Brick Memorial Mustangs

Head Coach: Evan Rizzitello, fourth season
Record Last Year: 15-13 (7-7, tied for fifth in A South)

Returning StartersYr.Position2013 Batting Stats2013 Pitching Stats
Kyle CalaSr.CF.456/.520/.756, 6 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 18 R, 28 RBI
Tyler HobbsSr.SS.247, 11 R, 7 RBI
Joe PipherSr.OF.216, 5 R, 5 RBI
Brian MarkoskiSo.1B.240, 17 BB, 14 R
Matt CuppariSo.3B/SS.292, 7 RBI, 6 R
Anthony AssanteSr.P44 IP, 39 H, 19 BB, 40 K, 2.73 ERA, 4-4
Returning PlayersYr.Position2013 Batting Stats2013 Pitching Stats
Joe TrafficanteSr.P11 IP, 3 BB, 6 K, 2.55 ERA, 1-1
Will KirchoffSr.P14 IP, 3 BB, 12 K, 2.00 ERA, 1-1

 

Key Losses: Brian Cottrell (P), Kyle Skoog (1B/P), Ryan Melia (C), Michael Martone (3B), Corey Zytko (P)
Key Newcomers: Pat Franzoni (Sr., OF), Tyler Goodman (Sr., P), Nick Matteo (Jr., OF/1B), Gerry Rodriguez (Sr., C), Matt Cathey (Jr., INF), Corey Cathey (Jr., OF), Tim Santiago (So., OF), DJ Wilson (So., P), Ian Ambrose (Jr., P), J.T. Hazelet (Jr., P), Jake Voss (Jr., C), Dave Clark (So., INF), Dylan Evans (So., OF/P), Mike Kraft (So., OF)

Team Outlook

Like Toms River North, Brick Memorial labored through the regular season before turning it on for the postseason. A big reason for Brick Memorial’s success in the postseason was because of its dominant pitching, led by Brian Cottrell, which won’t be quite as dominant without the All-Shore right-hander back. Despite losing their ace, the Mustangs bring back their second-best starter down the stretch, as well as the hottest hitter in the conference during the month of May.

Senior center fielder Kyle Cala was in the running for an All-Shore spot thanks to big numbers over the first month of the season, but the Wagner College recruit sealed it by carrying the Mustangs' offense throughout May. Senior right-hander Anthony Assante was also one of the heroes for Brick Memorial during its run to the Central Jersey Group IV final, providing a second starter to go with Cottrell. Assante finished the year with a 2.73 ERA in 44 innings with 40 strikeouts.

The Mustangs will try to make up for the lost talent on the mound, as well as the loss of catcher Ryan Melia and first baseman Kyle Skoog. Senior Tyler Hobbs returns at shortstop to give the team some experience up the middle on the infield, while sophomores Brian Markoski and Matt Cuppari are back after contributing as freshmen. Senior pitchers Joe Trafficante and Will Kirchoff also return after solid seasons in spot duty and both have shown they can get outs against A South lineups.

The Mustangs are more ready-made than Toms River North and they have just as much offense around the diamond as Toms River South, so if the senior trio of pitchers delivers this year, Brick Memorial should be able to compete for a division title before gearing up for another run in the state tournament.

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