2025 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class B North
In theory, the Class B North division is supposed to be a step down from the Class A North division in the current construction of the Shore Conference. And yet, one of the three teams that tied for first place in Class A North last season finds itself in B North this season with a chance to flex its muscle and win another division championship.
That team is Colts Neck, which brings back two of its top three pitchers and a core of junior position players who thrived as sophomores on a team that won a share of the Shore’s toughest division. Nick Hayden emerged as the ace of the Cougars last season and will lead a pitching group that should be a strength again – perhaps more so.
To capture that second straight division title, Colts Neck will have to go through Ocean, which returns an even greater percentage of its 2024 innings. All-Shore right-hander Tommy Kowaliwskyj headlines that group, with seniors Jack Kelly and Derek Vazquez adding depth to the starting rotation and Ben Robinson and Brian Stevens bringing versatility as potential relievers or starters. Robinson also leads a solid defense with an outstanding glove at shortstop, but the key for Ocean will be its lineup. With big years from Robinson, catcher Connor Tongring and Matt Richter, plus further development from Will Walsh after his breakout freshman season, the Spartans will be the team to beat in B North.
Ocean finished behind Ranney – now in Class A North – and division champion Matawan in the 2024 Class B North race. Matawan was a senior-dominated team in 2024 and brings back just one regular starter in the lineup in Brian McCartin. The Huskies won the division on the back of their pitching staff, which lost its top three starters, but still has proven production with right-hander Jayce Thoroughman.
Howell is the other Class A North team to make the move to B North along with Colts Neck. The Rebels are experienced on the infield and on the mound, but will need their collective group of pitchers to perform with more consistency. Left-hander Jake Jansen was the steadiest of the group last season and delivered a volume of innings along with Phillip Christopher and Xavier Cortez. The Rebels are also looking for more damage at the plate, but the pitching performing to its potential, plus a strong infield defense and a quality catcher in Brody Loch, Howell has the makings of a contender.
Monmouth Regional is one of three 2024 Class A Central teams to join Class B North this season, and the Falcons boast the top returning pitcher in the division in senior right-hander Collin Denton. The Monmouth ace led the conference in innings last season while also finishing fifth in the Shore Conference in strikeouts and fourth in ERA. Monmouth also returns power behind the plate with catcher Bobby Davidson, but the rest of the team will have to step up in support of the opening-day battery.
Rumson-Fair Haven and Shore Regional join B North from A Central as well and will both try to make noise with inexperienced rosters. Rumson hopes to get Parker Shenman back in centerfield after an injury-riddled junior season that followed an All-Shore sophomore campaign. Beyond Shenman and senior all-division second baseman D.J. Ylagan, the Bulldogs will be heavy on sophomores and freshmen – including a rookie left side of the infield.
Shore reached the Central Jersey Group I final last season for the first time in a decade and said goodbye to most of the key players from that team. The Blue Devils will be a junior-loaded group in 2025, led by returning starters Andrew Barham and Liam Hennelly – both of whom are switching positions this season.
In predicted order of finish
1. Ocean
Head Coach: Cip Apicelli, 15th season
2024 Record: 16-9 (10-4, third in Class B North)
Key Losses: Bohdi Littieri (OF/RHP), Alejandro Sanchez (2B/RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Connor Tongring, Sr. (.333/.430/.500, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 20 R, 21 RBI, 12 SB)
First Base: Matt Richter, Sr. (.241/.319/.361, 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 R, 21 RBI, 2 SB)
Second Base: Dillon Schneider, Sr.
Shortstop: Ben Robinson, Sr. (.325/.431/.410, 3 2B, 2 3B, 21 R, 8 RBI, 6 SB)
Third Base: Jack Kelly, Sr.; Derek Vazquez, Sr.
Leftfield: Michael Martin, Jr.
Centerfield: Will Walsh, So. (.295/.421/.308, 1 2B, 14 R, 8 RBI, 15 SB)
Rightfield: Alex Staten, So.
DH: James Sobieski (Sr., OF), Brian Stevens (So., 1B), Dominic Gervolino (So., C), Hayden Ansell (Jr., OF); Jake Stewart (Sr., 2B)
Other Hitters
Eli Gonzalez, So., SS
Gianni Vacchiano, Sr., 1B
Pitching Staff
Tommy Kowaliwskyj, Sr., RHP (4-2, 56.1 IP, 40 H, 31 BB, 79 SO, 1.61 ERA)
Jack Kelly, Sr., RHP (4-1, 36.2 IP, 33 H, 12 BB, 26 SO, 2.29 ERA)
Derek Vazquez, Sr., RHP (3-2, 33 IP, 38 H, 14 BB, 24 SO, 3.39 ERA)
Ben Robinson, Sr., RHP (3-0, 3 Saves, 12.1 IP, 6 H, 8 BB, 27 SO, 1.70 ERA)
Brian Stevens, So., LHP (0-1, 14.2 IP, 12 H, 6 BB, 8 SO, 2.86 ERA)
Michael Martin, Jr., LHP
John Trotte, So., LHP
Gianni Vacchiano, Sr., RHP
Anthony Gagliardo, Jr., RHP
Braden Moore, Fr., RHP
College Commitments
Ben Robinson – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Tommy Kowaliwskyj – Susquehanna University
Connor Tongring – Gettysburg College
Matt Richter – Brookdale Community College
Jack Kelly – Brookdale Community College
2. Colts Neck
Head Coach: Mike Yorke, 25th season
2024 Record: 16-10 (10-4, tied first in Class A North)
Key Losses: Casey Gardiner (RF), Anthony Vallaro (SS), Tom Diffley (1B/LHP), Kyle McCarthy (OF/DH), Tosh Mancini (OF/RHP), Dylan Neves (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Matt Clark, Jr. (.214/.340/.238, 1 2B, 5 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB)
First Base: Ronan Kiely, Jr. (.348/.406/.467, 7 2B, 2 3B, 21 R, 21 RBI, 11 SB); Ryan Rude, So.
Second Base: Dan Annunziata, Jr. (.375/.489/.500, 7 2B, 1 3B, 13 R, 17 RBI, 13 SB)
Shortstop: Will Perski, Sr.
Third Base: Joe Pignatelli, Jr. (.288/.402/.397, 6 2B, 1 3B, 18 R, 21 RBI, 10 SB)
Leftfield: John Glusko, Jr.; Miles Schneider, Jr.
Centerfield: R.J. Conover, Jr. (.361/.435/.590, 3 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 18 R, 18 RBI, 8 SB)
Rightfield: Ethan Miller, Sr.; Ronan Kiely, Jr.
DH: Ryan Rude, So.
Other Hitters
Jack Dugo, Jr., 2B/SS
Ryan Spencer, Jr., 3B
Vinny Deponte, Jr., C
Aiden Bain, Jr., UTIL
Pitching Staff
Nick Hayden, Sr., RHP (4-5, 38.2 IP, 37 H, 29 BB, 47 SO, 2.72 ERA)
Nick Hardy, Sr., RHP (1-0, 1 Save, 17 IP, 20 H, 5 BB, 15 SO, 2.06 ERA)
Ryan Spencer, Jr., RHP (1-1, 1 Save, 15.1 IP, 10 H, 13 BB, 19 SO, 2.74 ERA)
Jack Dugo, Jr., RHP (5.1 IP, 13 H, 4 BB, 8 SO, 5.60 ERA)
College Commitments
Nick Hayden – Lehigh University
Nick Hardy – Brookdale Community College
3. Howell
Head Coach: Eric Johnson, 15th season
2024 Record: 12-15 (4-10, seventh in Class A North)
Key Losses: Braden Walsh (1B), Joe Zito (3B), Ryan Kinsella (2B), Rohan Shah (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Brody Loch, Sr. (.229/.308/.300, 5 2B, 3 R, 6 RBI)
First Base: Logan Koeppel, Sr. (.307/.388/.373, 5 2B, 18 R, 7 RBI, 2 SB)
Second Base: Ryan Todisco, Jr. (.313/.425/.422, 1 HR, 9 R, 8 RBI, 2 SB)
Shortstop: Aaron Wojenski, Sr. (.224/.294/.276, 2 2B, 1 3B, 6 R, 11 RBI, 2 SB)
Third Base: Vinny Agnello, Jr. (.293/.430/.333, 3 2B, 17 R, 8 RBI, 5 SB)
Leftfield: Ryan Cross, Sr.
Centerfield: Waylon Cavanaugh, Jr.
Rightfield: Jack Quinn, Jr.
DH: Matt Vetrano, Jr., 1B (.259/.377/.310, 1 HR, 10 R, 8 RBI)
Pitching Staff
Jake Jansen, Sr., LHP (3-2, 1 Save, 28.1 IP, 28 H, 21 BB, 27 K, 3.21 ERA)
Phillip Christopher, Sr., LHP (2-4, 33 IP, 41 H, 16 BB, 32 SO, 4.03 ERA)
Xavier Cortez, Sr., RHP (2-1, 20.1 IP, 19 H, 17 BB, 19 SO, 4.82 ERA)
Jackson Vetrano, Jr., RHP (1-0, 8 IP, 4 H, 5 BB, 8 SO, 0.87 ERA)
Logan Koeppel, Sr., RHP (1-1, 11 IP, 11 H, 9 BB, 11 SO, 3.18 ERA)
Aaron Wojenski, Sr., RHP (0-1, 5 Saves, 11 IP, 15 H, 2 BB, 15 SO, 3.18 ERA)
College Commitments
Vinny Agnello – Montclair State University
Brody Loch – University of Scranton
Aaron Wojenski – New Jersey Institute of Technology
4. Rumson-Fair Haven
Head Coach: Owen Stewart, fifth season
2024 Record: 8-14 (3-9, tied fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Aaron Del Tin (SS/RHP), Jack Riva (OF), Gavin D’Aponte (1B), Gavin Kiley (OF), Maverick Maguire (LHP), Jackson Gallagher (LHP), Colin Freer (RHP), Aidan Mishkin (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Luke Gallagher, Jr. (.172/.262/.190, 1 2B, 6 R, 5 RBI)
First Base: Max Mazzucca, Sr. (.293/.356/.415, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 R, 6 RBI, 5 SB)
Second Base: D.J. Ylagan, Sr. (.295/.419/.557, 3 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 12 R, 12 RBI, 2 SB)
Shortstop: Miles Martin, Fr.
Third Base: Brady Williams, Fr.
Leftfield: Casper Billington, So.
Centerfield: Parker Shenman, Sr. (5-for-18, 3 BB, 5 R, 3 RBI, 5 SB)
Rightfield: Aidan Dill, So.
DH: Nate Margulies, Sr. (.323/.382/.419, 3 2B, 5 R, 1 RBI)
Other Hitters
Nick Thomas, Sr., CF
Brayden Ward, Sr., OF (.226/.351/.355, 4 2B, 8 R, 5 RBI)
Alex Calabretta, Jr., UTIL
Will Roe, Sr., 1B
Thomas Pantaleo, Sr., 1B
Jack Gyimesi, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Cooper Jones, So., LHP (3-1, 20.1 IP, 21 H, 14 BB, 11 SO, 3.10 ERA)
Max Hinchliffe, Jr., LHP (1-3, 16 IP, 20 H, 15 BB, 14 SO, 7.44 ERA)
Owen O’Toole, Sr., RHP (1-5, 38.2 IP, 47 H, 28 BB, 38 SO, 4.71 ERA)
Hunter Beattie, So., RHP – Transfer from Red Bank Catholic (1-3, 27.2 IP, 22 H, 27 BB, 35 SO, 4.30 ERA)
Brady Williams, Fr., RHP
Lucca Strome, Jr., RHP
Brady Dill, So., RHP
Jack Gyimesi, Jr., RHP
5. Monmouth
Head Coach: Paul Crivello, 11th season
2024 Record: 16-9 (7-5, tied third in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Evan Booth (OF/RHP), Mike Milevoi (1B/RHP), Brandon Geiger (OF), Dom Migliaccio (3B/RHP), Alejandro Ocelotl (Sr., 2B/RHP), Joe Alfano (DH)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Bobby Davidson, Sr. (.284/.365/.473, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 6 R, 21 RBI, 2 SB)
First Base: Collin Denton, Sr. (.233/.364/.288, 4 2B, 14 R, 6 RBI, 4 SB)
Second Base: Dom Golembieski, So.; Tanner Simpson, Sr.
Shortstop: Beckett Langdon, Jr. (.236/.304/.250, 1 2B, 14 R, 10 RBI, 4 SB)
Third Base: Connor Keefer, Sr.
Leftfield: Mason Bussem, So.
Centerfield: Will Theobald, Sr. (.222/.341/.333, 2 2B, 3 3B, 17 R, 10 RBI, 5 SB)
Rightfield: Eddie Segarra, So.
DH: Jake Kroposky, Jr.; Ryan Reissner, Jr.
Other Hitters
Vaughn Bociulis, Jr., 1B
Liam Forster, Sr., 3B
Jack Thomas, So., C
Donovan Hicks, Fr., OF
Alex Nickels, Fr., OF
Pitching Staff
Collin Denton, Sr., RHP (6-1, 60.1 IP, 32 H, 22 BB, 78 SO, 0.93 ERA)
Vaughn Bociulis, Jr., LHP (3-0, 13 IP, 16 H, 13 BB, 12 SO, 6.46 ERA)
Connor Keefer, Sr., RHP (1-0, 7.1 IP, 16 H, 1 BB, 3 SO, 7.64 ERA)
Beckett Langdon, Jr., RHP (2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Will Theobald, Sr., RHP
Tanner Simpson, Sr., RHP
Eddie Segarra, So., LHP
Mason Bussem, So., RHP
Ryan Reissner, Jr., LHP
College Commitments
Collin Denton – St. Peter’s University
6. Matawan
Head Coach: Bobby Carnovsky, 12th season
2024 Record: 17-5 (12-2, first in Class B North)
Key Losses: Andrew Gendi (RHP/3B), Brandon Falco (RHP/1B), Jack Sassa (CF), Mark Kovach (RHP/OF), Chris Galasso (SS), Sean Hart (OF), Sal Cassano (INF/OF/RHP), Mike DiPietro (OF/C), Eric Friedman (2B), Matt Cole (C)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Liam Corbett, So.; Lorenzo Michaud, Jr.
First Base: Nick Bucco, Jr.
Second Base: Lucas Vilchez, Sr.
Shortstop: A.J. Aversano, So.
Third Base: Shawn Lalevee, Sr.
Leftfield: Lorenzo Michaud, Jr.
Centerfield: Colin McGeehan, Sr. (.357/.419/.500, 1 2B, 1 HR, 9 R, 8 RBI, 3 SB)
Rightfield: Bryan McCartin, Sr. (.348/.410/.493, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 12 R, 22 RBI, 6 SB)
DH: Bobby Gallo, Sr.
Other Hitters
Mark Fanelli, So., 1B
Sam Morris, Sr., 2B
Vinny Bucco, Jr., 3B
Pitching Staff
Jayce Thoroughman, Sr., RHP (2-2, 27.1 IP, 27 H, 7 BB, 24 SO, 3.59 ERA)
Scott Germaine, Sr., RHP (2-0, 9.2 IP, 9 H, 5 BB, 10 SO, 2.17 ERA)
Shawn Lalevee, Sr., RHP
Mark Fanelli, So., RHP
Sam Morris, Sr., RHP
Liam Corbett, So., RHP
College Commitments
Bryan McCartin – Kean University
Jayce Thoroughman – Drew University
Colin McGeehan – Stockton University
7. Shore
Head Coach: Jay Kuhlthau, sixth season
2024 Record: 16-9 (tied third in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Joe Santi (SS/RHP), Rob Stock (LHP/DH), E.J. Stefanelli (C), Cole Stefanelli (1B/RHP), C.J. Sears (3B/RHP), Jake Pennell (CF), T.J. Minner (RHP/DH)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Riley Smaltini, Jr.
First Base: Ryan Barham, Jr. (.243/.349/.243, 5 R, 5 RBI)
Second Base: Trevor Doremus, Jr.
Shortstop: Andrew Barham, Jr. (.368/.461/.408, 1 HR, 16 R, 12 RBI, 10 SB)
Third Base: Liam Hennelly, Jr. (.250/.368/.336, 5 2B, 1 3B, 19 R, 10 RBI, 8 SB)
Leftfield: Rory Burkhardt, Sr.
Centerfield: Enzo Cagliostro, Jr.
Rightfield: Josh Moeller, Sr. (.233/.333/.250, 1 2B, 10 R, 10 RBI, 2 SB)
DH: Braden Calandriello, Jr.
Other Hitters
Jake Banach, Sr., 3B
J.C. Mannello, Sr., 2B
Cruz Rosario, Sr., 1B
Vinny Carasia, Jr., OF
Mike Marotta, Jr., OF
Luke Moccia, Jr., OF
Mike Russomano, Jr., 1B
Pitching Staff
Andrew Barham, Jr., RHP (4-1, 17.2 IP, 15 H, 10 BB, 17 SO, 3.17 ERA)
Ryan Barham, Jr., RHP (1 Save, 11 IP, 13 H, 8 BB, 5 SO, 4.45 ERA)
Liam Hennelly, Jr., RHP (0-1, 8 IP, 10 H, 7 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA)
Luca Delonardo, So., RHP
Cruz Rosario, Sr., RHP (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Rory Burkhardt, Sr., RHP (1-0, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 1 SO)
Luce Moccia, Jr., RHP
Mike Russomano, Jr., RHP
J.C. Mannello, Sr., RHP
Jake Banach, Sr., RHP
Division Lineup
Connor Tongring, Catcher, Ocean
Bobby Davidson, Catcher, Monmouth
Ronan Kiely, First Base, Colts Neck
D.J. Ylagan, Second Base, Rumson-Fair Haven
Dan Annunziata, Second Base, Colts Neck
Ben Robinson, Shortstop, Ocean
Bryan McCartin, Rightfield, Matawan
R.J. Conover, Centerfield, Colts Neck
Parker Shenman, Centerfield, Rumson-Fair Haven
Division Rotation
Collin Denton, RHP, Monmouth
Tommy Kowaliwskyj, RHP, Ocean
Nick Hayden, RHP, Colts Neck
Jake Jansen, LHP, Howell
Jayce Thoroughman, RHP, Matawan
Jack Kelly, RHP, Ocean
