Shore Conference baseball preseason Top 20 rankings. Who is No. 1? Who else made the cut?
A couple of things are pretty clear in the Shore Conference as the scholastic baseball season begins Monday.
One: Red Bank Catholic is the No. 1 team in the conference based on the number of players it has returning and its pitching depth.
Two: There is a lot of parity with many of the top teams from last season having sustained significant graduation losses and teams that were not ranked at the end of last season appearing to have improved.
Preseason rankings, especially in baseball, are always a major guessing game. Rankings usually do not become clearer until well into the season.
More: 100 Shore Conference high school baseball Players to Watch in 2024
Here is a guess on who are the top 20 teams in the Shore to begin the season.
Play ball!
More: VOTE: Who will be the 2024 Shore Conference Baseball Player of the Year?
1. Red Bank Catholic (Last year’s final record, 24-6); Last year’s final ranking: No. 1.
The Caseys return four position starters, pitcher Declan Leary and 13 players overall from last year’s team that won the Shore Conference Tournament for the fourth consecutive time, advanced to the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship game and won its first sectional title since 1997. Leading the returnees is senior third baseman and University of Alabama recruit Sean Griggs and junior and Notre Dame recruit Dylan Passo.
2. Donovan Catholic (Last year’s final record, 22-5): Last year’s final ranking: No. 5.
The Griffins graduated standout Gavin Degnan and some solid pitching, but they do return senior left-hander and Virginia Tech recruit Jake Marciano and shortstop Joe Maier, second baseman Tyler Levine and third baseman Dave Yorke.
3. Christian Brothers Academy (Last year’s final record, 19-6-1): Last year’s final ranking: No. 4.
The Colts return ace and Wake Forest-recruit Chris Levonas, junior catcher Danny Tsimbinos, junior center fielder Will Fahey and have several talented young pitchers head coach Marty Kenney is optimistic about.
4. Southern (Last year’s final record, 16-9): Last year’s final ranking: No. 7.
The Rams have the ability to build upon last season when they shared the Shore Conference Class A South championship with Jackson Memorial and Brick Memorial for their first divisional title since 1986 and advanced to the Ocean County Tournament championship game for the first time since 2017. Five starters return, including All-Shore first team selection Brady Lesiak. Lesiak also will lead a pitching staff consisting of several retunees.
5. Middletown North (Last year’s final record: 17-9): Last year’s final ranking: No. 6.
If the last two seasons are any indication, the Lions will start slow and then heat up when the state tournament begins. Middletown North won the 2022 Group 3 state title and followed that up by winning a second consecutive sectional title last season. Center fielder Dylan Briggs, infielder/pitcher Zach Hampton lead a group of six returning position player starters.
6. Ranney (Last year’s final record, 27-3): Last year’s final ranking: No. 2.
The Panthers graduated many standouts from last season, but they still return enough to be the favorite to win Shore Conference Class B North. First baseman and LSU recruit Ryan Costello leads the returnees. Senior right-hander and Rutgers University recruit James Hare will likely become the ace. Outfielder and Lafayette recruit Curtis Chropuvka and catcher Andrew Parisi, a transfer from Rutgers Prep, will be other key bats in the lineup.
7. Rumson-Fair Haven (Last year’s final record: 22-6): Last year’s final ranking: No. 3.
The Bulldogs sustained graduation losses from the team that won the Central Group 2 championship for the second straight season and advanced to the Group 2 state final for its first appearance in a group championship game. However, there is still enough returning for the Bulldogs to have a solid season. Leading the returnees is senior outfielder Jack Riva, junior Parker Shenman and relief pitcher Owen O’Toole.
8. Matawan (Last year’s final record, 15-12): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Huskies return a lot of pitching, including ace and NJIT recruit Brandon Falco, from a team that advanced to the Central Group 3 semifinal and the Monmouth County Tournament quarterfinal. Other key pitching returnees are Andrew Gendi, Mark Kovach and Jayce Thoroughman. Scoring runs might be an issue, but eight of the nine position starters from a year ago return.
9. Brick Memorial (Last year’s final record, 17-9): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Mustangs return several key players from last year’s team that earned a share of the Class A South championship for its first divisional title since 1995. Among the returnees is senior outfielder Nicco Maribo, senior pitcher/first baseman/catcher Nick Garbooshian and sophomore pitcher/shortstop and Rutgers recruit Tyler Garbooshian.
10. Jackson Memorial (Last year’s final record, 17-8): Last year’s final ranking: No. 8.
Junior Tyler Huzzy, who moves to catcher, senior first baseman Nick Izzo and senior center fielder Julian Caruso lead a group of returnees from a team that shared the Class A South championship in 2023. It was the fifth straight time the Jaguars earned at least a share of the divisional title. There are questions with the pitching staff.
11. Toms River East (Last year’s final record, 12-11): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Raiders have a a lot of returning players, led by junior shortstop Matt Ferrara, sophomore catcher Luke Brush and senior center fielder and Penn State Brandywine commit Ryan Koman.
12. Middletown South (Last year’s final record, 13-13): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
An injury to standout pitcher Ben Schild that prevented him from being able to pitch for a significant portion of the season was one of the reasons for the Eagles up and down season that resulted in them not qualifying for the Shore Conference Tournament. Left-handed pitcher and Seton Hall recruit Mason Christopher and outfielder Lou D’Alessio lead the returnees.
13. Manalapan (Last year’s final record, 9-17-1): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
Manalapan, which had a rare season in 2023 under head coach Brian Boyce where it struggled, has been a buzz team during the preseason. Manalapan returns its top three pitchers from last season in Joe Dionisio, Kevin Rusinak and Dylan Shaffer. Dionisio is also a leading bat in the lineup. He hit three homers last season.
14. Point Pleasant Beach (Last year’s final record, 23-6): Last year’s final ranking: No. 9.
A late-season run where the Garnet Gulls defeated Middletown North and won the Central Group 1 championship enabled them to finish ranked in the final APP Top 10. An experienced team will be led by catcher and four-year starter Nate Clayton and junior pitcher/first baseman and three-year starter Noan Banick. Point Beach has shown in recent seasons it can compete with larger schools.
15. Point Pleasant Borough (Last year’s final record, 12-10): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Panthers return key players from a team that won 12 of its last 16 games last season after starting 0-6, but did not qualify for the state tournament. Among the returnees is senior pitcher/designated hitter Bryson Kirby and senior first baseman Ryan Acquisto. A player to watch is highly-touted freshman shortstop Jake Clayton, who is an all-around athlete. Clayton was a contributor on Point Borough’s football team last fall and a state eighth-place finisher at 157 pounds in wrestling this past season.
16. St. Rose (Last year’s final record, 16-9): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Purple Roses, who finished tied for first in Class B Central last season with Point Beach, return seven starters, including third baseman/right-handed pitcher Jack Tiernan, second baseman/right-handed pitcher Brendan Brophy, shortstop Peter Nolan and senior first baseman/right-handed pitcher Anthony Crudo.
17. Howell (Last year’s final record, 7-15): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
Howell slumped in the latter half of last season after winning the Group 4 state championship in 2022. But the experience gained from that, especially players who were put in positions they were not expected to be in at the start of the season, could pay dividends. Among the returnees are: first baseman Braden Walsh and third baseman Joe Zito, who were part of the 2022 team. Senior right-hander Rohan Shah is expected to lead an improved pitching staff.
18. Ocean (Last year’s final record, 19-8): Last year’s final ranking: No. 10.
The Spartans return four juniors who started for a team that won the Shore Conference Class B North public school championship by three games and advanced to the Central Group 2 semifinal before losing 2-1 to Rumson-Fair Haven. Key players are shortstop and NJIT recruit Ben Robinson, catcher Connor Tongring, first baseman and left-handed pitcher Matt Richter and right-handed pitcher Tommy Kowaliwskyj.
19. Raritan (Last year’s final record, 14-11): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
Pitching could be the name of the game for the Rockets. The rotation will be led by senior left-hander Phil Kramer, senior right-hander John Molnar, who was injured last season but had some good outings in 2022 and junior left-hander Alan Warren.
20. Wall (Last year’s final record, 13-14): Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.
The Crimson Knights will be looking to rebound from a rare under .500 season. Catcher and Monmouth University recruit Jake Howlett is one of the Shore’s best hitters and sluggers. Wall also returns senior right-handers T.J. Legere and Truir Brown. Legere and Brown also play second base and right field respectively.
Monday Schedule
Class A North
Manalapan at Howell, 10 a.m.
Middletown South at Middletown North, 10 a.m.
Freehold Township at Christian Brothers Academy, 11 a.m.
Class A Central
Holmdel at Raritan, 10 a.m.
Rumson-Fair Haven at Red Bank Catholic, 11 a.m.
Monmouth at Wall, 11 a.m.
Class B North
Freehold Borough at Ocean, 10 a.m.
St. John Vianney at Manasquan, 10 a.m.
Neptune at Matawan, 10 a.m.
Red Bank at Ranney, 3:45 p.m.
Nondivisional
Brick Memorial at Shore, 10 a.m.
Nonconference
New Egypt at Manchester, 10 a.m.
Jackson Memorial at Vineland, 1 p.m.
Shore Conference Divisional Alignment
Class A North
CBA 0-0 (0-0)
Middletown North 0-0 (0-0)
Marlboro 0-0 (0-0)
Howell 0-0 (0-0)
Middletown South 0-0 0-0
Colts Neck 0-0 (0-0)
Manalapan (0-) (0-0)
Freehold Township 0-0 (0-0_
Class A Central
Red Bank Catholic (0-0) 0-0
Rumson-Fair Haven (0-0) 0-0
Monmouth (0-0) 0-0
Raritan (0-0) 0-0
Wall (0-0) 0-0
Holmdel (0-0) 0-0
Shore (0-0) 0-0
Class A South
Southern (0-0) 0-0
Jackson Memorial (0-0) 0-0
Brick Memorial (0-0) 0-0
Toms River East (0-0) 0-0
Toms River South (0-0) 0-0
Toms River North (0-0) 0-0
Central (0-0) 0-0
Brick (0-0) 0-0
Class B North
Ranney (0-0)
Ocean (0-0) 0-0
Manasquan (0-0) 0-0
Neptune (0-0) 0-0
Matawan (0-0) 0-0
Red Bank (0-0) 0-0
St. John Vianney (0-0) 0-0
Freehold (0-0) 0-0
Class B Central
Point Pleasant Beach (0-0) 0-0
St. Rose (0-0) 0-0
Henry Hudson (0-0) 0-0
Long Branch (0-0) 0-0
Keansburg (0-0) 0-0
Keyport (0-0) 0-0
Lakewood (0-0) 0-0)
Lakewood (0-0) 0-0
Asbury Park (0-0) 0-0)
Class B South
Donovan Catholic (0-0) 0-0
Jackson Liberty (0-0) 0-0
Lacey (0-0) 0-0
Manchester (0-0) 0-0
Point Pleasant Borough (0-0) 0-0
Pinelands (0-0) 0-0
Barnegat (0-0) 0-0
Divisional championship picks
Class A North
Christian Brothers Academy
Class A Central
Red Bank Catholic
Class A South
Southern
Class B North
Ranney
Class B Central
Point Pleasant Beach
Class B South
Donovan Catholic.
Key dates
Monday: Opening Day.
April 9: Monmouth County Tournament seeding.
April 13: MCT preliminary round must be played by.
April 17: Ocean County Tournament seeding.
April 19 or 20: OCT preliminary round.
April 20: MCT round of 16 must be played by.
April 20: OCT first round.
April 25: OCT quarterfinals
April 27: MCT quarterfinals must be played by.
April 29: OCT semifinals.
May 3: OCT championship game, 4 p.m. at Central's Al Kunzman Field at Al Leiter Ballpark. Rain date is May 4 at 1 p.m. at the same site.
May 4: MCT semifinals must be played by.
May 8: Shore Conference Tournament seeding.
May 9: MCT championship game.
May 11: SCT preliminary round.
May 13: SCT round of 16.
May 15: SCT quarterfinals
May 18: SCT semifinals at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Count Base Park, Red Bank.
May 18: Cutoff for NJSIAA Tournament.
May 20: SCT championship game at ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood.
May 20: Seeding for NJSIAA Tournament.
May 22: NJSIAA Non-Public Tournament first round.
May 23: NJSIAA public school tournament first round.
May 28: Non-Public Tourmnament sectional quarterfinals
May 29: Public school tournament sectional quarterfinals
May 30: Non-Public Tournament sectional semifinals.
May 31: Public school tournament sectional semifinals.
June 1: Non-Public tournament sectional championship games.
June 3: Public school tournament sectional championship games.
June 5: Public school tournament state semifinals. North 2 and South host.
June 6: Non-Public championship games at Bob DeMeo Field, Veterans Park, Hamilton Township.
June 8: Public school championship games at Bob DeMeo Field, Veterans Park, Hamilton Township.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ baseball Preseason Top 20 rankings. Who made the cut?
