Baseball – 2015 Preview: Class B Central

The 2014 season was another year of the Roses in the Shore Conference Class B Central as St. Rose dominated to the tune of a 14-0 division record. St. Rose did not do as well outside the division, but the Roses did represent the division well in an extra-inning loss to Christian Brothers Academy in the Monmouth County Tournament and a regular-season win over St. John Vianney.

Winning B Central is an expectation for St. Rose and this year is going to be no different, with the Purple Roses returning as much or talent than any other contender.

St. Rose

Head Coach: Chris LeMore, first season
2014 Record: 17-7 (14-0, first in B Central)

Key Losses: Conor Gammond (2B), Will King (C), Jimmy Gowen (P), Parker Haggerty (P), Ryan Stewart (3B), Matt Oujo (OF)
Key Newcomers: Tim Pannuzzo (Sr., P), Ryan Sharfenberg (Sr., P), Tanner Long (Jr., 1B), Austin Dave (So., 1B), Nick DelRusso (So., C/2B), Joe Volpe (So., 3B/2B), John Crowley (Fr., P/OF), Riley Maypother (Fr., P/INF)

The Purple Rose steamrolled Class B Central last season, going 14-0 in the division on the way to a division title. The rest of the schedule was not as kind to St. Rose, and those non-division games are always a major measuring stick for how good a season the Purple Roses had. Last year was certainly a success because of the 14-0 mark and the season also included a regular-season win over eventual NJSIAA Non-Public A champion St. John Vianney, but the Roses want to take the next step and enjoy some postseason success. The season begins with two significant tests against Marlboro and Colts Neck before the division schedule starts, so the Shore will get an early look at how good St. Rose can be under new head coach Chris LeMore – a former head coach of Marlboro, as well as Red Bank Regional.

At their best, the Purple Roses crushed the ball as an offense last season with Johnny Kussmaul, Kyle Missry and Travis Cloney leading the way with now-graduated sluggers Conor Gammond, Will King and Ryan Stewart on board as well. Kussmaul, Missry and Cloney are all back, as is sophomore shortstop J.P. Traynor, who hit .441 with a home run as a freshman.  Junior Mike Gowen also got starting experience last season, while a wave of sophomores will help replace some of the big hitters, led by athletic outfielder Brendan Hueth.

Seniors Jason Criscuolo and Patric Fullman will lead the pitching staff after successful seasons last year. Losing Jimmy Gowen and Parker Haggerty at the top of the rotation will challenge the senior duo to step in and pitch in St. Rose’s toughest games, but both passed last year’s test with flying colors. St. Rose has more than enough talent on hand to handle the division again, and the talented crop of sophomores that will complement the returning mashers give the Purple Roses a mix that should be able to contend outside of B Central as well.

Mater Dei Prep

Head Coach: Pat Riddell, 11th season
2014 Record: 13-9 (12-2, second in B Central)

Key Losses: Matt Eckert (2B), Sam Miles (OF/P), Danny Poracky (OF), Jerry Trotta (OF), Taylor LaVine (C), Anthony Stanziale (P), Taylor Hardy (P)
Key Newcomers: Ryan Fanner (Sr., OF), Matt Bender (Sr., 1B), Nick Roditis (Jr., P/OF), Kyle Dowlen (So., 3B/P), Nick Massaro (Jr., C/1B)

Two months ago, it appeared this would be the last season of Mater Dei Prep baseball – and Mater Dei everything, for that matter. Now, it appears that might not be the case thanks to a student-led fundraising effort that has raised the $1 million required to keep the school’s doors open for another year. While that means the urgency to win will not be quite so intense, there will still be a fire to the season for the Seraphs.

Mater Dei’s only two losses in the division last year came against St. Rose. Like the Purple Roses, the Seraphs did not fare as well against the non-division schedule, going 1-7. In order to build on last year’s winning campaign, the Seraphs will have to retool their pitching staff after graduating their top three pitchers from a year ago. Senior Liam Olausen returns after throwing 17 strong innings, in which he posted a 2.02 ERA with 27 strikeouts and only two walks. Junior Joe Ruth, sophomore Vinny Stanziale and junior Nick Roditis will also pick up some of the open innings to form a relatively young staff that could not only help the Seraphs this year, but also help in the nearly-secured 2016 season.

Mater Dei’s position players will look to lend the new pitching staff plenty of support in the field and at the plate, led by versatile senior Vincenzo Mezzacappa, who socked two home runs and scored 19 runs last season. Senior Patric Donohue is also back at second base after hitting just under .300 and Ruth is due for a full season in the lineup after only logging 18 at-bats as a sophomore because of the transfer rule. Ruth and Mezzacappa will provide some pop in the lineup, but the Seraphs’ season will come down to how quickly the pitching staff establishes itself.

Point Pleasant Beach

Head Coach: Angelo Fiore, second season
2014 Record: 9-13 (7-7, fourth in B Central)

Key Losses: Noah Yates (SS/P), Sean Struncius (1B/C/P), Luke Maas (INF), Jeff Duefel (P), Matt VanNostrand (Jr., INF) – Transferred to Point Boro
Key Newcomers: Connor Prima (So., OF/P), John Nista (Fr., INF/P), Jason Bowers (So., INF/P), Zach Schaller (Sr., OF), Blake Taylor (Sr., 1B), Scott Smith (Sr., OF)

Over the past five seasons, St. Rose has been the best team in Class B Central, but Point Beach is the only team to dethrone the Purple Roses during that stretch, and the Garnet Gulls have done it twice. Last year, though, was not one of those years as Point Beach could not replace its lost pitching and did not quite have the lineup depth that it did during the two division-winning seasons. It was also a relatively young roster last season, and although replacing standout shortstop Noah Yates is not going to be easy, returning the numbers that they do should get Point Beach back into the No. 1 position to challenge St. Rose.

Senior outfielder Antonio Garcia returns off a breakout season in which he posted an OPS over 1.000 and is a strong candidate to lead off again this season. Senior Mike Frauenheim is a versatile athlete across three sports and is versatile within baseball after playing in the infield and the outfield last year. Frauenheim will play in the outfield this season, part of a deep stable of outfielders that will be able to contribute.

Point Beach hopes to get back to the top behind the development of its returning pitchers, namely junior John VanSchoick. In addition to hitting in the middle of the order and playing third base, VanSchoick is in line to pitch at the top of the rotation again this season, and he already has experience pitching against St. Rose and the other top teams on the Garnet Gulls' schedule. Senior Geno Antognoli and sophomore Kevin Donnelly are also two-way players who will be integral pieces of the pitching staff, with Donnelly coming off 16 freshman innings in which he posted a 1.71 ERA. With a jump to the next level in the pitching department, Point Beach will have no problem improving on last year’s 7-7 division record and will compete with St. Rose and Mater Dei in the division.

Keansburg

Head Coach: Brian Kmak, 17th season
2014 Record: 11-10 (10-4, third in B Central)

Key Losses: Mike Politano (OF/P), Mike Keelen (2B/3B), Josh Heck (P/1B), Joe Breheny (OF), Nic Vloyanetes (OF), Nick Thompson (C)
Key Newcomers: Joe Osterbye (Fr., C/P), Justin Alessi (Fr., 2B), Tyrell Wilson (Sr., OF/P)

On paper, there does not appear to be a fourth team that can join Point Beach or Mater Dei as teams that can challenge St. Rose in the division. Last year, Keansburg was in that mix and finished third in the division thanks to a solid senior class that will be missed in 2015. Juniors Ian Terry and Austin Blum had solid seasons as sophomores last year and will be key pieces in the lineup and the pitching staff going into this year. Blum hit .381 as a sophomore while also throwing 17 solid innings with a 2.62 ERA, and Terry gives the Titans an experienced player at shortstop.

Senior Jim McAteer is the lone senior returning player on the Titans and will be playing in the outfield and helping to anchor the pitching staff. Outside of McAteer, senior outfielder Tyrell Wilson is the only other senior with an inside track at a starting spot, while junior center fielder Gannon Meyer and sophomore infielder Matt Gibney move into the starting lineup. The freshman duo of catcher Joe Osterbye and second baseman Justin Alessi are also likely to contribute to a Keansburg team that is starting out behind the top three in the division but should contend for a spot in the top four of the field.

Keyport

Head Coach: Kyle Keelen, fourth season
2014 Record: 6-12 (6-8, fifth in B Central)

Key Losses: Jonathan Trigg (C/P), Ryan Leary (2B), Eric Chandler (1B/P), Rob Trigg (OF), Jeremy Colon (3B), Anthony Fernandez (Sr., OF) – Torn ACL; out for season
Key Newcomers: Rob Hila (Sr., C/P), Ken Harrigan (Jr., OF/P), Jackson Aumack (So., 2B)

After an enduring a rebuilding year of sorts in 2014, Keyport’s hopes of a bounceback season took a significant blow when senior outfielder Anthony Fernandez suffered a torn ACL that will knock him out for the season. Coupled with the graduation of Ryan Leary, Eric Chandler and Jonathan Trigg, the Red Raiders will be looking to fill more spots than they might have previously anticipated.

On the bright side, last year was a chance for a number of younger players to get their feet wet on the varsity team, and the Red Raiders were mostly competitive within the division despite the inexperienced roster. Junior third baseman Kyle Mitchell leads a group of four regulars from last year’s team, which includes only one senior in outfielder Jake Caverly. Mitchell enjoyed a breakout season in which he smacked six doubles while hitting .326 as a sophomore.

As for this year’s group of sophomores, shortstop Christian Mitchell leads the way, while Kyle Johnson and Shane Chandler both saw a dose of playing time last year. Junior Steven Chandler was a baserunning specialist who stole 15 bases last year and also pitched to a 1.47 ERA in 19 innings. Chandler and Mitchell give Keyport a junior duo to lead the way but in light of the injury to Fernandez, it will take an emergence of the sophomore class to help Keyport contend with the likes of Point Beach and Mater Dei.

Ranney

Head Coach: Glenn Slocum, first season
2014 Record: 2-13 (1-13, eighth in B Central)

Key Losses: Steve Jacobsen (OF/P), John Weiland (INF), Joe Mahoney (2B)
Key Newcomers: Luke Price (Fr., C), Alex Godek (Fr., 2B), Kiran Shah (Fr., CF), Jerome Cohan (Jr., RF)

Although last year was a rough one for the Panthers, there is reason for optimism under first-year coach and recent Mater Dei graduate Glenn Slocum in 2015. Senior left-hander John Mejia returns for his fourth varsity season after putting up all-division numbers at the plate and on the mound, where he posted a 3.95 ERA over 28 1/3 innings with 27 strikeouts and nine walks. Mejia led three Panthers players who slugged .500 or better, slugging .674 thanks to nine doubles and a .534 average. Junior shortstop James Geraghty hit .380 with eight doubles, while junior third baseman Corey Natofsky also returns to the left side of the infield after clubbing three doubles and a home run to go with 19 stolen bases.

Juniors Max Godek and Chris Weiland also return to the lineup after playing as sophomores last season, while seniors Prakhar Nair and Suraj Chaudhary have positioned themselves to be key contributors in the outfield this season. Freshman Kiran Shah has a chance to start in center field in his first high school season, while classmates Luke Price and Alex Godek both look to crack the lineup as well – Price at catcher and Godek at second base. Although the Panthers could look even younger than they did a year ago, the trio of Mejia, Geraghty and Natofsky should help Ranney climb out of last place and start moving toward the middle of the pack.

Henry Hudson

Head Coach: Vinnie Whitehead, third season
2014 Record: 5-12 (4-10, sixth in B Central)

Key Losses: Ben Thompson (CF/P), Pat Delatore (OF), Andrew Berry (INF/P)
Key Newcomers: Jack Slocum (So., OF), Joe Vamvakidis (Sr., INF/OF)

The Admirals return a good amount of starters from last year’s team, but one of their losses was all-division performer Ben Thompson, who carried Henry Hudson at the plate, on the mound and in center field last year. With Thompson gone, the Admirals could struggle to score as no returning player had a batting average better than .239 or a slugging percentage better than .282.

Senior Kyle Rauen is the top returning starter for Henry Hudson after he hit .239 with two doubles last year while also throwing 25 innings on the mound. Senior catcher Alonso Olson is also back to give Henry Hudson some much-needed experience behind the plate, while sophomore Ryan Doegler held his own in multiple roles as a freshman last year. Sophomore Tom Colantino also played as a freshman and scored 10 runs.

If Henry Hudson takes a step forward this season, it will be thanks to its pitching, led by sophomore Brendan Carlstrom. Although Carlstrom pitched to a 4.81 ERA last year, he did so while pitching against the better teams in B Central and gave up a respectable 31 hits in 32 innings – all as a freshman. This year could end up being a retooling year for the Admirals, but as Carlstrom develops over his final three high school seasons, expect Henry Hudson to move up the standings with one of the division’s better pitchers.

Asbury Park

Head Coach: Johnny Grasso, ninth season
2014 Record: 3-13 (2-12, seventh in B Central)

Key Losses: Will Wells (CF/P), Angel Rosario (SS), Joel Hernandez (C), Paul Bacon (3B)
Key Newcomers: Anthony Fraser (Fr., OF), Henry McGee (So., 2B/P), Casey McGinnis (Jr., P/2B), Quaimere Mohammed (Fr., SS/3B), Kyrie Moore (Fr., OF/1B), Devin Nash-McGee (Fr., CF), Luis Rodriguez (Fr., C), Milton Simmons (Fr., OF), Tylil Tully (Fr., 2B), Kevin Reeves (Fr., UTIL)

A 3-13 year is one to forget for most programs and it was not necessarily a reason to celebrate for Asbury Park in 2014, either. On the other hand, the Blue Bishops have faced challenges even fielding a full roster at times over the last decade-plus and last year, they not only competed more regularly but they also climbed out of last place for the first time in in more than a decade. To cap its season, senior Will Wells shined in the Senior All-Star Game after turning in an all-division season in his only year with Asbury Park after transferring from Neptune.

With Wells gone, Asbury Park will have to replace its best hitter and best pitcher from a year ago. Junior catcher Jahmel Dixon returns as the team’s top hitter after hitting .381 with three doubles and two triples as a sophomore. No other Asbury Park player hit better than .224 last year, but senior outfielder Jarrod Fletcher returns after showing extra-base power as a junior with four doubles and a triple.

Pitching will be a question mark with only 21 innings returning, but the Blue Bishops found a groove last year by throwing several pitchers for an inning or two over seven innings. The good news is Asbury Park seems to have some numbers at the varsity level this season, and if that manifests itself on the mound at all, the Blue Bishops could very well build on last year’s progress.

Division Lineup

Joe Ruth, Catcher, Mater Dei Prep – Slugging catcher who went 6-for-18 with three doubles and pitched against Ocean, St. John Vianney and Monmouth after sitting 30 days following a transfer from Keyport.

Kyle Missry, First Base/Catcher, St. Rose – Finished third in the Shore Conference in slugging percentage (.796) and returns as part of a proven collection of hitters for the Purple Roses.

Ian Terry, Shortstop, Keansburg – A good athlete at shortstop, Terry showed some power last year and could be in line to take a step forward offensively this season.

J.P. Traynor, Shortstop, St. Rose – Hit better than .400 as a freshman while playing a quality shortstop for the division’s top team.

Kyle Mitchell, Third Base, Keyport – Emerged as one of the Red Raiders’ most reliable hitters by the end of the season and will anchor the lineup this year.

Travis Cloney, Outfield, St. Rose – A versatile player who also played some shortstop, Cloney led St. Rose with 10 doubles and 26 runs scored.

Antonio Garcia, Outfield, Point Beach – Set the table for the Garnet Gulls all season long and blasted a home run and four doubles as well.

Johnny Kussmaul, Outfield, St. Rose – Named an All-Shore outfielder by the coaches and Shore Sports Network thanks to gaudy overall numbers and standout performances against St. Rose’s toughest opponents.

Vincenzo Mezzacappa, Outfield/Catcher, Mater Dei Prep – Versatile athlete and sparkplug for the Seraphs hit .359 with two home runs last year.

Pitching Rotation

Jason Criscuolo, RHP, St. Rose – Went 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA as a junior and will get the ball in big games for the Purple Roses.

Patric Fullman, RHP, St. Rose – Threw a five-inning no-hitter last season and finished with a 2.91 ERA last season.

John Mejia, LHP, Ranney – Although he gave up some runs (3.95 ERA), Mejia kept his walks down (nine) and struck out 27 in 28 1/3 innings.

John VanSchoick, RHP, Point Beach – The Garnet Gulls have leaned on VanSchoick for important innings since he was a freshman, and he has been through plenty of big games already.

Brendan Carlstrom, RHP, Henry Hudson – Carlstrom took his lumps as a freshman, but he was a reliable source of innings and should only get better from here.

Breakout Players to Watch

Vinny Stanziale, RHP, Mater Dei Prep – Tossed 10 impressive innings in which he posted an ERA and WHIP under 1.00 and struck out six batters while walking only one.

Kevin Donnelly, LHP/1B, Point Beach – Another sophomore arm, Donnelly was also solid in a small sample: 1.71 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

Steven Chandler, UTIL, Keyport – A source of speed last season, Chandler will get a chance to add more offense to his game this year while also building on a solid showing on the mound.

Brendan Hueth, Outfield, Mater Dei – The younger brother of former All-Shore outfielder Chris Hueth, Brendan is a good athlete who, along with Traynor, is part of a solid sophomore group for the Roses.

Jahmel Dixon, Outfield, Asbury Park – Played well last season as a sophomore, and now Dixon will be the Blue Bishops player other teams have to worry about.