Manasquan 2021 Baseball Preview

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Will Hopkinson and Alex Galvan helped Manasquan win the program’s first overall group championship in three decades as freshmen and ended their high-school careers with a sendoff that could best be described as unceremonious. On top of losing the 2020 season, Manasquan was not able to participate in the Last Dance World Series and will now look to turn the page after graduating a talented, accomplished senior class.

The one player on Manasquan with some starting experience in 2019 is Pat Woodford, who started five games in right field as a freshman and will reprise that role as a junior in 2021. Senior David Frost and juniors Mike Antonucci and Ryan Degnan were also expected to be starters in 2020 and with three of the four back next year, there is the potential for Manasquan to develop a new core over the next two seasons.

Catchers Josh Terry and Mike Presbrey, first baseman Zac LaVigna and outfielder Cole Kozlowski are four more junior bats who will make an impact, while senior Trevor Wells figures into the offensive picture as well. Manasquan also has a pair of sophomores ready to jump into the positions left open by Hopkinson and Galvan, with Cullen Condon taking over shortstop and Jack O’Shea in the mix at first base with LaVigna. Brett Patten is another sophomore lobbying for time in the outfield.

The pitching rotation will be a junior-heavy unit led by right-hander James Cosgrove, who was developing as a potential No. 2 behind Galvan for last season before the shutdown. Left-handers Luca Marshall and LaVigna will also be key, as will fellow junior Nicolas Galvan. David Smith is the senior member of the rotation and he could find himself in one of the top three starter spots, with Cosgrove the most likely No. 1 heading into opening day, but an overall balanced staff to help Manasquan move the program forward.

Manasquan at a Glance

Head Coach: Brenan Gordon, third season
Key Losses: Alex Galvan (RHP/1B/3B), Will Hopkinson (SS), John Foreman (OF), Ryan O’Keefe (LHP/OF), Hayden Kunz (OF/RHP), Cam Teza (C), Jake Brown (INF/OF)

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

Catcher: Josh Terry, Jr.; Mike Presbrey, Jr.

First Base: Jack O’Shea, So.; Zac LaVigna, Jr.

Second Base: Ryan Deegan, Jr.

Shortstop: Cullen Condon, So.

Third Base: David Frost, Sr.

Leftfield: Brett Patten, So.

Centerfield: Mike Antonucci, Jr.

Rightfield: Pat Woodford, Jr. (5-for-14, 4 R)

DH: Trevor Wells (Sr., 3B); Cole Kozlowski (Jr., OF)

Other Key Hitters

David Smith (Sr., 3B)