Pitching is the name of the game in the preseason Shore 16 and for the second straight year, the non-public teams of the Shore are leading the field to open the season.
The best 2023 division race in the Shore Conference could be even better in 204, with Toms River East joining Southern, Brick Memorial and Jackson Memorial in the battle for A South.
Ace Cole Manfro was available, but sophomore Brady Leach got the ball Saturday against Toms River South and pitch Brick Memorial into its first OCT final since 2013.
With a limited amount of varsity experience, Brick Memorial hopes a tough draw in July's Last Dance World Series has prepared its group for a season in the always-challenging Class A South division.