Baseball – 2014 Preview: Ranney

Ranney Panthers

Head Coach: Jerry Del Guercio, first season
Record Last Year: 2-15 (2-12, seventh in B Central)

Key Losses: Madison Price (C), John Mejia (P/1B/OF)
Key Newcomers: Steve Ansell (Fr., C), Austin Dobrzynski (Fr., OF)

Team Outlook

Last season was, as expected, one of acclimation and adjustment for the Panthers in their first season as a member of the Shore Conference. Ranney picked up two wins on the season, both against Asbury Park, and focused most of their attention on the 14 division games while trying to give their young players a chance to sharpen their skills against the competition they will be seeing from here on out.

For the most part, Ranney went with a young roster last season and will attempt to take advantage of the host of returning talent and build upon those two division wins. Outside of catcher Madison Price, the Panthers bring back a number of regulars, led by junior John Mejia and sophomores Cory Natofsky and James Geraghty. Joe Murphy, John Weiland and Steven Jacobson will provide the Panthers with senior leadership as well as some production in the top five of the order.

No one expected the Panthers to make a dent in the Shore Conference immediately, so this is another season to build a rolodex of experience. In due time, Ranney will have a chance to contend every year along the lines of what Mater Dei does, but this year is unlikely to be one of those years.