Game # 4 Edison 3, South Plainfield 2

 

 

Greg Tufaro,

Bridgewater Courier News 

Published 4:32 p.m. ET April 6, 2019

Updated 8:34 p.m. ET April 6, 2019

 

Edison 3, South Plainfield 2

 

Dom LaPelosa and Nico Chipoco combined on a four-hit gem as the unranked Eagles stunned the second-ranked and previously unbeaten Tigers, who are the defending conference tournament champions.

 

Nico Lopez legged out a run-scoring infield single in the top of the fourth inning, plating what proved to be the decisive run as Edison took a 3-1 lead.

 

The Eagles (3-0) scored their first run in the opening frame on a wild pitch. They scored their second run in the ensuing inning on a sacrifice fly.

 

LaPelosa allowed three singles and a double over four and a third innings. He fanned three, walked one and allowed two runs (one earned).

 

Chipoco hurled two and two thirds innings of no-hit relief. He issued a two-out walk to the No. 8 batter, who stole second, in the seventh, but induced the next hitter into a game-ending popup.

 

Walker Zampella went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored for Edison. Teammate Sal Della Fave had a hit and an RBI. Evrin Virola contributed two hits and two runs scored to the win.

 

Losing pitcher Rob Gonzalez allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks. He fanned 10 over six innings and threw 105 pitches.

 

Brody Donovan had an RBI for the Tigers (3-1), who scored single runs in the third and fourth innings.

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2019/04/06/nj-baseball-gmc-roundup-saturday-april-6/3388192002/

 

 

Edison (3) at South Plainfield (2)

 

By The Star Ledger
on April 06, 2019 5:27 PM 

Dom LaPelosa gave up four hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out three as Edison edged out South Plainfield 3-2 in South Plainfield.

Edison scored a run each in the first two innings. South Plainfield cut the lead to one with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Nico Lopez and Sal Della Fave drove in one run each for Edison, while Ervin Virola went 2-for-3.

Rob Gonzalez struck out 10 and walked three while conceding four hits in six innings for South Plainfield. Brody Donovan drove in a run.


http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-1927786099955361729/edison-3-at-south-plainfield-2-baseball/

Game # 3 South Plainfield 5, East Brunswick 1

 

NJ baseball: South Plainfield southpaw Jones stymies East Brunswick

 Greg Tufaro,
Bridgewater Courier News 
Published 8:19 p.m. ET April 4, 2019

After losing nearly 80 innings pitched to graduation, the South Plainfield High School baseball team entered this season looking for a third starter to complement ace Chris Shine and veteran Rob Gonzalez.

 

The Tigers very well may have found their man in senior Justin Jones, a sneaky fast southpaw with excellent command of a breaking ball who did not allow an earned run in a complete-game effort while guiding the Tigers to a 5-1 victory over East Brunswick on Thursday.

 

“I’m really trying to be a third guy here,” said Jones, who scattered six hits and fanned six without walking a batter on a 93-pitch effort in his first varsity start.

 

“I’m working really hard in practice, working hard in my bullpens and taking everything seriously because I haven’t established anything yet. I came out here today looking to put my name on the map.”

 

Consider the kid they call “Jonesy” to have claimed his rightful spot in the rotation at South Plainfield, whose team ERA plummeted to 1.00 after Jones extended the team’s string of consecutive innings without allowing an earned run to 11.

 

Shine, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with Seton Hall University, opened the season with a complete-game shutout of a quality hitting North Brunswick team that features two future Division I players.

 

Jordan Hamberg was the winning pitcher in the back end of the series with North Brunswick, allowing three earned runs over four innings before Gonzalez hurled three scoreless innings of relief for a save.

 

“I think we are pretty deep with pitching,” said South Plainfield head coach Anthony Guida, whose Tigers, ranked No. 2 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, may have the mound depth to rival that of top-ranked St. Joseph.

 

“We have a lot of arms. We just don’t have much varsity experience after Shine and Gonzalez. So we are kind of toeing the line with how good we are going to be late in the game if someone can’t go the full game.”

 

Jones, whose velocity and command were as strong in the seventh inning as they were in the opening frame, said going the distance was on his mind.

 

“Finishing is a big thing here in our program,” Jones said of the Tigers, who are the defending Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament champions. “We’ve got to finish and that’s what I went out here to do.”

 

East Brunswick finally broke through in the seventh inning. Jay Bartus legged out an infield single, took second on an infield error and scored when, on his steal of third, South Plainfield’s catcher made an errant throw that sailed into left field.

 

The consummate team player, Jones smiled at his profusely apologetic batterymate, whose miscue spoiled the lefthander’s shutout.

 

“He’s a tremendous catcher,” Jones said of Brody Donovan, who walked and scored a run and caught an exceptional game. “You’ll be hearing about him this year and next year. It (errors) happen to everyone. I made bad pitches today. You’ve just got to keep your head up and try to win a ballgame.”

 

Guida believed the Tigers (3-0) should have entered the late innings with significantly more breathing room, but they left the bases loaded twice and stranded a total of nine runners, adding a little bit more pressure on Jones.

 

“We had opportunities to put them away and we didn’t,” said Guida, who would have liked his hitters to be more aggressive in the batter’s box, especially with a plate umpire calling the game with a big strike zone.

 

“For us not to be swinging with guys in scoring position is mind-boggling. To not tack on (runs) with a team like East Brunswick on a field like this (hard diamond) where you get a lot of bad hops, I was a little scared.”

 

The three-time defending Red Division champion Bears, who opened the year with consecutive one-run losses to J.P. Stevens, which won each game in its final at-bat, graduated eight players who batted over .300.

 

“The biggest thing right now is we are inexperienced,” said East Brunswick head coach Chris Kenney, who had to replace 180 hits, 109 runs and 101 RBI. “You are seeing growing pains. Right now, we are playing a little scared. We need to relax a little bit and start believing in ourselves. I think we will be alright. Once we get a couple of games under our belt, we should be fine. Our talent level is there, but it’s brand new. To them, the game is just so much faster, and that’s the one thing we are stressing. They are watching and trying to catch up, whereas those guys (South Plainfield) are reacting.”

 

With Gonzalez, a chatterbox in the dugout keeping the team loose and upbeat, South Plainfield does not appear to press, nor does it lose focus. The Tigers returned the majority of their field position players and entered the contest with a .360 team batting average.
 

East Brunswick starter Max Fallon retired the first seven hitters he faced before allowing a one-out double in the third to No. 8 batter Chris Born and a single to No. 9 batter Matt Cassio. The consecutive hits ignited a three-run rally during which Fallon, who threw 31 pitches over the first two innings, labored to the tune of 41 offerings. He was pitching from behind and worked the count full to three batters in the inning, two of who walked including one which forced home the inning’s third run. Mike Marrero fueled the outburst with an RBI double.

 

South Plainfield added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Born delivered an RBI single in the fourth, while Gonzalez singled and scored on an error in the fifth.

 

East Brunswick entered the game with a 1.87 team ERA and its pitchers, who have allowed 15 runs over three games, were victimized Thursday by three errors, two of which led directly to runs.

 

South Plainfield’s hottest hitters, TJ Massaro and Hamberg, who entered the contest a combined 9 of 14 from the plate, were collared on Thursday. Marrero, who entered 0-for-7, went 2-for-3 with a walk. Born, who was 2-for-4 on Thursday, was the only other Tiger with a multiple-hit game.

 

East Brunswick, which had a runner on base in three of the first four innings, had an opportunity to break the shutout in the fifth when Jack Thiel singled and took third on a double. Thiel, however, was erased after being caught in a rundown on a failed suicide squeeze attempt.

 

After the Bears got two runners aboard in the seventh, Kenney said he wanted to try to manufacture a run, thus he called for the double steal, which led to East Brunswick’s lone run.

 

“They were leaving us alone,” Kenney said. “I figured, why not put a little pressure on them to give (the Bears) something good coming out of the game. We got that overthrow, thank God, and scored that run.

 

“Maybe it brings a little bit of life back into the team, so it’s not totally demoralizing.”

 

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2019/04/04/nj-baseball-south-plainfield-southpaw-jones-stymies-east-brunswick/3370771002/

 

 

 

 

Former St. Joseph (Mont.) star Justyn-Henry Malloy - now at Vanderbilt - takes a swing during the 2017 Autism Awareness Challenge. (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

40-team Autism Awareness Challenge proves baseball is 'more than just a game

By Richard Greco
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 03, 2019 7:45 AM,
updated April 03, 2019 9:50 AM                        

       

Baseball is more than just a game.

That was the message that Autism Awareness Challenge founder Mike Garlatti conveyed to the Edison High School cafeteria packed with baseball players Sunday night.

Forty baseball teams from as far south as Millville and as north as Montvale and Ramapo met at the Middlesex County school the night before opening day to learn about autism.
In two weeks, all 40 teams - coming from 13 different counties - will compete in the 12th annual Autism Awareness Challenge at North Brunswick Community Park - a three day event spanning from April 12 to April 14.

While the showcase features loaded matchups - including No. 1 Delbarton vs. No. 8 Red Bank Catholic and No. 11 St. Peter’s Prep vs. No. 18 Christian Brothers - it also brings together two different communities to share the joy of baseball.

“We’re getting baseball fans to come out and learn about autism awareness and we’re getting the autism community out to see some good baseball,” Garlatti said.

The showcase has blossomed from its first year, which had eight teams playing on just one day. Now it features 20 games.

Millburn has been part of the showcase for years and coach Brian Chapman has watched it explode into the must-see baseball event that it is now.

“When I think about the growth of the event I think about two things,” Chapman said. “First, I think of the level of respect that we all have for Mike Garlatti as a baseball person, but also as a man and a father. Second, I think about how amazing it is to be part of a fraternity of coaches that take this event so seriously and pour their hearts into it.”

The sought after showcase already has a waitlist of nine teams and was one that Millville coach Roy Hallenbeck was dying to get in on after hearing Garlatti’s passion for the event - even if that meant an hour and a half bus ride on a Friday afternoon.

“It was Mike that got us so interested in this showcase,” Hallenbeck said. “When he approached me with it, he was so passionate about the cause. That made me buy in right away. Like every team around the country, we’re trying to expose our kids to something greater than just a locker room or field. We want them to see the bigger picture. We thought this was an outstanding opportunity to do just that.”

Millville and every other team in the showcase will get their look at the bigger picture first hand. In addition to fundraising for the event, each squad is given an honorary autistic player to join their team for the day and throw out the first pitch.

“This is an unbelievable event,” Delbarton coach Bruce Shatel said. “Mike is a dear friend of mine. What he does to raise awareness for autism is unbelievable. I have so much respect for him and his family for what they do over the course of that weekend and leading up to that weekend.”

AUTISM AWARENESS CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

Friday, April 12

Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs. Millville, 4

Voorhees vs. Spotswood, 4

Metuchen vs. Iselin Kennedy, 7
East Brunswick Tech vs. Henry Hudson, 7

Saturday, April 13

Highland Park vs. South River, 10
J.P. Stevens vs. Elizabeth, 10
Somerville vs. Jackson Memorial, 1
Steinert vs. Colonia, 1
Red Bank Catholic vs. Delbarton, 4
St. Joseph (Met.) vs. St. Joseph (Mont.), 4
South Plainfield vs. Millburn, 7
Sayreville vs. Old Bridge, 7

Sunday, April 14

Bishop Ahr vs. Bernards, 10
South Amboy vs. Rahway, 10
Edison vs. Barnegat, 1
Mount Olive vs. Ramapo, 1
Holy Spirit vs. Pope John, 4
St. Peter's Prep vs. Christian Brothers, 4
North Brunswick vs. Hillsborough, 7
Middlesex vs. West Morris, 7

Richard Greco covers baseball for NJ.com and may be reached at rgreco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Richard_V_Greco. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-5484380495245046953/autism-awareness-challenge-proves-baseball-is-more-than-just-a-game/
 

Game # 2 South Plainfield 7, North Brunswick 6

 

 
Greg Tufaro, Bridgewater Courier News
Published 7:04 p.m. ET April 2, 2019

Updated 8:34 p.m. ET April 2, 2019

 

South Plainfield 7, North Brunswick 6

The Tigers, who chipped away at a four-run first-inning deficit, snapped a 6-6 tie in the fifth inning and held on to complete a series sweep of the Raiders.

In the fifth, Cooper Smith was hit by a pitch, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Chris Born plated him with an RBI single to produce the final margin.

South Plainfield starting pitcher Jordan Hamberg allowed six runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out five. Reliever Rob Gonzalez hurled three scoreless, no-hit innings for the save. He fanned six and walked two.

Both pitchers made significant offensive contributions. Hamberg went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Gonzalez singled, doubled, scored and plated three runs.

TJ Massaro and Chris Shine each went 2-for-4 with a double.  Smith and Born each had a single, an RBI and a run scored.

After South Plainfield scored in the top of the second, closing the four-run gap to 4-1, North Brunswick answered with a run of its own to rebuild its lead. The Raiders closed out their scoring with a single run in the third. The Tigers scored two in the third and three in the fourth.

Alexander Bursac had two RBI and a double for North Brunswick. Teammates Sean Breheney and Dylan Glassman each had a hit and scored twice.

Four North Brunswick pitchers combined to allow 11 hits and issue seven walks.

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2019/04/02/nj-baseball-april-1-greater-middlesex-conference-roundup/3346786002/

South Plainfield (7) at North Brunswick (6)

By The Star Ledger
on April 02, 2019 8:04 PM

Rob Gonzalez went 2-for-2 with a single and a double, driving in three runs and scoring one to lead South Plainfield to a comeback win over North Brunswick, 7-6, in North Brunswick.
Gonzalez also closed out the game on the mound, pitching the final three innings while allowing no hits and no runs with six strikeouts and two walks.

Jordan Hamberg earned the win and helped his own cause, going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored while Cooper Smith and Chris Born drove in a run and scored a run apiece for South Plainfield.

Alexander Bursac doubled and drove in two runs while Sean Breheney singled with an RBI and two runs scored for North Brunswick, which jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-927781099950361739/south-plainfield-7-at-north-brunswick-6-baseball/

 

Game # 1 South Plainfield 6, North Brunswick 0

 

North Brunswick (0) at South Plainfield (6)

 

By The Star Ledger
on April 02, 2019 12:00 AM 

 

Chris Shine pitched a one-hitter over 6 2/3 innings, striking out 12 and walking two to propel South Plainfield to a 6-0 win over North Brunswick in South Plainfield.

Cooper Smith hit a two-run home run in the win. Shine also drove in two runs.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-927780099946361729/north-brunswick-0-at-south-plainfield-6-baseball/

Greg Tufaro, Bridgewater Courier News

Published 7:22 p.m. ET April 1, 2019

Updated 9:09 p.m. ET April 1, 2019

 

South Plainfield 6, North Brunswick 0

Winning pitcher Chris Shine hurled six and two thirds innings, striking out 12 and walking two while allowing just one single against a solid-hitting opponent.

Shine threw 111 pitches before yielding to reliever Matt Cassio, who retired the game's final batter on just two offerings.

TJ Massaro and Jordan Hamberg each went 2-for-3 for South Plainfield. The duo combined for three runs scored and an RBI. Brody Donovan also contributed two hits to the win.

Hamberg doubled twice and Rob Gonzalez also had a twin-bagger for the Tigers, who scored one run in the first, two in the fifth and three in the fourth.

Losing pitcher Christian Petrillo recorded North Brunswick's lone hit.

The teams combined to make five errors.

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2019/04/01/nj-baseball-april-1-greater-middlesex-conference-roundup/3333622002/

NJ baseball: 2019 GMC White Division preview

 

Greg Tufaro,
Bridgewater Courier News 
Published 2:15 p.m. ET March 24, 2019
Updated 2:41 p.m. ET March 24, 2019

Our Greater Middlesex Conference high school baseball previews for the 2019 season commence today with an in-depth look at the White Division.

 

Follow sportswriter Greg Tufaro on Twitter for links to future previews and for complete coverage throughout the season.

 

Previews of the league's four other divisions are on deck, along with our preseason Top 10 rankings and preseason All-Conference and All-Division selections.

 

In case you missed it, please consider checking out our Hot Stove Report, taking a glance at the opening week schedule or reflecting upon last season in our 2018 Year in Review.

 

A complete list of the division's top returning hitters and hurlers can be found at the bottom of this article

 

SOUTH PLAINFIELD

Coach: Anthony Guida, 11th season (195-96)

Last year: 20-10 overall, 6-6 White Division

Social Media: Follow on Twitter

2019 Schedule: Mark your calendar

 

Key losses: Connor Adams (CF), Billy Keane (1B-LHP), Mike Stanczak (SS), Niko Vasquez (C), Austin Feltham (RHP).

 

Probable lineup: Matt Cassio (Sr., 1B); Justin Jones (Sr., 1B); Chris Shine (Sr., 2B); Rob Gonzalez (Sr., INF); Mike Marrero (Sr., INF); Chris Born (Sr., INF-OF); TJ Massaro (Sr., OF); Ryan Massett (Sr., OF); Sam Nieves (Jr., C-OF); Brody Donovan (Jr., C-INF); Ashwin deGroot (Jr., OF); Joe Walker (Jr., C-INF); Jordan Hamberg (Jr., OF); Cooper Smith (Jr., INF-OF); Ryan Frontz (Jr., OF); Dominic Faustini (Jr., C-OF); Cody Hunterton (Jr., INF); Dylan DeLisa (Jr., INF); Vincent Esposito (So., INF); Brandon Shine (So., INF); Austin Scott (So., OF).

 

Pitchers: Chris Shine (Sr., RH); Matt Cassio (Sr., LH); Justin Jones (Sr., LH); Rob Gonzalez (Sr., RH); Mike Marrero (Sr., RH); Chris Born (Sr., RH); Ryan Massett (Sr., LH); Sammy Nieves (Jr., RH); Jordan Hamberg (Jr., LH); Ryan Frontz (RH); Dylan DeLisa (Jr., RH); Vincent Esposito (So., RH); Austin Scott (So., LH).

 

Outlook: The defending conference tournament champions graduated hurlers Keane (7-2, 1.68) and Feltham (3-0, 2.05), who combined to throw 77 and a third innings. Ace Shine, who has signed a National Letter of Intent with Seton Hall, brings his deceptive 4-2 record and conference-leading 0.39 ERA back to the mound. The workhorse hurled a team-best 53 and two thirds frames a year ago. Gonzalez, Marrero and Jones combined to throw 50 and two thirds inning last season. Several newcomers will help solidify the pitching staff. South Plainfield still does not have its starting lineup etched in stone, which is a good thing, reflecting outstanding competition at many positions. South Plainfield must replace Stanczak, who led the conference with nine homers and batted .308, along with the fleet-footed Adams, who batted a team-high .343 with 34 hits. Keane was a contributor at the plate, as well, hitting .326 with 28 hits. The Tigers return four strong bats including Marrero, who had 22 hits and led the team with 24 runs scored, Gonzalez (.323), who had 30 hits and was second to Stanczak on the club with 23 RBI, Born (.338), who belted 24 hits, and Shine (.298), who had 17 hits and 13 RBI.  

 

RETURNING PITCHING LEADERS

(minimum 14 innings)

Chris Shine, South Plainfield 0.39 ERA, 4-2 REC, 53.2 IP, 67 K, 13 BB, 3 ER, 24 H

Nick Nielson, Colonia 0.91 ERA, 8-1 REC, 46.1 IP, 35 K, 19 BB, 6 ER, 31 H

Jake Hellwig, St. Joseph 1.77 ERA, 3-0 REC, 39.2 IP, 47 K, 6 BB, 10 ER, 40 H

Christian Aich, Sayreville 1.78 ERA, 7-1 REC, 47 IP, 66 K, 32 BB, 12 ER, 33 H

Robert Nunez, Woodbridge 2.25 ERA, 6-1 REC, 45.2 IP, 49 K, 30 BB, 15 ER, 24 H

Joe Muccilli, Woodbridge 2.54 ERA, 5-2 REC, 30.1 IP, 32 K, 21 BB, 11 ER, 30 H

Adam Boucher, St. Joseph 2.67 ERA, 2-1 REC, 21 IP, 22 K, 19 BB, 8 ER, 19 H

Christian Petrillo, North Brunswick 2.88 ERA, 3-1 REC, 24.1 IP, 17 K, 14 BB, 10 ER, 21 H

RETURNING BATTING LEADERS

(minimum 13 hits)

Tom Faggioni, St. Joseph .400 BA, 32 H, 5 2B, 2 HR, 13 R, 21 RBI

Seb Mueller St. Joseph .388 BA, 33 H, 5 2B, 6 HR, 19 R, 32 RBI

Andrew Tan, North Brunswick .386 BA, 32 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 20 R, 37 RBI

Sammy Cruz, Edison .386 BA, 27 H, 6 2B, 2 HR, 14 R, 11 RBI

Christian Petrillo, North Brunswick .376 BA, 32 H, 6 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 25 R, 13 RBI

Chris Born, South Plainfield .338 BA, 24 H, 1 2B, 11 R, 10 RBI

Caleb Rodriguez, North Brunswick .329 BA, 25 H, 2 2B, 21 R, 9 RBI

Rob Gonzalez, South Plainfield .323 BA, 30 H, 10 2B, 3 HR, 17 R, 23 RBI

Dylan Glassman, North Brunswick .315 BA, 23 H, 3 2B, 1 3B, 21 R, 5 RBI

 

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2019/03/24/nj-baseball-2019-gmc-white-division-preview/3256843002/

 

2019 High School Baseball Preview

Championship contenders in Group 2

By NJ Advance Media baseball staff | Posted March 22, 2019 at 10:09 AM | Updated March 22, 2019 at 10:42 AM

 

THE BIG PICTURE: With the exception of North Jersey, Non-Public A, this is the most competitive group in New Jersey. There is a long and distinguished list of contenders and it starts with defending Group 2 champion Pascack Hills. With lefty ace Ryan Ramsey leading the way, the Cowboys are going to be difficult to beat. Gov. Livingston needs to develop some pitching depth, but the Highlanders can rake with the best. Rutherford has pitching depth and South Plainfield is one of the best small ball-playing teams in the state with a big-time ace in righty Chris Shine. Out of the South, West Deptford is always a force to be reckoned with.
 

Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

 

1-Pascack Hills

• 2018 record: 30-2
• 2018 postseason: 1st Bergen County Tournament; 1st North 1, Group 2; 1st Group 2.
• Key returners: Ryan Ramsey, P-OF, Sr.; Brandon Siegenthaler, P-Utility, Sr.; Jason Schulman, P-3B, Jr.; Chris Curcio, INF-P, Sr.; Marc Hernandez, C, Sr.; Mike Rodriguez, 3B-P, Sr.
• Overview: The defending Group 2 champions are going to be tough to beat. Lefty Ryan Ramsey, NJ.com's 2018 Pitcher of the Year, is as good a No. 1-starter as there is in New Jersey. What the Cowboys need to find is a reliable No. 2 and No. 3 - Siegenthaler, Rodriguez and Schulman are candidates for those roles. All three saw minimal pitching action last spring. Pascack Hills returns plenty of offense, too. Curcio, Hernandez, Ramsey, Rodriguez and Siegenthaler all had 19 or more RBI. The road to the Group 2 title runs though Montvale. Pascack Hills has big games scheduled against Bergen Catholic (April 13) and Don Bosco Prep (April 23).

Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media

 

2-Gov. Livingston

• 2018 record: 22-4-1
• 2018 postseason: 1st Union County Tournament; Lost in Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
• Key returners: Drew Compton, 3B, Sr.; Stephen Reid, OF, Sr.; Andy Serretti, INF, Sr.; John Grill, P, Sr.; Chris Bruno, C, Sr.; Ryan Davey, P-INF, Sr.
• Overview: The Highlanders will have two of the state's finest hitters - Georgia Tech recruits Reid and Compton - back in the middle of the lineup. However, there are more questions surrounding Gov. Livingston in 2019 than answers. First, will Compton and Reid ever see good pitches to hit? Hit hard by graduation, there aren't many proven bats around them. Second, how well will Gov. Livingston pitch? Ryan Davey and John Grill - each with less than 20 innings of work last year - appear to be the top pitchers for the Highlanders. As has been the case the past few seasons, never count Gov. Livingston out.

Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media

 

3-Rutherford

• 2018 record: 20-7-1
• 2018 postseason: Lost in second round of Bergen County Tournament; Lost in North 2, Group 2 final.
• Key returners: Abellany Mendez, INF-P, Sr.; Jay Tobin, Utility, Sr.; Regan Landrigan, P-OF, Sr.; Breylin Jones, P-INF, Sr.; Jacob Gomez, P-1B, Jr.; CJ Francisco, P-INF, Jr.
• Overview: After winning 12 of their final 14 games last spring, the Bulldogs are a team worth watching. Rutherford returns two quality starters in Gomez and Jones. On the offensive side, Jones is coming off a 39-hit, 29-RBI season, Landrigan had 20 RBI, while Francisco and Tobin knocked in 14 apiece. Football star Abellany Mendez had 35 hits a year ago. Rutherford had 262 hits last spring and could have more in 2019. Big games on the Rutherford schedule include Middlesex (April 25) and Pascack Hills (April 27).

 

Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance Media

 

4-South Plainfield

• 2018 record: 20-10
• 2018 postseason: 1st in Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament; Lost in Central Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals.
• Key returners: Chris Born, OF, Sr.; Brody Donovan, C-1B, Jr.; Rob Gonzalez, P-Utility, Sr.; Jordan Hamberg, OF-P, Jr.; Jose Hernandez, P-INF, Sr., Michael Marrero, 3B, Sr.; Chris Shine, P, Sr.
• Outlook: South Plainfield is renowned for its fundamentals. The Tigers throw strikes, play solid defense, execute a small-ball attack with the best of them and do pretty much whatever it takes to win. At one point last spring, South Plainfield won 10 straight games. Among those 10 victories were three-straight shutouts. Two of South Plainfield's best arms return in Shine and Hernandez. Hernandez struck out 14 hitters in one game. Shine, a Seton Hall commit, whiffed 64 in 52 innings. Marrero and Stanczak, who combined for 41 hits last season, pace the offense. Noteworthy games on the South Plainfield schedule include: Millburn (April 13), Middlesex (April 26) and North Hunterdon (May 6). South Plainfield is also readied for the postseason by a strong divisional schedule.

Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media

 

5-West Deptford

• 2018 record: 18-8
• 2018 postseason: Lost in Diamond Classic quarterfinals; Lost in South Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
• Key returners: Gabe Finocchi, P-OF, Sr.; Colby Garrison, INF, Jr.; RJ Mason, OF, Jr.; Jack Murphy, P-1B, Sr.; Ben Smith, OF, Sr.; Joe Esposito, P-INF, Jr.; Dylan Wakeley, P-1B, Sr.
• Overview: Though 2018 ended with three losses in its final four games, West Deptford has to be thinking big as 2019 begins because of the pitching it returns. Finocchi (37 innings), Murphy (36 innings) and Wakeley (49 innings) are proven commodities on the bump. All three averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Offensively, Garrison led West Deptford with 29 RBI a year ago. Mason had 29 hits and scored 20 runs, and Smith had 14 RBI on 13 hits. West Deptford made 55 errors last spring and will need to be better with the gloves to get through an always competitive South Jersey Group 2 tournament.

https://expo.nj.com/sports/g66l-2019/03/cdd3856c9f8249/hs-baseball-preview-championship-contenders-in-all-6-groups.html?fbclid=IwAR2kSWqH0Mx0l1HpOqPZGJ6W8HxdTTOAontNGWyK_3zgtc2-z6Z1ehPq3iA

Soon, ....... Very Soon.