South Plainfield baseball preview, 2021

Updated Apr 16, 2021; Posted Apr 16, 2021
By Chris Nalwasky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

South Plainfield

League: Greater Middlesex Conference - White Division

Coach: Scott Gleichenhaus (1st season at South Plainfield, 13th overall -- 4 at Piscataway, 8 at Plainfield

2019 record: 18-9

Key players: Vincent Esposito, Sr., P-IF; Troy O’Connor, Sr., 1B; Brandon Shine, Sr., SS; Nick DellaSala, Sr., LHP-LF; Luke Bickunas, Jr., C; Ty Ducoff, Jr., IN-OF; Nick Loniewski, Sr., CF; Frank Flannery, So., IN; Kennedy Ferguson, Sr., OF; Mitch Dudak, RHP; Dan McLeod, Sr., RHP; Ryan Grasso, Jr., RHP; Jack Massett, Jr., LHP; Ashton Donovan, So., RHP; Robert Krovatin, So., RHP; Frank Flannery, So. RHP; Kyle Griswold, Sr., DH; Zach Bolesta, So., IF; Mike Kurilew, Jr. C-OF; Tyler Balent, Jr., IF-P

Outlook: The 2021 Tiger ballclub will feature a team that is returning four players with any varsity experience. Shine, Esposito, Loniewski and Bickunas are guys who saw action in the 2019 season on a Tiger squad that was loaded top to bottom with solid ball players, including the league MVP, P/IF Chris Shine. This season it will be a different Shine, Chris’ younger brother, Brandon, as one of the key components of this group. Brandon( a Rowan commit) will man the shortstop position, and be looked upon to provide steady defense and leadership to a team loaded with seniors complimented by a few juniors and sophomores. Gleichenhaus expects this ballclub to be as solid as it gets on defense, having Bickunas behind the dish, Loniewski in center field, Esposito along with Flannery and Ducoff handling second and second base duties. First base is still an open competition between O’Connor and McLeod, but both are equally reliable. Ducoff will see time in the outfield along with DellaSala and Ferguson. Esposito, is the only senior with any varsity pitching experience and is slated to be the ace of the staff that also includes Dudak, McLeod, Ferguson and DellaSala. Massett has looked good and will figure in the mix as a starter and Grasso will be called upon to handle both starting and relief duties. Ashton Donovan, Krovatin, and Flannery provide the pitching department with the necessary depth required to get through a full season. On the offensive side of the ball, this team will rely upon its team speed and timely hitting to win some ball games. All the guys in the mix can swing the bat, but doing it in the clutch will be the difference between winning and losing. Loniewski, DellaSala and Esposito will be relied upon to set the table for whoever emerges in the meat of the order and provide them with an ample amount of RBI opportunities.

Coach’s comment: “I’m confident that no matter how this lineup shapes up, guys will do their jobs and get on base. Our success will depend upon our ability to drive (runs) in when it counts.”

South Plainfield baseball preview, 2021 - nj.com

South Plainfield

Coach: Scott Gleichenhaus

2019 record: 18-9, 8-4

Top letterwinners lost since 2019: Brody Donovan (C/1B); Jordan Hamburg (P/CF); Cooper Smith (3B/SS); Sam Nieves (OF); Dylan Delisa (INF/OF); Josiah Harvey (C/INF); Cody Hunterdon (INF)

Probable Lineup: Vincent Esposito (Sr., INF); Troy O’Connor (Sr., 1B); Brandon Shine (Sr., SS); Nick DellaSala (Sr., LF); Luke Bickunas (Jr., C); Ty Ducoff (Jr., INF/OF); Nick Loniewski (Sr., CF); Frank Flannery (So., INF) Kennedy Ferguson (Sr., OF)

Pitchers: Mitch Dudak (Sr., RH); Vincent Esposito (Sr., RH); Kennedy Ferguson (Sr., RH); Dan McLeod (Sr., RH); Nick DellaSala (Sr., LH); Ryan Grasso (Jr., RH); Jack Massett (Jr., LH); Ashton Donovan (So., RH); Robert Krovatin (So., RH); Frank Flannery (So., RH)

Top Reserves: Kyle Griswold (Sr., DH); Dan McLeod (Sr.,1B);  Ryan Grasso (Jr., INF); Zach Bolesta (So., INF); Mike Kurilew (Jr., C/OF); Tyler Balent (Jr., INF)

Outlook: The Tigers feature a team with talented players, but have just four returners with any varsity experience from a loaded 2019 team that included the Home News Tribune Player of the Year Chris Shine. The star pitcher and hitter is now at Seton Hall University. The next generation of Tiger standouts include the veterans Esposito, Loniewski, Bickunas and Chris’ younger brother Brandon. Brandon Shine (a Rowan commit) will man shortstop and look to provide leadership. The team is senior-heavy complemented with a few juniors and sophomores. Head coach Scott Gleichenhaus expects the ballclub to be strong on defense. Bickunas is behind the dish, while Loniewski is in center. Esposito, Flannery and Ducoff handles second and third base. Either O’Connor or McLeod will man first base. Ducoff will see time in the outfield, along with DellaSala and Ferguson. Esposito, the only senior with varsity experience, is slated to be the ace of the staff. The senior-heavy staff includes Dudak, McLeod, Ferguson and DellaSala. Massett has looked good in the preseason and will figure in the mix as a starter, while Grasso will be called upon to both start and come out of the bullpen. Sophomores Donovan, Krovatin and Flannery provide pitching depth. On the offensive side, the Tigers will rely on their team speed and timely hitting. Loniewski, DellaSala and Esposito are expected to be the table-setters.

Baseball: GMC White Division 2021 Team Preview Capsules (mycentraljersey.com)