Baseball – 2021 Shore Conference Preview: Red Bank Catholic
When last we saw Red Bank Catholic in an official high-school baseball game, the Caseys were celebrating the 2019 Shore Conference Tournament championship. That makes them the still-defending champions and they will have a very good shot at successfully defending that title because they return the guy that pitched them to their last one two years ago.
Shane Panzini returns at the top of the rotation not only as likely the top returning pitcher in the Shore Conference but also as one of the best in the state and among best dozen or so in the country. Armed with a fastball that reaches 97 miles-per-hour to go with good secondary offerings, Panzini is considered one of the 100 best players available in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft by multiple outlets and he was already dominant as a sophomore with a fastball in the low 90’s.
RBC’s success this season will come down to how the Caseys perform on days in which Panzini does not pitch. Senior Dylan Wanagiel and sophomore Alex Stanyek are the front-runners to back Panzini in the rotation, with Stanyek looking like the ace-in-waiting thanks to a fastball that also reached the low 90-miles-per-hour range. Panzini and Stanyek will also be key bats in a lineup that will lack experience since RBC’s 2019 SCT championship team had plenty of junior and senior talent blocking most of the younger players.
Center fielder Anthony Boriello started for a large portion of 2019 and shortstop Sean Ettore saw starts that year when former ace Vin Bianchi pitched. Senior Dan DeFlores hit a big grand slam in the Last Dance Tournament last July and fellow senior Riley Supp can catch and provide some offense.
Matt Scrivanic, Nico Gonzalez and Andrew Gonzalez are key junior contributors – all on the infield – and catcher Shane Andrus, first baseman Frank Scrivanic and Stanyek will all make an impact as sophomores. Like most teams around the state, there is a great deal of unknown on the RBC roster but anytime the Caseys can hand the ball to Panzini in a big game, they will have a chance to beat any team in the state.
Red Bank Catholic at a Glance
Head Coach: Buddy Hausmann, 13th season
Key Losses: Chris Sparber (C), Jack Scrivanic (1B), Robert Gonzalez (SS/3B), Jared Terefenko (1B/3B/RHP), Tyler Birnbaum (RHP), Brayden Kiel (RHP), Mark Lurie (OF), John Nimeth (RHP), Chris Disco (1B), Evan Mottola (RHP)
Around the Diamond (Returning 2019 starters in bold with available stats)
Catcher: Riley Supp, Sr., C; Shane Andrus, So., C
First Base: Frank Scrivanic, So., 1B
Second Base: Nico Gonzalez, Jr.; Andrew Gonzalez, Jr.
Shortstop: Sean Ettore, Sr.
Third Base: Matt Scrivanic, Jr.
Leftfield: Dan DeFlores, Sr.
Centerfield: Anthony Borriello, Sr. (.321/.441/.385, 2 2B, 12 R, 5 RBI)
Rightfield: Alex Stanyek, So.
DH: Shane Panzini (Sr., LF) (.297/.388/.486, 5 2B, 3 HR, 15 R, 21 RBI)
Other Key Hitters
Scott Ungemah (Sr., OF)
Rob Lamastra (Sr., OF)
Jack Meyers (Jr., OF)
Claude Morales (Jr., C)
Sean Griggs (Fr., 3B)
Nick Fastiggi (So., 3B)
Pitching Staff
Shane Panzini, Sr., RHP (7-2, 0.66 ERA, 53 IP, 20 H, 29 BB, 73 K)
Dylan Wanagiel, Sr., RHP
Alex Stanyek, So., RHP
Dominic Mallamaci, So., RHP
Jack Meyers, Jr., LHP
Rob Lamastra, Sr., LHP
Sean Griggs, Sr., RHP
College Commitments
Shane Panzini – University of Virginia
Dylan Wanagiel – Ocean County Community College
Matt Scrivanic – Monmouth University
Anthony Boriello – Wake Forest (football)
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