2025 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class A North
For at least the last decade, the Class A North division has been the deepest and most talented in the Shore Conference and that has never been more true than this season. On top of Christian Brothers Academy, Red Bank Catholic and Ranney join the division as powerhouse non-public teams that will challenge the Colts for the top spot.
Out of the three non-public power players, CBA heads into the season as the team to beat. The Colts are the reigning Shore Conference Tournament champions after breaking Red Bank Catholic’s five-year vice grip on the tournament title last May and return almost every key player from that run. Ace Chris Levonas is now at Wake Forest after opting not to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, but CBA still has two Division I commits on the mound, which does not include uncommitted All-Shore first-team left-hander Danny DiTullio. Factor in two more big-game pitchers in Shane Langan and Jack Dufficy, an All-Shore catcher in Danny Tsimbinos and an athletic lineup, and CBA is the clear favorite in this division and throughout the Shore.
Missing out on winning a championship was an unfamiliar experience for Red Bank Catholic in 2024: it was the first year the Caseys did not win at least one of a division, Monmouth County Tournament or Shore Conference Tournament championship since 2015. RBC will try to bounce back against the toughest division schedule it has ever faced and with a team that does have some holes to fill. Virginia commit Ryan Prior is the only one of RBC’s top three pitchers in innings back from last year and the loss of three hitters to graduation was more manageable before the Caseys lost talented sophomore outfielder Luke Lonczak to a torn ACL that puts his season in jeopardy. Still, with Prior leading the rotation, Notre Dame commit Dylan Passo anchoring the lineup and starters back at five other spots on the diamond, RBC is still among the Shore’s upper-level contenders.
Ranney got hit hard by graduation between 2023 and 2024, and a year ago trotted out a team that managed to win 15 games with just one senior and six freshmen in the starting lineup. It helped that the senior was Shore Conference Player of the Year Ryan Costello. When Costello suffered a broken bone in his hand that ended his season in early May, Ranney struggled without him. Now the Panthers will be a sophomore-heavy team that includes LSU commit Ricky Lopez at shortstop after the talented sophomore first made stops in the Dominican Republic and New York. This year will mark his first season of high school baseball, and he joins the already-talented sophomore class that will be complemented by senior sluggers Curt Chropuvka and Andrew Parisi.
All that firepower on the three non-public rosters has the four public-school teams in the division ready to embrace the underdog role on just about a weekly basis. At least three of them have already proven they can play the role. Middletown South tied CBA for the 2024 Class A North championship, and both Manalapan and Marlboro beat the Colts during the season.
Middletown South will have to reload on the mound after graduating All-Shore left-handers Brevin Bezick and Mason Christopher. Will McCarthy and Dan Daley are the most experienced of the starters on the mound and will pitch in front of a defense that gets a major lift with the return of senior shortstop Brendan Sliva, who missed all of last season due to injury. Jack Concordia moves from right field to center after a breakout sophomore year and will lead an Eagles offense that brings back two other starters in Mike Frandsen and Rob Chiusano.
Manalapan stayed in the division race for most of the season thanks to a dynamic pitching staff that not only had two aces at the top in Dylan Shaffer and Kevin Rusinak, but also had quality depth. Shaffer has graduated, but Rusinak and the depth remain. If the Braves can make strides on offense and in the field, they can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the Shore Conference – both on a given day and over the long haul.
Pitching depth will also be a strength at Marlboro, which lost two senior rotation staples in Danny Trentacosta and Matt Padalec, but will build its revamped rotation around a group of pitchers who excelled in their roles a year ago – namely Sujay Sesha, Alex Georges and Mason Alexander. Solid infield defense has been a defining characteristic of the Mustangs program and this year’s team will start three sophomores on the dirt while Gavin McCarthy takes over full time at catcher. Senior Jack Rivlin moves to shortstop after playing around the diamond as a junior.
The wildcard of the division is Middletown North, which is nothing new for the Lions. The regular season has not been nearly as kind to Middletown North as the postseason, with the Lions winning back-to-back Central Jersey Group III championships in 2022 and 2023 – including an overall Group III title in 2022. This year’s senior class – headed by Zach Hampton, Gabe Ahlemeyer, Mike Hallard, Alipio Figueroa and Ian McGoldrick – has been in the program for those two seasons, and all five were contributors on the 2023 team.
The seven teams in Class A North are all worthy of being considered in the top 10 to 15 teams in the Shore Conference, which is going to make the regular season unlike anything Shore Conference baseball has experienced. Once late May rolls around, any Class A North team that is still intact is going to be hard to eliminate in a tournament setting.
In predicted order of finish
1. Christian Brothers Academy
Head Coach: Marty Kenney Jr., fifth season
2024 Record: 19-6 (10-4, tied first in Class A North)
Key Losses: Chris Levonas (RHP), Jaxon Sevilla (2B), Jake Petro (RF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Danny Tsimbinos, Sr. (.353/.500/.691, 6 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 8 R, 24 RBI)
First Base: Jared Matejicka, Jr. (.227/.407/.318, 4 2B, 1 3B, 19 R, 6 RBI, 9 SB)
Second Base: Jayden Matejicka, Jr. (.298/.410/.357, 3 2B, 1 3B, 24 R, 9 RBI, 23 SB)
Shortstop: Colin Hoverter, Jr. (.160/.323/.200, 2 2B, 12 R, 6 RBI, 2 SB)
Third Base: Dan Russo, Sr. (.324/.424/.366, 3 2B, 9 R, 11 RBI)
Leftfield: Ryan Wetmore, So. (5-for-14, 2 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI)
Centerfield: Will Fahey, Sr. (.359/.446/.449, 1 2B, 3 3B, 17 R, 16 RBI, 8 SB)
Rightfield: Alex Fiore, So. (4-for-8)
DH: Dylan Iwanyk, Jr. (.328/.442/.406, 2 2B, 1 HR, 12 R, 12 RBI)
Other Hitters
Justin Fuerbacher, Sr., 1B/OF
Dylan Reynholds, So., 3B (5-for-18, 1 2B, 7 R, 2 RBI)
Griffin Kilcullen, Jr., C
Parker Hughes, Jr., 3B
Michael Minerva, Sr., OF
Jack McKeon, Sr., OF
Griffin Ernst, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Danny DiTullio, Jr., LHP (7-0, 45 IP, 33 H, 9 BB, 61 SO, 1.09 ERA)
Dylan Iwanyk, Jr., RHP (22.2 IP, 20, 15 BB, 22 SO, 1.54 ERA)
Sean Loggie, Jr., LHP (2-1, 13 IP, 20 H, 12 BB, 14 SO, 5.92 ERA)
Shane Langan, Sr., RHP (2 Saves, 17 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 30 SO, 2.47 ERA)
Jack Dufficy, Sr., RHP (1-0, 1 Save, 12 IP, 9 H, 6 BB, 16 SO, 1.17 ERA)
Declan Doogan, So., RHP
Dan Pardini, Jr., LHP (1-1, 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 8 SO)
Christian Menditto, Sr., LHP
College Commitments
Danny Tsimbinos – Catholic University
Jack Dufficy – Catholic University
Shane Langan – Babson College
Dylan Iwanyk – University of Michigan
Sean Loggie – University of Virginia
2. Ranney
Head Coach: Pat Geroni, sixth season
2024 Record: 15-8 (11-3, second in Class B North)
Key Losses: Ryan Costello (1B/OF), James Hare (RHP), Grayson Testino (1B/DH)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Brody Gargiulo, So. (.268/.412/.366, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 R, 10 RBI)
First Base: Brody Mauro, So. (.294/.429/.412, 2 3B, 10 R, 5 RBI, 7 SB)
Second Base: Robbie Wrobel, So. (.203/.288/.234, 2 2B, 8 R, 9 RBI, 14 SB); J.L. Gallina, So. (.171/.320/.293, 3 2B, 1 3B, 10 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB)
Shortstop: Ricky Lopez, So.
Third Base: Andrew Parisi, Sr. (.349/.539/.571, 5 2B, 3 HR, 32 R, 16 RBI, 3 SB)
Leftfield: Justin Kauffman, So. (.290/.370/.406, 5 2B, 1 HR, 15 R, 14 RBI, 10 SB)
Centerfield: Nate Fuller, So. (.333/.439/.536, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 20 R, 13 RBI, 13 SB)
Rightfield: Curt Chropuvka, Sr. (.342/.448/.575, 2 2B, 5 HR, 18 R, 15 RBI, 9 SB)
DH: Braden Cox (Fr., OF)
Other Hitters
Nico Owimirn, Fr., INF
Pitching Staff
Justin Kauffman, So., RHP (5-3, 30.1 IP, 34 H, 15 BB, 37 SO, 4.61 ERA)
Brody Mauro, So., LHP (1-1, 10 IP, 10 BB, 14 SO, 4.20 ERA)
Zach Messina, Sr., RHP (4-1, 37.2 IP, 42 H, 21 BB, 38 SO, 2.61 ERA)
J.L. Gallina, So., RHP (3-1, 23.2 IP, 24 H, 7 BB, 31 SO, 3.25 ERA)
Noah Hynes, Jr., RHP (1-1, 19.1 IP, 20 H, 28 BB, 25 SO, 6.15 ERA)
Nate Fuller, So., LHP
Braden Cox, Fr., RHP
College Commitments
Ricky Lopez – Louisiana State University
2. Red Bank Catholic
Head Coach: Buddy Hausmann, 17th season
2024 Record: 18-10 (9-3, second in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Sean Griggs (3B), Declan Leary (RHP), Matt Brunner (CF), Al Delia (2B/DH), Brandon Hendrickson (RHP), Hunter Beattie (So., RHP; transferred to Rumson-Fair Haven)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Aiden Funk, Jr. (.325/.447/.400, 6 2B, 12 R, 24 RBI, 2 SB)
First Base: Dylan Passo, Sr. (.395/.505/.531, 8 2B, 1 HR, 26 R, 26 RBI, 3 SB)
Second Base: A.J. Sciametta, Sr. (.259/.355/.370, 6 2B, 1 HR, 16 R, 17 RBI, 3 SB); Drew Cannon, Jr.
Shortstop: Max Dantoni, Sr. (.247/.368/.370, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 R, 11 RBI, 13 SB)
Third Base: Landon Laido, Jr.
Leftfield: Jake Frankel, Jr. (.216/.375/.314, 2 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 13 RBI)
Centerfield: Miles Nessan, Jr.; Jordan Mosenthine, So.
Rightfield: Charlie Stumberger, Jr. (.321/.465/.397, 6 2B, 18 R, 26 RBI, 4 SB)
DH: Brayden Harmott (Jr., OF)
Other Hitters
Alex Hammond, Sr., OF
Tom Fitzsimmons, Sr., OF
Luke Scutorro, So., OF
Dan Rice , Jr., OF
Dylan Hortsman, Jr., C
Luke Lonczak, So., OF – Injured (.337/.418/.465, 9 2B, 1 3B, 27 R, 16 RBI, 15 SB)
Pitching Staff
Ryan Prior, Sr., RHP (5-2, 48.2 IP, 31 H, 35 BB, 67 SO, 1.87 ERA)
Luke Meyers, Sr., RHP (1-0, 15.2 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 11 SO, 3.13 ERA)
Glen Popes, Jr., RHP (1-2, 16.1 IP, 17 H, 8 BB, 12 SO, 3.00 ERA)
Anthony Scaglione, So., RHP
Justin Spitzfaden, Sr., LHP (1-0, 8.1 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 7 SO, 5.04 ERA)
Joe Mauro, Jr., RHP (1-0, 3 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO)
Reyes Quinones, Sr., RHP
Sean Minarick, Sr., LHP
Sebastian Chenery, Jr., RHP
Sam French, Fr., RHP
Aidan McGarry, Fr., RHP
College Commitments
Ryan Prior – University of Virginia
Dylan Passo – University of Notre Dame
Max Dantoni – Lehigh University
A.J. Sciametta – Felician University
Reyes Quinones – Albright College
Justin Spitzfaden – Ursinus College
4. Middletown North
Head Coach: Ryan McCabe, sixth season
2024 Record: 12-13 (5-9, sixth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Dylan Briggs (CF), Jason Quardt (SS)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Mike Hallard, Sr. (.139/.223/.139, 7 R, 9 RBI)
First Base: Alipio Figueroa, Sr. (.256/.333/.320, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 R, 14 RBI); Zach Hampton, Sr.
Second Base: Aldo Casale, Sr. (.270/.385/.286, 1 2B, 9 R, 9 RBI, 4 SB)
Shortstop: Louis Romeo, Jr.
Third Base: Zach Hampton, Sr. (.400/.456/.600, 10 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 8 R, 20 RBI); Jack Jensen, Sr.
Leftfield: Ian McGoldrick, Sr. (.265/.419/.367, 5 2B, 10 R, 4 RBI)
Centerfield: Ryan Clark, Jr. (.222/.311/.259, 2 2B, 6 R, 6 RBI, 2 SB); T.J. Rey, Sr.
Rightfield: Gabe Ahlemeyer, Sr. (.350/.482/.600, 10 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 12 R, 21 RBI); Matt Byrne, So.
DH: Liam Sheehan, So.
Other Hitters
Gavin Plath, So., OF
M.J. Parulis, So., SS
Dan Sigler, So., OF
James Jensen, So., 1B
James Morello, Sr., OF
Ryan Miller, Sr., C
C.J. Lorelli, Sr., 2B
Seamus McCabe, Sr., 2B
Jackson DiNero, Jr., 2B
Anthony DeLucca, Sr., UTIL
Jack Kelly, Jr., UTIL
Luke DiPietro, Jr., UTIL
Pitching Staff
Zach Hampton, Sr., RHP (4-4, 40.2 IP, 39 H, 11 BB, 36 SO, 2.93 ERA)
Gabe Ahlemeyer, Sr., LHP
Alipio Figueroa, Sr., RHP
Ryan Clark, Jr., RHP
Seamus McCabe, Sr., RHP
James Morello, Sr., LHP
Louis Romeo, Jr., RHP
Charlie Juliano, Jr., RHP
Rob Cutolo, Jr., LHP
Tucker Lewis, Jr., RHP
Josh Flueckiger, So., RHP
Gavin Blath, So., RHP
Matt Byrne, So., LHP
James Jensen, So., LHP
College Commitments
Zach Hampton – University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Mike Hallard – Lock Haven University
Gabe Ahlemeyer – Roger Williams University
Alipio Figueroa – St. Elizabeth University
5. Manalapan
Head Coach: Brian Boyce, 19th season
2024 Record: 17-12 (8-6, fourth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Erik Johnson (CF), Dylan Shaffer (RHP), Joe Dionisio (RHP/DH), Chris Silva (2B), John Pecoraro (OF/INF), David Ghibesi (C), Varun Gabbita (3B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Robert Cruz, Jr. (.207/.343/.207, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
First Base: Cristian Ptasienski, Sr. (.222/.371/.361, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB)
Second Base: Shane Tumbleson, Sr.; Gavin Leib, Jr.; Alex Caporusso, Jr.
Shortstop: Anthony Foti, Jr. (.323/.408/.323, 9 R, 5 RBI, 7 SB)
Third Base: Robert DiStefano, Jr.; Jagger Golden, So.
Leftfield: Matt Sisco, Sr. (4-for-15, 6 BB, 6 R, 3 RBI, 7 SB)
Centerfield: Dennis Healy, Sr. (.302/.380/.465, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 9 R, 6 RBI, 5 SB)
Rightfield: Brandon Heller, Jr. (5-for-20); Noah Feldman, Jr.
DH: Noah Feldman, Jr.
Other Hitters
Peter Mager, Jr., C
Andrew Ghibesi, Sr., 1B
Steven Heidt, Jr., 1B
James Vitucci, So., 1B
Gavin Matteis, So.
Pitching Staff
Kevin Rusinak, Sr., RHP (5-4, 2 Saves, 44.1 IP, 38 H, 24 BB, 48 SO, 1.89 ERA)
Dylan Kane, Sr., LHP (1-1, 22.2 IP, 11 H, 9 BB, 16 SO, 1.23 ERA)
Ryan Graham, Sr., LHP (10.1 IP, 13 H, 12 BB, 10 SO, 7.45 ERA)
Leo Vitale, Sr., RHP (2 Saves, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO)
Cristian Ptasienski, Sr., RHP (0-2, 2 Saves, 10 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 12 SO, 2.80 ERA)
Aiden Cruz, Sr., LHP (3-0, 14 IP, 17 H, 5 BB, 19 SO, 3.00 ERA)
Noah Feldman, Jr., LHP (4.2 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO)
Peter Rispoli, Jr., RHP
Christian Walters, Jr., RHP
Brady Costello, Jr., LHP
Nick Alexander, Sr., RHP
College Commitments
Kevin Rusinak – Quinnipiac University
Dylan Kane – Rider University
Leo Vitale – American International University
Cristian Ptasienski – The College of New Jersey
6. Middletown South
Head Coach: Jeff Karpell, third season
2024 Record: 21-7 (10-4, tied first in Class A North)
Key Losses: Brevin Bezick (LHP/OF), Mason Christopher (LHP), Lou D’Alessio (CF), Andrew Marquis (C), Carmine DeCrescenzo (SS), Brody Tacca (2B), Rob Chiusano (3B), Jacob Wenzel (RHP), Joey Massagli (Sr., 1B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Lucas Griogs, Jr.; Zach Tuller, Jr.
First Base: Pat Dempsey, Sr.
Second Base: Jack Dougherty, Jr.
Shortstop: Brendan Sliva, Sr. (2023 Stats: .313/.452/.358, 3 2B, 12 R, 15 RBI, 2 SB)
Third Base: Vinny Alcure, Sr. (6-for-22, 1 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB)
Leftfield: Mike Frandsen, Sr. (.354/.409/.392, 3 2B, 21 R, 10 RBI, 18 SB)
Centerfield: Jack Concordia, Jr. (.420/.473/.469, 4 2B, 29 R, 17 RBI, 22 SB)
Rightfield: Jack Buono, Sr.
DH: Rob Chiusano, Sr. (.375/.480/500, 3 2B, 1 3B, 12 R, 7 RBI, 7 SB)
Other Hitters
Brody Talmadge, Sr., INF
Josh Antonucci, Jr., INF
Mike Marinich, Jr., 1B
Peter Denicola, Jr., 1B
Ryan Goode, Jr., OF
Cameron Gillick, Jr., C
Mike Gough, DH
Pitching Staff
Will McCarthy, Sr., RHP (2-2, 17 IP, 21 H, 16 BB, 17 SO, 7.00 ERA)
Dan Daley, Sr., RHP (1-0, 4 Saves, 16.1 IP, 18 H, 6 BB, 16 SO, 2.57 ERA)
Ben Shea, Sr., RHP (1-0, 1 Save, 6 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 9 BB, 6 SO)
Chris Long, Sr., RHP (6.2 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 7 BB, 6 SO)
Jackson Harris, Sr., RHP
Charles Urbanowicz, Sr., LHP
Michael Zena, Sr., LHP
Tommy Costello, Jr., RHP
College Commitments
Will McCarthy – Salve Regina University
Rob Chiusano – Kean University
7. Marlboro
Head Coach: Angel Navarette, second season
2024 Record: 11-13 (7-7, fifth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Joe Santos (3B), Paul Santos (CF), Mike Consolazio (C), Danny Trentacosta (RHP), Matt Padalec (RHP), Nick Scaff (SS), Anthony Martino (OF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Gavin McCarthy, Sr. (.148/.303/.164, 1 2B, 8 R, 6 RBI, 3 SB); Nick Diadema, Sr.
First Base: Mark Risi, So.; Mason Alexander, Sr.
Second Base: Shane Panitch, So.
Shortstop: Jack Rivlin, Sr. (.246/.418/.304, 2 2B, 1 3B, 20 R, 5 RBI)
Third Base: Ethan Huang, So. (3-for-23)
Leftfield: Nick Diadema, Sr. (.167/.333/.250, 1 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 8 RBI); Brayden Bradley, Sr.
Centerfield: Chris Joy, Jr. (.255/.357/.277, 1 2B, 3 R, 6 RBI, 3 SB)
Rightfield: Joe Kelly, Sr. (.200/.263/.200, 3 R, 8 RBI)
DH: Brayden Bradley, Sr. (6-for-21, 6 BB, 6 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB); Mason Alexander, Sr.
Other Hitters
Chris Loiacono, Jr., UTIL
Chris Scaff, So., OF
Anthony Palmieri, Jr., UTIL
Chase Sussman, Jr., C
Pitching Staff
Mason Alexander, Sr., RHP (0-2, 1 Save, 19 IP, 22 H, 11 BB, 18 SO, 4.05 ERA)
Sujay Sesha, Jr., RHP (4-1, 27.1 IP, 21 H, 8 BB, 16 SO, 3.06 ERA)
Alex Georges, Jr., RHP (1-0, 1 Save, 13.1 IP, 14 H, 1 BB, 11 SO, 0.52 ERA)
Matt Cinquemane, Sr. RHP (7.2 IP, 7 H, 8 BB, 6 SO, 2.74 ERA)
Mark Risi, So., RHP
Ethan Huang, So., RHP (5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO)
Chris Joy, Jr., LHP
Alex Schwam, Sr., RHP
Daniel Harvey, Sr., RHP
Scott Bickford, Jr., LHP
Chris Loiacono, Jr., RHP
Division Lineup
Danny Tsimbinos, Catcher, CBA
Aiden Funk, Catcher, Red Bank Catholic
Dylan Passo, First Base, Red Bank Catholic
Ricky Lopez, Shortstop, Ranney
Max Dantoni, Shortstop, Red Bank Catholic
Andrew Parisi, Third Base, Ranney
Jack Concordia, Centerfield, Middletown South
Curt Chropuvka, Rightfield, Ranney
Will Fahey, Centerfield, CBA
Gabe Ahlemeyer, Rightfield, Middletown North
Division Rotation
Danny DiTullio, LHP, CBA
Ryan Prior, RHP, Red Bank Catholic
Zach Hampton, RHP, Middletown North
Kevin Rusinak, RHP, Manalapan
Dylan Iwanyk, RHP, CBA
Sean Loggie, LHP, CBA
Brody Mauro, LHP, Ranney
