Baseball – 2021 Shore Conference Preview: Holmdel
Holmdel lost an important developmental year for its returning players but the good news is there are a lot of returning players. Only three of them started in 2019, but the pitching staff and infield that entered camp in 2020 remain almost entirely intact for 2021, giving the Hornets plenty of reasons for optimism. Throw in a revamped home field and the arrow is pointing up for Holmdel.
Seniors Louie Curcio and Brett Hilsheimer already have experience as varsity starters and will man the keystone and the hot corner, respectively. Hilsheimer is also part of a promising pitching staff that will be led by senior left-hander Jake Umans, who is ready to elevate from rotation contributor to staff leader.
Andrew Woodward and Christian Gravier are two more seniors to shore up the pitching staff, with Woodward also moving into the shortstop spot two years after missing his sophomore season due to injury. Catcher Jason Sparkes also lost a year to injury before losing another to the pandemic and the senior is ready to prove he is among the Shore’s top backstops.
Sophomores Brandon Cieplensky and Tim Haggerty, as well as freshman James Vallilo, are the impact underclassmen in the Holmdel lineup. Vallillo and Haggerty will join seniors Reese and Sam Goldberg in the outfield, where Holmdel will have more inexperience than it has throughout the infield and the pitching staff. With plenty of leadership at key positions and some upside in the pitching staff, though, there is a lot to like about this year’s Hornets club.
Holmdel at a Glance
Head Coach: Chris Arecchi, fourth season
Key Losses: Sal Marzano (OF), Nick Ammirati (OF), Mike Lobifaro (OF)
Around the Diamond (Returning 2019 starters in bold with available stats)
Catcher: Jason Sparkes, Sr.
First Base: Brandon Cieplensky, So.
Second Base: Louie Curcio, Sr. (.215/.346/.261, 3 2B, 12 R, 5 RBI)
Shortstop: Andrew Woodward, Sr.
Third Base: Brett Hilsheimer, Sr. (.186/.296/.220, 2 2B, 8 R, 12 RBI)
Left Field: Reese Goldberg, Sr.
Center Field: James Vallilo, Fr.
Right Field: Tim Haggerty, So.
DH: Sean Brescia (Jr., 1B)
Other Key Hitters
Sam Goldberg (Sr., OF)
Mike McConnell (Sr., OF)
John Spallin (Jr., OF)
Alex Price (Jr., C)
James Hanley (Jr., INF)
Brayden Savage (Fr., C)
Pitchers
Jake Umans, Sr., LHP
Christian Gravier, Sr., RHP
Brett Hilsheimer, Sr., RHP
Andrew Woodward, Sr., RHP
Reese Goldberg, Sr., RHP
J.V. Lobifaro, Jr., RHP
Brandon Cieplensky, So., LHP
Max Woodward, So., RHP
College Commitments
Louie Curcio – Centenary University
Brett Hilsheimer – Kean University
Jake Umans – Alvernia University
Andrew Woodward – Le Moyne College