Tuesday, April 1, 2025

2025 - Game # 1 South Plainfield 14, Edison 4

South Plainfield 14, Edison 4: South Plainfield is poised for a big season and they opened with a come-from-behind win in the Red Division. Dominic Massaro slugged a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

The center fielder finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs, two runs and a stolen base. Ryan Balent went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and Chris Loniewski was 2-for-3 and he scored a run in his varsity debut.

Kevin Penny earned the win by allowing four runs (2 ER) in four innings and Aiden McCarthy picked up the save (2 IP, 0h 2 Ks). Penny also helped his cause by singling, walking twice, scoring three times and driving in a run. Nick Irizarry, fresh off getting a GMC All-Star wrestling recognition, singled and drove in two runs. Lorenzo Fuscoletti and Dan Kapsch each drove in a run in the win.

For Edison, Darren Tirado doubled and got an RBI and Connor Murphy also got an RBI.

NJ Baseball April roundup for GMC and area Skyland and Union teams

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Edison (0-1)	1	0	0	3	0	0	X	4	3	2
South Plainfield (1-0)	1	0	0	4	3	6	X	14	11	3

WP: Kevin Penny
LP: Robert Roma

South Plainfield Batting

	AB	R	H	RBI	1B	2B	3B	HR	BB	HBP	SB	AVG	SLG
Dom Massaro	4	2	3	4	2	0	0	1	1	0	1	.750	1.500
Nick Irizarry	4	1	1	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	.250	.250
Dan Kapsch	5	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.200	.400
Aiden McCarthy	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000	.000
Chris Loniewski	3	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	.667	.667
Kevin Penny	2	3	1	1	1	0	0	0	2	0	1	.500	.500
Ryan Balent	4	3	2	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500
Lorenzo Fuscoletti	3	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.333	.333
Steve Studlack	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000	.000
Totals:	31	14	11	12	9	1	0	1	6	2	4	.355	.484

TAPinto South Plainfield

South Plainfield Opens the Season with a Vengeance, Beating Edison, 14-4

By TAPinto South Plainfield Staff
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ -- The South Plainfield baseball team racked up 11 hits in its first game of the season and went on to defeat Edison, 14-4, on Tuesday afternoon.
Junior center fielder Dom Massaro went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and four runs batted in for the Tigers, who also drew six walks and were hit by two pitches in keeping the bases busy with traffic all day long.
Ryan Balent went 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored for South Plainfield. Chris Loniewski went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Nick Irizzary had a hit and two RBI and Dan Kapsch doubled and drove in a run for the Tigers in support of pitchers Kevin Penny and Aiden McCarthy, who combined on a three-hitter over six innings. Penny allowed three hits and three walks and struck out two in four innings. McCarthy pitched two perfect innings to finish up and struck out two.
South Plainfield will play Edison again, this time in Edison, on Thursday, when the Eagles will hold a special pre-game ceremony to honor the memory of legendary Edison baseball coach Jim Muldowney, who passed away last spring.
Baseball: South Plainfield Opens the Season with a Vengeance, Beating Edison, 14-4 | South Plainfield, NJ News TAPinto | TAPinto
Baseball Game Preview: South Plainfield Tigers vs. Edison Eagles
Baseball Preview: South Plainfield Tigers vs. Edison Eagles

For the second straight game, South Plainfield will face off against Edison. The Tigers will challenge the Eagles at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
South Plainfield is headed out to face Edison after opening their season at home and giving their fans just what they were looking for. The Tigers blew past the Eagles 14-4 on Tuesday. The win continues a trend for the Tigers in their matchups with the Eagles: they've now won three in a row.
Kevin Penny made a splash while hitting and pitching. He tossed four innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Penny was also stellar in the batter's box, scoring three runs and stealing a base while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, South Plainfield got a massive performance out of Dom Massaro, who went 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs. Ryan Balent was another key player, scoring three runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
South Plainfield took their victory against Edison when the teams last played on Tuesday by a conclusive 14-4 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Tigers since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Baseball Game Preview: South Plainfield Tigers vs. Edison Eagles

2025 - MyCentralJersey.com - South Plainfield Baseball 2025 preview

Andy Mendlowitz
MyCentralJersey.com

SOUTH PLAINFIELD

Coach: Scott Gleichenhaus, 5th season

Last year: 22-6-1 overall, 10-2 Red Division

Key losses: Zach Robinson (SS), Jayden Alvarez (3B), Chase Donovan (P), Brandon Bickunas (1B/DH), Aldo Pigna (P), Andrew Csordos (P)

Roster: Dan Kapsch (Sr., SS); Nick Irizarry (Sr., 2B); Kevin Penny (Sr., LHP/1B/OF); Ryan Balent (Sr., RF/RHP); Mike Castagna (Sr., RHP); Steve Studlack (Sr., C); Jack Jones (Sr., RHP/OF/DH); Lorenzo Fuscoletti (Sr., RHP/LF); Anthony Tomei (Sr., DH/LF); Dave Butrico (Sr., P/DH); Matt Falcone (Sr., RHP); Dominic Massaro (Jr., CF);Aiden McCarthy (Jr., LHP/1B); Jayden Jimenez (Jr., RHP); Joe Stanzione (Jr., LHP/OF); Dylan Oller (Jr., U/DH); Alex Pigna (Jr., RHP/U); Aidan Kaplan (Jr., RHP/OF); Ed Budzinski (Jr., LHP/OF); Chris Loniewski (So., 3B/C/OF); Andrew Bena (Fr., LHP)

Outlook: The Tigers like to keep things fun and loose on the diamond and that no-panic approach paid off in a 22-win season and trips to the GMCT and North 2 Group 3 finals. They produced a 14-game unbeaten streak at one point. Now, the Red Division champs return an experienced group of well-tested veterans primed for success. They do, however, have to replace All-GMC players Zach Robinson and Jayden Alvarez and their prolific bats, as well as pitchers Aldo Pigna, Andrew Csordos and Chase Donovan. There’s a lot to like as pitching and defense will once again be a key. A trio of seniors: Kevin Penny (39 2/3 IP, 36 Ks, 3.35 ERA), Mike Castagna (35 IP, 27 Ks, 1.60 ERA) and Ryan Balent (20 IP, .70 ERA), return as the projected aces of this staff. Juniors Aiden McCarthy and Jayden Jimenez will provide depth to the rotation and can serve in relief. The Tigers possess a collection of other arms who will be called upon to get some tough outs throughout the course of the season.

NJ Baseball preview: A team-by-team look at the GMC

2025 - MyCentralJersey.com - Baseball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10

Andy Mendlowitz
MyCentralJersey.com

With the baseball season opening in full force this week, here is our first Greater Middlesex Conference Top 10 of the season.

The ranking will be posted Monday morning all season, which promises to have plenty of twists and turns.

There is already a big change from last spring – the GMC moved from five divisions to four. That means beefed-up pennant races. Among the notable changes are Edison and Woodbridge moving into the Red Division from the White; North Brunswick moving to the White from the Red and St. Thomas Aquinas moving up to the White Division.
GMC Preseason Top 10

(last season’s records in parenthesis)

1. Old Bridge (20-9): The Knights start where they ended last season – as No. 1. The defending GMC Tournament champs do graduate All-Area players in Frank Papeo (RHP-1B) and JT Meyer (RHP-CF) and other pieces such as pitcher Luke Hagen. However, a pair of All-GMC players return in ace Justin Hascup and leadoff hitter John Smith. There’s experience sprinkled throughout the lineup with talented newcomers ready. Plus, the winning attitude remains.

2. South Plainfield (22-6-1): The Tigers could make a case for the preseason top spot. The reigning Red Division champions ooze talent on the mound with hot bats and should overcome the loss of a half dozen stalwarts. Where do those South Plainfield arms come from? Ryan Balent, Mike Castagna and Kevin Penny are on the ace-level, while Dominic Massaro, Dan Kapsch and Nick Irizarry are All-GMC candidates.

3. Colonia (19-7): The Patriots just might have the top pitching staff in the GMC. They feature two certified aces in Cory Pascarella (56 1/3 IP, 0.37 ERA, 86 Ks) and Colin Kroner (49 IP, 2.20 ERA, 78 Ks). It’s a show when they toe the mound and Colonia has an excellent chance to win every time they’re pitching. The Patriots also have other nice arms with seasoned bats back looking to boost the offensive production from last season.

4. Edison (16-12): Remember last season when the Eagles entered with some mystery, featuring superstar, two-way senior Jaxon Appelman and a ton of youngsters. Well, the kids were all right as Edison had its second straight 16-win season and reached the GMCT semifinals. Now, eight players return with big-game seasoning. All signs point to another strong spring as Edison moves into the Red Division from the White. All-GMC Robert Roma (LHP-OF) and All-Division Anthony Calantoni (SS) are the early names to watch.

5. Spotswood (19-4-2): The Chargers spent every day over the past two seasons with at least a share of first place in the Blue Division. Now, they move into the White Division with a mostly veteran lineup boosted by 13 seniors. All-Division players Carter Cumiskey (.446, six HRs, 30 RBIs and carried a 1.80 ERA with 78 Ks on the mound), William Buchan (.375, 27 RBIs) and Ryan Orth (.322 batting average and 2.47 ERA) lead the way.

6. Monroe (16-10): The Central Group 4 champions have questions after graduating their three top pitchers who combined for 233 strikeouts and a 2.37 ERA in Zack Wallace, Lucas White, and Harrison Lollin. The Falcons also lost their top hitter Owen Judge (.324 AVG), who will miss the season after suffering an ACL tear. However, they added Georgia commit Andre Love (19 IP, 28 Ks, 2.95 ERA), who had a strong sophomore season for East Brunswick. Other pieces like Jake Lobue (.304 AVG, 19 stolen bases) provide an offensive foundation. Plus, Monroe always has good players just biding their time awaiting an opportunity.

7. Woodbridge (17-10): The Barrons are coming off a three-year stretch that included 64 wins, a GMC White Division title and two sectional runs. Now, they move into the Red Division and must replace nine seniors including ace Eddy Nunez and the program’s all-time hits leader Drew Lukachyk. Don’t quite call it a rebuild. The Barrons have a handful of nice pieces like senior Ryan Leach, who missed all of last season with an injury after he had an ace-like sophomore season, as well as All-Division infielder Xavier Diaz.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas (19-9): The Trojans had a magical run to capturing the North Non-Public B title, their first sectional crown in 19 years. While they graduated star pitcher/hitter Gavin Sansone, other big-game tested players are back. Louis Rizzolo and Nikash Patel give St. Thomas Aquinas a strong one-two punch in the rotation and are quality hitters.

9. Sayreville (12-13): The Bombers made an upset-fueled run to the GMCT semifinals last season. They return seven starters, including All-Area catcher Michael Robinson and fearless pitcher Thomas Schlaline. Sayreville looks to contend in the White Division.

10. St. Joseph (7-20): The Falcons had an uncharacteristic down year with a mostly underclassmen team getting used to the varsity level in a brutal schedule. Now, most of the roster is back and that much more seasoned as St. Joseph looks to pivot back to its winning ways. All-Red Division Bobby Christensen leads the way as legendary former Cranford coach Dennis McCaffery takes over as the Falcons skipper.

Other teams considered

North Brunswick (13-13): The Raiders have a quality program with talented players always in the pipeline. However, they return just one pitcher with varsity experience so they enter outside the Top 10 with their mystery. Timmy DeGaetano returns after hitting .351.

Middlesex (10-17): The Blue Jays return all of their starters and have a nice one-two punch on the mound with Chris Kozak (56 IP, 66 Ks, 4.00 ERA) and Dominic Long (40 IP, 39 Ks, 3.32 ERA).

Carteret (18-8): The Ramblers have momentum after winning last year’s GMC Invitational title and have three aces back in Nick Kee, Eric Thompson and Luis Hernandez.

NJ Baseball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10