Baseball – VOTE: Ocean County Sports Medicine Week 2 Pitcher of the Week
Each week during the 2022 high school baseball season, Shore Sports Network will recognize the top pitchers in each Shore Conference division and give fans a chance to pick the overall winner of the Shore Sports Network Baseball Pitcher of the Week. The nominees include a Pitcher of the Week from each of the six Shore Conference divisions, plus two wild cards who are worthy of consideration as well.
Check out this week's group of nominees and vote for the one you think stands out in the poll at the bottom of the post. Voting ends Wednesday at 10 p.m., with the winner receiving a Player of the Week shirt courtesy of Ocean County Sports Medicine.
Class A North Pitcher of the Week
Colin Dowlen, Middletown North
With his team needing a win, Dowlen delivered like a true ace, firing a four-hit shutout to outduel Manalapan right-hander Tyler Kane, 1-0. Dowlen even took his effort further by going 2-for-2 with a walk and starting the winning rally in the seventh with a single before scoring the winning run.
Class A North Honorable Mention: Aidan Tumbleson, Manalapan; Ryan Bilello, Howell; Ben Schild, Middletown South; Will Christopher, Middletown South;
Class A Central Pitcher of the Week
Charlie Jones, Rumson-Fair Haven
Jones has had a knack for pitching in big games over the past two seasons, with that propensity showing up again this week. The 6-foot-6 senior labored for the first four innings of his team’s battle with No. 3 Ranney on Saturday, then dominated over the final three innings to polish off a three-hit complete-game win over the Panthers. Jones also pitched the first two innings of a combined no-hitter against Raritan on Tuesday, giving him zero earned runs allowed in nine innings for the week.
Class A Central Honorable Mention: Will Calderon, Ocean; Declan Leary, Red Bank Catholic
Class A South Pitcher of the Week
Nate Obeng, Toms River North
The Mariners catapulted themselves into the Class A South race for first place with two colossal wins over Central to open the week and Obeng was critical to each. The junior right-hander came on with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning on Monday and closed out an 8-5, extra-inning win over the Golden Eagles. Obeng then took the ball the next day and after giving up two runs in the first inning, fired six scoreless to notch a complete-game victory in a 4-2 Toms River North win over Central.
Class A South Honorable Mention: Zach Crotchfelt, Jackson Memorial; Aidan Gallipoli, Toms River East; Brady Leach, Brick Memorial; Tyler Bell, Central; Steven Miller, Southern; Mike Nascimento, Southern; Jake Wilber, Toms River South
Class B North Pitcher of the Week
Nate Ruth, Red Bank
The Bucs got on track with three wins last week and Ruth had the team’s biggest individual performance in a win over Freehold Boro. The junior left-hander officially fired a five-inning, two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and two walks in an 8-0 Red Bank win. Ruth also went slammed two doubles and drove in three in the win.
Class B North Honorable Mention: Cullen Condon, Manasquan; Matt Johnson, Wall; Truir Brown, Wall; Mark Kovach, Matawan; Nick Gandolfo, Red Bank; Cole Armond, Red Bank; Anthony Gubitosi, Colts Neck
Class B Central Pitcher of the Week
Anthony Longo, Keyport
Heading into this week, there were two seven-inning no-hitters throw by Shore Conference pitchers and last week, Longo threw one of them. Against Henry Hudson, the senior right-hander struck out 14 and walked three while allowing one unearned run in an 8-1 Titans victory.
Class B Central Honorable Mention: Jackso Killian, Point Beach; Kyle Kolans, Point Beach; Brandon Hendrickson, Henry Hudson; Gavin Sansone, Mater Dei Prep
Class B South Pitcher of the Week
Stephen DeMilio, Pinelands
Pinelands picked up a huge win over Jackson Liberty to bounce back from losing two games against Lacey and on Thursday, the Wildcats showed that first win over the Lions was no fluke thanks to DeMilio. The senior right-hander pitched a five-hit shutout to beat Jackson Liberty 1-0, striking out 12 and walking none. In the first win over Jackson Liberty, DeMilio beat the Lions with his bat, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
Class B South Honorable Mention: P.J. Craig, Barnegat; Noah Quinn, Lacey; Chris Mitchell, Pinelands; Logan Russo, Pinelands; Eric Anilonis, Point Boro; Shaun O’Keefe, Donovan Catholic
Wild Cards
Zach Crotchfelt, Jackson Memorial
Crotchfelt followed up his no-hitter with 13 strikeouts vs. Toms River East with a similarly-dominant performance Thursday vs. Toms River North. The senior left-hander pitched a three-hit shutout, walking two and striking out a career-high 16.
Anthony Gubitosi, Colts Neck
Like Crotchfelt, Gubitosi set an impossible standard to match during his second start of the season but came awfully close to matching it. The Cougars’ ace followed up an 18-strikeout one-hitter vs. St. John Vianney on April 9 with a 15-strikeout performance against Manasquan on Thursday. Gubitosi lasted six innings and took the no-decision, allowing one unearned run on one hit and no walks.
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