2025 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class B South
After years as a contender in the Class B Central division, Point Pleasant Beach became too good for the Shore’s small-school division, culminating in a 25-5 season in 2024 that included a 14-0 division record and the program’s first trip to the NJSIAA Group I final. After winning a third straight sectional championship in Central Jersey Group I, the Garnet Gulls are moving out of Class B Central and into Class B South.
The schedule will be more difficult and will challenge the pitching staff more than Class B Central’s crop of teams could, but Point Beach has a legitimately talented roster that is long on experience – especially in big games. The Garnet Gulls return seven starters in the lineup, including All-Shore first-team catcher Dan Lubach and fellow All-Shore selections Tommy Conroy and Noah Banick. Pitching could be where Point Beach has the greatest adjustment to make, with Banick and Conroy the only two starters back who pitched against the teams from outside of Class B Central.
One Class B South team that should not struggle with pitching is Manasquan and that might be the Warriors’ ticket to an elusive division championship. The graduation of Austin Griffith leaves a hole in the rotation, but Manasquan is much healthier on the mound heading into this season compared to last. Left-hander Chase Kaplan is coming off a big sophomore season and will headline the rotation, which should also benefit from a lineup that will have six returning starters out of the eight positions in the field.
Another obvious challenger to Point Beach will be crosstown rival Point Pleasant Boro, which is coming off a Class B South co-championship that the Panthers shared with Donovan Catholic – now in Class A South. Point Boro was one of four teams last season to beat Point Beach (Jackson Memorial beat the Garnet Gulls twice) and will get after the Gulls again this season. The Panthers will be a much younger team than they were a year ago, but one of those young players is sophomore Jake Clayton, who was one of Ocean County’s top hitters as a freshman. Factor in senior left-handed ace Nick Kowalewski and Point Boro has plenty to throw at the rest of Class B South in its pursuit of a second straight title.
While the crosstown rivalry within Point Boro will carry plenty of intensity, Point Beach’s chief rival over the years has been St. Rose. The Purple Roses are Point Beach’s traveling partner from Class B Central to Class B South and will also be looking to prove themselves against better divisional competition. St. Rose will have to replace its top two pitchers from 2024, and productive junior catcher Frank Soos transferred to Wall, but University of Pittsburgh commit and junior shortstop Peter Nolan leads a group that still boasts both experience and upside.
Jackson Liberty came up one game short of both Point Boro and Donovan Catholic in the Class B South race in 2024 and is motivated to finish at the top of the division in what will be the final year of Jackson Liberty baseball as we know it. Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty will unite next season in Jackson Liberty’s building, and the current version of the Lions players would like to build on their credentials before they join up with the crew from Jackson Memorial. As for seniors Mike Kisseberth, Colin Menafra and Nic Nannini, they want to go out as champions with the final class at this version of Jackson Liberty.
Two teams from the Class A South division will try their hand in Class B South coming off down seasons. Toms River North is already dealing with a bout of injuries and other circumstances that have taken potential returning players out of the lineup and the rotation – a less-than-ideal situation for a team looking to improve on a fifth-place finish a year ago in Class A South.
Central Regional finished behind Toms River North in the 2024 Class A South standings, but has more peace of mind heading into the season thanks to the return of three of the top four pitchers from a staff that turned into a strength by the end of the season. The offense was both inexperienced and injured a year ago, so with another year of experience upon which to build and a Class A South and Group IV pedigree, Central should not be overlooked.
In predicted order of finish
1. Point Pleasant Beach
Head Coach: Angelo Fiore, 11th season
2024 Record: 25-5 (14-0, first in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Ryan Doyle (RHP), Nate Clayton (C/OF), John Coakley (DH), Liam Dolan (RHP), Quinn Cali (OF), Nick Larsen (2B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Dan Lubach, Jr. (.512/.613/.817, 13 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 25 R, 42 RBI, 3 SB)
First Base: Noah Banick, Sr. (.500/.579/.604, 8 2B, 1 3B, 36 R, 42 RBI, 14 SB)
Second Base: Chris Napolitano, Sr. (3-for-7, 1 2B, 7 R, 5 RBI, 3 SB)
Shortstop: Antonio Acevedo, Jr. (.409/.552/.580, 6 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 42 R, 23 RBI, 12 SB)
Third Base: Carson Pfeifer, So. (.425/.582/.500, 3 2B, 14 R, 11 RBI, 2 SB)
Leftfield: Dan Storch, Sr. (.329/.490/.466, 5 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 29 R, 27 RBI, 6 SB)
Centerfield: Tommy Conroy, Jr. (.456/.578/.689, 17 2B, 2 3B, 44 R, 27 RBI, 24 SB)
Rightfield: Brody Powers, So. (.400/.551/.580, 5 2B, 2 3B, 31 R, 22 RBI, 6 SB)
DH: Bennett Moberg, Jr. (5-for-6, 1 2B, 4 R); Dan Coleman, So.
Other Hitters
Dylan Ryan, Jr., UTIL
Jayden Kolans, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Noah Banick, Sr., LHP (2-2, 36.2 IP, 31 H, 25 BB, 51 SO, 2.29 ERA)
Gavin Bauer, Sr., RHP
Tommy Conroy, Jr., LHP (4-1, 22 IP, 19 H, 13 BB, 14 SO, 2.23 ERA)
Bennett Moberg, Jr., RHP (5-0, 25 IP, 18 H, 9 BB, 28 SO, 1.68 ERA)
Gabe Pavone, Jr., RHP (1-0, 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 9 BB, 4 SO)
Antonio Acevedo, Jr., RHP (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO)
Brody Powers, So., RHP (1-0, 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 SO)
Thomas Slobiski, Fr., RHP
Harry Montuoro, Fr., LHP
Davin Marquez, Fr, LHP
Carson Pfeifer, So., RHP
College Commitments
Noah Banick – Pace University
Tommy Conroy – Mount St. Mary’s University
2. Manasquan
Head Coach: Brenan Gordon, seventh season
2024 Record: 12-13-1 (9-4-1)
Key Losses: Austin Griffith (RHP), Luke Ramire (OF), Matt Koenig (3B/RHP), James Michko (1B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Connor Voelksen, Sr. (.282/.361/.388, 7 2B, 1 3B, 7 R, 12 RBI)
First Base: R.T. Runge, Sr. (.237/.352/.303, 2 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 11 RBI, 7 SB)
Second Base: Caden Eastmond, Sr. (.273/.404/.299, 2 2B, 14 R, 5 RBI, 3 SB)
Shortstop: Tristan Condon, Sr. (.220/.289/.220, 7 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB)
Third Base: Liam Opatosky, Jr.; John Canning, Sr.; Aiden Opatosky, Sr.
Leftfield: Keegan Hertel, Sr.; Logan Cupo, Sr.
Centerfield: Matt Antonucci, Jr. (.258/.338/.318, 4 2B, 9 R, 10 RBI, 5 SB)
Rightfield: J.T. Teza, Jr. (.167/.259/.417, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI)
DH: Shane Hagerman (Sr., 1B); Liam Opatosky (Jr., 3B)
Other Hitters
Dylan Vowteras, Sr., OF – Injured; out for season (.197/.378/.318, 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 13 R, 11 RBI, 6 SB)
Pitching Staff
Chase Kaplan, Jr., LHP (4-3, 38.1 IP, 20 H, 29 BB, 68 SO, 1.97 ERA)
R.T. Runge, Sr., RHP (3-3, 2 Saves, 35 IP, 35 H, 11 BB, 37 SO, 2.40 ERA)
Tristan Condon, Sr., RHP (3 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO)
Logan Cleveland, So., RHP
Shane Hagerman, Sr., RHP
J.D. Teza, Jr., RHP (2-1, 19.2 IP, 21 H, 18 BB, 12 SO, 4.98 ERA)
Keegan Hertel, Sr., RHP
Jackson Battaglia, Sr., LHP (1 Save, 21.1 IP, 21 H, 6 BB, 16 SO, 2.62 ERA)
Liam Opatosky, Jr., RHP
John Canning, Sr., RHP
Christian LaForge, Sr., RHP
College Commitments
R.T. Runge – Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Connor Voelksen – Messiah College
3. Jackson Liberty
Head Coach: Dave Murawski, fourth season
2024 Record: 15-9 (9-3, third in Class B South)
Key Losses: Brett Benecke (1B/C), Jack Kanis (OF), Vinny Grande (RHP), Matt O’Brien (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Carney O’Donnell, Jr. (.293/.368/.373, 6 2B, 9 R, 16 RBI, 2 SB); Joe Loschiavo, So.
First Base: Joe Loschiavo, So.; Donovan Louis Jacques, Sr.
Second Base: Matt Galayda, Jr. (.272/.385/.382, 6 2B, 11 R, 12 RBI, 2 SB); Anthony Woods, So.
Shortstop: Mike Kisseberth, Sr. (.358/.441/.395, 3 2B, 19 R, 8 RBI, 9 SB); Matt Galayda, Jr.
Third Base: Mason Ciccariello, Jr. (.245/.355/.321, 4 2B, 12 R, 8 RBI, 2 SB)
Leftfield: Jayden Harnett, So.
Centerfield: Colin Menafra, Sr. (.212/.366/.258, 1 2B, 1 3B, 12 R, 13 RBI, 7 SB)
Rightfield: Scott Wall, So. (.313/.408/.337, 2 2B, 20 R, 8 RBI, 9 SB)
DH: Donovan Louis Jacques (Sr., 1B); Nic Nannini (Sr., OF)
Other Hitters
Dominic Zolla, Fr., UTIL
Jake Schalen, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Mike Kisseberth, Sr., RHP (2023: 0-1, 13.1 IP, 13 H, 10 BB, 18 SO, 3.15 ERA)
Carney O’Donnell, Jr., RHP (1-1, 9 IP, 6 H, 7 BB, 13 SO, 3.11 ERA)
Anthony Woods, Jr., RHP (3-3, 1 Save, 39.2 IP, 38 H, 20 BB, 24 SO, 3.71 ERA)
Nic Nannini, Sr., RHP (1 Save, 7.2 IP, 14 H, 1 BB, 6 SO, 5.48 ERA)
Matt Galayda, Jr., RHP (2-2, 1 Save, 16 IP, 23 H, 15 BB, 12 SO, 8.75 ERA)
Colin Menafra, Sr., RHP (4-1, 1 Save, 11.2 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 13 SO, 1.20 ERA)
Jayden Harnett, So., RHP (1-1, 12 IP, 13 H, 20 BB, 5 SO, 4.08 ERA)
Scott Wall, So., RHP
Finley Pazinko, Fr., RHP
Michael Trancucci, So., LHP
Mason Ciccariello, Jr., RHP
College Commitments
Mike Kisseberth – Georgian Court University
Carney O’Donnell – Old Dominion University
4. Point Pleasant Boro
Head Coach: Dave Drew, 14th season
2024 Record: 14-11 (10-2, tied first in Class B South)
Key Losses: Bryson Kirby (RHP/OF), Wyatt Dewysockie (C/RHP), Ryan Acquisto (1B/RHP), Jayson Bennett (C/3B), John Ward (3B), Brian Simoes (CF), Jack Macaluso (OF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: John Loizos, So.
First Base: Hudson Griffin, Sr.
Second Base: Nick Carmino, Jr.
Shortstop: Jake Clayton, So. (.329/.454/.500, 6 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 21 R, 16 RBI, 7 SB)
Third Base: James Lockwood, 3B
Leftfield: Matt Lokerson, Jr. (.304/.377/.333, 2 2B, 10 R, 10 RBI)
Centerfield: James Bradley, Sr. (.172/.405/.207, 1 2B, 12 R, 5 RBI, 9 SB)
Rightfield: Nick Albanese, Sr.
DH: Lou DiBiase (Sr., C)
Other Hitters
Chris Metcalfe, Sr., 1B
Nolan Franke, Jr., 1B
Jack Sullivan, So., 2B
Graham Mattos, So., 2B
Wyatt Jones, Sr., SS
Zach Johnson, Sr., 3B
Ryan Kowalewski, So., 3B
Chase Connelly, Jr., OF
Caden Leonhardt, Sr., OF
Aiden Dombrowsky, So., OF
Fin Czaplinski, Fr., C
James Kilbride, Fr., C
Pitching Staff
Nick Kowalewski, Sr., LHP (2-3, 31.1 IP, 21 H, 15 BB, 42 SO, 2.68 ERA)
Chase Connelly, Jr., RHP (2-2, 21.2 IP, 18 H, 12 BB, 22 SO, 2.58 ERA)
Hudson Griffin, Sr., RHP (1-0, 1 Save, 11.1 IP, 5 H, 16 BB, 15 SO, 1.23 ERA)
Aiden Dombrowsky, So., RHP
John Loizos, So., RHP
Landon Hoyle, So., RHP
Wyatt Jones, Sr., RHP
Matt Lokerson, Jr., RHP
James Bradley, So., RHP
College Commitments
Nick Kowalewski – Stockton University
5. St. Rose
Head Coach: Rich Lanko, eighth season
2024 Record: 19-10 (12-2, second in Class B Central)
Key Losses: Jack Tiernan (3B/RHP), Anthony Crudo (OF/RHP), Brennan Sherman (OF), James Doster (OF), Chris Zahlmann (RHP), Frank Soos (Jr., C; transferred to Wall)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Lucas Ferlise, Jr.
First Base: Tyler Hager, So. (.344/.461/.547, 7 2B, 2 HR, 24 R, 19 RBI)
Second Base: James Alesso, Jr. (.263/.370/.263, 16 R, 10 RBI, 2 SB); Max Glassberg, Sr. (.216/.310/.255, 2 2B, 13 R, 8 RBI, 2 SB)
Shortstop: Peter Nolan, Jr. (.341/.454/.451, 9 2B, 33 R, 24 RBI, 6 SB)
Third Base: Brendan Brophy, Sr. (.295/.326/.295, 10 R, 7 RBI, 6 SB); Nick Ferrante, So.
Leftfield: Joe Ferrante, Jr.; Mike Yorke, So.; Jason Spallin, So.
Centerfield: Dom Crudo, So. (.227/.564/.455, 1 3B, 1 HR, 19 R, 6 RBI, 8 SB)
Rightfield: Jake Whitehead, Jr. (5-for-12, 6 BB, 1 2B, 8 R, 10 RBI, 2 SB)
DH: Chris Doster (Sr., INF); Jack Sullivan (Sr., 1B); Mike Yorke (So., OF)
Other Hitters
Vincent Duffy, Jr., C
Nick DeGasaro, Jr., OF/INF
John Lyman, Jr., 1B
Pitching Staff
James Alesso, Jr., RHP (2-1, 17.1 IP, 15 H, 12 BB, 21 SO, 4.04 ERA)
Brendan Brophy, Sr., RHP (2-2, 15 IP, 14 H, 4 BB, 19 SO, 2.33 ERA)
Jake Whitehead, Jr., LHP (4-0, 15 IP, 11 H, 2 BB, 11 SO, 0.47 ERA)
Tyler Hager, So., RHP (7 IP, 8 H, 7 BB, 14 SO, 11.00 ERA)
Joe Ferrante, Jr., RHP (9.2 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 8 SO, 4.34 ERA)
Nick Ferrante, So., RHP (3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 SO)
Peter Nolan, Jr., RHP (12.2 IP, 7 H, 15 BB, 18 SO, 4.97 ERA)
Dom Crudo, So., LHP
Max Glassberg, Sr., RHP
College Commitments
Peter Nolan – University of Pittsburgh
6. Central
Head Coach: Mike Puglisi, second season
2024 Record: 4-15 (3-11, seventh in Class A South)
Key Losses: Cristian Soto (C), Gavin Arieno (OF), Brayden Lowden (2B), Mason Lisewski (OF), Chase Newton (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Jack Tietjen, Jr. (.341/.396/.386, 2 2B, 5 R, 7 RBI)
First Base: Nick Dinicola, Sr. (.280/.308/.400, 3 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI)
Second Base: Gavin Srinivasan, Sr. (.261/.352/.261, 3 R, 8 RBI)
Shortstop: Tommy Truzzolino, Sr. (.224/.333/.265, 2 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI)
Third Base: Gavin Lisewski, Jr.; C.J. Dybus, So.
Leftfield: Rob Bollentino, Sr. (.222/.327/.289, 3 2B, 12 R, 1 RBI, 3 SB)
Centerfield: Mike Nieves, Jr.
Rightfield: Ryan Brescia, Sr. (208/.240/.250, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI); Brayden Cimorelli, Jr.
DH: Kaden Stout (Jr., OF/INF)
Other Hitters
Tommy Lavorgna, So., OF
Pitching Staff
Vinny Berardi, Sr., LHP (2-1, 33 IP, 27 H, 17 BB, 38 SO, 2.76 ERA)
Chase Macri, Sr., RHP (1-3, 1 Save, 21.1 IP, 16 H, 11 BB, 15 SO, 4.27 ERA)
Tyler Woermer, Jr., RHP (0-2, 20 IP, 25 H, 4 BB, 12 SO, 4.20 ERA)
Jayden Policastro, Jr., RHP
Vinny Tremeterra, So., RHP
Kaden Stout, Jr., RHP
Ryan Brescia, Sr., RHP
Brayden Cimorelli, Jr., RHP (4 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB)
Lou Piscioneri, Fr., RHP
College Commitments
Tommy Truzzolino – Franklin & Marshall College
Vinny Berardi – Montclair State University
Chase Macri – Georgian Court University
Nick Dinicola – Elmira College
7. Toms River North
Head Coach: Andrew Pagano, 11th season
2024 Record: 9-15 (5-9, tied fifth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Kieran Mulholland (LHP/1B), Logan Mulholland (OF/1B), Dominic Urso (2B), Matt Petrocelli (RHP), Ryan Rivera (RHP), Cole Garrison (So., CF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Jason Verderrosa, So. (.273/.420/.291, 1 2B, 5 R, 12 RBI)
First Base: Brendan Bush, Sr.; Owen Stefan, Jr. (.250/.295/.250, 8 R, 6 RBI)
Second Base: Vinny Vergona, Jr. (.301/.430/.315, 1 2B, 17 R, 8 RBI, 3 SB)
Shortstop: Ian St. Luce, Jr. (.250/.381/.265, 1 2B, 12 R, 7 RBI)
Third Base: Steven Nuber, Sr.; Dominic Ostroman, So.
Leftfield: Mason Ciullo, So.
Centerfield: Nick Daniele, Jr. (.152/.246/.152, 8 R, 5 RBI)
Rightfield: Jayden Luongo, So.; Brendan Bush, Sr.
DH: Pietro Amodio (So., 1B)
Other Hitters
Justin Valles, Jr., OF – Injured
Justin Cauldwell, So., OF
Ethan Hafner, Jr., OF
Patrick Mackin, Fr., OF/1B
D.J. Shouldice, Jr., 3B (.167/.259/.208, 1 2B, 3 R) – Injured; out for season
Pitching Staff
Steven Nuber, Sr., LHP (0-1, 13.1 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 11 SO, 4.75 ERA)
Vinny Vergona, Jr., RHP (1-0,11 IP, 13 H, 4 BB, 5 SO, 3.18 ERA)
Nick Daniele, Jr., RHP (4.2 IP, 7 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 3.00 ERA) – Injured
Ian St. Luce, Jr., RHP
Dominic Ostroman, So., RHP
Brendan Bush, Sr., RHP (0-1, 11.2 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 7 SO, 6.00 ERA)
Blake Tillotson, Sr., RHP
Jayden Luongo, So., RHP
Mike McTaggart, So., RHP
Division Lineup
Dan Lubach, Catcher, Point Beach
Carney O’Donnell, Catcher, Jackson Liberty
Noah Banick, First Base, Point Beach
Jake Clayton, Shortstop, Point Boro
Peter Nolan, Shortstop, St. Rose
Mike Kisseberth, Shortstop, Jackson Liberty
Antonio Acevedo, Shortstop, Point Beach
Tommy Conroy, Centerfield, Point Beach
Scott Wall, Outfield, Jackson Liberty
Division Rotation
Chase Kaplan, LHP, Manasquan
Nick Kowalewski, LHP, Point Boro
Vinny Berardi, LHP, Central
R.T. Runge, RHP, Manasquan
Chase Connelly, RHP, Point Boro
