Baseball – 2014 Preview: Red Bank

Red Bank Bucs

Head Coach: Nick Tucker, first season
Record Last Year: 11-12 (4-8, fifth in B North)

Key Losses: Ross Gisondi (SS), Dillon Stambaugh (C), Brian Wikoff (P/1B), Chris Stevenson (OF), Joe Jacques (P), Tyler Cook (3B), Copper Gettis (DH)
Key Newcomers: Jonny Milnes (Sr., C), Sha’mere Williams (Sr., 1B), Kyle Mulholland (Sr., 2B), Jesse Mack (Sr., 3B/P), Ryan Lozada (Sr., OF), Ryan Grant (Sr., INF), Ryan Santos (Jr., C), Drew Cook (Jr., INF), Isaiah Sestito (Jr., 1B/P), Leo DiGuilio (Jr., INF/P), Connor Kelly (Jr., OF), Matt Reardon (So., UTIL/P), Nick Massa So., INF/P)

Team Outlook

The Bucs are a lot like Ocean in that they return a few key position players while losing a whole lot, and they also have a senior left-handed pitcher back off a strong year to anchor the rotation. The Bucs also had a poor performance in close games, but pulled out one close win over Red Bank Catholic, which, to that point, had not lost to a Shore Conference team. That win was a statement to those who ignored the close losses and dismissed the lopsided wins and focused only on Red Bank’s win-loss record.

Red Bank returns this year with plenty of holes to fill, but the Bucs have senior left-hander and Eastern Kentucky-bound Jacob Nappi, who is also 34 hits shy of 100 for his career after collecting 26 last year. With more at-bats coming his way this year, that number will be within reach, but even more than another season with a .400 batting average, Red Bank will need Nappi to lead the pitching staff. The rest of the staff could shape up to be pretty dangerous, with junior A.J. Forgione coming back off a strong sophomore year and senior shortstop Corey Martin prepared to take on more innings.

Martin and Nappi are also the top offensive players and senior Sean O’Connell and Connor Kelly also have varsity experience in the field and at the plate that should help boost the lineup. Red Bank will also have the luxury of pushing seniors into the open positions on the field, and first-year coach Nick Tucker expects that this group of well-rounded athletes will adjust quickly to the new roles. Red Bank could use a little more fortune in close games and will have to hope the new starters pan out, but the Bucs also have a nucleus of Nappi, Martin and Forgione who can carry a large share of the load.