South Plainfield has some questions, but Tigers are motivated to “finish business” in ’25

Baseball Notebook

March 25, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

To anyone’s mind, the South Plainfield baseball team had a fine 2024 season. The Tigers finished 22-6-1, won the GMC Red Division, and made it to the GMC Tournament finals as well as the North 2, Group 3 title game in the state playoffs.

But those two finals left a bad taste in their mouths. As the top-seed in the GMCT, they got knocked off by third-seed Old Bridge, and they were down just 4-3 to Randolph heading into the top of the seventh in the sectional finals before the wheels uncharacteristically came off, and they lost 8-3.

This year’s Tigers, as a result, are hungry, and want to eat. But like every team this time of year, there will be a few question marks to answer.

South Plainfield loses some big hitters and their left side of the infield in shortstop Zach Robinson – with his .462 batting average, three home runs, and a team-best 30 RBI – and third baseman Jayden Alvarez, who hit .360 with two home runs and 27 RBI. Brandon Bickunas (18 RBI, 1 HR) also graduated. That’s a tough 1-2 punch to lose – on offense and defense.

And on the mound, Aldo Pigna (5-1, 3.10 ERA in 38 1/3 innings pitched) and Chase Donovan (1-1, 3.40 ERA in 22 2/3 IP) will be big losses, too.

But there is also plenty returning. On the mound, Kevin Penny and Mike Castagna have been solid; they combined to go 8-2 last year, Castagna throwing to a team-best 1.60 ERA among regulars. Ryan Balent could step up a level after some solid non-conference performances last year.

At the plate, outfielder Nick Irizarry (22 RBI) is back – and should move into the infield to shore that area up – along with sophomore outfielder and pitcher Dom Massaro (.310, 14 RBI, 3 HR), plus a host of others who will look to take the Tigers one step further this year.

Massaro was named a team captain after rebounding last year following an injury that kept him out earlier in the season. Dan Kapsch will also play significant role in the infield, and catcher Stephen Tudlack returns, too, which will help as the pitching staff looks to figure itself out.

Click below to hear South Plainfield head coach Scott Gleichenhaus talk about the upcoming season for the Tigers:

https://cjsportsradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/3-20-25-PREVIEW-SCOTT-GLEICHENHAUS-for-web.mp3

South Plainfield has some questions, but Tigers are motivated to “finish business” in ’25 – Central Jersey Sports Radio