2024 - Game # 2 East Brunswick 3, South Plainfield 2 (9 Innings)

 

No Game Summary Published

 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
South Plainfield (1-1)	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	2
East Brunswick (1-4)	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	3	3	3

WP: Dustin McGuinness

LP: Mike Castagna

South Plainfield Batting

	AB	R	H	RBI	1B	2B	3B	HR	BB	HBP	SB	AVG	SLG
Zack Robinson	4	1	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	.500	.750
Dom Massaro	4	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250	.250
Dan Kapsch	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000
Jayden Alvarez	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.333	.333
Kevin Penny	3	0	1	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	.333	.333
Brandon Bickunas	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333	.333
Aldo Pigna	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000
Nick Irizarry	4	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250	.250
Ryan Balent	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000
Anthony Tomei	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000
Totals:	30	2	7	2	6	1	0	0	2	0	2	.233	.267

South Plainfield Pitching

	PIT	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	HB	ERA
Kevin Penny	101	6	1	0	0	3	8	0	0.00
Chase Donovan	17	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0.00
Aiden McCarthy	30	1	1	2	0	1	2	1	0.00
Mike Castagna (LP)	17	0.2	1	1	0	1	1	0	0.00
Totals:	165	8.2	3	3	0	6	11	2	0.00

 

2024 - GAME # 1 South Plainfield 14, East Brunswick 0 (5 Innings)

 

Andy MendlowitzMyCentralJersey.com

South Plainfield 14, East Brunswick 0 (5 innings)

The Tigers seemed ready to finally play after rainouts earlier in the week.

South Plainfield opened with a huge Red Division win. Senior lefthander Aldo Pigna fired four shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and allowed just four hits and two walks. Chase Donovan finished with a scoreless inning.

The Tigers laced 10 hits and Jayden Alvarez went 2-for-2 with five RBIs and was hit twice. Aiden McCarthy (3 RBIs) and Kevin Penny (2 RBIs) had two hits apiece. Dom Massaro (RBI), Ryan Balent, Dan Kapsch, Zack Robinson (double) each added hits.

Joshua Hines and Felix Munoz each singled for East Brunswick (0-3).

NJ baseball April roundup for GMC and area Skyland and Union counties (mycentraljersey.com)

Today we honored the accession of our Captain Jay Alvarez (2-2 , HR , 5 Steaks , 2 HBP ,3 RS) as our 1st official Grand Poobah.

Not one but TWO Tigers collected their first career varsity hits. Congrats to Jr Ryan Balent (1-3 r) and Aiden McCarthy (2-3 3rbi).

The Tigers made good use of the metal today - .435 avg .608 slg %.

Despite all of the planetary distractions during the week- Tigers starter Aldo Pigna maintained his focus and absolutely dealt- 10k in 4 ip, allowing only 1 hit.

South Plainfield Ready For Solid 2024 Baseball Season

 

TapintoSouth Plainfield

By Josh Lashley
Published March 30, 2024 at 12:00 AM

With a great deal of enthusiasm, well-earned confidence and determination, the South Plainfield High School baseball program is set to take the field for the 2024 regular season.

The Tigers are scheduled to open the regular season on April 2 at home versus North Brunswick.

“We want to compete for a Division, County and State championship,’’ South Plainfield head coach Scott Gleichenhaus said. “We want to establish a competitive environment and continue the Tiger baseball tradition and graduate all of our seniors and set them up for future success.’’

Key returning varsity level student athletes for the Tigers include Zach Robinson (senior, short stop), Jayden Alvarez (senior, third base), Brandon Bickunas (senior, designated hitter and utility player), Chase Donovan (senior, right handed pitcher), Aldo Pigna (senior, left handed pitcher and outfielder), Andrew Csordos (senior, right handed pitcher), Kevin Penny (junior, pitcher, first base and outfielder), Nick Irizarry (junior, catcher, outfielder and infielder), Dan Kapsch (junior, second base) and Dominic Massaro (sophomore, outfielder and pitcher).

Promising newcomers to the varsity roster include Mike Castagna (junior, right handed pitcher), Ryan Balent (junior, right handed pitcher), Steve Studlack (junior, catcher), Anthony Tomei (junior, first base) and

Aiden McCarthy (sophomore, left handed pitcher and first base).

Leadership will be a key to success for the Tigers this spring.

“Captains Jayden Alvarez and Dan Kapsch are both going to be looked upon as leaders,’’ Gleichenhaus said. “They both have an outstanding work ethic and are willing to do whatever it takes to help this team be successful. Both are great teammates and excel inside and outside of the classroom.

“I also expect the rest of the guys who played on the team last year (Robinson, Pigna, Penny, Massaro, Donovan and Csordos) to use their experience and demonstrate the necessary leadership skills and work ethic to show the younger guys how things are done and what it takes to be successful at the varsity level.’’

Last season, the Tigers posted a winning overall record of 15-14 and they had six victories in the always challenging Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division. They also advanced to the NJSIAA North 2 Group 3 Sectional Tournament before being defeated by one run by eventual Sectional champion Millburn. The Tigers topped Colonia (opening round) and Warren Hills (semifinal round) in the Sectionals in 2023.

This season, the Tigers compete in the GMC Red Division along with Monroe, East Brunswick, Old Bridge, North Brunswick and South Brunswick.

“I see us as a contender and expect to compete game in-game out,’’ Gleichenhaus said. “All of the teams in the Red Division will be tough to beat.’’

South Plainfield Ready For Solid Softball/Baseball Seasons | South Plainfield, NJ News TAPinto

2024 South Plainfield Tiger Preview

 

Baseball preview: South Plainfield -Greater Middlesex Conference

Andy Mendlowitz

MyCentralJersey.com

Coach: Scott Gleichenhaus, fourth season. 

Last year: 15-14 overall, 6-8 in Red Division 

Key losses: Ashton Donovon (1B/P), Frank Flannery (C), Joseph Maroney (OF), Mike Sbailo (P)

Roster: Aldo Pigna (Sr., OF/LHP); Chase Donovan (Sr., RHP); Zach Robinson (Sr., INF); Andrew Csordos (Sr., RHP); Jayden Alvarez (Sr., INF); Brandon Bickunas (Sr., 1B/OF); Dan Kapsch (Jr., INF); Nick Irizarry (Jr., C/OF/INF); Kevin Penny (Jr., 1B/OF/LHP); Ryan Balent (Jr., OF/RHP); Mike Castagna (Jr., RHP); Steve Studlack (Jr., C); Jack Jones (Jr., OF/RHP); Lorenzo Fuscoletti (Jr., UTL/RHP); Dominic Massaro (So., OF/LHP); Aiden McCarthy (So., 1B/LHP); Anthony Tomei (Jr., 1B); Dave Butrico (Jr., RHP); Anthony Grzan (Sr., OF)

Outlook: The Tigers return an experienced squad looking to avenge a pair of one-run semifinal losses that ended both their GMCT and state playoff bids against the eventual champions in St. Joseph and Millburn. The team has plenty of proven varsity talent that trickles from seniors to sophomores. Leading the way are captains and heavy hitters Jayden Alvarez (Wagner commit, .410 BA, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 32 hits, 20 runs) and Dan Kapsch (.350, 29 hits, 21 runs last year as a sophomore). Sophomore OF Dom Massaro (.402, 39 hits, 14 extra base hits, 31 runs, 29 RBI, 18 stolen bases) was one of the state’s best freshmen, and senior slugger Zach Robinson (Gardner-Webb commit, .393 BA, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 26 runs) adds to the lineup’s firepower. Kevin Penny (.333 BA) and senior Brandon Bickunas (12 runs) are also counted on to produce, while veterans Aldo Pigna and Nick Irizarry will be competing with others to figure into the mix. The Tigers are equally strong on the mound with returning aces Pigna (Kean commit, 2.72 ERA in 38 2/3 IP) and Penny (2.33 ERA in 33 IP). Both carried this team down the stretch last year with their pitching performances. The staff includes seniors Chase Donovan, Andrew Csordos and Robinson, along with newcomers Aiden McCarthy, Ryan Balent, Mike Castagna, Lorenzo Fuscoletti, Jack Jones and Dave Butrico. Those arms look to provide the staff with the depth needed to compete in the Red Division.

NJ Baseball preview: A team-by-team look at GMC (mycentraljersey.com)

2024 GMC Preseason Top 10

 

Who's the top team? Baseball preseason rankings for the Greater Middlesex Conference

Andy Mendlowitz

MyCentralJersey.com

Here is the opening Top 10 for Greater Middlesex Conference baseball teams. The next two months should feature plenty of tight games and surprising results.

If your team isn’t ranked, or listed higher, don’t fret and just look at 2023’s preseason poll. Old Bridge was ranked No. 8 – and finished as No. 1, while South Plainfield was No. 9 and finished No. 5. Heck, Sayreville wasn’t even included and captured the White Division pennant en route to the final No. 6 ranking.

In other words, let the players decide the games, enjoy the season and check back in June.

1. Old Bridge (21-9): Many teams would love to have just one of those pitchers – and the Knights roll out all three. The trio of Frank Papeo (Rider commit, 1.64 ERA), Justin Hascup (1.75 ERA) and Justin Meyer (Kean commit, 1.96 ERA) will keep Old Bridge in just about any game. Throw in Luke Hagen (Rutgers-Newark commit, 3.23 ERA) and the Knights seem primed to make a run at repeating as Central Group 4 champions and advancing to another state title game. Those hitting holes to graduation should get ironed out soon enough.

2. Monroe (14-11): Those arms. The Falcons are another squad possessing three ace-level pitchers in Harrison Lollin (Penn State commit, 1.77 ERA, 83 Ks in 59 1/3 IP), Lucas White (Kean commit, 3.38 ERA, 48 Ks) and Zack Wallace (1.89 ERA). Ohm Desai (2.90 ERA in 19 1/3 IP) helps with the depth, always key come tournament time and in the four and five-game weeks. Lollin (.375 BA) and White (.347 BA) will power up the offense, which needs to replace a handful of starters from last year.

3. North Brunswick (21-7): It’s a new era for the Raiders with the graduation of ace and slugger Zachary Konstantinovsky and with alum Jake Rosenberg taking over as head coach for Mark Blevins. North Brunswick also graduated other key players such as Omar Carreras (8 HR). These current Raiders, though, return enough firepower with leadoff hitter and top defensive shortstop Yomar Carreras (.411, 17 extra base hits) and pitchers Kyle Anderson (2.05 ERA, 41 IP) and Alejandro Jabar (2.06 ERA, 37 1/3 IP) to warrant a high preseason ranking as others step up.

4. Woodbridge (20-6): Balance. That might be the best word to describe the Barrons over the past two seasons. Their lineup hits all over and they get top pitching. Now, Woodbridge loses just two starters and brings back a pair of aces in Eddy Nunez (16-6, 137 Ks the past two seasons) and Ryan Leach (7-1, 2.50 ERA, 73 Ks). Returning All-White Division picks Drew Lukachyk and Tyler Weber pace the offense as Woodbridge should make another run in North 2 Group 4. 

5. South Plainfield (15-14): The Tigers flex both a loaded offense and top pitching. That combo should keep South Plainfield fighting for the Red Division pennant and make them a tough out in the postseason. Jayden Alvarez (.410 BA, 24 RBI), Dom Massaro (.402 BA, 29 RBI, 18 SBs) and Zach Robinson (.393 BA, 26 RBI) bring the pop. Aldo Pigna (2.72 ERA) and Kevin Penny (2.33 ERA) lead the talented arms.

6. St. Joseph (21-10): It does seem strange ranking the Falcons this low in the opening poll. After all, St. Joseph and baseball success has often fit together like a ball in a glove. The Falcons have played in the last three GMC Tournament finals with championships in 2021 and 2023. You just know that Mike Murray Jr. and the coaches will have St. Joes ready by mid-May. However, it’s a different tenor this spring with seven graduated starters and four key pitchers, including ace Jimmy Mulvaney. Returning hitters Bobby Christensen and Joseph Zammitti and pitchers Matthew Friedman and Joseph Barca are good building blocks.

7. Sayreville (16-10): The defending White Division champs should once again contend for a pennant with four starters back. All-GMC Jake Romanello (.425 BA, 28 runs, 20 SB) and Jaydon Stio pace the offense. Tommy Schlaline (3.03 ERA, 43 Ks) leads a staff with four returning pitchers who are ready to see significant innings.

8. Spotswood (21-8): The Chargers look to repeat as Blue Division champions despite graduating generational talent Casey Cumiskey (SS/P), as well as other key pieces like Jackson Walsh (1.66 ERA, 75 K’s). In fact, it’s not a reloading spring at all. Spotswood’s returning stars include Carter Cumiskey (1.91 ERA, 72 Ks and .382 BA) and other skilled players taking on a bigger role.

9. Edison (16-10): The Eagles have more than half a dozen names when it comes to its Key Losses from last season. True, Edison must replace stalwarts such as catcher Charlie Taub (Maine) and pitcher Paul di Pasquale (5-1, 1.88 ERA). However, the returners aren’t all that bad. Jaxon Appelman (Coastal Carolina commit, 1.38 ERA, 82 Ks and .381 BA, 5 HRs) is one of the best all-around players in the GMC and he leads several teammates looking for breakout years.

10. East Brunswick (15-12): In the pitching-rich Red Division, the Bears have the arms to match other teams’ aces. Senior righty Dustin McGuinness has been on that high-level since he was a freshman and leads an experienced staff stepping up this spring. East Brunswick always battles in the Red Division and this season should again be in the mix.

NJ Baseball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10 (mycentraljersey.com) 

SPJBC Athletic Gear Coupons

2024 Tigers Varsity Baseball Schedule

Dom Massaro of South Plainfield is the NJ.com Baseball Newcomer of the Year, 2023

 

Dom Massaro of South Plainfield batted .402 with 39 hits, 32 runs scored,

14 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media

By Luis Torres | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

South Plainfield coach Scott Gleichenhaus figured he had something in Dom Massaro following a preseason scrimmage against Christian Brothers.

Massaro had a good showing that day, so much so that CBA coach Marty Kenney Jr. went up to Gleichenhaus and told him Massaro was a stud and asked what year he was in.

Kenney was stunned to learn Massaro was just a freshman. Not a bad first impression for Massaro, who shined in that scrimmage.

It was then that Gleichenhaus expected Massaro to be a contributor once the season began. What he couldn’t have envisioned is the total impact he would end up having as a rookie facing stiff competition.

Massaro hit leadoff, patrolling center field each game and producing at a level that Gleichenhaus hasn’t seen in his almost two decades of coaching.

After hitting .402 with 39 hits, 32 runs scored, 14 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases, Massaro is NJ.com’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year.

Massaro’s 39 hits led South Plainfield and were the most by any freshman in the state this spring. His 32 runs scored were tied for third-most by any rookie.

He recorded a hit in 22 of the Tigers’ 29 games and reached base safely in 25 of 29 games.

“You can’t predict that out of anybody,” Gleichenhaus said. “I would hope that the best players on your team, the guys that you expect to be the thumpers in the lineup, that they are going to be in that 30-hit range and put up the type of numbers collectively. RBIs, extra-base hits, things like that.

“You just hope that those guys can do it, and to expect that out of the leadoff spot from a freshman? That’s unheard of. No, I didn’t expect it.”

Gleichenhaus said Massaro didn’t get complacent after winning the starting center field job heading into the season. Massaro worked on his craft daily, finding ways to fine tune his skills as South Plainfield played in the Red Division - the toughest division in the Greater Middlesex Conference.

Massaro had to face pitchers like North Brunswick’s Zachary Konstantinovsky, Monroe’s Harrison Lollin, South Brunswick’s Joey Tuttoilmondo, Old Bridge’s Justin Hascup and St. Joseph (Met.)’s Jimmy Mulvaney, who each have unique pitching arsenals and were each named to their respective All-Group teams.

“The moment was never too big for him. You never had that sense that he was overmatched outside of a few occasions,” Gleichenhaus said. “I’ve never had a player like him at the freshman level. His performance ranks up there with any of the top players that I’ve ever coached in any grade at the varsity level.

“You look at a guy like that, and you’re like, this is a once-in-a-generational type player. That’s the type of caliber of player that he has the potential to be.”

That potential is still untapped, according to Gleichenhaus.

Gleichenhaus said that Massaro might end up being South Plainfield’s best pitcher by the time he’s a junior. Massaro didn’t pitch this season because of arm surgery, focusing only on being the best center fielder and hitter he could be this spring.

It paid off with a monster freshman season and Gleichenhaus is looking forward to what’s to come over the next three years.

“I think he wants to be the best and do whatever he needs to do to reach that goal,” Gleichenhaus said.

Dom Massaro of South Plainfield is the NJ.com Baseball Newcomer of the Year, 2023 - nj.com

GMC All-Star Game Players