Baseball – 2014 Preview: Red Bank Catholic
Red Bank Catholic Caseys
Head Coach: Buddy Hausmann, seventh season
Record Last Year: 23-4 (14-0, first place in Class A Central)
| Returning Starters | Yr. | Position | 2013 Batting Stats | 2013 Pitching Stats |
| Al Molina | Sr. | SS/P | .345/.426/.460, 4 2B, 2 HR, 24 R, 19 RBI, 11 SB | 15 IP, 7 H, 7 BB, 19 K, 0.93 ERA, 2-0 |
| Brendan Madigan | Sr. | OF/2B | .323/.377/.365, 2 2B, 1 3B, 25 R, 10 RBI, 19 SB | |
| Matt Kurdewon | Sr. | 3B/1B | .300/.406/.450, 9 2B, 1 HR, 17 R, 17 RBI, 7 SB | |
| Mike Alescio | Sr. | C | .348/.488/.394, 3 2B, 8 R, 15 RBI | |
| Tom Puza | Sr. | P | 39.2 IP, 27 H, 16 BB, 40 K, 1.06 ERA, 6-0 | |
| Returning Players | Yr. | Position | 2013 Batting Stats | 2013 Pitching Stats |
| Chris Bender | Jr. | OF | .294/.351/.324, 1 2B, 5 R, 3 RBI | |
| Ryan Huhn | Sr. | OF | ||
| Danny Sullivan | Sr. | C/DH | ||
| Jack Kissinger | Sr. | P | 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 R | |
| Joe Liddy | Sr. | P | 1 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K, 4 ER | |
| Vin Viterelli | Sr. | P | 6 R, 4 SB |
Key Losses: Mike Rescigno (3B/P), Joe Iacobellis (OF), Anthony Yaccarine (OF), Ron Robinson (1B), Nick Daniele (OF), John Selden (P)
Key Newcomers: Tom Merlo (Jr., RF), Evan Madigan (So., 2B/SS), Doug Facendo (So., 1B/C), Mike Spinelli (So., 3B/LF), Mike Ianelli (Jr., 1B), Steve Flego (Sr., 1B/DH), Joe Montano (Jr., OF/P), Tom Montano (Jr., P), Nick King (Jr., P), Griffin Keller (Jr., 2B)
Team Outlook
The Caseys were steamrolling through the Shore Conference last season before getting picked off by Red Bank Regional heading into the tournament portion of the schedule. The loss to the crosstown rival Bucs was the first domino to fall and although Red Bank Catholic won the Monmouth County Tournament championship, its season ended with upset defeats to Jackson Liberty in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and to Paul VI in the opening round of the NJSIAA South Non-Public A playoffs.
On top of putting last season behind them, the Caseys will also have to replace some key pieces – most notably Maryland freshman Mike Rescigno. On the bright side, many of RBC’s other key players from last year are back, including shortstop and Coastal Carolina recruit Al Molina, catcher and Seton Hall recruit Mike Alescio, ace right-hander Tom Puza, and standout infielders Matt Kurdewon and Brendan Madigan. After manning second base last year, Madigan will see more time in center field to make room for younger brother, Evan, at second base. Evan Madigan leads a talented group of sophomores that will look to fill in some of the gaps left behind by graduation.
The pitching behind Puza is unproven, which is why Molina will likely see his workload on the mound increase after throwing 15 dominant relief innings last year. The Caseys have plenty of arms to try out and if one or two of them behind Puza and Molina emerge as breakout pitchers, RBC will be tough for St. John Vianney – or anyone else – to overcome.
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