Play Ball!

The high school baseball season gets into full swing today although there were some openers yesterday when the weather was nicer than what we expect today.

Class “A South” is clearly the best division in Ocean County and often the shore and the division features four teams that have title aspirations.  Two of them meet head on this afternoon when Jackson Memorial travels to Brick Memorial.  The Jaguars are coming off a 25-3 season but have to replace some outstanding players, including pitcher Brandon Holup who late in the season threw five consecutive shutouts.

Coach Frank Malta has built an outstanding program and Jackson certainly rates the role of co-favorite in the division.  Sharing that status figures to be Toms River North, who returns a host of talented players and will open today at Lacey.

Of course Toms River South always figures into the mix as the Indians tied Jackson for the “A South” crown last spring, a year in which Ken Frank became New Jersey’s winningist coach.  The Big Chief is back for a 35^th season with South to host Toms River East this afternoon.