. Behind the plate and in the outfield, Toms River North is entirely new. Juniors A.J. Chesney and Evan Kwortnik are coach Andy Pagano’s options at catcher and four players – sophomore Jeremiah Pruitt, junior Brendan Lavallee and seniors Nate Obeng and Brendan Fiaschetti – for the three outfield spots. John Loalbo and Cory Vandemberg are two other hitters to watch for a spot in the lineup. The outfield mix will take care of itself when Lavallee is on the mound, which will be as often as he can be. As a sophomore, the right-hander was one of Toms River North’s two best pitchers thanks to his ability to pound the zone while still keeping hitters off balance. Obeng, Baker, Kazanowsky, Fiaschetti and Pruitt will also be rotation options among the position-player group and left-hander Kieran Mulholland will be a sophomore to watch on the mound. This is not the Toms River North team that challenged for the top ranking in the Shore Conference four or five years ago, but the Mariners should have every opportunity to pick up some big wins in Class A South and during the postseason thanks to stability at the top of the rotation and, to a lesser extent, around the infield.

BRICK HEAD COACH: Jason Groschel, 16th season 2021 RECORD: 12-13 (7-7, tied fourth in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: John Wade (1B/RHP), John McFadden (CF/RHP), Jesse Evensen (SS/RHP), Ethan Gonzalez (LHP), Ryan Duffy (2B), Robbie Blair (C), Christian Kuhl (1B), Jake Billheimer (OF/RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Nick Hoheb, Sr. First Base: Matt Kunzman, Sr.; Vin Caldarise, Sr. Second Base: James Schreiner, Sr.; Kyle Knowsley, Jr.; Davion Moquette, Sr. Shortstop: A.J. Grygiel, Jr. Third Base: Matt Kunzman, Sr.; Brian Yacovchuk, Sr. Leftfield: Joe Scamardella, Sr.; Will Meade, Sr. Centerfield: R.J. Reinhold, Sr. Rightfield: Rob Giovine, Sr.; Kevin Toye, Jr.; Austin Ahart, Sr. DH: Vin Caldarise, Sr.; Will Meade, Sr.; Kevin Toye, Jr.; Austin Ahart, Sr.

Brick rolled out an experienced squad in 2021 and the results were mixed. Ace Ethan Gonzalez pitched to his title and the Green Dragons got solid seasons on the mound from three other senior pitchers, while the offense has its share of standouts as well. It did not get the Green Dragons near a championship of any kind, but they were a competitive Class A South team that had their moments. One of Brick’s several bright spots last season was the emergence of Matt Kunzman, who returns as the most productive player on the team from 2021. Kunzman was one of eight players in the Shore Conference to post rates of at least .300/.400/.500 (average/on-base/slugging) and also an ERA under 2.00, giving the Green Dragons a senior leader who can provide something in every facet of the game, including some defense at third base as well. Seniors R.J. Reinhold, Brian Yacovchuk and Nick Hoheb are all back in the starting lineup as well, with Hoheb moving to catcher on a full-time basis and Yacovchuk likely

to get most of his defensive raps at third base. Reinhold, meanwhile, is back in centerfield after a strong varsity debut in 2021. Junior A.J. Grygiel is the frontrunner for shortstop and Kyle Knowsley, James Schreiner and Davion Moquette could figure into the infield as well. Coach Jay Groschel will have some options in the outfield and designated hitter spots and that competition will be key in finding some lineup depth to support that returning group of four seniors. Knowsley and seniors Austin Ahert and Carlos Ruiz are set to be key pitchers for Brick, with left-hander Dylan Rostek leading a group of up-and-coming sophomores who are ready to contribute in some capacity within the pitching staff. Kunzman became a reliable big-game option for the Green Dragons last year and if that remains the case, Brick will be a hard team to beat for any of the A South contenders.

SOUTHERN HEAD COACH: Ed Truitt, 1st season 2021 RECORD: 6-15 (3-11, eighth in Class A South) KEY LOSSES: Jack Plesnarski (SS/RHP), Kevin Cooney (CF), Xavier Hendricks (OF), Brad Mills (C), Mike Gallaro (C/DH), Killian Horne (2B), Nick DiSiderio (RHP), Mike Mucci (1B/LHP), Taylor Munt (RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Dom Miranda, Jr. First Base: Carson Wolek, Sr. Second Base: Kyle Serino, Jr. Shortstop: Curtis Olender, Sr. Third Base: Stephen Stafford, Sr. Leftfield: Mike Nascimento, Sr.; Ray Mulhern, So. Centerfield: TBrandon Brown, Jr.; Mike Nasti, Jr. Rightfield: Owen Durnien, Jr.; Steven Miller, Jr. DH: Ed Lange (Sr., INF), Joe Wilkinson (Sr., INF), Brennan Book (Sr., INF).

With Ed Truitt taking over for Keith Cocuzza, Southern is the lone team in Class A South to change coaches in the last year. The Rams are coming off a last-place finish in the division, with the pitching staff taking some bumps and bruises along the way and leaving the offense to have to outslug teams. It worked a handful of times over the course of the season, but that formula was not enough to keep up with the Class A South crowd. Pitching will be a question for Southern again, with the Rams losing most of their innings from last year. Seniors Brennan Book, Mike Nascimento and Stephen Stafford will all look to take on more innings and improve in the process, with a group of juniors – Nico Diamontolpoulos, Owen Durnien, Steven Miller and Mike Nasti – all pushing for mound time as well. The batting order will have slightly more reliable experience from the jump, led by Stafford. The senior is set to move from the corner outfield to third base when he is not on the mound and will be joined by a handful of players who had some success in part-time roles. Junior Dom Miranda moves to full-time catcher after going 4-for-18 (.222) with three extra-base hits as a sophomore, while shortstop Curtis Olender takes over the starting gig after going 7-for-24 (.292). Southern will introduce new starters at first and second base, as well as throughout the outfield as well. Brown, Nascimento and Durnien will patrol the grass when not on the rubber, with Miller, Nasti and sophomore Ray Mulhern in the mix for time as well. The group will have to learn quickly, just a little bit of improvement on the pitching side could go a long way in helping Southern get out of the A South cellar and back into the middle of the field.

By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted order of finish

he 2021 season ended with Red Bank Catholic as the Shore’s No. 1 team and the Caseys were a bounce of the ball away from winning the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A title and handing the ball to Shane Panzini in the state final with a chance to finish No. 1 in the state. Despite that resume – arguably the best RBC has ever posted as a baseball program – the Caseys barely pulled out the outright Class A Central championship, with a tie against Rumson-Fair Haven securing the division championship over Ocean. That recap is not to pour cold water on what the Caseys did last year; quite the contrary. It underscores how well as team has to play to win Class A Central and finishing atop the field will be just as hard this year for RBC or any other team with designs of winning a division title. RBC and Rumson-Fair Haven bring back teams that, while missing some senior starts from last year, are still loaded. Raritan brings back lots of pieces from a team that reached the Central Jersey Group II final. Monmouth returns almost everyone from a competitive 2021 team and Ocean, despite losing some impact players, is always a contender. Those five are likely to be the group that scraps for the top spot in Class A Central, with RBC and Rumson-Fair Haven the two teams that carry the most potential into the postseason as contenders in the county, conference and NJSIAA Tournaments.

RED BANK CATHOLIC HEAD COACH: Buddy Hausmann, 14th season 2021 RECORD: 24-5-1 (11-2-1, 1st in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Shane Panzini (RHP/OF), Anthony Borriello (CF), Dylan Wanagiel (RHP), Sean Ettore (SS), Dan DeFlores (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Shane Andrus, Jr. First Base: Frank Scrivanic, Jr. Second Base: Nico Gonzalez, Sr. Shortstop: Matt Scrivanic, Sr. Third Base: Sean Griggs, So. Leftfield: Jake Jacobson, Sr. – Transfer from Mater Dei. Centerfield: Matt Brunner, So. Rightfield: Alex Stanyek, Jr.; Brandon Kopec, Jr. DH: Claude Morales (Sr., C); Jack Meyers (Sr., OF)

Life for Red Bank Catholic will be tougher now that the Caseys no longer have ace Shane Panzini – now part of the Kansas City Royals farm system – but while they won’t have Panzini, this year’s team will have something last year’s team did not have to the same degree: a giant chip on its shoulder. Red Bank Catholic was one out away from the program’s first NJSIAA sectional championship in 24 years, before it slipped through the Caseys’ grasp at St. Augustine. The season then officially ended with a loss to Rumson-Fair Haven in the Monmouth County Tournament final, which means despite winning 24 games, winning a second straight Shore Conference Tournament and finishing No. 1 at the Shore, the Caseys enter this season looking for redemption. Coach Buddy Hausmann and his staff won’t have to sell that narrative too hard because this team is loaded with players who were a big part of last year’s team. The entire infield is made up of returning starters, with junior catcher Shane Andrus, junior first baseman Frank Scrivanic and senior second baseman Nico Gonzalez all returning to their 2021 positions. Monmouth University commit Matt Scrivanic shifts from third base to shortstop for his senior season and recent Alabama commit Sean Griggs moves from the outfield to his natural third base position. Frank Scrivanic and Griggs are two dangerous left-handed bats, while Matt Scrivanic is a powerful right-hander and Gonzalez an effective table-setter. Another imposing right-handed hitter in the lineup is junior outfielder Alex Stanyek. The George Washington commit hit the cover off the ball during Red Bank Catholic’s tear through the postseason tournaments, on top of playing stellar defense in both right and centerfield. The outfield is where the Caseys are under construction, with Mater Dei Prep transfer Jake Jacobson providing some instant experience and sophomore Matt Brunner breaking in. On the mound, there won’t be dominant figure like Panzini looming like there was in 2021, but the depth in the RBC rotation will be as good as any other Shore Conference team can offer – if not better. Stanyek was lights-

RBC Sr. Matt Scrivanic.

(Photo by Richard O’Donnell Photography)

out on the mound down the stretch in a relief role and will be the team’s No. 1 starter heading into the year. Junior Dom Mallamaci and sophomore Declan Leary were huge for the Caseys in divisional play last year and are ready for bigger roles. The x-factor will be the underclass group of pitchers, led by freshman Ryan Prior – a 6foot-5 right-hander who is already committed to Virginia and comes with noteworthy bloodlines. Prior is the nephew of former Chicago Cubs pitcher and current Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior. Sophomore Steve Svenson has also come on strong leading up to the start of the season and will absorb some important innings as well. Not many teams suffer the kind of heartbreak RBC encountered at the end of its outstanding 2021 season and even fewer get a chance at redemption with so many players who experienced the heartbreak returning. Getting through the A Central schedule will be a grind, perhaps even more so than last season, but the Caseys are as deep as any team in the conference and should again have the horses to navigate every challenge.

The outfield will have some more experience, with talented juniors Shane Garrett and George Krenkel manning the corners. Garrett is Ocean’s top returning pitcher as well, so there will be some mixing-and-matching out in the grass, not to mention a competition in centerfield between juniors Jake Smith and Nick Case – who both figure to play when Garrett is on the mound. The Spartans will also have experience at the plate with their DH Zach Robinson, who hit .345 in part-time duty and is also a knuckle-baller on the pitching staff. Speaking of the pitching staff, the group returns Garrett, Robinson, junior Matt King and senior Will Calderone from a season ago while losing two key arms in Lucky Perrotto and Nick Callano. The staff will also be throwing to freshman catcher Connor Tongring and a pair of freshmen – Michael Chowning and Tommy Kowaliwskyj – will be a pair of rookies to monitor on the mound as well. This is a tough division to have to deal with when breaking in new players at so many key positions, but coach Cip Apicelli has the track record of doing it and chance to start a really good three-year run.

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN

MONMOUTH REGONAL

HEAD COACH: Owen Stewart, 2nd season

HEAD COACH: Paul Crivello, 8th season

2021 RECORD: 22-6-1 (9-4-1, third in Class A Central)

2021 RECORD: 9-13 (5-9, sixth in Class A Central)

KEY LOSSES: Andrew Schmid (SS), Thomas Elgrim (CF), Dylan Sakele (RHP/OF), Mike Amendola (Sr., LHP) – Injured

KEY LOSSES: Brian Yadlon (1B/LHP), Brett Minto (DH), Dominick Santaniello (RHP)

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Owen Kenney, Jr. First Base: Matt Rigby, Sr. Second Base: Aaron Del Tin, So. Shortstop: Charlie Tallman, Sr. Third Base: Reece Moroney, Jr. Leftfield: Jack Riva, So. Centerfield: Jonathan Bruno, Sr.; Jack Campbell, Jr. Rightfield: Liam Murphy, Sr. DH: Brian Doherty (Sr., OF); Jack Riva (So., OF)

It’s hard to imagine a Group II team that lost two All-Shore up-the-middle players in Andrew Schmid and Thomas Elgrim being even better than in the previous season with those two players, but that could very well be the reality for this resurgent Rumson program. The Bulldogs won their first Monmouth County Tournament title to close out the 2021 season and to make it even sweeter, they beat Red Bank Catholic to do it. The Bulldogs went 2-1 against the No. 1 team in the Shore Conference and after experiencing the challenges of playing to the semifinals of every postseason tournament while also juggling a challenging division schedule, they are even more equipped to handle it this season. With shortstop and centerfield vacant heading into camp this season, coach Owen Stewart is opting for experience at those spots. Senior Charlie Tallman will make the move to shortstop after an All-Division season as a second baseman as a junior, while senior Johnny Bruno is in line to shed the designated hitter role for the centerfield gig. Rumson will remain strong at four other positions as well, with junior third baseman Reece Moroney, senior first baseman Matt Rigby, senior rightfielder Liam Murphy and junior catcher Owen Kenney all returning to their 2021 spots. Sophomores Aaron Del Tin (second base) and Jack Riva (left field) are in line for playing time as underclassmen, but the lineup will have additional length thanks to senior Brian Doherty. Although an arm injury will keep him off the field, Doherty is a proven hitter for the DH spot and will give the Bulldogs seven hitters who have all put up numbers at the varsity level. Despite a relentless lineup that remains intact, Rumson’s strength might be its pitching. Senior 6-foot-6 ace Charlie Jones reopened his recruitment and committed to Wake Forest coming off an All-Shore campaign as a junior. Another Division I arm will follow him in the rotation in junior right-hander and Rutgers commit John Goodes, with fellow junior Jackson Hinchcliffe and his impressive 42-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio as a sophomore rounding out the rotation. The group would be even better were it not for an injury to senior left-hander Mike Amendola, but even as is, the Bulldogs are loaded in the pitching staff. Factor in a lineup that can pick up a pitcher on a bad day and Rumson is again set up for a huge season in 2022.

OCEAN HEAD COACH: Cip Apicelli, 12th season 2021 RECORD: 15-9 (11-3, second in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Nick Callano (CF/RHP), Kevin Novobilsky (SS), Dillon Downs (1B), Nick Vaugh (C), Lucky Perrotto (LHP), Riley Morrow (3B/RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Connor Tongring, Fr. First Base: Cord Birzin, Sr. Second Base: Grady Stefankiewicz, Sr. Shortstop: Jack Zabarsky, Sr. Third Base: Ben Robinson, Fr. Leftfield: Shane Garrett, Jr. Centerfield: Jake Smith, Jr.; Nick Case, Jr. Rightfield: George Krenkel, Jr. DH: Zach Robinson (Sr., 3B/1B)

Unlike last season, when Ocean finished second in the division and Rumson-Fair Haven barely edged out Raritan for third place in the division, there is likely to be a gap between the RBC-RFH duo and the next group of Class A Central teams. Ocean is always a hard team to play twice in a span of three of four days and while the Spartans will again make it hard on the teams of Class A Central, they will be doing so with a new-look lineup. Jack Zabarsky is the lone returning starter on the infield and moves from second base to shortstop. He will be flanked by senior Grady Stefankiewicz at second base and freshman Ben Robinson at third, making for an interesting mix on the dirt. The fourth member of that infield group might end of being Ocean’s top hitter and that is senior Cord Birzin. While Birzin was effective in his 20 at-bats as a junior, then-senior Dillon Downs got an opportunity at first and went on to produce an All-Shore season, forcing Birzin to hold off until his senior year before getting another shot at the full-time job.

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joe Esposito, Jr. First Base: Evan Schade, Sr.; Mike Sluzis, Jr.; Colin Denton, Fr. Second Base: Zach Lopes, Sr. Shortstop: Aiden Denton, Sr.; Christian Zito Sr. Third Base: Chris Theobald, Sr. Leftfield: Andrew McKinley, Sr.; Brian Boccino, Jr. Centerfield: James Kelly, Sr. Rightfield: Christian Zito, Sr.; Brian Boccino, Jr. DH: Evan Booth (So., 2B); Mike Milevoi (So., OF)

Although Monmouth finished 5-9 in the division and well behind the top-half of the loaded Class A Central field, the Falcons set themselves up very well for this season. They did lose a pair of all-division bats in Brian Yadlon and Brett Minto, but those two occupied first base and designated hitter, respectively. That means the defense will be experienced, led by two-way seniors Aiden Denton and Christian Zito. Heading into the season, Monmouth’s big games will likely feature one of those two on the mound and the other at shortstop, but when the Falcons get further into the pitching staff, Zito will head out to right field and give Monmouth an impressive group out in the field. In Zito’s case, the bat is especially potent as well. Catcher Joe Esposito, second baseman Zach Lopes and centerfielder James Kelly make it a perfect 4-for-4 in returning players in up-the-middle positions for Monmouth and you can throw in senior third baseman Chris Theobald as another experienced hitter and defender on the infield. Even Andrew McKinley in left and Evan Schade at first base bring back a dose of experience to the lineup. Denton and Zito will anchor a pitcher staff that will need to take a step up in performance for Monmouth to be able to make a run at a top-three finish in the division. Like the lineup, there is a lot of experience back from a year ago on the mound, although some of that may be because coach Paul Crivello was routinely looking for the right guys to get through games against some of the Shore’s best lineups. Along with Denton and Zito, Kelly Lopez and Schade each threw at least 15 innings and Lopes also gave the Falcons some work on the mound in 2021 as well. The experience part of the equation is covered for Monmouth, but it will ultimately come down to whether or not this group processed last season and learned how to improve enough to beat the likes of Raritan, Ocean and even Rumson and Red Bank Catholic. Zito is proven All-Shore-level talent and with a group of hungry returning players to complement him, there may be more breakout talent ready to make Monmouth a breakout team.

RARITAN HEAD COACH: Jeff Struble, 9th season 2021 RECORD: 14-11 (9-5, 4th in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Chris Gonzalez (SS/RHP), Justin Kilyk (C), Luke Ohea (CF), Kai Kruk (RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Robert Mulligan, Jr. First Base: Rob Scarola, Sr. Second Base: John Molnar, So. Shortstop: Justin Rivera, Sr. Third Base: Billy Tigar, Jr. Leftfield: Dan Fedorco, Jr. Centerfield: Dan Calicari, Jr. Rightfield: Alex Dekis, Sr. DH: Ben Hutchins (Sr., OF)

The start to the 2021 season was a mystery for the vast majority of teams in New Jersey because so many starters and players being relied upon for major contributions missed a chance to debut as varsity regulars in 2020. Raritan was a perfect example of a team that suspected it had something good in the works despite a lack of overall experience and the Rockets came through when it counted. For the second time in four years, Raritan made it to the Central Jersey Group II championship game and fell just shy of winning another title. Coach Jeff Struble and his crew are confident they can make another run at it this year and, as was the case in 2021, they will have to overcome some unknowns around the diamond. That starts with three of the most important roles on the team, which were occupied by two players last season: staff ace, shortstop and catcher. Two of the three will be taken over by proven producers, with senior Ben Hutchins sliding up into the No. 1 spot in the staff and senior Justin Rivera – a standout athlete on the basketball court – shifting from second base to shortstop full-time. Hutchins pitched in a number of big games as a junior and Rivera played shortstop when Chris Gonzalez took the mound.

Junior Robert Mulligan will replace Justin Kilyk behind the plate, but the rest of the infield will have a familiar look. Sophomore John Molnar got some spot duty as a freshman to get him ready for his starting role at second base, while senior Rob Scarola returns to first base after hitting .391 as a junior and junior Billy Tigar is back at the hot corner. There is also some offense and athleticism in the corner outfield with Alex Dekis returning to rightfield and Dan Federco taking over in left on a full-time basis after hitting .429 in 28 at-bats as a sophomore. Dan Calicari will be new to the new to the lineup, but he was a capable courtesy runner and defender who will fit in nicely in center. Throw in Hutchins as a DH when he is not pitching and the Raritan lineup has the makings of a good one again. Junior Giancarlo Lamberti will join Hutchins at the top of the rotation after he got his feet wet during an up-and-down varsity debut as a sophomore. Molnar will also be a key part of the rotation and Fedorco and Scarola will give the staff a left-handed element. Depth will be a question this group has to answer but if Lamberti takes the next step, Raritan will once again have a one-two punch to carry into the state tournament. Challenging for the top spot in the division is very difficult for a Group II school, but Raritan has proven to be dangerous in the Central Group II Playoffs, regardless of seeding – a trend that should continue in 2022.

HOLMDEL HEAD COACH: Chris Arecchi, 5th season 2021 RECORD: 11-14 (7-7, 5th in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Brett Hilsheimer (2B/RHP), Andrew Woodward (SS/RHP), Jason Sparkes (C), Louie Curcio (3B), Jake Umans (LHP), Reese Goldberg (OF/RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Alex Price, Sr. First Base: Brandon Cieplensky, Jr. Second Base: James Hanley, Sr.; Elliot Chun, Jr. Shortstop: Sean Brescia, Sr. Third Base: Joe Barbarino, So. Leftfield: Jonathan Spallin, Sr. Centerfield: James Vallillo, So. Rightfield: Tim Haggerty, Jr. DH: Max Woodward (Jr., UTIL)

While Raritan’s band of unproven bats, arms and gloves paid off in the form of a deep state-tournament run, Holmdel’s strong senior group came up a little short of that kind of run. The Hornets had the No. 1 starter and a capable lineup, but the pitching depth was not able to hold up enough to yield a deep tournament run. Holmdel now moves on without that aforementioned ace, Jake Umans, and without its top four OPS leaders from last season’s lineup. The 2021 lineup, however, was a deep one and Holmdel will have some of the success stories from that group in the starting nine again in 2022. Sean Brescia moved around and served as DH last year and will take over at shortstop in his senior season, with junior Brandon Cieplensky returning to first base to give Holmdel an experienced player at two of the four spots on the infield. The Hornets also return all three outfielders – Jonathan Spallin, James Vallillo and Tim Haggerty – and the five returning players all hit at least .297 last year, with four hitting comfortably over .300. Two seniors are angling to inherit the open spots in the lineup, with Alex Price moving in to start at catcher and James Hanley making a strong push to be the starter

at second base. Holmdel coach Chris Arecchi will look to incorporate another underclass talent at the remaining spot, with sophomore Joe Barbarino set to start at third base. A return to form by the offense would be a big boost for a team with questions in the pitching staff. Junior Max Woodward got a chance to start as a sophomore and will also provide an additional capable bat in the lineup, while Cieplensky looks to make a greater impact from the left side of the rubber as part of Holmdel’s one-two punch of returning hurlers. Elliot Chun, Barbarino and sophomore southpaw Luke Buda will be key members of the staff as well and will hold the key to Holmdel competing with the top teams in a division that is once again stacked with quality teams.

is set for DH at-bats. With Rogers and Lomerson leading the returnees in the lineup and most of last year’s innings back as well, St. Rose has as much reason for optimism as it has any year since moving into Class A Central. The top teams are still a step ahead, but after climbing from eighth place to seventh between 2019 and 2021, a move from seventh to sixth would be another legitimate step for a team set up to keep getting better over the next several seasons.

SHORE HEAD COACH: Jay Kulthau, 3rd season

ST. ROSE HEAD COACH: Rich Lanko, 5th season 2021 RECORD: 5-17 (3-11, 7th in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Tommy Turnbach (1B/RHP), Logan Boag (C), Jack Crawford (3B/RHP), Shane Killeen (OF/LHP). AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Dave Bookbinder, Jr.; Brendan Sherman, So. First Base: Zach LaVigna, Sr. – Transfer from Manasquan; Jack Donahue, Jr. Second Base: Jack Lomerson, Jr. Shortstop: Matt Gowen, Sr. Third Base: Jack Tiernan, So. Leftfield: Chris Tallarico, Sr.; Jack Schmidt, Sr. Centerfield: Ryan Rogers, Sr. Rightfield: Jack Donahue, Jr.; Ryan Murray, Jr. DH: Joseph Sestito (Jr., 3B) (0-for-4)

In each of the past few seasons, this space has been a place to bemoan the bad luck – specifically the bad timing – that St. Rose has suffered from in moving into Class A Central. The Purple Roses were loaded in 2018 and would have been a great team to add to this mix of A Central competition, but once the Roses were finally moved into Class A Central, the top talent had graduated. The silver lining, though, is that with more games against good competition, the St. Rose players are getting better more quickly and last year’s young group started to show signs of real improvement. With standout Tommy Turnbach injured and unable to do more than DH, the Purple Roses picked up three division wins while leaning on three underclass pitchers, including a freshman who led the team in innings. That freshman is Jack Tiernan and, along with senior left-hander Ryan Rogers, junior left-hander Ryan Murray and senior right-hander Jack Lomerson, he is part of a returning group of arms that, while certainly taking their lumps in a hitting-heavy division, gained valuable experience a season ago. St. Rose is also ready to get more out of up-and-comers Joe Sestito, Tom Clays and Thomas Schmidt, while also welcoming in Manasquan senior transfer Zac Lavigna. As much as the pitching will have to take a leap forward, the offense will need more production from its returnees, of which there are many. Turnbach’s graduation leaves a large holed in the batting order, but the rest of the spots should remain solid, even improved. Lomerson (second base), Tiernan (third) and senior Matt Gowen (shortstop) return to their spots on the infield and Rogers is back in centerfield after finishing second on the team in slugging percentage (.468) and extra-base hits (9). Senior Chris Tallarico, junior Jack Donohue and Murray are all in the corner outfield mix and Sestito

2021 RECORD: 6-19 (0-14, 8th in Class A Central) KEY LOSSES: Tyler Tilton (CF/RHP), Trevor Crochet (2B/RHP), Danny Smith (3B/DH/RHP), Brett Sweeney (Jr., 1B/LHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: E.J. Stefanelli, So. First Base: Cole Stefanelli, So. Second Base: Parker Fegan, So. Shortstop: Joe Santi, So. Third Base: Christian Simonsen, Jr. Leftfield: Lucas Rosa, Jr. Centerfield: Jake Pennell, So. Rightfield: Rylan Fegan, Jr. DH: Mike Inacio (Jr., C)

While led by seniors Trevor Crochet and Danny Smith for much of the year, Shore shifted toward a youth movement over the course of the 2021 season and will still be in the middle of that movement this season. The Blue Devils are in line to start a lineup that does not have a senior, although Richie Barton – the roster’s lone senior – remains an option in the lineup and on the mound. To make this season more challenging, all-division junior Rylan Fegan is working through an injury, which potentially leaves Shore without its best pitcher and hitter while heading into a season in a crowded competition Class A Central division. Fegan is set to head the rotation and occupy right field on his non-pitching days. The silver lining to moving toward a young lineup this season is Shore will have returning varsity players at almost every position. Sophomores Cole Stefanelli (first base), Parker Fegan (second) and Joe Santi (shortstop) make up a chunk of the infield and junior Christian Simonsen will round it out at third base. Sophomore Jake Pennell played the field as a freshman and will be a full-time piece this season, with junior Lucas Rosa returning as a top-of-the-order bat in left field. Junior Mike Inacio will be a middle-of-the-order bat after a solid sophomore season at the plate and behind it, with sophomore E.J. Stefanelli also working in at catcher as the lineups lone newcomer. The lineup will be more experienced than the rotation, particularly if Fegan is due for an extended absence. The Simonsen and junior Donovan Hughes combined for 30 innings a season ago, while Cole Stefanelli, Santi and sophomore left-hander Rob Stock look to complete the rotation, which will need Fegan at the top of it in order for Shore to hang with the rest of the A Central field. Whatever the outcome, the Blue Devils players – almost all of whom are set to return in 2023 and most of them in 2024 – are going to get a look at what it takes to win against some of the Shore’s best.

By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted order of finish

getting Rice back on the mound in some capacity for the stretch run.

ne of two Shore Conference baseball divisions to end with co-champions at the top of the standings, the two defending champions are back for 2022 and primed to lead the pack against this season. Colts Neck at Wall split their 2021 series, each dropped just one other game in the division and finished tied for the division lead, but Colts Neck separated itself with a run to the program’s first ever NJSIAA sectional championship. Now, the last two Central Jersey Group III champions are poised for another race for first place and subsequent postseason push, which will start right out of the gate when Wall and Colts meet on opening day in Wall and again at Colts Neck on Monday. With other capable teams in the field this season and some emerging stars on the mound at almost every turn, the race won’t end after two games, but it’s a pressure-packed way to open the 2022 season in Class B North

Colts Neck will also miss Kratzer at shortstop and in the lineup, but the Cougars will have Rice’s services at the plate early in the season – a relief considering the senior checked in with nine doubles as a junior. Spencer is also a two-way standout who has shown his versatility, starting last season in centerfield, then moving to third base and now primed to play some shortstop with the spot open. Cohen is back at first base and the rest of the infield will be in development, with Rice a possibility for second base along with Nick Carell, Ryan Tan and Chris Scully. Colts Neck’s top two returning hitters are catcher Joe Cilea and senior outfielder Brad Salamone, both of whom were statistical standouts and All-Shore players in 2021. Cilea led all Shore Conference backstops with 29 RBI and Salamone finished tied for the conference lead in runs scored. Sophomores Tosh Mancini and Casey Gardiner look ready for starting spots in the outfield, with senior Andrew McDevitt also looking to pick up key at-bats this season. It won’t necessarily be the most ideal version of the roster that Yorke could have dreamed about at the end of last season, but Colts Neck still has two No. 1 caliber pitchers to lead the rotation, five proven bats in Cilea, Salamone, Cohen, Spencer and Rice and a core that has already experienced winning a championship. That’s a winning combination, regardless of what title the Cougars are chasing.

WALL

COLTS NECK

HEAD COACH: Jim Rochford, 2nd season

HEAD COACH: Mike Yorke, 22nd season

2021 RECORD: 19-7 (12-2, tied 1st in Class B North)

2021 RECORD: 22-8 (12-2, tied 1st in Class B North)

KEY LOSSES: Jay Bant (3B), Max Harrell (C), Max Kaplan (OF), Christian Cosenza (2B), Ryan Legere (1B), Jimmy Bertrand (LHP), Ryan Lasko (RHP), Bobby Leete (RHP)

KEY LOSSES: Cameron Knipp (CF), Ben Goldman (2B), Nick Villani (2B/3B), Brendan Whalen (RHP), Matt Jacobson (OF), Colin Kratzer (Sr., SS/RHP) – Transferred to P27 Academy (S.C.) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joe Cilea, Sr. First Base: Dave Cohen, Sr.; Christian Rice, Sr.; Tom Diffley, So. Second Base: Nick Carell, Sr.; Christian Rice, Sr.; Ryan Tan, Jr.; Chris Scully, So. Shortstop: Nick Carell, Sr.; Tyler Spencer, Jr. Third Base: Tyler Spencer, Jr.; Chris Scully, So. Leftfield: Brad Salamone, Sr. Centerfield: Tosh Mancini, So.; Andrew McDevitt, Sr.; Jon O’Connor, Jr. Rightfield: Casey Gardiner, So.; Andrew McDevitt, Sr. DH: Christian Rice, Sr.

When senior Dave Cohen unloaded on the game-ending, would-be-grand-slam that wound up a game-winning RBI single in the 2021 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III final, it marked what the Cougars sincerely hoped to be not only the culmination of a long-awaited championship run, but just the beginning of the next championship push. The short-term pursuit ended in the next round with a loss to Ocean City in the Group III semifinal, but the long-term push continues this season with much of the Cougars’ roster back for another run at a championship. When last season ended, Colts Neck anticipated bringing back four standout pitchers to carry the Cougars through the season, but do to varying circumstances, only two of them will be in this year’s pitching staff – at least at the outset. Shortstop and closer Collin Kratzer moved to South Carolina to attend the P27 Academy and returning senior Christian Rice will not be able to get on a mound until sometime in May due to injury, according to coach Mike Yorke. Despite missing two Division I arms, the Cougars will still have the two pitchers who carried them through most of the 2021 season and logged a bulk of the postseason innings. Senior left-hander Anthony Gubitosi and junior righthander Tyler Spencer were both All-Shore selections a year ago and both came up big throughout the season, particularly during Colts Neck’s push for a first ever sectional championship. Yorke will look to senior Gianluca Varile, sophomore Tom Diffley, junior Vinny Zaffarese and others to file in behind the two aces with the hope of

Colts Neck Sr. Anthony Gubitosi.

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Jake Howlett, So. First Base: Matt Johnson, Jr.; Jake Layton, Sr. Second Base: Nick Colbert, Sr. Shortstop: Gabe Cavazzoni, Jr. Third Base: Andrew Fischer, Sr. Leftfield: Jackson Coan, Sr. Centerfield: Nick Lovarco, Sr. Rightfield: Jerry Winchester, Sr.. DH: Ryan O’Neill, Sr.`

During its run to the 2019 Group III championship and in the years leading up to that championship celebration, Wall had one of the most dominant pitching staffs in the state and a balanced offense that could beat opponents in several different fashions. Last year, the Crimson Knights won 19 games and a Class B North co-title by bludgeoning teams with a relentless lineup. While the 2019 team ran up a mix of contact hitters and speed guys to go with a few gap hitters, this Wall outfit produced mashers at just about every spot in the order. This year’s team will look similar, with four hitters back and several more who had a small helping of success ready to do it on a more full-time basis. To illustrate how good Wall’s lineup was, senior rightfielder Jerry Winchester was the team’s No. 9 hitter throughout most of the season and all he did was hit .362 with seven doubles, 16 RBI and a .421 slugging percentage. It’s safe to say Winchester has played his way out of the No. 9 spot for this, his senior season, but the Crimson Knights are likely to find someone else to plug into the bottom of the order an wreak havoc, because that’s just what they do. As far as the top of the lineup goes, that is even more of an advantage for Wall. Seniors Andrew Fischer and Nick Lovarco are coming off monster junior seasons at the plate, with Lovarco returning to centerfield and Fischer taking over third base full time after the graduation of three-year starter and Monmouth University freshman Jay Bant. Fischer was one of the Shore’s best hitters as a junior, leading the conference with 32 walks while finishing second in on-base percentage (.600). The rest of the infield consists of Seton Hall commit Gabe Cavazzoni at shortstop and new starters Matt Johnson at first base and Nick Colbert at second. Cavazzoni was, arguably, the best offensive shortstop in the Shore Conference as a sophomore and could be due for a huge two-year stretch. While Johnson and Colbert don’t have extensive offensive track records as varsity players, the early returns have been promising for each. Senior Jackson Coan joins Lovarco and Winchester in the starter outfield after a loud five atbats in 2021 (a homer, double and 21 runs scored as a specialty base-runner). Coan, Johnson and Colbert both primed for big first years and sophomore Jake Howlett is next in line to play catcher for the Crimson Knights, who have done a good job bringing backstops along under coach Jim Rochford, who was a longtime assistant prior to taking over the program after the 2019 season. Wall’s lineup will win plenty of games, but for the Crimson Knights to have a better showing in the postseason this time around, they will need more out of the starting staff. Johnson will lead that group as the No. 1 starter, with senior Jake Burt returning 18 innings of 2021 experience and talented junior Zach Szatkowski looking to parlay an impressive start at the end of the season into a season-long breakout in 2022. With some success from those three, as well as sophomore T.J. Legere, Derek Baksh and the other rotation pieces, Wall will be a Shore Conference Tournament and Group III contender thanks to that imposing lineup.

(Photo by Paula Lopez)

ST. JOHN VIANNEY HEAD COACH: Mike Morgan, 15th season 2021 RECORD: 12-7 (9-4, 3rd in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: Ryan Sekman (LHP/OF/1B), Jacob Ramirez (C), John Furch (1B), Dominic McCaffrey (OF/RHP), Thomas Wright (RHP), Robert Smith (RHP), Evan Pollack (RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Kyle Pollack, Sr. First Base: Andrew Zottar, Jr.; Dan Afflito, Sr. Second Base: Brady Oswick, Sr. Shortstop: Jack Zabarsky, Sr. Third Base: Matteo Pasculli, Sr. Leftfield: Nick Ferraioli, Sr. Centerfield: Dylan Galamb, Sr. Rightfield: Danny Flynn, Sr. DH: A.J. Kurtz (Sr., 1B); Devin Chandra (Sr., INF/OF).

With Colts Neck and Wall bringing back so many major players from division cochampionship teams that won a combined 41 games, it would be easy to overlook St. John Vianney as a contender for the division title. That would be a mistake; the Lancers are also reloaded after an eye-raising performance in the NJSIAA Tournament that included a dramatic first-round win over CBA and a near-upset over Bishop Eustace when the Crusaders were ranked No. 1 in the state. The Lancers will miss 2021 ace Ryan Sekman and rotation mates Thomas Wright and Robert Smith, as well as collection of capable bats in the starting lineup, but St. John Vianney will have six starters back in the batting order to go with a young flamethrower who is ready to move to the top of the rotation after making his varsity debut in 2021. That young ace is junior right-hander Aiden Cody, who came on strong at the end of his sophomore season and will now be called upon to lead a pitching staff that will have to overcome some inexperience. Senior left-hander Nick Ferraioli also returns with some innings under his belt, with senior utility man Dan Afflitto, junior southpaw Andrew Zottar and sophomore CBA transfer David Hamlin all likely to contribute the bulk of the innings. The pitching rotation will be a work in progress early in the season, but the lineup and the defense should hit the ground runner. Afflitto and senior Brady Oswick are a well-rounded double-play tandem that gets the job done on both sides of the ball and third baseman Matteo Pasculli is a masher at third base who is poised for a bounceback season after hitting under .300 despite making quality contact throughout the year. The Lancers also have a standout at catcher with Marist commit Kyle Pollack, who posted an on-base percentage over .500 and a slugging percentage better than .600. Ferraioli will be back in the outfield when he is not pitching, this year making the move from centerfield to left. That move comes with senior Dylan Galamb – the late-inning hero in the state-tournament win at CBA – taking over in center and senior Danny Flynn joining the outfield mix. Senior A.J. Kurtz also figures to contribute at the plate and on the mound. Last year, it was St. John Vianney that entered the season with the expectations as the division favorite and this season, that burden will now belong to Colts Neck. The Lancers, who beat Colts Neck last season, can go about their business and look to knock off the top two teams, starting with two-game set vs. Colts Neck that begins on April 6.

MANASQUAN HEAD COACH: Brenan Gordon, 4th season 2021 RECORD: 6-15 (5-8, fifth in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: David Frost (3B), Trevor Wells (C), Sean McWalters (1B/LHP), Zac LaVigna (Sr., LHP) – Transferred to St. Rose. AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Josh Terry, Sr.; Jack Dawson, Jr. First Base: Jack O’Shea, Jr.; Nicolas Galvan, Sr.; James Cosgrove, Sr.; Cole Kozlowski, Sr. Second Base: Ryan Deegan, Sr. Shortstop: Cullen Condon, Jr.; Ryan Deegan, Sr.; Brett Patten, Jr. Third Base: Mike Presbrey, Sr. Leftfield: Mike Antonucci, Sr. Centerfield: Brett Patten, Jr. Rightfield: Pat Woodford, Sr.; James Cosgrove, Sr. DH: James Cosgrove, Sr.; Pat Woodford, Sr.; Nicolas Galvan, Sr.; Cole Kozlowski, Sr.

While there was a pretty sizable drop-off between St. John Vianney and the next team in the Class B North standings, a few of the teams in the four-through-eight spots in the standings had a pitcher who could turn the standings upside-down on a given day. Neptune ace Brian Young – now at Rider – definitely fit that bill last year and by the time May rolled around, Manasquan appeared to have a pitcher like that on its hands. As a freshman, Cullen Condon got off to late start on the mound and his first two starts did not exactly go as planned. After taking his lumps in those first two games, however, Condon appeared to find himself, giving up 2 earned runs over 16 1/3 innings in three appearances the rest of the way, including a 16-strikeout one-hitter against Matawan. Along with Condon, senior James Cosgrove brings a quality repertoire to the No. 2 spot in the rotation, with junior Jack O’Shea in the mix to pitch early in the rotation along with Luca Marshall and Nicolas Galvan. Manasquan’s offense was not consistent throughout the season, but showed up in spots, not the least of which was a 7-6 win over Colts Neck to effectively spoil Colts Neck’s pursuit of an outright division title. Centerfielder Brett Patten is the top returning bat to the lineup after he put up an on-base percentage well-north of .500, but he was the only player among the returning group to hit better than .250. Senior Mike Antonucci was the .250 hitter and brings some more speed to the outfield, as well as the lineup en masse. Football standouts Pat Woodword and Cole Kozlowski are also in the mix as outfielders, with Woodward the front-runner to join the other two football players – Patten and Antonucci – in the outfield.

O’Shea will also play some first base when he is not on the mound, while Manasquan returns starters at two more infield spots: Ryan Deegan at second base and Mike Presbrey at third. Both will need to progress as hitters, but when Condon is at shortstop, Manasquan will have a formidable infield, which includes Josh Terry and Jack Dawson in a battle for the bulk of the time at catcher. Manasquan already showed it could pull off the proverbial upset within the division last year, and with a quality pitching staff and a focused, young roster, the Warriors will have a chance to spoil the season for one of the top teams in B North, while perhaps even volunteering themselves as a championship contender.

NEPTUNE HEAD COACH: Kevin Frederick 2021 RECORD: 10-12 (7-7, tied fourth in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: Brian Young (LHP/1B/OF), Austin Celiberti (2B) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Nick Quagliato, Jr. First Base: Tyler Persico, Sr.; William Foy, Sr.; Brennan Moloughney, Jr. Second Base: Kevin O’Neill, Jr.; Aedan Martin, So.; Hunter Morgan, Fr. Shortstop: Ryan Cole, Sr.; Dan Moran, S. Third Base: Dan Moran, Sr.; Kevin O’Neill, Jr.; Mike Bruno, Sr. Leftfield: Jack Tinik, Jr. Centerfield: Quincy Esannason, Jr. Rightfield: Joe Juliano, Jr.; Brennan Moloughney, Jr.; Kevin O’Neill, Jr. DH: Tyler Persico (Sr., 1B); Brennan Moloughney (Jr., 1B/OF)

Some very good Class B North players graduated at the end of the 2021 school year, but none that had the impact on his team that left-handed ace Brian Young had on Neptune last year. The Rider University freshman shut down the opposition just about every time out, was the team’s top hitter and also led the Scarlet Fliers with 20 stolen bases – a package that landed him a spot on the Shore Sports Network All-Shore second team. Life without Brian will be challenging for Neptune, but the Fliers are fortunate to have bid farewell to just one other starter beyond Young, leaving coach Kevin Frederick with an experienced group that has already tasted a fair amount of success at the varsity level. Senior shortstop Ryan Cole leads the returning core after doing plenty of damage at the plate as a junior playing in the middle of the diamond and also pitching. No other returning player on Neptune approached the level of success Cole had last season, but a lot of the young Scarlet Fliers players laid the groundwork for big jumps this season. Junior centerfielder Quincy Esannason jumps out as one of those players after a solid all-around showing as a sophomore and classmate Nick Quagliato is a capable catcher with some offensive ceiling as well. From the senior class, Dan Moran and Tyler Persico both had some good moments as juniors and bring a lot to the table as corner infielders. Kevin O’Neill, Joe Juliano, Jack Tinik and Brennan Moloughney are three more juniors to watch, with Juliano and Tinik both getting starter at-bats last season. The offense, as a whole, should be better despite losing Young, but the pitching staff has a long way to go to collectively reach the level that Young reached on his own. Cole has a gifted arm and will try to work in the zone more this season – a theme that will have to stick with all the returning members of the rotation. Joe Juliano and William Foy can also provide a major boost by cutting back on the walks, while Moran, Moloughney and Esannason all are ahead of the game when it comes to throwing strikes – at least based on last year’s results. Putting that pitching staff together will be the year-long challenge, but if and when it starts to take shape, there is a promising collection of talent at Neptune that could yield a big finish to the season and even greater potential in 2023.

FREEHOLD BORO HEAD COACH: Jon Block, 31st season 2021 RECORD: 2-16 (2-12, eighth in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: Dominic Grenata (3B/RHP), Mario Rivera (SS/RHP), Chris Casale (DH), Liam Wiley (OF/RHP), Spencer Hurley (OF), Mike Gasparo (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Mike Kleschinsky, Sr. First Base: Giovanni Sive, Sr. Second Base: Nick Montello, So. Shortstop: Nick Terefenko, Sr.; Danny Opramolia, So. Third Base: Aiden Denham, Jr. Leftfield: Connor Owen, Jr. Centerfield: Aiden Rivera, So. Rightfield: Anthony Vingelli, Jr. DH: Josh Medina (So., 1B)

There were not too many highlights in Freehold Boro’s 2-16 season in 2021, beyond just the appreciation of getting on the field for the Colonials’ many first-year varsity players. One such highlight was a performance by then-junior right-hander Nick Terefenko, who took the ball against Manasquan on May 18 and fired a no-hitter in a 4-0 Freehold Boro win over the Warriors. That win was bookended by two separate six-game losing streaks and this season, the Colonials are looking to bottle that game and drink it up more often in 2022. It sure helps that Terefenko returns to help create more moments like his no-hitter a year ago. The senior will again lead the pitching staff and this season, he will also be the team’s shortstop when he is not asked to pitch. Terefenko is part of a solid core up the middle, with senior Mike Kleschinsky returning at catcher and sophomore Aiden Rivera making the move from second base, where he started as a freshman, to centerfield. Senior Giovanni Sive and third baseman Aiden Denham are two promising players on either infield corner, and the outfield will include two more juniors – Connor Owen and returning part-time starter Anthony Vingelli. Sophomores Nick Montello, Danny Opramolia and Josh Medina will also have key roles to play, with Montello in line to start at second base, Medina as a fill-in at first when Sive pitchers and Opramolia at short when Terefenko is on the mound. Speaking of the mound, Freehold’s improvement is likely to most hinge on how the rotations falls into place beyond Terefenko. Denham has improved since his sophomore year and will pitch early in the rotation and Sive is a reliable left-handed starter to lead into a sophomore group – including Rivera, Opramolia and Shane Conover – that will solidify the rotation’s depth. The Colonials are not that far removed from success against top teams in the Shore Conference and have a veteran coach in Jon Block steering the ship. It is going to take some toil, but there is an opening to get into the top-half of the division this season and with an interesting group of sophomores on hand, that could be the start of something for Freehold Boro.

MATAWAN HEAD COACH: Bobby Carnovsky, 9th season 2021 RECORD: 8-15 (4-10, tied sixth in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: Tim Egan (LHP/1B), Mike Caldon (RHP/3B), Eli Gries-Smith (RHP/OF), Luke Elliot (OF), Dom Salot (OF), Tyler Bull (2B). AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Joey Bodin, Jr. First Base: Jake Brigandi, Sr.; Sean Hart, So. Second Base: Sal Cassano, So.; Chris Galasso, So. Shortstop: Brandon Falco, So.; Chris Galasso, So. Third Base: Jake Brigandi, Sr.; Eric Friedman, So. Leftfield: Mike DiPietro, So. Centerfield: Jack Sassa, So. Rightfield: Mark Kovach, So.

No matter what happens the rest of the way, Matawan will be the youngest starting lineup on opening day compared to the rest of the B North division. It’s not the superlative that most programs strive for, but when the youth can play, there are worse situations for a team to be in. Over the last two season, the Huskies graduated a wave of talented players in the field, at the plate and on the mound, with a group of quality pitchers graduating after last season. The offense was not as complete as it would have been during the 2020 season and the Huskies will only be able to wonder about what that group could have done. For now, however, it is time to move on to the future, which is now for Matawan. Coach Bobby Carnovsky is set to run out an opening-day lineup that will feature sophomores at all but two positions. Junior Joey Bodin will squat behind the plate as one of the returning starters – and at a critical position, no less – while Jake Brigandi serves as the lone senior in the lineup. Brigandi can play either first or third base as needed and will occupy an important spot in the order, as well as an important role in the dugout. The leader of the sophomore class at the moment is Brandon Falco, who is ticketed to be Matawan’s No. 1 starter, as well as its shortstop on most days. Falco saw limited action at the plate, but he got time in the field and was rather impressive 21 innings on the mound as a freshman. While it remains to be seen how the rest of his classmates adjust to life at the varsity level, Falco showed last year he is ready to compete and should only be better this year.

Around the diamond, the sophomores will make and impact at all four infield spots and which three start will depend on whether Falco is pitcher and where Brigandi is playing. Sal Cassano and Chris Galasso are the middle-infield options, with Sean Hart slated for time at first base and Eric Friedman the alternative to Brigandi at third. The outfield will be all sophomores who could also see time on the mound. On opening day, though, Mike DiPietro, Jack Sassa and Mark Kovach will start together in the outfield, with Sassa manning center. The other sophomore to watch is Andrew Gendi, who can play any position on the field, including catcher, and is likely to find his way into the lineup most days. Gendi will be a prominent figure on the pitching staff, slotting in behind Falco in the rotation as either he No. 2 or 3 starter along with Brigandi to open the season. Kovach, Cassano, DiPietro, Friedman, Hart and Sassa will provide some depth as well and while a lot of those sophomores are sure to labor in their first chance at varsity playing time, Matawan could be in great shape with just one or two breakouts each on the staff and in the field. It might not get the Huskies any hardware in 2022, but with so much young talent, brighter days are not far off.

RED BANK HEAD COACH: Nick Tucker, 8th season 2021 RECORD: 8-15 (4-10, tied sixth in Class B North) KEY LOSSES: Andrew Glauber (2B/RHP), Sean O’Mara (CF), C.J. Paolino (C), Aidan Keale (OF), Matt Keegan (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Hank Dal Pra, Jr. First Base: Cole Armond, Sr.; Nate Ruth, Jr. Second Base: Grayson Sandoz, Jr.; Tommy Ruth, So. Shortstop: Jackson Hyman, Jr.; Hoyt Smith, So. Third Base: Gus Dal Pra, Sr.; Jack Glassberg, Sr. Leftfield: Jake Cohen, Sr.; Tim Kelly, So.; P.J. Whitehead, So. Centerfield: James White, Jr. Rightfield: Alex Choback, So.; Will Brodeur, Sr. DH: Jack Grassi (Sr., C)

Red Bank is another team that would really liked to have had a crack at the 2020 season, when the Bucs would have had more pitching to go with a lineup that remained rather potent in 2021 despite the losing record. Andrew Glauber, Sean O’Mara, Gus Dal Pra and Nate Ruth all produced pretty big numbers at the plate and the silver lining for the Bucs is that two of those players are back in 2022. Glauber and O’Mara were indeed Red Bank’s top all-around performers, but Dal Pra and Ruth are capable hitters who will play on either side of the infield – Ruth at first base and Dal Pra at third. Junior Jackson Hyman is another key cog back in the lineup and he held his own as a sophomore shortstop. With a full year to learn in 2022, Hyman will be an x-factor at the dish, with some newfound offensive production potentially providing a lift to Red Bank. Red Bank has a number of first-year starters who saw varsity at-bats in 2021, namely Cole Armond (21 at-bats), second baseman Grayson Sandoz (15), infielder Jack Glassberg (6) and starting centerfielder James White (19). Jake Cohen, Alex Choback and Jack Grassi are three more projected starters in the outfield and at designated hitter. With positions up for grabs in camp, sophomores Tommy Ruth, Hoyt Smith, Tim Kelly and P.J. Whitehead will be in play for at-bats and innings as the season moves along. On the mound is where the Bucs need the most help and there was not much the senior glass of 2021 could do to help. Red Bank gave up 185 runs on the season, with only Henry Hudson, Mater Dei Prep and Long Branch giving up more. Most of that group is back and the key to a turnaround will be cutting back on the walks after the top three projected starters – Armond, Nate Ruth and Hyman – issued 52 of them in 51 combined innings. Glassberg was the exception, walking only eight in 29 innings of work that mostly came in relief. Getting the pitching in order is priority No. 1 for coach Nick Tucker and with some progress on that front, the Bucs have enough offense remaining to make an improve and exceed this projection.

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By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted order of finish

igh school baseball returned to New Jersey in 2021 and at the Shore, the return did not disappoint. All but one of the Shore Conference division races more or less went down to the wire and four of them were decided by one game or fewer. The wildest race of the year was in Class B South, where five teams stayed in the hunt into May and three wound up sharing the championship with a 9-3 division record. What is even wilder than that is the best team by season’s end – NJSIAA South Jersey Group III sectional champion Manchester – finished fifth in the standings with a .500 division record. Class B South catches an unfair reputation as being the second-tier division of Ocean County behind Class A South, but Ocean’s small schools have done some big things. Just three years ago, there was an All-B-South Ocean County Tournament final, won by Point Boro over Jackson Liberty. That was even the second such OCT final in a span of six seasons. So, what’s in store for 2022? One of the three defending division co-champions returns a significant number of impact players, the other two bring back a good mix of experience, and that team that finished all the way back in fifth place before winning a sectional championship brings back just about everybody. Throw in young teams like Point Boro and Pinelands growing up over the offseason and this has a chance to be the most fun of all the division races, with teams that could also make noise in the postseason.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC HEAD COACH: Corey Hamman, 3rd season 2021 RECORD: 15-9 (9-3, tied first in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Sam Gates (CF), Matt Colucci (RHP), Bob Nosti (RHP), Joe Payne (C/DH) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Hunter Johnson, So.; Dave Yorke, So. First Base: Rocco Scarpitti, Jr.; Lou DiBiase, Fr.; Dave Yorke, So. Second Base: Andrew Bonick, Sr. Shortstop: Joe Maier, So. Third Base: Anthony Mursko, Sr. Leftfield: Ryan Butchko, Jr.; Kade Kulpinski, So. Centerfield: Gavin Degnan, Jr. Rightfield: Rocco Scarpitti, Jr.; Matt Mason, Jr.. DH: T.J. Johnson (Jr., 3B); Nick Lovacco (Fr., 2B/SS)

In the midst of a breakout season for the program under second-year coach Corey Hamman, the Griffins opted to prioritize winning the Class B South division championship before turning their attention to the NJSIAA Tournament. The decision paid off to a degree, with Donovan Catholic winning a share of the division title, although it wound up being a share of a division title thanks to a loss to Manchester in the final division series of the season. In any event, the entire season was a huge success for the Griffins, who ramped up their non-division schedule, grabbed the aforementioned share of the division title and did it with a team that now returns seven of the eight positions around the diamond and a host of talented arms in the rotation. Only two of the returning starters in the field and the lineup are seniors, with Andrew Bonick back to play second base and Anthony Mursko making the move from right field to third base for his senior campaign. The Griffins will be young at the other three infield spots (including catcher), with sophomore Joe Maier coming off an impressive debut as a freshman and junior Rocco Scarpitti doing the same as a sophomore. Scarpitti could wind up pushing out to the outfield to clear a spot for one of two other talented underclassmen – Dave Yorke and Lou DiBiase. Yorke is primarily a catcher and could get some time behind the plate along with returning sophomore starter Hunter Johnson. Donovan Catholic’s top two returning offensive players will be in the outfield. Junior Gavin Degnan makes the full-time move to centerfield after playing second base as a

sophomore, while junior Ryan Butchko is back in left after leading the team in OPS as a sophomore. If Scarpitti stays at first base, the third outfield spot is likely to go to either junior Matt Mason or sophomore Kade Kulpinski, with junior T.J. Johnson and freshman Nick Lovacco also making a push for some at-bats and innings in the field. The lineup will remain fairly constant because Donovan Catholic’s pitching staff is mostly made up of pitchers-only. Senior left-hander and George Mason commit Shaun O’Keefe leads the staff after turning in an all-division campaign as a junior. He is the only one of the returning starters who regularly started, but Jason Basillicata, Brian Padilla and John Grano also got chances to start and pitch big innings in relief, with Donovan Catholic using multiple pitchers per game by design. Basillicata, in particular, is a pitcher to watch in Class B South after throwing some key innings as a sophomore, while sophomore Hunter Lefkus is among the new names to remember. Coming off a resurgent season for the program, Donovan Catholic has the potential to really breakout this season as a team that can contend for an Ocean County Tournament championship against Jackson Memorial, Central and Brick Memorial, while also beginning to push into the group of contenders at the top of the Shore Conference and in Non-Public A. With a lot of juniors and sophomores still in the mix, it may still be a while before Donovan Catholic peaks.

MANCHESTER HEAD COACH: Dave Beauchemin, 6th season 2021 RECORD: 13-11 (6-6, 5th in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Chris Grille (1B), Joe Pati (LHP), Keith Fallon (OF), Rich Coufal (LHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Evan Palmer, So.; Colton Sitarik, Fr. First Base: Mike Damato, Sr.; Joe Sclama, Jr. Second Base: Sean McAllister, Sr. Shortstop: Blake Warren, Sr. Third Base: Justin Renzi, Sr. Leftfield: A.J. Ramirez, Jr.; Joe Bentivegna, So.; Mike Maccanico, Sr Centerfield: Brandon Sogness, Sr. Rightfield: Logan Duffy, Sr. DH: Nick Johnson (Sr., C/OF), Joe Inkrote (Jr., OF)

In addition to the Shore Conference season preparing teams for the rigors of the state tournament, it’s the nature of the baseball schedule and the sport itself that creates the conditions for a team like Manchester – the fifth-place team in the Class B South division standings and a .500 team heading into the NJSIAA Tournament – to win a sectional championship and come awfully close to making it to group-championship Saturday in Hamilton. The Hawks were eliminated from the B South race and turned their attention to the postseason, which saw them knock off Donovan Catholic and Freehold Township in consecutive rounds of the Shore Conference Tournament to reach the quarterfinals, then go on their state tournament run. While a lot of teams that get hot in late May do it with one or two standout pitchers, Manchester’s hot streak was driven by a mix of solid pitching by a wide cast of contributors, strong defense and some offensive fireworks. Mike Damato picked up a pair of wins on the mound in the first round and the sectional semifinals and Manchester’s offense put up eight, eight and seven runs in the final three wins in the section. The capper was a game-winning, two-out, two-strike, three-run home run by Sean McAllister in the sectional final at Delran. Both Damato and McAllister return in 2022 to try recreate the Manchester magic, which the Hawks hope includes a Class B South championship and two more state tournament wins – which would finish off a Group II championship. Damato will again head up the rotation, followed by junior left-hander Joe Sclama, junior Frank Kern and senior Logan Duffy as returning pitches. Sclama and Kern were also pitching standouts during the state tournament, with Sclama defeating Barnegat in the sectional quarterfinals and Kern earning the win in relief to close out the championship game. Duffy’s pitching contributions are a bonus because at the plate and in right field, he is one of the Shore’s most dynamic talents. He and Damato will again hit at the top of the order to jumpstart a Manchester lineup that also brings back Blake Warren and Justin Renzi on the left side of the infield and Brandon Sogness in centerfield. Evan Palmer takes over at catcher after Damato and Sogness split the duties last year, while Nick Johnson and A.J. Ramirez are among the players who could step up to take some available at-bats. The return of so many starters with a handful of up-and-coming underclassmen give Manchester some depth, which will be critical in keeping up with Donovan Catholic – one of the Shore’s deeper teams – in the division race. It is all there in front of Manchester and if the Hawks can put 2021 behind them, handle the expectations and stay healthy, last year may have just been the beginning.

BARNEGAT HEAD COACH: Dan McCoy, 10th season 2021 RECORD: 13-9 (9-3, tied 1st in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Nick Danbrowney (RHP/DH/OF), Kyle Moore (C), Rian Tully (1B), Tyler DelPercio (RHP), Bryan Snowden (Sr., SS) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Anthony Molfino, Sr. First Base: P.J. Craig, Sr.; Jared Schworn, Sr. Second Base: Ryan Kulpa, Sr.; Rafael Dominguez, Sr. Shortstop: Bryce Davenport, Jr. Third Base: Rafael Dominguez, Sr.; Dylan DeGrazio, So. Leftfield: Justin Bye, Sr. Centerfield: Joe Fiorentino, Sr. Rightfield: Jared Schworn, Sr.; Tyler Carl, So.

Donovan Catholic Sr. Shaun O'Keefe

One of the other tri-champions of Class B South, Barnegat rode a talented group of pitchers and a handful of big seasons at the plate to another solid season that ended with an additional year on the division title banner. The Bengals will be replacing two notable contributors to the pitching staff, with First-Team-All-Shore right-hander Nick Danbrowney – who was also the team’s best hitter – leaving the biggest void of any of the graduates. Barnegat returns a trio of arms that have both the talent to be even better as a staff this season while also a chip on their shoulder to prove they can excel that

way Danbrowney did as a senior. Rider commit P.J. Craig leads that group as a right-hander with the repertoire good enough to dominate the division but with some wrinkles to iron out after an uneven junior season on the mound. Ryan Kulpa and Jared Schworn, meanwhile, are coming off successful junior seasons and both will also be big bats in the lineup – Kulpa at second base and Schworn either at first base or in right field. In addition to Danbrowney, the Bengals also must replace all-division shortstop Bryan Snowden, who is also a gifted lacrosse player and went back to his original high school sport after going out for baseball for the first time as a sophomore. Junior Bryce Davenport got time at second base last season and will take over at shortstop, while senior Rafael Dominguez returns to third base and will play second when Kulpa is on the mound. Sophomore Dylan DeGrazio will pick up some time at third base and the Bengals should be solid at catcher with senior returnee Anthony Molfino. Justin Bye and Joe Fiorentino will give Barnegat an all-senior outfield when Schworn is in right, with Bye returning as a starter in left field and Fiorentino returning to center after nudging his way into the starting nine at the end of 2021. Sophomore Tyler Carl leads the group of outfielders who will replace Schworn when the senior right-hander is on the mound or at first base. Losing Danbrowney and Snowden will be a hit for the Bengals in trying to keep pace with Donovan Catholic and keep Manchester from overtaking them, but the starting pitching staff will keep them in in the race while also giving coach Dan McCoy some options on the weekend and come tournament time.

JACKSON LIBERTY HEAD COACH: David Murawski, 1st season 2021 RECORD: 10-9 (9-3, tied first in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Dan Keenan (CF/RHP), Carl Barth (OF/LHP), Jake Hickman (2B), Zaine Toneski (Jr., 1B) – transferred to CBA AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Brett Benecke, So. First Base: Connor Yurgel, Jr.; Chris Sasso, Sr. Second Base: Nick Conti, Sr. Shortstop: Garrett Drew, Sr.; Michael Kisseberth, Fr. Third Base: R.J. Vashey, Sr. Leftfield: Jack Kanis, Sr.; Gavin Degregorio, Jr. Centerfield: Christian Garced, Jr. Rightfield: Michael Kisseberth, Fr. DH: Chris Sasso, Sr.

Like Barnegat, Jackson Liberty is coming off winning a share of the Class B South cochampionship in 2021 and despite losing some major pieces from that team, the Lions will also bring back some volume that includes potential impact players – if not proven ones. As much as Dan Keenan, Carl Barth and Jake Hickman are key losses to the lineup and pitching rotation, the most notable loss was in the dugout, with Jim Rankin – the only coach the program has known since its formation in 2008 – stepping down at the end of the 2021 campaign. Dave Murawski takes over a Lions team that is on solid footing at three crucial spots: catcher, shortstop and at the top of the rotation. Behind the plate, Brett Benecke is coming off an exceedingly impressive freshman season in which he was Jackson Liberty’s secondbest regular in the lineup behind Keenan while also checking all the boxes on defense. Garrett Drew, meanwhile, returns at shortstop after a solid offensive season as a junior and will share the left side of the infield with returning third baseman R.J. Vashey. While Keenan was Jackson Liberty’s No. 1 starter and Barth a dependable senior strikethrower, junior left-hander Ethan Bloomfield is a worthy successor to the two graduates as the new Lions ace after exhibiting good control with strikeout stuff as a sophomore. Fellow southpaw Chris Sasso also returns to the rotation after some good moments as a junior, which included an impressive stretch at the plate to end the season. Junior Connor Yurgel and senior Nick Conti will get increased roles as starters at first and second base, respectively. The Jackson Liberty outfield is just entirely new, with Christian Garced taking over in center, Jack Kanis and Gavin Degregorio in the mix for left and freshman Michael Kisseberth breaking in in right. Kisseberth, Degregorio, Kanis and junior Nick Nannini will also be part of the rotation and if Murawski can hit it big with a few players in the new group, the core is in place to again contend for a division title and make a run at Jackson Liberty’s first ever tournament championship.

PT PLEASANT BORO HEAD COACH: Dave Drew, 11th season 2021 RECORD: 4-14 (2-10, 6th in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Frankie Dominici (3B), Zach Hill (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Ryan Acquisto, So. First Base: Trey Harpootlian, Sr.; Declan Pratt, Jr., 1B; Anthony Crudo, So., 1B Second Base: Tommy Laspina, Jr. Shortstop: Connor Cilento, Jr. Third Base: Jayson Bennett, So. Leftfield: Charlie Vitale, Sr. Centerfield: Bryson Kirby, So.; Brian Simoes, So. Rightfield: Nick Scelfo, Sr. DH: Matt Dewitte (Jr., 3B)

No team in the Shore Conference lost more with the cancelled 2020 season than did Point Boro. The Panthers were coming off a trip to the Group II championship game and were returning a slew of starters, as well as brining in some talented transfers as replacements to the handful of players that did graduate in 2019. Instead of getting a chance to finish off a state championship, the season was canceled and the extensive senior class moved on to graduation. Even the Last Dance World Series – the summer tournament created to give high school teams a chance to compete for a de facto state championship – ended in heartbreak, with Point Boro being forced to pull out of the tournament after advancing because of multiple positive tests for COVID-19. It took the program a year to adjust to the jaded 2020 season and there were certainly growing pains in 2021, and why wouldn’t there be? The lineup was almost completely new and the lone holdover – Frankie Dominici – was injured for a chunk of the season. Now that the acclimation period is over, Point Boro is starting to feel the optimism once again, with a group of talented, still-young players coming into their own following a scrappy finish to the 2021 season.

With sophomore Bryson Kirby, senior Trey Harpootlian and junior left-hander Eric Anilonis leading the pitching staff, Point Boro will have a chance to again keep games close in 2022 after the group did an admirable job last year and first-year starters. Right-hander Calvin Kedves is another talented arm from the sophomore class that is ready to contribute to the rotation, which figures to be a strong point for the Panthers in a division with no shortage of good pitching. For Point Boro to break through in some of those games that ended in close losses last year, it will need a major step forward offensively. Point Boro’s 48 runs scored were the lowest total of any Shore Conference team in 2021 and the returning group will be loaded with players looking to take that major step. A likely candidate to do just that is junior shortstop Connor Cilento, who was a force at the top of the order for Point Boro in its three Last Dance games in the summer of 2020, but never got going at the plate in 2021 despite showing off some elite baserunning ability (23 stolen bases). Sophomore catcher Ryan Acquisto and classmate Jayson Bennett – a versatile players who is projected to start at third base – also had promising seasons as freshmen, but were not ready to carry the load on an offense. Kirby was closer to doing that as Point Boro’s top all-around performer at the plate, so in that trio of returning sophomore starters, the Panthers could really have a special nucleus going forward. Harpootlian, junior second baseman Tommy Laspina and senior outfielder Nick Scelfo will look to break through at the plate as well this season, and the Panthers will also get a lift from the return of leftfielder Charlie Vitale – a football standout who missed his sophomore season in 2019 due to injury and 2020 due to a bout with COVID, according to coach Dave Drew. Comebacks like Vitale’s are some welcome good news for Point Boro, which is ready to put the disappointment of the last two seasons behind it and again compete for championships in Ocean County and beyond.

LACEY HEAD COACH: Adam Taha, 3rd season 2021 RECORD: 11-10 (7-5, 4th in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Jacob Bowles (RHP/DH), Matt Kaliske (1B), Nick Zarycki (RHP), Donnie Kirk (CF), Brandon DeAngelo (C), Josh Fracasso (3B) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Carson Gudzak, Jr. First Base: Colin Space, Sr.; Ryan Preston, Sr. Second Base: Zack Mohr, Jr.; Jordan LaValle, Sr. Shortstop: Mike Todaro, Sr. Third Base: Rylan Messina, Jr. Leftfield: Noah Quinn, Jr. Centerfield: Matt McClung, Sr.; Zack Barrett, Sr. Rightfield: Andrew Tobia, Sr. DH: Anthony Eckerson (So., C)

If Point Boro was the most impacted team by the canceled 2020 season, Lacey might have been one of the least. Certainly, the Lions would have benefitted from a season for a junior-heavy group to grow together and experience more big games, but few teams had the opportunity to bring back so much of the 2020 roster as Lacey did a year ago. With that senior-laden group, Lacey made a serious run at a Class B South division title, but ultimately came up a couple of games short of the trio at the top. This season, Lacey will have to replace two-thirds of its impressive 2021 pitching staff and five impact hitters from what was a top-heavy lineup. Senior Mike Todaro will be responsible for leading Lacey in every facet of the game, with the right-hander returning to the mound after a breakout season backing up seniors Jacob Bowles and Nick Zarycki in the rotation. Todaro is also the shortstop when he is not on the mound and will be looking to have a bounceback season at the plate after hitting under .200 during his

junior campaign. Centerfielder Matt McClung is another senior back in the Lacey lineup, with McClung making the shift to outfield after playing some second base a season ago. Second is now occupied by junior Zack Mohr, who had the best 2021 offensive season of any of the returning players. Classmates Carson Gudzak and Noah Quinn also return as starters, with Gudzak moving behind the plate and Quinn coming off a solid showing at the plate in his own right as a starting outfielder. Coach Adam Taha will look to junior Rylan Messina and seniors Colin Space, Andrew Tobia, Ryan Preston, Jordan LaValle and Zack Barrett to thrive in their new roles, with sophomore Anthony Eckerson also paying a part in the lineup. Quinn, Moore and Space are also in line to provide important innings, as is junior right-hander Jack Srmaty. With some success behind Todaro in the rotation Lacey will again boast a pitching staff good enough to contend in B South, but the season may come down to whether or not the Lions can field the ball with a new group in the field, as well as find some consistent offense.

PINELANDS HEAD COACH: Dan Mulligan, 2nd season 2021 RECORD: 1-18 (0-12, 7th in Class B South) KEY LOSSES: Jack Lawrie (CF/RHP), Alex Ulrich (C), Michael Schaffer (2B/RHP), Anthony Weedo (1B/RHP) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Nate Sofield, Fr. First Base: Ethan Edwards, Sr. Second Base: Kaden Inman, So. Shortstop: Rian O’Rourke, Sr. Third Base: Chris Mitchell, Sr.; Dan Maher, So. Leftfield: Casey Baglivo, Sr. Centerfield: Stephen DeMilio, Sr. Rightﬁeld: T.J. Ross, Sr.

Some teams, missed out on a chance to win big in 2020 and while there was some opportunity for Pinelands to make some noise in that lost season, the worst part of losing 2020 had to do with the development of the younger group. Pinelands was set to break in some new starters and that did not happen until last year, when almost the entire lineup and pitching staff was comprised of newcomers to the varsity level. The one exception was Rian O’Rourke, who started hitting as a freshman in 2019 and has not stopped since. The senior shortstop will again be the offensive leader of the Wildcats after posted some impressive numbers at the plate last year, but only cashed in with three RBI while playing in a lineup that did not have a whole lot of experience or production. Fellow seniors Casey Baglivo and Stephen DeMilio held their own in the batter’s box as juniors, with DeMilio leading the team with 14 RBI. Baglivo and DeMilio will form an all-senior starting outfield with rightfielder T.J. Ross, that is, when DeMilio is not pitching. On the infield, O’Rourke will be surrounded by another inexperienced group, although first baseman Ethan Edwards had some success in 29 at-bats as a junior in 2021. Senior Chris Mitchell moves into the open spot at third base, while sophomores Kaden Inman and Dan Maher will figure into the lineup as well. The Wildcats took a significant hit at catcher, where they graduated 2021 starter Alex Ulrich, then lost his successor – junior Jake Fowler – for the upcoming season to an ankle injury. That opens the door for freshman backstop Nate Sofield to take the job and run with it for the next four years. DeMilio heads up the pitching staff after emerging as a tough No. 1 that gave a number of

Class B South lineups trouble, despite Pinelands not winning any of those games. Mitchell and O’Rourke will also throw starter innings for Pinelands, while the remainder of the pitching staff is looking to prove itself for the first time. There is a lot of ground to cover between 118 and division contender, but the Wildcats do bring back a pair of proven standouts in O’Rourke and DeMilio who could help lead a significant turnaround with enough help from the supporting cast.

LAKEWOOD HEAD COACH: Gene Drumright, 17th season 2021 RECORD: 0-1 KEY LOSSES: Marcos Ramos (INF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Jiovanni Genao, Jr. First Base: Leandro Garsita, Fr.; Angel Vega, Fr. Second Base: Antonio Szymanski, So. Shortstop: Derek Nolan, Jr. Third Base: Jensy Castro, So. Leftfield: Aneruis Ozoria, Sr. Centerfield: Zack Kencick, So. Rightfield: Jesus Barranco, Sr.

Lakewood was one of two programs to essentially lose the entire 2021 season due to challenges putting a team together amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While Asbury Park did not have a program, Lakewood was at least able to get a team together, practice, and play some junior varsity competition while attempting to pick up the pieces from the lost 2020 season. Heading into 2022, the Piners are simply looking to reacclimate to life at the varsity level and will face some of the challenges Lakewood has gotten used to facing in recent years. There is not a whole lot of depth on hand, so players like Derek Nolan, Jensy Castro, Aneruis Ozoria and Zack Kencik will be asked to do a lot as two-way players who will, essentially, have to carry the pitching staff while also playing important positions in the field and the lineup when it’s not their turn to pitch. On the plus side, Lakewood has been able to produce some talented, all-division caliber players while navigating the lack of depth and that is enough to give some of the top teams in the division some heartburn on certain days. Ozoria and outfielder Jesus Barranco are also the only seniors in the group, so the core of Nolan, catcher Jiovanni Genao and sophomores Antonio Szymanski, Castro and Kencik will have a chance to establish themselves over the next two years. Throw in freshmen Leandro Garista and Angel Vega, and Lakewood coach Gene Drumright should have something to work with over the next couple of seasons if all goes relatively smoothly. Having not played varsity baseball for either of the past two seasons, the 2022 schedule is sure to be a major challenge for this year’s Lakewood squad, but just getting back on the field is a huge first step and there should be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Piners.

By Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Teams listed by predicted

order of finish

rom around 2010 until the 2019, there was about a decade in which, save for a few years, the Class B Central race was not a foregone conclusion. Dominant St. Rose teams had run roughshod over the division before the emergence of Point Pleasant Beach and resurgence of Mater Dei and while St. Rose still typically prevailed, there were several years in the last 10 that saw some legitimate races for the top spot. That brief history lesson is relevant because, beginning with last season, the division is once again at the mercy of a dominant team and it is one that has risen from obscurity four years ago to championship contention in 2022. Ranney showed last year that it was on the cusp of turning into a major contender for championships and in rounding themselves into a team that could make a run a postseason title later this year, the Panthers are poised to overwhelm the division ﬁeld. Point Beach could be the only exception, with enough returning talent to hang with Ranney on any given day, and this season, those any given days are scheduled to be April 5 and April 25. Those two showdowns are likely where the division is decided, although Keyport’s standout one-two punch on the mound has the Red Raiders hoping to make a run at Point Beach for the public division title.

RANNEY HEAD COACH: Pat Geroni, 3rd season 2021 RECORD: 16-6 (10-0, first in Class B Central) KEY LOSSES: Dev Bhatnagar (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Lou Spadafora, Jr.; Enrique Beltra, Jr. First Base: Glen Cantalupo, Jr. Second Base: Diego Tavarez, Jr. Shortstop: Brett Wehringer, Jr. Third Base: Jack Tallent, Jr. Leftfield: Ricky Nagy, Jr. Centerfield: A.J. Gracia, Jr. Rightfield: Charlie Chropuvka, Sr. DH: Logan Semevolos (Jr., 1B); Curtis Chropuvka (Fr., OF); Grayson Testino (So., 1B); Alberto Beltra (So., OF); Kris Bhatnagar (Jr., 2B)

In a lot of ways, the 2021 season was a breakout campaign for the Ranney program. The Panthers won their first Shore Conference division championship, won a program record 16 games, beat a number of accomplished Shore Conference programs like Brick Memorial and Jackson Liberty, and made a trip to the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B semifinals, where they lost a thrilling 9-8 game to perennial power Gloucester Catholic. In other ways, however, 2021 might pale in comparison to what is to come. Ranney returns all but one starter from 2021 and will finally add its headliner to the top of the rotation. Junior left-hander A.J. Gracia verbally committed to Duke before his freshman season, but has yet to make an appearance as a pitcher. After the entire state lost the 2020 spring season, Gracia was unable to pitch in 2021 as well while recovering from left elbow surgery. That did not stop Gracia from swinging the bat to the tune of a .500 average and a slugging percentage just south of 1.000. Now, he is ready to head up the pitching staff with no limitations. The staff also had three other junior returnees from 2021 in right-handers Nick Coniglio and Jack Renaud and left-hander Marcello Mastroianni. The Panthers also have a pair of capable depth options in Diego Tavarez and Grayson Testino for the midweek division games, but you can be sure Ranney will be lining up its big four pitchers to face the toughest opponents on the schedule, which include Delbarton, Hudson Catholic, Brick Memorial, Middletown South and Marlboro, as well as the tournament slate when it rolls around. Beyond the mound, Ranney has a lineup loaded with players who put up big numbers while feasting on Class B Central, but were not as consistent against the rest of the Shore. There was definitely some good: they put up 14 runs on Brick Memorial, seven on Donovan Catholic in a game started by ace Shaun O’Keefe, 11 on Jackson Liberty and ace Dan Keenan and

Ranney Jr. Charlie Chropuvka

eight in a loss to Gloucester Catholic in the NJSIAA Tournament. Ranney also got shut down by Toms River North, Manalapan and Rumson-Fair Haven – the latter of which were in the Shore Conference and Monmouth County Tournaments. Brett Wehringer is the lynchpin of Ranney’s position-player group, playing an outstanding shortstop while also providing a spark at the top of the order. While Gracia’s offensive numbers were eye-popping, they were not as good as the ones that senior Charlie Chropuvka put up in a full, All-Shore season. Catcher Lou Spadafora, first baseman Glen Cantalupo and second baseman Diego Tavarez are also coming off big statistical seasons, while corner outfielder Ricky Nagy and third baseman Jack Tallent both showed their hitting prowess as well. The pieces are all in place and finally healthy for Ranney to turn the whole team loose on the Shore Conference and see where things end up. Stepping up to the level of programs like Red Bank Catholic, Middletown South, Christian Brothers Academy, Jackson Memorial, Rumson-Fair Haven and Manalapan comes with some hard knocks, but with the talent starting to come together, the ceiling on Ranney is starting to disappear.

PT PLEASANT BEACH HEAD COACH: Angelo Fiore, 8th season

fairly experienced group behind them to get the job done. Mason Hospital and Carter Williams are back on the right side of the infield, while D.J. Thomson takes over at third after mostly playing in the outfield a year ago. Williams and Thomson are the candidates to play shortstop when Longo is on the mound, with sophomore Nick Dowd and freshman Derek Ferm in the mix to take the extra spot on the infield. DiPaolo and Josh Dswonyk return to the corner outfield spots and senior Tim Connallon will play out there when DiPaolo pitches. The two new starters for Keyport this season are at catcher and in centerfield, with freshman Liam Killian taking over behind the plate and senior George Mitchell joining the team to roam centerfield. Thomson, Mitchell and Longo led Keyport’s basketball team to its best season in nearly two decades during the winter and Mitchell and Thomson also formed a dynamic quarterback-receiver duo on the football field. There should be some pretty good chemistry on this experienced Keyport team and with some progress at the plate and solid defense behind Longo and DiPaolo, the Red Raiders are capable of giving Point Beach a battle for the public division title and setting themselves up for a run in the Central Group I playoffs.

HENRY HUDSON

2021 RECORD: 15-9 (8-2, second in Class B Central)

HEAD COACH: Mike Herrmann, 1st season

KEY LOSSES: Matt VanBrunt (2B/RHP), Alec Glen (1B), Dave Terra-Nova (C), Hunter Alia (CF)

2021 RECORD: 2-14 (2-8, fifth in Class B Central)

AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Nate Clayton, So. First Base: Colin Matuschat, Sr. Second Base: Braden Ryan, Sr.; Colin Reinhard, Jr. Shortstop: Phil Trebour, Sr. Third Base: Bryan Matuschat, So.; Kyle Kolans, Jr. Leftfield: Andrew Banick, Sr.; James Larsen, Jr. Centerfield: Connor DeLorenzo, Sr. Rightfield: Hunter Roselli, Sr. DH: James Larsen (Jr., OF)

With Ranney looking like a powerhouse for the next two years, Point Beach may have missed its best chance to win the outright Class B Central division title in 2019 and especially in 2020, when the Garnet Gulls would have returned an experienced team if not for the cancelation of the season. With that being said, Point Beach returns a lot of experienced players who have been through the battles – both with Ranney and against other quality teams from around the Shore Conference. The returning group knows what it will take to knock off the Panthers, and while the end goal for a Group I school like Point Beach is an NJSIAA sectional championship at the end of the year, the first order of business is to give Ranney its best shot when the two meet for the first of two showdowns on Wednesday. A senior core of Phil Trebour, Colin Matuschat, Andrew Banick, Connor DeLorenzo, Hunter Roselli and Owen West are set to lead the Garnet Gulls this season. Trebour and Banick are both two-way players, with Banick coming off a huge offensive season as a junior while also serving as Point Beach’s most dependable starter. Trebour has been the team’s closer, which allows him more innings at his primary shortstop position. Matuschat will move across the diamond from third base to first with the graduation of Alec Glenn and the ascendance of younger brother, Bryan Matuschat, who will play third base. Senior Braden Ryan played a utility role off the bench last season and is set to take over the starting second base job, giving the Garnet Gulls yet another senior in the starting lineup. DeLorenzo, Banick and Roselli lead the outfield group, with Lorenzo playing centerfield and junior James Larsen ready to fill-in when Banick pitches. Banick, West, Larsen and junior Jackson Killian are all coming off strong seasons as starters on the mound, with Banick and West pitching in games outside of the Class B Central schedule and Larsen and Killian doing most of their work in the division. Junior Nate Van Norman and sophomore Bryan Matuschat are both in line for innings as well and the staff will be throwing to first-year starting catcher Nate Clayton, who got a good dose of experience as a freshman in 2021. Regardless of what happens against Ranney in the division race, Point Beach’s season is a success with a few notable accomplishments: win the Class A Central public division title, knock off at last one larger school from outside the division (preferably in the Ocean County or Shore Conference Tournament) and make a serious run at a long-awaited Central Group I championship. With that senior core gearing up for one last run together, there is sure to be some urgency within this Garnet Gulls team and that could be what pushes them over the top.

KEYPORT HEAD COACH: Kyle Keelen, 10th season 2021 RECORD: 7-7 (6-4, third in Class B Central) KEY LOSSES: Sean Lachky (C), Ean Hospital (2B/RHP), Jake Mitchell (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Liam Killian, Fr. First Base: Mason Hospital, Jr. Second Base: Carter Williams, So.; Nick Dowd, So. – Transfer from Henry Hudson; Derek Ferm, Fr. Shortstop: Anthony Longo, Sr. Third Base: D.J. Thomson, Sr. Leftfield: Jack DiPaolo, Sr. Centerfield: George Mitchell, Sr. Rightfield: Josh Dswonyk, Sr.; Tim Connallon, Sr.

The slightly-shortened 2021 season limited Keyport to just 14 games, so the Red Raiders did not get the most complete picture of what they could do. What they did see in that collection of games, though, was a duo on the mound that can give Keyport a chance to compete with a lot of teams in the conference, including with Point Beach for the B Central public division championship. Senior right-handers Anthony Longo and Jack DiPaolo are two of the division’s better pitchers and any success Keyport has this season will be on their backs. Both seniors pound the strikeout and are able to overpower most Class B Central lineups while doing a good job managing contact against the lineups of larger schools. The downside to Longo or DiPaolo being on the mound is it takes them away from their positions in the field, which is especially difficult when Longo is not at shortstop. For Keyport to take advantage of their two-man attack on the mound, the Red Raiders will have to catch the ball behind both of them and there is a

KEY LOSSES: Trevor Hendrickson (2B/RHP), Aaron Lynch (OF) AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Hayden Kurdes, So.; Aiden Winters, So. First Base: Chris Parmigiani, So. Second Base: Teddy Fariello, Fr. Shortstop: Aiden Winters, So.; Brandon Hendrickson, So. Third Base: Colton O’Connor, So. Leftfield: Dylan Gonzalez, So. Centerfield: Brandon Hendrickson, So.; Hayden Kurdes, So. Rightfield: Phinn Kozic, Fr.

The Admirals had the youngest team in the Shore Conference last season and while it wasn’t a good season by the overall results, there were some encouraging developments that should lead to some optimism going forward. The Admirals won two divisional games – both over Mater Dei Prep – and played two competitive games against Keyport, which suggests that Henry Hudson is getting closer to climbing up the B Central ranks. Only two contributors from last year’s team graduated, so Henry Hudson should be ready for a step forward with its sophomore-heavy group. Aiden Winters emerged as a dependable all-around player who can catch, play on the infield and provide innings on the mound, depending on whatever the need is for first-year coach Mike Herrmann. Fellow sophomore Brandon Hendrickson has similar versatility, while Hayden Kurdes will play multiple positions and pitch as well. Chris Parmigiani and Dylan Gonzalez are the other returning sophomores, with Parmigiani proving the Admirals with a left-hander for the starting rotation and Gonzalez contributing in the outfield and on the mound. Colton O’Connor is a sophomore with an increased role as a new starter at third base and freshmen Teddy Fariello and Phin Kozic are set to join the starting nine as well in their first seasons. Henry Hudson’s formula has been to start its players young and ride them until they become a senior group and that process is still in its early stages. It will probably take at least another year of lumps, but the Admirals have a young core that will have a chance to grow together and, eventually, win together.

MATER DEI PREP HEAD COACH: Mike Eckert, 2nd season 2021 RECORD: 1-15 (1-9, sixth in Class B Central) KEY LOSSES: Jack Olausen (1B/RHP), Xavier Maldonado (C), Jeremy Ramos (2B), David Shkolniy (3B/RHP), Andreas Von Fricke (OF), Jake Jacobson (Sr., OF) – Transferred to Red Bank Catholic AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Cal Lugay, Sr.; Jayden Rodriguez, So. First Base: Anthony Tancredi, Sr.; Brian Burnett, Jr. Second Base: Gerard Novello, Sr. Shortstop: Sean Hanna, Jr. Third Base: Ben Morgan, Jr.; Brian Burnett, Jr. Leftfield: David Corbisiero, Sr. Centerfield: Gavin Sansone, So. Rightfield: Kole Devaney, Sr. DH: William Weberlist (So., 2B/3B)

Just three years removed from winning the outright Class B Central championship, Mater Dei is coming off what might have been the worst season in program history, in which the Seraphs relied heavily on players whose primary focus was on other sports but were open to giving baseball a try with the team looking to fill open spots. This year will have a similar dynamic for the Seraphs, and with an extra year of experience, second-year head coach Mike Eckert is hoping the results start to come around. Mater Dei has a pair of solid all-around players in Sean Hanna and Gavin Sansone, with both players slotting in at an up-the-middle defensive position – Hanna at shortstop and Sansone in centerfield – and occupying the top two spots in the starting rotation. Mater Dei also brings back starting experience at second base with Gerard Novello and at the corner outfield spots with seniors David Corbisiero and Kole Devaney. Anthony Tancredi is a new starter at first base and in the rotation, but he is a 6-foot-6 senior basketball player who will offer some athleticism and strength to the roster. Behind the plate, Eckert will offer his catching expertise to senior Cal Lugay and sophomore Jayden Rodriguez, either of whom will be a first-year starter. The other two new starters will be at third base and designated hitter, with juniors Ben Morgan and Brian Burnett angling for thirdbase at-bats and William Weberlist setting himself up as the extra hitter. Burnett and Morgan are also set to help out on the mound. It was only three years ago that Mater Dei was a contender for the top spot, so it getting back into the top three of the division seems within reach, even if there is a lot of ground to cover between last season and the start of this one.

KEANSBURG HEAD COACH: Uriel Morfin, 1st season 2021 RECORD: 5-8 (3-7, fourth in Class B Central) KEY LOSSES: Waylon Manoes (3B/RHP), Connor Graf (SS/RHP), Rian Rivera (3B/OF/RHP), Lou Chalmers (C). AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Ryan Comey, Jr. First Base: Kyle Scott, Jr. Second Base: Aiden Flynn, Jr. Shortstop: Donny Antonucci, Jr.; Victor Ventura, Jr. Third Base: Matt Keelen, Sr.; Victor Concepcion, Sr. Leftfield: Antonio Alejandro, Jr.; Mike Alonso, Jr. Centerfield: Andrew Valle, Sr. Rightfield: Phil Sears, So., James Valle, Fr.

The Titans had a lot to replace coming off last season’s five-win campaign, not the least of which was the head coach. Uriel Morfin replaces Ryan Lillis as the Keansburg skipper and he will have some key contributors from last year to replace, including all-division twoway standout Waylon Manoes. With openings at third base, shortstop, catcher and at the top of the rotation, there are some questions about how Keansburg will be able to replace what was lost. Morfin will be looking to experienced varsity players to take over at those key spots, with junior Ryan Comey moving from the outfield to catcher, Matt Keelen moving from first base to third, junior Aiden Flynn shifting from the outfield to second base, and junior Donny Antonucci taking over shortstop full time after getting a dose of time in the field last year. One spot that will carry over from last year is in centerfield, where senior Andrew Valle is back to patrol the grass. Junior Antonio Alejandro is a new starter in left but has varsity experience, while first baseman Kyle Scott, sophomore Phil Sears, junior Victor Ventura and freshman James Valle all look to make an impact in their first varsity seasons. The pitching staff is almost entirely new as well, with Keelen, Valle and Alejandro returning with at least some experience on a varsity mound. Antonucci and Sears will also be key cogs on the rubber for Keansburg, which will have to sort through the new faces in new places on the way toward competing for a spot in the top four of the division.

ASBURY PARK HEAD COACH: Keith Killea, 1st season 2021 RECORD: Did not play AROUND THE DIAMOND: Catcher: Exiever Chathaunt, Sr. First Base: Ahkim Esdaile, So. Second Base: Shakim Patterson, Fr. Shortstop: Sha’Born Goodman, Jr. Third Base: DeShay Rolfe, Sr. Leftfield: Yahmiere Bowles, Jr. Centerfield: Dacarri Diaz, Jr. Rightﬁeld: Nestor Castillo, Fr. DH: Darin Bacote-Dorsin (Jr., INF); Jahsim Dixon-Wesley (Jr., OF); Grieven Velasquez-Torres (So., INF/OF)

It has been almost three full years since Asbury Park played a baseball game, with the school opting not to field a team last year on the heels of the canceled 2020 season. The Blue Bishops will look to build it back up under first-year coach Keith Killea, who will officially be the first person to coach an Asbury Park baseball game since longtime coach Johnny Grasso stepped down following the 2019 campaign. While Asbury Park will inherently be the Shore’s most inexperienced team, the Blue Bishops are not without experience. Senior Exiever Chathuant was a starter as a freshman and will give his team a steady presence behind the plate and near the top of the batting order. He is one of only four seniors on the roster, with DeShay Rolfe playing third base, Javyion Daniels heading the starting rotation and Sakai Yi also part of the pitching staff. Sha’Born Goodman has proven himself to be a talented athlete on the basketball court and the junior will apply his talents to shortstop and on the pitching staff. He will team with freshman second baseman Shakim Patterson, sophomore first baseman Ahkim Esdaile and Rolfe in the infield, while juniors Dacarri Diaz and Yahmiere Bowles lead an outfield that also includes freshman Nestor Castillo. Asbury Park’s approach under Grasso was to split games on the mound between as many as seven pitchers and without a lot of experienced arms, Killea is likely to go back to that strategy. It will take some maneuvering and quick learning for the Blue Bishops to compete with more seasoned teams this season, but it’s just good to see baseball back at Asbury Park.

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