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Last April, in lamenting the likelihood the 2020 season would not happen, Barnegat coach Dan McCoy said he thought his Barnegat team could surprise some teams in the Shore Conference Class B South division and an up-and-coming sophomore class was the secret ingredient. Fast-forward a year and with 2020 indeed getting canceled, Barnegat’s Class of 2022 is still somewhat of a secret. If the group turns out to be a secret weapon, the Bengals will have a shot to shoot up the standings.

Barnegat is slated to start at least six juniors in the field and none were varsity starters as freshmen, so it will be an inexperienced bunch. Shortstop Brian Snowden, catcher Anthony Molfino and centerfielder Joe Fiorentino will play up the middle positions as juniors and the other defensive position up the middle will be either sophomore Bryce Davenport or senior mound ace Nick Danbrowney at second base.

Junior P.J. Craig is also in the mix at first base with senior Ryan Tully and Rafael Dominguez is another junior at third base. Throw in Justin Bye and Jared Schworn in the outfield and the fingerprints of the Barnegat juniors will be all over the lineup.

A lot of those juniors will form the pitching staff behind Danbrowney, who has been a reliable option for McCoy since his freshman year and is unique in that he features a knuckleball in his repertoire. Junior Ryan Kulpa is likely to be the top pitcher behind Danbrowney and Craig and Schworn will also be key arms as well. Senior Tyler DelPercio and Dominguez will provide some solid length to a rotation that could be pretty tough once the younger members within it acclimate themselves to the day-in-day life at the varsity level.

Barnegat at a Glance

Head Coach: Dan McCoy, ninth season
Key Losses: Lukas Torres (LHP/OF/1B), Matt Scott (OF), Sean Lucas (3B), Matt Vernieri (RHP), Collin Zarenkiewicz (LHP), Steven Meier (OF), Luke Bush (RHP/C), Trevor Fox (INF)

Around the Diamond (Returning 2019 starters in bold with available stats)

Catcher: Anthony Molfino, Jr.

First Base: Ryan Tully, Sr.; P.J. Craig, Jr.

Second Base: Bryce Davenport, So.; Nick Danbrowney, Sr. (.296/.351/.408, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI)

Shortstop: Brian Snowden, Jr.; Ryan Kulpa, Jr.

Third Base: Rafael Dominguez, Jr.

Leftfield: Justin Bye, Jr.

Centerfield: Joe Fiorentino, Jr.

Rightfield: Jared Schworn, Jr.

DH: Kyle Moore (Sr., C/OF); Nick Danbrowney, Sr.

Other Key Hitters

Andrew Vernieri (Sr., 2B)

Kris Pollack (Sr., OF)

Noah Jeremias (Jr., INF)

Pitchers

Nick Danbrowney, Sr., RHP (3-3, 3.33 ERA, 30.1 IP, 37 H, 15 BB, 30 K)

Ryan Kulpa, Jr., RHP

P.J. Craig, Jr., RHP

Jared Schworn, Jr., RHP

Tyler DelPercio, Sr., RHP

Rafael Dominguez, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Nick Danbrowney – Felician University

 

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