During a busy period for high school baseball players choosing college destination, one of the Shore's top players announced his plans after high school Thursday when Toms River South outfielder T.J. Scuderi announced on Twitter his non-binding verbal commitment to play for Monmouth University.

Scuderi is entering his senior season and his third year as a starter with the Indians. He has already been a two-time Shore Sports Network All-Shore selection - once as a first-team member this past spring and once as a second-team selection as a sophomore in 2016.

This past year, Scuderi batted .388 while finishing among the top 10 in the Shore Conference in home runs (4), triples (3), runs scored (25) and RBI (25). Scuderi also clubbed five doubles, stole 12 bases and posted and on-base percentage of .484 and a slugging percentage of .675.

Toms River South junior T.J. Scuderi. (Photo by Ray Richardson)
Toms River South two-way star T.J. Scuderi. (Photo by Ray Richardson)
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While Scuderi's future in the college game most likely lies in the outfield and at the plate, he has also been a standout pitcher for Toms River South over the last two seasons. For his career, Scuderi is 11-2 with a 1.76 ERA and a 91-to-28 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 83 1/3 innings. He was 6-2 with a 1.29 ERA this past spring.

Scuderi is the fourth Shore Conference player to verbally commit to a Division I program since July 1. Middletown South teammates Aurelio Licata and Joe Sprake committed earlier in the month and Christian Brothers Academy second baseman Jack Harnisch committed to Fordham University on Wednesday.

Licata committed to Seton Hall University after a strong showing in his first varsity season. Licata was a Shore Sports Network All-Shore Third Team selection as a sophomore shortstop in 201, hitting .360 with five doubles, three home runs, 17 runs scored and 17 RBI while posting an on-base percentage of .461 and a slugging percentage of .564.

Sprake was also a full-time starter for the first time in 2017 and announced his commitment to Elon University last Thursday, July 6. He was a middle-order bat in a powerful lineup (.394, two home runs, one triple, five doubles, 15 RBI) and also led the team in innings pitched.

Harnisch is the son of former Major League pitcher Pete Harnisch and enjoyed a successful season as junior first-year starter at second base with the Colts, who return the vast majority of their 2017 starting lineup in 2018.

 

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