Baseball – Beyond the Top 20: A Closer Look at the Underdogs of the Shore Conference
Over the first two weeks of April, we have been unveiling both division outlooks and, more recently, a team-by-team reveal of the Shore Conference Baseball 20 in 2020 - our version of the best 20 teams in the Shore Conference heading into the would-be 2020 season.
While that's all well and good, there are 27 more teams in the Shore Conference who may very well never get a chance to prove they belonged in the top 20, perhaps even the top 10. So with that in mind, here is a look a the teams in the Shore Conference beyond the top 20.
Teams are listed alphabetically and the "projected range" indicates about where they would rank out of all the teams in the Shore Conference heading into the season. With no games to prove the rankings right or wrong, it's best to leave a little bit of wiggle room outside of the top 20.
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Click on the teams to read more in the Shore Conference division previews
Head Coach: Chris O’Donnell, first season
2019 Record: 1-10 (1-10, seventh in B Central)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Senior: Jansi Mendez-Garcia (SS/C)
Other Key Returnees: Jarred Chathuant (Jr., 3B/RHP), Jasir Walker (Jr., P/INF), Exiever Chathuant (So., C/P)
Player to Watch: Exiever Chathaunt. The current sophomore hit .300 to lead the Blue Bishops in 2019 and with the ability to pitch, catch and roam the diamond, will be a versatile player in the field going forward.
Head Coach: Dan McCoy, ninth season
2019 Record: 12-13 (8-6, tied third in B South)
Projected Range: Top 25
Returning Seniors: Lukas Torres (CF/LHP), Matt Scott (OF), Sean Lucas (3B), Kyle Moore (C), Matt Vernieri (RHP), Collin Zarenkiewicz (LHP), Luke Bush (RHP/C), Steven Meier (OF), Trevor Fox (INF)
Other Key Returnees: Nick Danbrowney (Jr., 2B/RHP)
Player to Watch: Lukas Torres. A senior and Wagner commit, Torres is already an accomplished varsity player coming off a 2019 campaign in which he hit five doubles, two triples and scored 23 runs. Also top pitching option for Barnegat, Torres is primed to play his best baseball whenever he gets back on a field in organized play – whether that’s later this spring in black and orange with Barnegat or next year in black and green with Wagner.
Newcomer to Watch: Bryan Snowden (So., SS). When Barnegat broke camp, Snowden was making his case to take over the shortstop job for the Bengals, who have been using a committee approach to fill the position since the 2017 graduation of Aaron McLaughlin. As for varsity part-timers close to breaking through as regulars, seniors Matt Vernieri and Luke Bush were ready for bigger roles in Barnegat’s pitching staff.
Head Coach: Evan Rizzitello, 11th season
2019 Record: 14-13 (6-8, fifth in A South)
Projected Range: Top 25
Returning Seniors: Nick Gillen (RHP/UTIL), Colin Turner (1B/P), Andrew White (1B), Kyle Cline (RHP/OF), Joe Terkildsen (INF/RHP), Sean Beck (UTIL), Nick Doubt (C), Matt Terkildsen (1B)
Other Key Returnees: Max Cala (Jr., C), Cole Manfro (Jr., RHP/3B)
Players to Watch: Max Cala and Nick Gillen. After an all-division season as an outfielder, Cala is set to move behind the plate to his primary position. As a sophomore, Cala hit .333 with three doubles, two homers and 22 RBI, which included a two-homer, seven-RBI outburst in an Ocean County Tournament loss to Jackson Liberty. Gillen, meanwhile, returns as the No. 1 pitcher on the staff following a 3-4 junior season that included a 2.32 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings.
Newcomer to Watch: Aiden Patella (Jr., OF/RHP). The Mustangs were a team poised to rely heavily on its group of varsity newcomers. Patella was a strong candidate to fill one of the three open spots in the outfield and can also contribute on the pitching staff, which lost most of its firepower behind Gillen from 2019. Matt Terkildsen and Nick Doubt were also in line to be first-time starters as seniors while sophomores Jack Flood, Anthony Martino and Ryan Mulcahey all look like immediate contributors.
Head Coach: Jerry Frulio, 10th season
2019 Record: 3-18 (3-11, eighth in A South)
Projected Range: 27-34
Returning Seniors: Mike Masino (RHP/SS), Dan Greene (RHP/1B), Gavin Whalen (2B/RHP), Nick Firetto (C), Ryan Black (OF), Mike Ottomanelli (3B), Javier Rios (OF)
New Seniors: Eddie Jacoby (1B), Seth Kirwan (2B)
Other Key Returnees: Evan Agrapides (Jr., OF), Trevor Coltenback (Jr., 3B/C), Shane Sajewicz (So., 1B/LHP)
Players to Watch: Dan Greene and Mike Masino. Greene (4.20 ERA in 36 2/3 innings) was Central’s go-to pitcher last year after cracking the rotation as a sophomore on the Golden Eagles’ 18-win squad in 2018, while Masino (3.76 ERA) stepped up as a quality option over 22 1/3 innings of work. Both were also the top hitters on the team, with Masino hitting .333 with four doubles and Greene hitting .317 with four doubles and 11 RBI.
Newcomer to Watch: Cam Leiter (So., RHP/3B). Leiter is the nephew of former big-leaguers Al and Mark Leiter and would be the third Leiter of his generation to pass through Class A South after Mark Jr. (Toms River North and now in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization) and John (Toms River South). He and his family moved to Ocean County from British Columbia, Canada and his live arm should provide a boost to the pitching staff at some point over the next couple of years.
Head Coach: Corey Hamman, second season
2019 Record: 10-16 (6-8, sixth in B South)
Projected Range: 32-38
Returning Seniors: Liam Leonard (OF), Christian McElroy (UTIL), Mike Faranaccio (SS), Damian Johnson (OF), Pat Dowling (P)
Other Key Returnees: Sam Gates (Jr., OF), Anthony Mursko (So., 3B/OF), Tyler Hmielewski (Jr., INF), Joe Payne (Jr., C), Bob Nosti (Jr., 2B/RHP), Matt Colucci (Jr., RHP), Andrew Castro (Jr., P)
Player to Watch: Liam Leonard. An all-division selection as a junior, Leonard emerged as a top bat on the Griffins, leading the team in extra-base hits (eight) while finishing second in RBI (15). Donovan Catholic has some promising position players who are due back in 2021 – Sam Gates, Anthony Mursko, Tyler Hmielewski, Joe Payne to name a few – but Leonard leads a solid collection of Griffins seniors wishing for a 2020 chance.
Newcomer to Watch: Jack Renaud (Fr., RHP/1B). A former minor-league pitcher, Corey Hamman has developed a reputation for developing pitchers and he will have an exciting project on his hands with Renaud – a 6-foot-4 right-hander who starts high school with a fastball well into the 80-mile-hour range.
Head Coach: Jon Block, 29th season
2019 Record: 5-19 (3-11, seven in A North)
Projected Range: 32-38
Returning Seniors: Shaun Piotrowski (C/RHP), Sean Wodell (CF/RHP), Jackson Ballargeon (2B), Kyle Wenrich (RHP/1B)
New Senior: Darius Glover (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Mario Rivera (Jr., SS/RHP), Dominic Grenata (Jr., 3B/RHP)
Player to Watch: Sean Wodell. The senior centerfielder was one of Freehold Boro’s most dependable hitters as a junior and also brought a lot to the mound for the Colonials. On top of his ability, Wodell made positive news away from the field with his Change.org petition to save the spring season of high-school sports.
Newcomer to Watch: Giovanni Sive (So., 1B/P). The Colonials are prepared to rely on a number of new varsity players and Sive is among the sophomores who are ready to make an impact – particularly with his bat. Juniors Connor Quinn and Liam Wiley are also ready to help and 6-3 sophomore Nick Terefenko will be another sophomore to watch going forward.
Head Coach: Matt Mancini, fourth season
2019 Record: 7-12 (4-8, tied fourth in B Central)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Mike Mohr (3B/1B/RHP), Grady Hendrickson (2B/SS/RHP), Josh Winters (1B/RHP), Casey Haupt (OF/LHP), Mike Hoey (OF), Tom Doherty (OF/RHP), Garrett Shine (OF), Nick Brown (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Trevor Hendrickson (Jr., C/RHP), Aaron Lynch (Jr., 2B), Jack Crowley (So., OF)
Player to Watch: Mike Mohr. Mohr was solid at the plate as a junior last year (.250, two doubles, one home run, 13 RBI) but is only two years removed from a huge 2018 season as a sophomore, when he hit .458 with six doubles, four triples, two homers, 25 RBI and 15 steals. He is part of a strong group of seniors that have produced at the plate over the past two seasons.
Newcomer to Watch: Nick Bigotto (Fr., 2B/SS/RHP). With three quality hitters graduating – including shortstop Timmy Farrell – Henry Hudson entered the spring looking for players to step up. Bigotto has shown early promise up the middle in the infield and should be a key piece for the Admirals going forward.
Head Coach: Chris Arecchi, fourth season
2019 Record: 10-12 (7-7, fourth in A Central)
Projected Range: 34-40
Returning Seniors: Sal Marzano (OF), Nick Ammirati (OF)
New Senior: Mike Lobifaro (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Jake Umans (Jr., LHP), Louie Curcio (Jr., INF), Brett Hilscheimer (Jr., INF), Jason Sparkes (Jr., C), Christian Gravier (Jr., RHP), Alec Signorile (Jr., P/1B)
Player to Watch: Louie Curcio. Holmdel has some experienced juniors on its returning roster, but most of its production came from its 2019 class. Curcio is noteworthy within the junior group because on top of returning as the best hitter from a year ago, he also filled in at catcher for injured classmate Jason Sparkes, who is healthy again this year. Curcio opened camp this year expecting to start at third base.
Newcomers to Watch: Jason Sparkes and Andrew Woodward (Jr., RHP/INF). Sparkes and Woodward missed their sophomore seasons due to injury and came into camp healthy and ready to join a promising class of juniors. Sparkes will take over the catching duties when baseball resumes in N.J. and Woodward will be a key addition to the pitching staff, as well as the infield.
Head Coach: Ryan Lillis, fourth season (16th overall)
2019 Record: 4-11 (4-8, tied fourth in B Central)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Chris Desantis (RHP/1B), Justin Hicks (OF/1B/OF), Brandon Rizzi (OF)
New Seniors: Ryan Agostini (OF), Dwan Davis (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Rian Rivera (Jr., RHP/OF), Connor Graf (Jr., INF/RHP), Louis Chalmers (Jr., C/INF), Waylon Manoes (Jr., INF), Andrew Valle (So., OF)
Player to Watch: Rian Rivera. During his sophomore season, Rivera started to show his ability on the mound (28 strikeouts in 21 innings) and at the plate (two doubles, eight runs, five RBI) and the Titans are looking for him to be a steady source of production over the second half of his high-school career.
Newcomer to Watch: Jesse Berecsky (Jr., 1B). Berecsky got a small taste of varsity baseball as a sophomore and will be among the group vying for several open spots on the diamond, whether that is this spring or next. In Berecsky’s case, he’ll be a fit at first base and should help on offense.
Head Coach: Kyle Keelen, ninth season
2019 Record: 4-11 (3-8, sixth in B Central)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Lucas Dant (INF/RHP), John Lachky (3B), Chris Johnson (OF), Bryan Mattos (1B), Adrian Sabatino (OF)
New Senior: Tristian Blashfield (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Ean Hospital (Jr., 2B/SS/RHP), Sean Lachky (Jr., C), Anthony Longo (So., 2B/SS/RHP), Jack DiPaolo (So., 1B/OF)
Players to Watch: Anthony Longo and Lucas Dant. Dant has a couple of solid varsity seasons under his belt already and Longo (.276, two doubles, 10 runs, nine steals) burst onto the scene last year as a two-way talent to complement him. Longo showed he can play either second base or shortstop and he was also the Red Raiders’ best statistical pitcher (3-2, 2.60 ERA, 32 strikeouts, nine walks in 32 1/3 innings) as a freshman. Dant came to camp the leader and Longo is poised to carry the program forward over the following two seasons.
Newcomers to Watch: Tristian Blashfield and Josh Dswonyk (So., OF). With some outfield production to replace from a year ago, Blashfield and Dswonyk figured to have a role to play for the Red Raiders this year. Players like Blashfield will find the potential cancellation of 2020 particularly discouraging now that a potential varsity spot is within reach in his final season.
Head Coach: Adam Taha, second season
2019 Record: 12-12 (7-7, fifth in B South)
Projected Range: 27-34
Key Returnees: Nick Zarycki (Jr., RHP/OF), Jacob Bowles (Jr., RHP/1B/3B), Matt Kaliske (Jr., 1B), Brandon DeAngelo (Jr., C/OF), John Fracasso (Jr., INF/RHP), Donnie Kirk (Jr., OF)
Players to Watch: Nick Zarycki and Jacob Bowles. Zarycki (2-4, 3.35 ERA, 46 innings, 29 strikeouts) and Bowles (3-3, 1.69 ERA, 29 innings, 20 strikeouts) were the two-three combination in the 2019 rotation behind graduate Sam Srmaty. The junior right-hand duo gives the Lions a reliable base within a promising pitching staff that should make Lacey a team to watch in 2021, if not this June.
Newcomer to Watch: Michael Todaro (So., INF/RHP). Lacey's three major positions to replace in catcher, shortstop and centerfield. Brandon DeAngelo is ready to take over behind the plate and a pair of newcomers will join returning junior Donnie Kirk in the outfield. In the infield, Todaro gave some early indication he could be the replacement for Miles Feaster at shortstop, with classmate Matt McClung also in the picture as a potential infielder or outfielder.
Head Coach: Gene Drumright, 16th season
2019 Record: 1-16 (0-14, eighth in B South)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Jonathan Santiago (INF)
Other Key Returnees: Marcos Ramos (Jr., INF/RHP)
Player to Watch: Jonathan Santiago. The lone returning season from a season ago when he hit over .300, Santiago was being asked to be a leader of a very young, vey inexperienced Piners team. On top of being his team's top overall player along with Ramos, Santiago was setting a positive tone in practice, according to coach Gene Drumright.
Newcomer to Watch: Jalen London (So., C). Lakewood was preparing to rely on a lot of raw players in 2020, but London had the look of a young player ready to contribute right away, with Drumright planning on tasking the sophomore with catching duties.
Head Coach: Ben Woolley, second season
2019 Record: 1-20 (0-14, eighth in A North)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Ivan Navarro (2B/RHP), Ryan Wolff (RHP)
New Seniors: Patrick O’Dwyer (1B/P), Jahquese Moore (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Andrew Conklin (Jr., C), Robert Baez (Jr., CF), Tyler Abbot (Jr., SS/RHP), Dave Rodriguez (Jr., LF), Thomas Brewer (So., 3B/OF/RHP), Xavier Camacho (So., OF)
Player to Watch: Ivan Navarro. Baez, Rodriguez and Brewer put up better numbers a year ago, but Navarro played the full season and had to handle hitting up the order early on and leading the team in innings on the mound (34 2/3, 4.69 ERA). Now a senior, Long Branch would count heavily on Navarro again this year while taking comfort in knowing the core of juniors and sophomores is ready to take the next step and take over the program.
Newcomer to Watch: Patrick O’Dwyer (Sr., 1B). After putting together a First-Team All-Shore season as a soccer player, O’Dwyer came back to baseball after not playing a year ago. He is a strong athlete who could add some legitimate power to the batting order if Long Branch plays any games this year.
Head Coach: Dave Beauchemin, fifth season
2019 Record: 9-14 (4-10, seventh in B South)
Projected Range: 30-35
Returning Seniors: James Johns (CF/LHP), Evan Scala (RF), Nick Chippisi (3B/RHP)
New Senior: Dylan Kyle (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Chris Grille (Jr., UTIL), Blake Warren (Jr., INF), Jarek Vargas (Jr., 1B/LHP)
Player to Watch: James Johns. A four-year starter, Johns has had some great moments as a hitter and a pitcher and was looking to put it all together as a senior in 2020. Last year, Johns – a Roanoke College commit – hit .338 with five doubles, a home run and 20 runs from the top of the Manchester order and is 29 hits shy of 100 for his career.
Newcomers to Watch: Logan Duffy (So., OF/RHP) and Nick Johnson (So., C). Duffy has already made an impact on Manchester’s resurgent soccer team in two varsity seasons and is getting closer to doing the same for a Hawks baseball squad looking to make a jump in B South. While Duffy lines up for a spot in the outfield and possibly the pitching rotation, Johnson is next in line to catch following the 2019 graduation of three-year backstop Jack Felipe.
Head Coach: Bobby Carnovsky, eighth season
2019 Record: 10-14 (5-9, sixth in B North)
Projected Range: Top 25
Returning Seniors: Jay Kalieta (CF), Griffin Falco (C), Ben Porricelli (SS), Christian Rivera (2B), Nick Trapani (INF), R.J. Clifton (P), Matt Silva (OF), Ryan Anderson (1B), John Beukers (RHP)
New Seniors: Carlos Zeno (RHP), Luke Elliot (OF/P)
Other Key Returnees: Tim Egan (Jr., LHP/OF)
Players to Watch: Jay Kalieta and Griffin Falco. One of the main reasons Matawan was so well set-up for a surge in 2020 was its experience and talent up the middle. Kalieta and Falco were the personification of that, with each already turning in two strong varsity seasons. Kalieta is a George Washington commit with great speed who hit .319 with five doubles last year and posted even bigger numbers (.431, three doubles, a triple, 23 runs, 13 RBI and 15 steals) as a sophomore. Falco, meanwhile, is a plus defender who hit 10 doubles and drove in 18 runs last year.
Newcomer to Watch: Mike Caldon (Jr., RHP/INF). Tim Egan gives Matawan a reliable pitcher atop its rotation and while the rest of the rotation was a question mark heading into March, Caldon made strides over the summer and fall in gaining the inside track as the Huskies’ No. 2 starter behind his classmate. Matawan is going to take a hard hit around the diamond to graduation heading into 2021 and getting Caldon some experience would ease the transition to next year with potentially two seniors leading the pitching staff.
Head Coach: Pat Riddell, 16th season
2019 Record: 13-9 (12-0, first in B Central)
Projected Range: 40+
Returning Seniors: Sean Turner (SS/RHP), Patrick Mastro (CF/RHP), Pete Gorman (OF/MIF), Johnny Eckert (3B/RHP), Mike Folk (OF/RHP), Vernon Morris (OF)
New Seniors: R.J. O’Keefe (2B/1B), John Ferrara (C), Jesse Ascolese (OF), Matt Curti (2B), Dylan Morales (OF)
Other Key Returnees: Jake Jacobsen (So., OF), Ashton Mejias (So., 1B/RHP)
Player to Watch: Sean Turner. Turner was in the mix as the best position player in B Central last year, playing shortstop and hitting .393 with six doubles, a home run, 17 runs and 16 RBI for the division champions. Although classmate Patrick Mastro (4-0, 0.47 ERA, 30 innings) put up better numbers on the mound, Turner was treated as Mater Dei’s No. 2 starter throughout the year, getting the ball behind ace Brandon Sansone in some of the Seraphs’ tougher series and matchups.
Newcomer to Watch: Jack Olausen (Jr., 1B). Multiple Olausens have contributed to Mater Dei in recent years and after a small dose of time as a junior, Jack fits in nicely with this year’s roster as a potential first baseman. Mater Dei was also ready to give some senior newcomers a shot, with O’Keefe, Ferrara, Ascolese, Curti and Morales also competing for one of several open jobs in the starting lineup.
Head Coach: Ryan McCabe, second season
2019 Record: 7-16 (3-11, eighth in B North)
Projected Range: Top 25
Returning Seniors: Ryan Rozinski (Sr., RHP/OF), Mike Roditis (Sr., 2B), Jack Costigan (Sr., OF), Shane Doyle (Sr., 1B), Matt Maguire (Sr., 3B), Richie Wall (Sr., OF)
Other Key Returnees: Danny Frontera (Jr., RHP/SS), Andrew Lombardi (So., C), Colin Dowlen (Jr., RHP/3B), Tony Sansone (Jr., LHP/OF), Dom Scerbo (Jr., OF/RHP), Tyler Sharkey (Jr., RHP/UTIL), Matt Sherwin (Jr., INF)
Player to Watch: Danny Frontera. While players like Rozinski, Lombardi and Dowlen held down the fort with breakout seasons in 2019, Frontera worked his way back from Tommy John Surgery to contribute as a hitter by the end of his sophomore season. Before the season shut-down, Frontera came into camp in tip-top shape and ready to assume the role of staff ace, his field position of shortstop, as well as a prime spot in the batting order.
Newcomer to Watch: Kevin Lisser (Jr., OF). With so many players back from last year’s lineup, plus Frontera rejoining the rotation and playing shortstop again, Middletown North was not planning to be all that reliant on its wave of newcomers. Lisser was a candidate for playing time in the outfield when camp came to a stop, while sophomore Jason Ascolese is also a name to watch as an up-and-coming pitcher-slash-infielder. With some wiggle-room in the outfield and the top pitchers (Frontera, Rozinski, Dowlen) working double-duty, there was some playing time to be won in both areas of the field.
Head Coach: Paul Crivello, seventh season
2019 Record: 12-12 (6-8, fifth in A Central)
Projected Range: 27-34
Returning Seniors: Alex Alonso (INF/RHP), Nick Bogan (RHP/INF), Mike Bateman (OF/LHP)
New Seniors: Brett Delutis (INF), Starion Marvin (INF/P), Jeffrey Meyer (OF), Marc Taylor (RHP)
Other Key Returnees: Dominick Santaniello (Jr., INF/RHP), Brian Yadlon (Jr., 1B/LHP), Aiden Denton (So., P/INF)
Player to Watch: Alex Alonso. Yadlon (.316 with 21 RBI) and Santaniello (2.21 ERA in 25 1/3 innings) make a case to be at the top of the pecking order as a hitter and a pitcher heading into their junior seasons, but Alonso returns as the best combination of pitching, hitting and defense on the Falcons roster. The senior shortstop has shown pop during his varsity career (10 extra-base hits in 90 career at-bats) and has a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 34-to-6 over 40 2/3 innings after going 3-3 with a 3.20 ERA as a junior.
Newcomer to Watch: Christian Zito (So., OF/P). With six open starting jobs heading into March, Monmouth was looking at a possible youth movement with some seniors sprinkled in. Aiden Denton already set himself up for a big sophomore year after playing as a freshman and Zito is set to join his classmate as an impact two-way player once baseball starts again.
Head Coach: Kevin Frederick, sixth season
2019 Record: 13-9 (7-7, tied fourth in B North)
Projected Range: 26-32
Returning Seniors: John Gannon (C), Rocco Richard (SS), Jett Tinik (CF), Jack Smith (1B), Thomas Gamba-Ellis (P/1B)
Other Key Returnees: Ryan Cole (So., 2B/RHP), Brian Young (Jr., LHP/OF), Andre Harris (Jr., OF/P)
Player to Watch: John Gannon. If not for one of the great seasons in recent memory by a Shore Conference catcher turned in by Jackson Liberty’s David Melfi, Gannon would likely have had the strongest case as the best offensive catcher in the Shore Conference during 2019. The Scarlet Fliers backstop hit .431 and finished second among catchers in home runs (five), RBI (33) and slugging percentage (.778) – trailing only Melfi in each category. With classmates Rocco Richard and Tinik also coming off strong offensive seasons, Neptune entered 2020 with the makings of another formidable lineup.
Newcomer to Watch: Tyler Persico (So., 3B). The past three years have been eventful for the Neptune baseball program, with the Scarlet Fliers making a stunning run to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III final in 2017, winning only three games the following year and finishing with a winning record in 2019. Now, Neptune is trying to transition from the group that contributed to the postseason run to a new core and Persico will be a part of that group as he eyes the starting spot at third base. Fellow sophomore Ryan Cole already got a dose of starting time as a freshman and Dan Moran and William Foy also could contribute soon from of the Class of 2022.
Head Coach: Justin Loomis, second season.
2019 Record: 10-11 (8-6, tied third in B South)
Projected Range: 26-32
Returning Seniors: Patrick Apgar (RHP/1B), Bryce O’Rourke (INF/RHP)
New Seniors: Matt Cox (INF/RHP), Cade Farmer (OF/P), Cassey Bunting (C/1B)
Other Key Returnees: Rian O’Rourke (So., INF/RHP), Michael Schaffer (Jr., P/INF)
Player to Watch: Patrick Apgar. A New Orleans University commit, Apgar flew under the radar last year pitching behind Division I arms Noah Dean and Joey Ventresca last year, but there weren’t many No. 3 pitchers in the Shore Conference better in 2019 (2.05 ERA, 43 strikeouts, 13 walks in 30 2/3 innings). Apgar also hit .317 with three doubles and would enter the season as a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Wildcats.
Newcomers to Watch: Matt Cox and Alex Ulrich (Jr., C). Pinelands entered camp with plenty of open positions to address so there were multiple new faces that were sure to make an impact. Cox is a versatile senior who can pitch and play multiple positions while Ulrich was coming up as one of the candidates to take over at catcher for another versatile player in 2019 graduate Anthony Diaz.
Head Coach: Pat Geroni, second season
2019 Record: 11-9 (7-5, third in B Central
Projected Range: 34-40
Returning Seniors: Tommy Jensen (1B), Nate Aquino (1B/OF)
Other Key Returnees: Charlie Chropuvka (Jr., CF/1B/LHP), Dev Bhatnagar (Jr., INF/OF), Ryan Kraushaar (Jr., 1B/LHP/OF), Brett Wehringer (So., SS/RHP), Lou Spadafora (So., C), Trent Redman (Jr., OF), Gianni Feng (Jr., OF/1B), Saxon Dinowitz (Jr., INF)
Player to Watch: Charlie Chropuvka. Coming off a monster sophomore season, Chropuvka is out to prove he is as good as his 2019 numbers (.554, 13 doubles, 24 RBI, 18 steals) suggest. Although he racked up most of his numbers against a more favorable hitting environment in Class B Central, Chropuvka notched one of his 13 doubles off Monmouth Regional ace and current Monmouth University freshman Dante Ciaramella – a deep shot off the right-field fence at Monmouth Regional.
Newcomer to Watch: A.J. Gracia (Fr., LHP/OF). Ranney’s freshman and sophomore classes have the Panthers set up to make a serious move within the Shore Conference and the Non-Public B Playoffs and Gracia enters this season as the headliner of that group despite never throwing a pitch at the high-school level. The southpaw and two-way talent has already committed to play baseball at Duke and will immediately make an impact in the rotation and the lineup. With Wehringer and Spadafora coming off strong showings as freshmen and sophomore Nick Coniglio and freshman Marcello Mastrioanni joining the rotation, the Panthers are positioned nicely for 2021 and beyond.
Head Coach: Jeff Struble, eighth season
2019 Record: 10-11 (8-6, third in A Central)
Projected Range: 32-38
Returning Seniors: Dan Fiore (OF), D.J. Dekis (1B/LHP), Jason Lind (C/1B), Logan Waltz (P), Doug Chudzik (INF/P)
Other Key Returnees: Chris Gonzalez (Jr., SS/RHP), Luke Ohea (Jr., OF), Justin Kilyk (Jr., C), Robert Scarola (So., OF), Angelo Friend (Jr., P)
Players to Watch: Dan Fiore and D.J. Dekis. Both seniors were instrumental players on Raritan’s Group II finalist in 2018 and while both were probably expecting bigger overall seasons at the plate in 2019, Fiore and Dekis were each productive in more pressure-filled roles last year. Fiore hit an even .300 with 11 runs, 11 RBI and 13 steals while Dekis hit .283 with six doubles and 18 RBI. With a chance to adjust as top-half-of-the-order hitters during their junior seasons, Fiore and Dekis were primed to finish their high-school careers strong heading into 2020.
Newcomer to Watch: Justin Kilyk. Although he did get a dose of varsity time as a sophomore, Kilyk was ready to take over as the full-time backstop as a junior in 2020. The Wagner commit picked up three hits – including a double – in 11 at-bats as a sophomore in 2019 and should this season indeed go by the wayside, Kilyk will be one of the cornerstones of the returning Rockets core.
Head Coach: Nick Tucker, seventh season
2019 Record: 7-16 (4-10, seventh in B North)
Projected Range: 27-34
Returning Seniors: Max Stamer (LHP/OF), Jack McCabe (RHP/3B), Joe Pallante (OF/RHP), Ryan Lahey (C), Kyle Weisman (RHP/INF), Doug Scales (RHP)
New Seniors: Ryan McBride (1B), Michael Niro (OF), Sam Wasserfall (1B/P), Jack Welsh (P)
Other Key Returnees: Andrew Glauber (Jr., RHP/INF), Sean O’Mara (Jr., SS/OF), Nick Ferrogine (Jr., RHP/OF), Aiden Keale (Jr., OF), C.J. Paolino (Jr., C/1B), Matt Keegan (Jr., P/OF)
Players to Watch: Andrew Glauber and Sean O’Mara. The junior duo is likely to spend some time as Red Bank’s double-play combination over the next two seasons and as sophomores, they also showed they could hit. Each drove in nine runs, with Glauber hitting .281 with five doubles and O’Mara hitting .273 with a pair of doubles and a home run.
Newcomer to Watch: Cole Armond (RHP/INF). Red Bank is positioned for a big step forward in 2021 thanks to its deep, talented, versatile junior class and Armond looks like a nice addition to that 2021 nucleus from the sophomore class. In the event of a 2020 season, Armond will provide some extra pitching depth beyond returnees Nick Ferrogine (3-4, 3.60 ERA, 33 strikeouts, 35 innings), Max Stamer, Joe Pallante, Jack McCabe and Matt Keegan and should be ready to be a two-way contributor by his junior year, at the latest.
Head Coach: Owen Stewart, first season
2019 Record: 7-12 (4-10, tied sixth in A Central)
Projected Range: Top 25
Returning Senior: Kevin Shanes (LHP/OF)
Other Key Returnees: Andrew Schmid (Jr., SS), Thomas Elgrim (Jr., OF), Matt Rigby (So., 1B), Michael Amendola (So., LHP), Hank Hyduke (Jr., C), Dylan Sakele (Jr., OF), Charlie Jones (So., RHP), Brian Doherty (So., INF/RHP), Charlie Tallman (So., 2B), Liam Murphy (So., INF)
Player to Watch: Andrew Schmid. While Rumson would have been one of the more experienced teams in the Shore Conference given it only graduated one starter, the Bulldogs still would have had a young team. That’s evident by the fact that they were only set to return one senior – two-way talent Kevin Shanes – and their top two returning hitters (Schmid and Elgrim) are both juniors. Schmid has already been a starter for two years, making the transition from second base to shortstop last year and hitting .323 with three doubles, two home runs, 15 runs and 15 RBI as a sophomore. Elgrim was also an all-division selection in A Central, hitting .313 with four doubles, a triple, two homers and 14 RBI as a sophomore.
Newcomer to Watch: Charlie Jones. With so many players back, new coach Owen Stewart was not expecting to need a whole lot of help from any of Rumson's newcomers to the varsity squad. There are, however, some candidates to take on bigger roles and Jones is one who could position himself for more innings either this year or next year. The sophomore right-hander could slot in behind rotation returnees and left-handers Shanes and Amendola in a shortened 2020 with a chance to take over one of the top two spots in 2021.
Head Coach: Rich Lanko, fourth season
2019 Record: 2-18 (2-12, eighth in A Central)
Projected Range: 36-40
Returning Seniors: Nolan Dacey (C)
Other Key Returnees: Tommy Turnbach (Jr., 1B/RHP), Matt Gowen (So., 2B/C), Ryan Rogers (So., OF/P), Jack Crawford (Jr., RHP/3B/OF), Shane Killeen (Jr., OF/P), Lucas Hope (Jr., 2B)
Player to Watch: Tommy Turnbach. The 2020 season would have been a big transition year for the St. Rose program, which won only two games last year but still graduated six starters. With a chance to hit the reset button just two years removed from a trip to the Monmouth County Tournament final, the Purple Roses would be turning the program over to players like Turnbach – a junior who pitched against some of the Roses’ toughest competition and found himself hitting in the middle of the order as a sophomore.
Newcomer to Watch: Logan Boag (Jr., C). Boag saw time at multiple positions while a sophomore at Colts Neck last season (.222 with three doubles) and now moves over to St. Rose with a chance to catch more often. The return of senior Nolan Dacey means there could be a share behind the plate or some more moving around for either player but Boag is a solid addition for a St. Rose team that expects to return most of its potential 2020 starting lineup in 2021.
Head Coach: Jay Kuhlthau, third season
2019 Record: 7-14 (4-10, tied sixth in A Central)
Projected Range: 34-40
Returning Seniors: Christian Bauman (SS/RHP), Cody Fleischer (C/RHP), Matt Ippolito (3B), Sam Martucci (3B/RHP), Alex Palmberg (OF)
New Seniors: Jimmy Donohoe (1B), James Gomez (OF), Joseph Graci (2B), Chris Krousos (INF/P), Marc Meloni (OF), Zach Rivera (2B)
Other Key Returnees: Shane McLaughlin (Jr., OF/RHP), Trevor Crochet (Jr., INF/P),
Players to Watch: Cody Fleischer and Christian Bauman. The senior duo returns after they were the top two hitters on the team last season by OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage). Fleischer hit .317 with five doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI while earning the nod as an all-division catcher. Bauman, meanwhile, hit .273 with four doubles, two homers and a team-high 16 RBI and was preparing for a move to shortstop this year after playing centerfield in 2019.
Newcomer to Watch: Jimmy Donohoe. Shore’s seniors were going to get a chance to prove themselves this season, with Donohoe ready to build on his four varsity plate appearances as a junior. Donohoe has classmates in a similar position, nevermind the returning senior starters like Bauman, Fleischer and Ippolito. Martucci and Palmberg each so fewer than 20 plate appearances last year and were slated for full plates this year, while Marc Meloni (one plate appearance), Joe Graci, Zach Rivera, Chris Krousos and James Rivera all angled for first-time varsity action as well. Going forward, juniors Tyler Tilton and Dylan Drahos will provide some athleticism, while sophomore Rylan Fegan and freshman catcher Michael Inacio are among the crop of underclassmen emerging.
Head Coach: Keith Cocuzza, sixth season
2019 Record: 9-11 (5-9, sixth in A South)
Projected Range: 30-35
Returning Seniors: Aiden Hosszu (3B), Ricky Glascock (RHP/1B)
Other Key Returnees: Jack Plesniarski (Jr., SS/RHP), Mike Gallaro (Jr., C), Xavier Hendricks (Jr., OF), Kevin Cooney (Jr., OF), Dustin Howarth (Jr., RHP), Derek Serino (Sr., OF), Bradley Mills (Jr., DH/C)
Player to Watch: Aiden Hosszu. The core of Southern’s team is juniors – led by Gallaro, Cooney and Plesniarski – but a Hosszu is both a sentimental and safe pick to be the team’s headliner at the plate in a potential 2020 season. Losing the 2020 season would be heartbreaking for any senior, but it would be an especially difficult pill to swallow for Hosszu. After kicking down the door to the starting lineup as a sophomore (.468, five doubles, one home run, 10 RBI), the senior third baseman was limited to five games last year due to injury.
Newcomer to Watch: Mike Mucci (Jr., LHP) and Taylor Munt (Jr., RHP). Southern’s greatest need heading into 2020 and even looking ahead to 2021 is pitching. The return of Glascock from injury would help in a potential 2020 season and the emergence of Plesniarski partially addresses the issue for this year and next, but the addition of Mucci and Munt for depth and as potential mainstays in the rotation could very well be the key to a promising Southern squad getting over the hump by 2021.
Check Back for the Top 10 in the Shore Baseball 20 in 2020 and read up on each of the teams ranked Nos. 11 through 20:
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