GMC Baseball Top 10 entering Week Three

Andy Mendlowitz

MyCentralJersey.com

After an exciting first full week of the GMC baseball season, there wasn't much movement in the Top 10 -- despite some key matchups. 

Here is this week's rankings as the divisional play heats up. 

TOP 10

(records and stats through Sunday, May 1)

1. St. Joseph (6-3) – last week No. 1

Who doesn't love a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup? Yes, it's early. Still, it's fun when top teams meet for back-to-back games. St. Joseph took two close ones over No. 2 South Brunswick last week, 3-0 and 2-1 in 8 innings. The crisp innings featured gem-like pitching for both squads and key outs when the opponent threatened. Despite its youth, the St. Joseph players showed poise and moxie. In Saturday's extra innings win, the Falcons started one senior with six sophomores on the diamond, including pitcher Jimmy Mulvaney. Senior pitching stopper Colin Leyner led the way in the first game. The sophomores off to hot starts, including Tyler Delvecchio, Xavier Arana and Mark Gialluisi, while junior Andrew Goldan and senior Eric Gonzalez hit home runs. The Falcons have lost to difficult nonconference teams in Cherokee, Hun and Somerville. That competition, though, should help St. Joseph going forward in the Red Division.

2. South Brunswick (5-3) – last week No. 2

Despite the two losses, you can't really punish the Vikings in the rankings. South Brunswick, whose other loss was to state power Cranford, were right there with the Falcons. There's a lot to like with South Brunswick as it enters tough series against East Brunswick and Monroe. It begins with front-line pitching in right-handers Frankie Sanchez, Joey Tuttoilmondo and Neel Telivedara. At the plate, Sanchez, Pete Cortez and Alex Ciccone have delivered key hits. An x-factor is catcher Joey Chegus, who threw out three base runners in Saturday's extra innings loss to St. Joseph.

3. South Plainfield (7-1) – last week No. 4

In another highly anticipated series, South Plainfield swept then-No. 3 Edison 11-1 and 7-5 to stake an early claim as the favorites in the tough White Division. The Tigers have a balanced batting order with production throughout the lineup. In the series, Austin Scott went 4-for-8 with three RBI and a home run and Nick Loniewski scored four runs and had three RBI. Vincent Esposito and Jack Massett provided outstanding starts. Add in Mitch Dudak, and South Plainfield has a formidable rotation. The Tigers should be tested this week with divisional games against Sayreville and North Brunswick and Blue Division power Middlesex.

4. Monroe (7-1) – last week No. 5

In the always tough Red Division, it's Monroe that finds itself up top with St. Joseph after two weeks. Yes, the Falcons have gotten good pitching, but they've also been able to hit, scoring an average of 8 runs a game in their seven wins. This week, Monroe has a series against Perth Amboy, a game with Sayreville and then a showdown series against No. 2 South Brunswick, which could shake up the division. Garrett VanBuren and Jacob Veczko are both hitting .500.

5. Edison (5-2) – last week No. 3

Maybe it's not fair to drop the Eagles after the two losses to South Plainfield. After all, they were close games (the 11-1 loss was 0-0 entering the fourth) against another top opponent. The Eagles also have two impressive wins over Woodbridge on their resume. But these things always plays itself out on the field, and Edison should be just fine going forward. Sal Della Fave has a whopping 14 RBI and four home runs and has given up two earned runs in 16 innings on the mound.

6. Old Bridge (2-5) – last week No. 6

Yeah, it was a tough start for the Knights, beginning the season late and going 0-4 against Monroe (twice) and private school powers Don Bosco and St. Peter's Prep. But Old Bridge has too much talent to panic and things started trending upward with a pair of wins over Piscataway. Now, the Knights will test themselves with Red Division games against St. Joseph (twice) and J.P. Stevens and two more nonconference private school games with Seton Hall Prep and St. Augustine.

7. Middlesex (3-0) – last week No. 7

The Blue Jays started strong after a late start by outscoring their opponents 48-1 in three wins last week. Now, they'll likely face tougher pitching against South Plainfield and nonconference Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Middlesex has fellow Blue Division contenders Metuchen, South River and Spotswood over the next two weeks. Players scorching early for Middlesex include Ryan Vollmer, Raiden Yost and Stephen Young.

8. Colonia (3-3) – last week No. 8

In yet another big series last week, Colonia split with Woodbridge in a Saturday double-header after Thursday's meeting was postponed in the third inning because of rain. Consider it a rankings push with the teams remaining in the same spots. After a tough nonconference schedule that includes losses against Immaculata and Sparta, the Patriots have a stretch of nine straight White Division teams. It begins with a series against another Woodbridge Township team in J.F. Kennedy, which has some pop.

9. Woodbridge (5-3) – last week No. 9

The Barrons put together a strong stretch with five-straight wins before losing the second game of the DH to Colonia. That included two key White Division victories over North Brunswick, especially impressive was how they won. In the first meeting, North Brunswick took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Woodbridge responded with five runs in the top of the seventh. In other words, never count them out. Tom O'Halloran has been scorching (12-of-21) and Brandon Schmitt and Matt Troche have each driven in seven runs.

10. (tied) Metuchen (6-1) – last week No. 10

Metuchen and Spotswood remain tied for No. 10. Guess what -- they play each other twice this week on Friday and Saturday. It should be a fun series that will help the Blue Division shake out. Looming next week for the Bulldogs is a series against Middlesex. Metuchen, which suffered its first loss to nonconference North Hunterdon on Saturday, has showed it can score runs in bunches. Prior to that game, the Bulldogs averaged 18 runs in a four-game stretch. Players swinging hot bats include Jack Barry, Matt Rowe and Alex Wood.

10. (tied) Spotswood (5-2) – last week No. 10

The Chargers have challenged themselves with non-divison losses to Monroe and Union. Facing those good teams will help in the Blue Division battles. Spotswood has put up some big scoring outputs in blowouts, but they also pulled out a gutsy 6-4 nonconference win over Hackettstown on Saturday, keyed by Ethan Williams' RBI-triple in the eighth inning. Tyler Lewandowski (16-of-30), Casey Cumiskey (12-of-20), Luke Johnson (11-of-26), Jeff Osbourne (7-of-17) and Williams (14-of-23) are among the players off to hot starts.

GMC Baseball Top 10 entering Week Three (mycentraljersey.com)

2021 Game #8 South Plainfield 7, Edison 5

Andy Mendlowitz - MyCentralJersey.com

South Plainfield 7, Edison 5

South Plainfield scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead and it's pitching came through to pick up a key White Division victory.

The Tigers (7-1 overall, 6-0 in division) also defeated Edison (5-2, 4-2) on Thursday 11-1.

South Plainfield entered No. 4 in the Home News Tribune Top 10 and Edison was No. 3.

Saturday, in the fifth inning, right fielder Austin Scott doubled to left with one out, which scored two runners to tie the game at 5-5.

Left fielder's Kennedy Ferguson's RBI-single right scored Scott and gave the Tigers the 6-5 lead. South Plainfield added an insurance run in the sixth.

Junior left-hander Jack Massett earned his first career varsity win by allowing one earned run (five total scored) in five innings off of one hit with four strikeouts and two walks.

Mitch Dudak (2-0) earned his first save of the season with two shutout innings, allowing just a walk with four strikeouts.

In the third, the Edison scored three runs to take a 3-0 lead. The big blow came off of Evrin Virola's two-RBI double in the left center gap, which plated Matt Yascko and Walker Zampella, who both who reached base on errors.

Virola scored after the Tigers committed their fourth error of the inning.

Undaunted, South Plainfield matched the Eagles by scoring three runs in the bottom half of the third after Edison made a few miscues of its own.

Center fielder Nick Loniewski and second baseman Vinny Esposito both reached base on consecutive errors. Catcher Luke Bickunas drove them home on a base hit.

Nick DellaSala scored the third run of the inning, as he raced home after the throw got past the third baseman as he was stealing third.

Edison added two more runs in the fifth before South Plainfield's comeback.

GMC Baseball: Highlights from games Saturday, May 1 (mycentraljersey.com)

By Andrew Borders | For NJ Advance Media

South Plainfield 7,  Edison 5

South Plainfield rallied past Edison 7-5 on Saturday in South Plainfield.

Tied at 3-3 after three and trailing 5-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth, South Plainfield scored three runs in that inning to pull back on top by a run and added another in the sixth.

Luke Bickunas and Austin Scott drove in two runs apiece for South Plainfield, which won its fifth in a row to stand at 7-1 heading to Sayreville on Tuesday.

Jack Massett had his first career win four South Plainfield, going five innings with a hit and two walks allowed, striking out four. Just one of the five runs scored during Massett’s time on the hill as earned. Mitch Dudak closed out the game for the save.



The teams were meeting for the second time in three days, and South Plainfield completed the sweep after Edison (5-2) started the season with five straight wins. Edison will head to North Brunswick on Tuesday.

South Plainfield over Edison - Baseball recap - nj.com

Edison (5) at South Plainfield (7) - NJ.com

 

2021 Game #7 South Plainfield 11, Edison 1

Andy Mendlowitz
MyCentralJersey.com
South Plainfield 11, Edison 1

The heavyweight came through with a big blast to start a rally and the veteran pitcher went the distance.

South Plainfield took Round 1 host against Edison in an early series between two of the best teams in the White Division.

Vincent Esposito, a senior right-hander, struck out nine and allowed eight hits with no walks.

In an early tight game, the No. 5 hitter Scott -- also the heavyweight wrestler for the Tigers -- led off the fourth inning with an opposite-field home run to give South Plainfield a 1-0 lead. Leadoff hitter Nick Loniewski keyed the six-run inning with a bases loaded triple to help break the game open.

The Tigers (6-1 overall, 5-0 White Division) entered No. 4 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, and Edison (5-1, 4-1) was No. 3. The teams meet again Saturday.

While it's early, the contest had a big-game feel to it.

"These guys knew," South Plainfield coach Scott Gleichenhaus said. "We have a natural rivalry between Edison. These guys have been playing against these kids since they were 9, 10, 11 years old. Edison always seemed to have their number, so our guys were fired up going in. They were focused. Not cocky, just focused on everybody doing their jobs."

That included Esposito. He singled in Loniewski in the fourth inning. On the mound, Gleichenhaus called him dominant and comfortable.

He smoothly pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth inning to help South Plainfield keep the momentum.

"He bulldogged his way out of it," Gleichenhaus said. "He was pounding the zone all day. ... He was spotting his fastball and then he was getting his off-speed stuff over the plate for strikes. He pitched his butt off."

In the big fourth inning, South Plainfield kept the pressure on as Kennedy Ferguson reached on an error, Frank Flannery had a bunt base hit and Tyler Balent and Troy O'Connor each walked.

Scott finished 3-for-5 with two RBI.

For Edison, Matt Yascko, Charlie Taub and Nico Lopez each had two hits.

It was a key win for South Plainfield, but guess what -- they have to do it again Saturday as Edison travels to the Tigers.

"I talked to the guys and I'll have a talk with them again tomorrow," Gleichenhaus said. "You take nothing for granted. It's a new day. Stay focused. It was a nice win, but we got a lot more baseball left to play and if they really want to make a statement, they got to come back out on Saturday and not let up at all, you know. Keep pushing forward. Keep grinding."

Email: amendlowitz@njpressmedia.com

GMC Baseball: Highlights from games Thursday, April 29 (mycentraljersey.com)

 

6-run explosion powers South Plainfield over Edison in meeting of division leaders

Updated 10:06 PM; Today 10:06 PM
By Joe Zedalis | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com


South Plainfield head coach Scott Glichenhaus cautioned his team about losing focus against long-time rival Edison on Thursday.

“I told them any loss of focus and all the wheels could fall off,” Glichenhaus said.

He couldn’t have been more correct. The wheels did come off – not for South Plainfield, but for Edison.

A solo home run was followed by a throwing error and breakdown on a bunt and that opened the floodgates for a six-run, fourth inning and the Tigers rolled to an easier-than-expected, 11-1, victory, in a meeting of Greater Middlesex Conference White Division leaders.

South Plainfield is 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the GMC White. Edison slips to 5-1 and 4-1 in the division. The two teams will play the second of their two-game set Saturday in South Plainfield.

“No way I expected a game like this, not after the first three innings,” Glichenhaus said. “We left three guys on and their pitcher (Dom LaPelosa) was in command.”

That all changed quickly in the fourth inning.

Lefty-swinging Austin Scott, the heavyweight on the outstanding South Plainfield wrestling team, launched an opposite field home run on a 3-1 pitch leading off the inning.

However, the inning became disastrous for Edison. First, a throwing error. Then Francis Flannery dropped down a bunt and was safe when Edison failed to cover first. Then, a passed ball and two walks made it 2-0. Nick Loniewski crushed a long triple that cleared the bases for a 5-0 lead. The final run scored on a single by winning pitcher Vincent Esposito. And that was all before an out was recorded.

That was more than enough for Esposito. The senior right-hander struck out nine without a walk. He threw 103 pitches during his complete-game effort. He allowed six hits.

“He got out of a jam in the fourth inning and that was crucial,” Glichenhaus said. “They had a couple guys on and one of their guys hit a ball to the fence. We all thought it was gone but our left fielder Kennedy Ferguson caught it on the warning track. If it goes out, our lead is cut in half.”

Esposito wiggled out of trouble when he faced it and South Plainfield tacked on three more runs in the top of the six and two in the top of the seventh. The Tigers finished with 11 hits. Scott had three hit and Brandon Shine two.

6-run explosion powers South Plainfield over Edison in meeting of division leaders - nj.com

South Plainfield (11) at Edison (1) - NJ.com

GMC Baseball Top 10 entering a key slate of games

 

Andy Mendlowitz
MyCentralJersey.com

The Top 10 will normally be posted every Monday. Here's a mid-week edition heading into a slate of key games, including a home and home series on Thursday and Saturday between:

♦ No. 1 St. Joseph vs. No. 2 South Brunswick

♦ No. 3 Edison vs. No. 4 South Plainfield

♦ No. 8 Colonia vs. No. 9 Woodbridge

In other words, check back Monday -- there can be some big shakeups.
TOP 10

(records and stats through Tuesday, April 27)

1. St. Joseph (4-1)

In an always competitive Red Division, it's the Falcons who start as the team to beat. St. Joseph, which played in the White Division in 2019, should have fun games all season against their new neighbors. They look to have a balanced lineup with star power at the plate and on the mound, despite losing Virginia-commit Donovan Zsak to an arm injury. Colin Leyner looks to throw key innings and sophomore 1B Tyler Delvecchio (8 of 12) and sophomore C Mark Gialluisi (6 of 12) have a combined 14 RBI so far. St. Joseph's only loss was to Skyland Conference power Somerville.

2. South Brunswick (4-1)

Talk about a hot start to the season: Joey Tuttoilmondo threw a no-hitter with 17 strikeouts in the opener against J.P. Stevens. The Vikings also got two great starts from Frankie Sanchez and one from Neel Telivedara. At the plate, Alex Ciccone and Pete Cortez leads South Brunswick in hits and RBI. The Vikings' only loss was 7-0 to Cranford, one of the best teams in the state this spring.

3. Edison (5-0)

The Eagles showed they will be one of the top teams in the White Division with a season-opening sweep of Woodbridge. First baseman/pitcher Sal Della Fave has been scorching at the plate (7-of-16, 4 HR, 13 RBI) and tough on the mound (1 ER in 11 inn, 12 Ks). In fact, Edison has scored at least 10 runs in each of its wins.

4. South Plainfield (5-1)

After a slow but steady preseason, the Tigers got their timing down by opening day. The results have been White Division sweeps of J.F. Kennedy and New Brunswick and a win over Montgomery of the Skyland Conference. Mitch Dudak earned two victories on the mound and Vincent Esposito (10 of 19), Luke Bickunas (9 of 17, 9 RBI) and Brandon Shine (6 of 14, 8 RBI) have swung hot bats. South Plainfield's only loss was to nonconference Millburn.

5. Monroe (4-1)

Like every team, the Falcons entered with holes after missing the 2020 season. One big plus -- veteran leadership. Monroe features 11 seniors, six of which have committed to play in college. That experience goes a long way. Monroe has started strong, including a win over traditional power Old Bridge. Josh Weinstein (two starts) and Garrett VanBuren have led Monroe's rotation and Christopher Wisniewski has pitched well in relief and also slugged two home runs. Karan Patel has driven in a team-high six runs. Monroe's only loss was to Manalapan of the Shore Conference.

6. Old Bridge (0-3)

Don't read too much into the record. Two of their losses were against private school powers Don Bosco and St. Peter's Prep. Old Bridge also lost to Monroe 7-3, which broke it open in a scoreless fourth inning. The Knights should be just fine and contend in the Red Division with left-handed pitchers Jason Gilman and Justin Herbstman forming a solid combo at the top of the rotation.

7. Middlesex (2-0)

It should be a fun Blue Division race, and Middlesex should once again be in the thick of it along with Metuchen, Spotswood and South River. The Blue Jays got a late start, but looked good in outscoring Carteret 30-1 in two games. Raiden Yost drove in seven runs in the series as the Blue Jays' potent offense looks to keep it going with two upcoming divisional series against St. Thomas Aquinas and South River.

8. Colonia (2-2)

Another fun race -- the White Division. Colonia will certainly be in the mix with its deep pitching staff led by Rutgers-commit JT Kroner and Tyler Mendez. The Patriots opened by scoring 46 runs in their first two wins. After two nonconference losses against Immaculata and Sparta, Colonia has four divisional series in a row against Woodbridge, J.F. Kennedy, Edison and North Brunswick.

9. Woodbridge (4-2)

The Barrons opened with two losses against Edison. Hey, it's only April and Woodbridge is talented. The Barrons regrouped with four straight wins, including two key divisional victories against North Brunswick and nonconference Whippany Park and Plainfield. Tom O'Halloran and Matt Troche have swung hot bats early on.

10. (tied) Metuchen (4-0)

Talk about a hot start to the season II: Fans already know about Matt Rowe, who has committed to Rutgers. But his introduction to the 2021 season was quite memorable -- a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts in the opener against St. Thomas Aquinas. In wins over South River and Bernards, Metuchen scored 33 runs. Jack Barry, Luke Schleck and Joseph Fento each has a home run for the Bulldogs.

10. (tied) Spotswood (4-1)

The Chargers can put out different lineups with positional flexibility from game to game. One thing seems sure -- Spotswood will have tough outs. The Chargers showed they will be in the top half of the Blue Division with divisional sweeps over Carteret and St. Thomas Aquinas. Among the hot bats are Casey Cumiskey (11 hits), Luke Johnson (11 hits), Tyler Lewandowski (12 hits) and Ethan Williams (10 hits). Spotswood's only loss was to Monroe of the Red Division.

Email: amendlowitz@njpressmedia.com

GMC Baseball Top 10 entering a key slate of games (mycentraljersey.com)

2021 Game #6 South Plainfield 10, New Brunswick 0

South Plainfield 10, New Brunswick 0

Dan McLeod struck out 11 in five shutout innings and allowed two hits with no walks in the White Division win.

Luke Bickunas hit a three-run home run and doubled and drove in four runs

The visiting Tigers (5-1, 4-0) scored three times in the first inning and broke it open with four runs in the fourth, two in the fifth inning and one in the sixth.

Austin Scott struck out the side in the final inning.

Brandon Shine (2 runs) and Nick Loniewski (run) each doubled and had an RBI.

Also driving in runs were Ashton Donovan, Jack Massett and Nick DellaSala.

Kyle Griswold doubled and scored twice and Vincent Esposito, Ty Dukoff and Francis Flannery (hit) each scored. Kennedy Ferguson crossed home twice.

Carlos Perez and John Ortega each had a hit for New Brunswick (0-4, 0-4).

GMC Baseball: Highlights from games on Tuesday, April 27 (mycentraljersey.com)

South Plainfield over New Brunswick
Updated 11:05 PM; Today 11:05 PM

By Mak Ojutiku | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Luke Bickunas went 3-for-4 with a double and a three-run homer to lead South Plainfield to a 10-0 win over New Brunswick, in New Brunswick.

Dan McLeod recorded 11 strikeouts, no walks, and conceded tow hits in five innings on the mound for the Tigers (5-1)

Austin Scott struck out the side in one inning of relief.

Carlos Perez and John Ortega had a hit each for New Brunswick (0-4).

South Plainfield over New Brunswick - Baseball recap - nj.com

South Plainfield (10) at New Brunswick (0) - NJ.com

2021 Game #5 South Plainfield 6, Montgomery Township 1

South Plainfield 6, Montgomery 1

Senior right-hander Mitch Dudak earned his second win of the season by allowing one run and two hits and striking out five in the nonconference game.

Ashton Donovan pitched a scoreless sixth and Vin Esposito threw a scoreless seventh to close out the game.

Right fielder Austin Scott, who recently came back from the wrestling season, went 3-for-3 (3B, 2B) with an RBI and two runs scored. Catcher Luke Bickunas went 2-3 with a double and his courtesy runner, Ty Ducoff, scored twice.

Third baseman Frank Flannery singled home Scott in the fourth to give the Tigers (4-1) a 2-0 lead, which turned out to be the winning run.

South Plainfield added four runs in the bottom of the fourth to open the lead.

Kennedy Ferguson and Francis Flannery each had a hit and RBI in the win.

GMC Baseball: Highlights from games on Monday, April 26 (mycentraljersey.com)

 

Montgomery (1) at South Plainfield (6) - NJ.com

2021 Game #4 South Plainfield 27, New Brunswick 1

 

South Plainfield 27, New Brunswick 1 (4 innings)


Nick Loniewski singled, doubled and drove in five runs, while Luke Bickunas singled, doubled and plated three runs to fuel South Plainfield (3-1). Brandon Shine also drove in three runs for the Tigers. Branden Bueno drove in a run for the Zebras (0-3).


BASEBALL: GMC, Skyland and Union County area roundup for Saturday, April 24 (mycentraljersey.com)

New Brunswick (1) at South Plainfield (27) - NJ.com

2021 Game #3 Millburn 2, South Plainfield 0

Millburn over South Plainfield in Autism Awareness Showcase

By Mike Byrne | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com


Drew Oppenheim allowed two hits in six innings while striking out 10 and walking two as Millburn won, 2-0, over South Plainfield in the Autism Awareness Challenge Showcase at North Brunswick Community Park.

Ethan Axelrod had an RBI double while Steven Echavarria added an RBI for Millburn (2-1), which scored both runs in the third inning.

South Plainfield is now 2-1.

Millburn over South Plainfield in Autism Awareness Showcase - Baseball recap - nj.com

Millburn (2) at South Plainfield (0) - NJ.com

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)

2021 Game #2 South Plainfield 12, JFK Iselin 2

South Plainfield 12, J.F. Kennedy 2

In the preseason, the South Plainfield hitters were slowly getting into a rhythm at the plate, making soft contact.

"Almost a backward approach, not attacking good pitches," Tigers coach Scott Gleichenhaus said. "They should be swinging at it, trying to drive the baseball into the gap somewhere. We were putting ourselves in holes because we were taking a lot of pitches."

Gleichenhaus, though, knew it was just a matter of time.

Monday, South Plainfield got timely hitting off of five hits to beat J.F. Kennedy.

Tuesday, they belted 15 hits to win 12-2 in the White Division game.

Senior shortstop Brandon Shine went 3-for-4 with four RBI as the top five hitters got 12 of the hits -- Nick Loniewski, Nick DellaSala, Vinnie Esposito, Shine and Luke Bickunas.

On the mound, Esposito, a senior right-hander, struck out 10 in six innings and allowed four hits and a walk.

"He was around the zone," Gleichenhaus said. "He was locating his pitches. His fastball was on point and his breaking balls, he was able to throw them for strikes."

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/2021/04/20/gmc-baseball-breaking-down-games-on-april-20/7310017002/

 Iselin Kennedy (2) at South Plainfield (12) - NJ.com

2021 Game #1 South Plainfield 3, J.F. Kennedy 1

 

South Plainfield over Iselin Kennedy

Updated Apr 19, 2021; Posted Apr 19, 2021

By Nestor F. Sebastian | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Senior Vincent Esposito went 3-for-3 with two doubles and a triple to lead South Plainfield to a 3-1 win over Iselin Kennedy in Iselin.
Luke Bickunas had a hit and an RBI for South Plainfield (1-0) while sophomore Francis Flannery had an RBI.
Senior Mitch Dudak of South Plainfield and freshman RJ Coleman of Iselin Kennedy each had seven strikeouts.

South Plainfield (3) at Iselin Kennedy (1) - NJ.com

South Plainfield over Iselin Kennedy - Baseball recap - nj.com

South Plainfield 3, J.F. Kennedy 1

Senior right-hander Mitch Dudak threw a gem allowing two hits and run with seven strikeouts and two walks in the Tigers' White Division win.

Second baseman Vincent Esposito went 3-for-3 with a double, triple, RBI and run scored.

Luke Bickunas added a hit and RBI and Francis Flannery drove in a run. Additionally, Nick Loniewski and Ty Dukoff scored runs for South Plainfield.

Josh O. Torres (run scored) and Isaiah Cherry each had a hit for J.F. Kennedy.

Email: amendlowitz@njpressmedia.com

GMC Baseball: Breaking down opening day games on April 19 (mycentraljersey.com)

South Plainfield hires former star player as head baseball coach

 

Greg Tufaro - MyCentralJersey.com
Published 9:26 p.m. ET Jan. 25, 2021
Updated 7:07 a.m. ET Jan. 26, 2021

Scott Gleichenhaus, a former star player at South Plainfield High School, has taken over the reins of the baseball program at his alma mater. 

The veteran mentor, who previously served as the head coach at Plainfield and Piscataway high schools, succeeds Anthony Guida, who stepped down earlier this month to spend more time with his family. 

Gleichenhaus left Piscataway following the 2018 season, shortly before his wife, Veliana, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Ollie, and most recently served as a volunteer assistant at South Plainfield, where the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the entire 2020 scholastic season.

“I don’t think we miss a beat with Scott coming in,” South Plainfield athletics director Kevin McCann said. “I think we were lucky that he decided to take the helm and lead us. It’s not every day you get somebody with his experience to take a team that Coach Guida took to another level. You just know Coach ‘Glick’ will maintain that and look to bring it to an even higher level.”

Scott Gleichenhaus, left, succeeds Anthony Guida, right, as South Plainfield's Baseball Coach

Guida compiled a 213-105 record at South Plainfield, where he led the Tigers to their first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament championship in school history and helped them end a 40-year state title drought.

South Plainfield enjoyed winning campaigns in all but two of Guida's 11 seasons. In six of those years, the Tigers won at least 20 games.

“We are looking for great things from Coach ‘Glick,’” McCann said. “He knows the tradition because he was a part of it for so many years. He takes pride in South Plainfield and the program. I think he’s gung-ho and he wants to better it.”

Vinnie Abene, co-president of the Greater Middlesex Conference, said Gleichenhaus’ return as a head coach is good for South Plainfield and the entire league.

“When ‘Glick’ was here (as a head coach at Piscataway), he was always involved and did a lot behind the scenes, trying to make the conference better,” Abene said. “To have a guy like him come back and be familiar with the conference is going to make the conference better.”

Abene said “replacing Anthony was not going to be easy,” but “I think they found a guy in ‘Glick’ who not only knows the game, but he really knows his players. He’s an intense guy who is going to add a lot of fire to that South Plainfield team.”

Gleichenhaus, who teaches social studies at South Plainfield Middle School, graduated from high school in 1994 as one of Middlesex County’s top players.

Scott Gleichenhaus as a player at South Plainfield.

He secured a three-quarters scholarship to Long Island University before transferring to Widener University, where he helped the program win a conference title.

After earning his degree in education, Gleichenhaus commenced his teaching and coaching career, beginning the latter as an assistant at Metuchen.

Gleichenhaus said he’s always been jealous of conference coaching peers such as Spotswood’s Glenn Fredricks and South River’s Mike Lepore Jr., who have both been able to enjoy long careers at their high school alma maters.

“I’m a South Plainfield guy,” Gleichenhaus said. “I love the community. It’s like no other town.”

Gleichenhaus spoke with friend, Chris Cochrane, a former South Plainfield and Rutgers University ace who the Oakland Athletics drafted, about the opportunity to succeed Guida.  

“(Cochrane) said, ‘That’s a dream job,’” recalled Gleichenhaus, noting the conversation helped ease any doubts he may have had about returning to the diamond as a head coach with a toddler, who will soon turn 2 years old, at home.

Scott Gleichenhaus on the diamond with his son, Ollie.

“I knew I was making the right decision. You are a baseball guy having the opportunity to coach baseball where we played. There’s nothing like it in the world. I want to be remembered as someone who was willing to give back everything to the community that gave him everything. I want to coach every kid like I would want my kid to be handled and coached.”

Gleichenhaus said he is a 24-7-365 coach who perceives the vocation as a year-round profession. Approaching the game any other way, Gleichenhaus said, would be selling players short. The coach has already met virtually with his team.

“It’s a surreal feeling to be able to have this opportunity at this time,” Gleichenhaus said, noting he wants players to “use baseball as a springboard to something greater in life.”

Gleichenhaus said he can wait for the season to get underway. Coaches can start working with pitchers and catchers on March 26 and can begin practice with their full squads six days later.

“We’ve got so much baseball bottled inside of us,” Gleichenhaus said. “It’s going to all ooze out and explode."

https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2021/01/25/nj-baseball-south-plainfield-hires-alumnus-head-baseball-coach/4254930001/

SPHS Baseball Coach Anthony Resigns

Anthony Guida Steps Down As SPHS Baseball Coach

By CHRIS NALWASKY 

January 12, 2021 at 1:48 PM

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - Every good thing must come to an end.

Anthony Guida resigned as the South Plainfield High School varsity baseball coach on Monday he and Athletic Director Kevin McCann told TAPinto South Plainfield.

Guida held the position since 2009 and the decision to step down was because of family.

“It was family oriented. It really was,” Guida told TAPinto South Plainfield. “It’s been in my head for a few years. I’ve had two coaches the last two years resign because of family. I’m sitting there and saying I have a family too. It’s getting hard on my wife and my in-laws. I’m at the point where I had to make a decision based on my family. I’m happy. I’m sad. I’m firm with it. I’m going to miss it. I’m leaving the program at a high level. They are going to be successful. Whoever takes over will have a good bunch of kids to coach.

Guida has racked up 213 wins for his career, and he reached the 200-win milestone on April 11, 2019.

In 2015, Guida was named the NJ.com Coach of the Year and Home News Tribune Coach of the Year on the diamond after his Tigers won the Group 3 state title for the first time. It was the last state title for the Tigers since 1975.

South Plainfield won its first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament championship as well in 2018.

Under Guida’s watch, the Tigers have had nine winning seasons in Guida’s 11 years. There was no season in 2020 because of the pandemic. Guida has six seasons of at least 20 wins.

Guida graduated from fellow Middlesex County school, Monroe, in 1995 and went on to play for Rowan. He played in the outfield. Guida was previously the head coach at Dunellen.

Guida coached South Plainfield in the Last Dance World Series last summer where the Tigers went 2-1, including a walk-off, 5-4 win in their last game against Old Bridge.

Going forward, McCann hope to make a choice sooner rather than later.

“Coach Guida is going to be missed. He’s run an outstanding program for years and has had tremendous success. We’re going to look for someone who can continue that. As of now, we did post the position, and we’ve received interest from the outside and inside. We’ll see how that goes.”

Follow Chris Nalwasky on Twitter @ChrisWasky.

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/south-plainfield/articles/anthony-guida-steps-down-as-sphs-baseball-coach-talks-decision