Baseball – 2014: Rumson-Fair Haven

Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs

Head Coach: Kevin James, 12th season
Record Last Year: 10-12 (6-8, tied for fifth in A Central)

Key Losses: Jake Simpson (OF), Joey Spernal (C), Nick Maisto (OF/P), Kyle Christianson (SS), Stephen Christianson (P), John Oakes (1B)
Key Newcomers: Jake D’Amelio (Sr., C), Colin Heath (Sr., OF), Tommy Lyons (Sr., 1B), Alex Riguardi (Sr., P), Pat Scinto (Sr., 2B), Brian Smith (Sr., P), Lucas Scinto (Jr., OF), Jake Caruso (So., INF), Matt Maisto (So., OF), Max Pfrang (So., C), Teddy Sourlis (So., LHP)

Team Outlook

Kevin James returns to the dugout as the Bulldogs head coach after a two-year hiatus, during which he was an assistant at Colts Neck in 2012 and St. John Vianney in 2013. James takes over a Rumson team that must replace some quality players, but all indications are that the Bulldogs have the up-and-coming talent to handle the chore.

In a division that has been short on pitching in recent years, the Bulldogs appear to have a wealth of it. Senior right-hander and Seton Hall recruit Shane McCarthy missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from elbow surgery and has bounced back well leading up to the high school season. Junior right-hander Morgan Maguire has already committed to Old Dominion and began to flash the potential of a dominant high school arm last year while also showing plenty of extra-base power at the plate. Senior Chris Drummond is the oft-forgotten pitcher of the bunch, but he had more success than either of his Division I teammates last year, when he threw 25 quality innings and rapped eight doubles at the plate.

Led by Drummond, Maguire, third baseman Tom Culligan, first baseman Kenny Ferrare, and shortstop Max Goione, the lineup has the makings of a deep one, so the challenge for a Bulldogs team with talent on the mound and at the plate will be to catch the ball in the field. Rumson replaces six starters in the field, so that may be a process that begins to show progress in late April rather than on opening day, but as long as there is progress in the field and healthy arms trotting out to the mound each game, Rumson will be a contender in A Central.