2025 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class C North
The C Divisions of the Shore Conference are all about redemption, with all seven teams between Class C North and C South finishing in the bottom half of their respective divisions in 2024 (Manchester technically finished in the middle as the fourth team out of seven in Class B South).
This is especially true in Class C North, which is home to seven teams that finished in fifth place or worse a season ago and will be trying to author a division championship season amid a new group of competitors.
Class A North is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Class C North, and one team makes the move from the Shore’s most loaded division into the division of bounceback candidates. Freehold Township is 12-30 in Class A North play over the past three years, but a respectable 19-16 against the rest of its schedule during the same period – a signal that this move into a new division could suit the Patriots well. It also does not hurt to have a legitimate ace in Jackson Redmond topping a solid rotation, which will be the strength of a team that has some questions in the lineup after a handful of key graduations.
Class A Central was also a hyper-competitive division a season ago, and Holmdel and Raritan were right in the thick of the action. Both teams were part of a three-way tie for last place (or fifth place if you are the glass-half-full type) along with Rumson-Fair Haven but also were competitive with top teams like Red Bank Catholic and Wall.
Holmdel brings back most of its lineup, which will be looking to rebound after a challenging year scoring runs after showing promise as a sophomore-heavy group in 2023. Senior Matt Iulo is a proven catcher and headliner for the lineup and will catch an intriguing pitching staff led by hard-throwing junior Dylan Zammit and classmate Jack Vallillo.
Raritan struggled to finish close games on top and will have most of last year’s group returning as the Rockets look to turn the tide in those games. With so much experience – particularly on the mound with Alan Warren, Jimmy Nichols and Will Meehan – Raritan might not have to play so many close games, especially if the veteran offense comes to life in support of the solid group of pitchers.
The rest of the teams in the newly formed C North are the bottom four from last year’s Class B North standings. That includes Red Bank, which is the only team between the two C divisions in this year’s Shore Conference that posted a winning record last year. The Bucs still might not mind the company in C North considering how inexperienced they will be when it comes to varsity at-bats and innings on the infield, but catcher Nick Walker will allay many of those concerns thanks to his established performance. The pitching will be slightly more experienced thanks the returns of Will Marziarz and Sean Keatts, and the outfield will be a trio of players with varsity track records to help spark the lineup.
St. John Vianney is coming off its second straight 6-16 season and is now under the direction of Bob Klatt – a head boys basketball coach with more than 300 career wins between Mater Dei Prep and Wall. This will be Klatt’s first season in charge in a high school dugout after St. John Vianney parted ways with longtime skipper and state championship-winning coach Mike Morgan. The Lancers might have led the Shore Conference in unique lineups last season, so they are looking for some stability with a group of players who have all had a taste of varsity action.
Freehold Boro and Neptune were the bottom two teams in Class B North a year ago and will face similar challenges this season. Freehold Boro graduated three key arms from a top-heavy staff, although the returns of centerfielder Nick Russo and catcher Tyler Kucken provide a dose of optimism. As for Neptune, the Scarlet Fliers bring back most of a lineup that went 0-14 in the division as juniors and sophomores and will be incorporating a trio of freshmen into what should be an improved core of the lineup.
In predicted order of finish
1. Raritan
Head Coach: Jeff Struble, 12th season
2024 Record: 9-14 (3-9, tied fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Phil Kremer (LHP/OF/1B), John Molnar (RHP/3B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Matt Melendez, Sr.
First Base: Jake Ricchiuti, Jr. (.207/.352/.241, 1 3B, 5 R, 5 RBI, 4 SB)
Second Base: Sean Burnett, Sr. (.357/.451/.429, 1 2B, 1 3B, 12 R, 6 RBI, 11 SB); Brendan Evernham, Fr.
Shortstop: Travis Evernham, Sr. (.307/.395/.320, 1 2B, 8 R, 9 RBI, 16 SB)
Third Base: Antonio Lamberti, Jr.
Leftfield: Alan Warren, Sr. (.325/.413/.325, 3 R, 8 RBI, 7 SB)
Centerfield: Jimmy Nichols, Sr. (.338/.442/.394, 4 2B, 12 R, 8 RBI, 9 SB)
Rightfield: Jobby Dekis, Sr. (.324/.452/.412, 3 2B, 1 HR, 10 R, 11 RBI, 3 SB); Chris Jefferson, Sr.
DH: Jobby Dekis, Sr.
Other Hitters
Will Meehan, Jr., OF (.226/.294/.226, 5 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
Eric McCartney, Fr., 1B
Justin Sclavunos, Jr., 3B
Pitching Staff
Will Meehan, Jr., LHP (0-1, 6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 6 SO, 2.21 ERA)
Alan Warren, Sr., RHP (2-2, 33.2 IP, 32 H, 14 BB, 30 SO, 3.53 ERA)
Jimmy Nichols, Sr., RHP (1-3, 22 IP, 19 H, 11 BB, 17 SO, 2.86 ERA)
Sean Burnett, Sr. RHP (1-1, 13.2 IP, 19 H, 8 BB, 8 SO, 6.15 ERA)
C.J. Gartner, Sr., RHP
College Commitments
Travis Evernham – New Jersey City University
Jimmy Nichols – New Jersey City University
2. St. John Vianney
Head Coach: Bob Klatt, first season
2024 Record: 6-16 (5-9, sixth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Kevin DiPede (SS), Owen Murtha (3B/RHP), Mike Intartaglia (OF), Sal Tantillo (1B), David Hamlin (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Wyatt Lewis, So. (250/.385/.250, 6 R, 1 RBI, 4 SB); Tyler Shpiro, Jr.
First Base: Tyler Shpiro, Jr. (.300/.588/.500, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI); Mike McCormack, Sr.
Second Base: Nick Mirto, Sr. (.293/.406/.310, 1 2B, 12 R, 4 RBI, 8 SB)
Shortstop: Mike Capaldo, So.
Third Base: Jake Visone, Sr. (4-for-13, 1 R, 1 RBI)
Leftfield: Anthony Bavaro, So.
Centerfield: J.T. Mohlmann, Sr. (.216/.281/.235, 1 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI, 3 SB)
Rightfield: Jalen Rodriguez, Jr. (.281/.410/.406, 1 2B, 1 HR, 11 R, 1 RBI, 8 SB)
DH: Mike McCormack, Sr. (.455/.538/.788, 7 2B, 2 3B, 7 R, 10 RBI)
Other Hitters
Tim Hazel, Sr., 1B
J.J. McGonigle, Jr., 2B
Shane Pritchard, Jr., SS
Rocco Pluchino, Jr., 3B
Tyler McDougall, So., OF
Teagan Mouton, Sr., OF
Matt Cirillo, Sr., OF
Gavin Chon, Sr., INF
C.J. Simone, Jr., INF
C.J. Pizzirusso, Jr., OF
Luke Jaafar-Bodnar, Jr., OF
David Lauria, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Elijah Calderone, Sr., RHP (0-2, 20.1 IP, 21 H, 9 BB, 22 SO, 3.44 ERA)
Max DeFonce, Sr., RHP (9.1 IP, 8 H, 12 BB, 7 SO, 3.75 ERA)
John Ferry, Sr., RHP (2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO)
Thomas Dunn, Jr., RHP
Dylan Blackman, Jr., RHP
Nico Leal-Gambino, Jr., RHP (0-3, 16 IP, 20 H, 11 BB, 13 SO, 4.81 ERA)
Matt Baczor, So., RHP
3. Freehold Township
Head Coach: Todd Smith, 15th season
2024 Record: 8-17 (2-12, eighth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Mike Avino (SS), Lex Nelsen (RHP/OF), C.J. Svoboda (2B/RHP), Aidan Galvanek (OF), Anthony Vitello (DH)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Nick Schicchi, Jr. (2-for-25)
First Base: Jon Boylan, Sr. (.230/.329/.246, 1 2B, 7 R, 9 RBI, 5 SB)
Second Base: Ed Gudaitis, So.
Shortstop: Christian Borromeo, Sr. (.170/.250/.170, 3 R, 2 RBI)
Third Base: Nick Madonia, Sr.
Leftfield: Tom Sciarra, Jr. (.245/.333/.283, 1 3B, 6 R, 3 RBI, 9 SB)
Centerfield: Matt Nuccio, Sr. (.107/.265/.125, 1 2B, 9 R, 1 RBI, 11 SB)
Rightfield: George Burdge, So.
DH: Sonny Moore (Sr., C); Julian Polo (Fr., RF)
Other Hitters
Jordan Wortman, Sr., DH – Injured
Caine Massey, Jr., UTIL
Kobe Dancel, Fr., UTIL
Aiden Rivera, Fr., INF
Jake Umansky, Fr., INF
Pitching Staff
Jackson Redmond, Jr., RHP (1-5, 1 Save, 36.1 IP, 30 H, 27 BB, 50 SO, 2.50 ERA)
Matt Nuccio, Sr., LHP (0-2, 12 IP, 24 H, 7 BB, 8 SO, 11.67 ERA)
Connor Brand, Sr., RHP (0-3, 18.2 IP, 18 H, 8 BB, 14 SO, 3.00 ERA)
Jack Henry, Sr., LHP (0-2, 11.2 IP, 9 H, 14 BB, 12 SO, 5.40 ERA)
Christian Borromeo, Sr., RHP
Mark Rice, Sr., RHP (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO)
Christian Chiapuzio, Jr. LHP (1-0, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 BB, 6 SO)
Nick Madonia, Sr., RHP (1-0, 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB)
College Commitments
Matt Nuccio – Vermont State University Lyndon
4. Holmdel
Head Coach: Chris Arecchi, eighth season
2024 Record: 9-16 (3-9, tied fifth in Class A Central)
Key Losses: Luke Buda (LHP), James Vallillo (OF), Joe Barbarino (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Matt Iulo, Sr. (.254/.372/.338, 4 2B, 1 3B, 13 R, 7 RBI, 7 SB)
First Base: Rob Mioduszewski, Jr.; Lincoln Maikos, Jr.
Second Base: Logan Cardinoza, Sr. (.173/.386/.173, 8 R, 4 RBI, 5 SB)
Shortstop: Jack Vallillo, Jr. (.213/.333/.230, 1 2B, 11 R, 8 RBI, 5 SB); Raum Desai, Jr.; Cam Estok, Sr.
Third Base: Cam Estok, Sr. (.044/.271/.044, 7 R, 7 RBI); James Murphy, Jr.
Leftfield: Tyler Reddy, Sr. (.136/.296/.182, 2 2B, 6 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB)
Centerfield: Nick Rakoski, Sr. (.218/.384/.346, 4 2B, 3 3B, 17 R, 11 RBI, 20 SB)
Rightfield: Raum Desai, Jr. (.276/.354/.362, 5 2B, 11 R, 11 RBI, 3 SB); Ethan Barry, So.
DH: Lincoln Maikos, Jr.; Alex Cabrera, Jr.
Other Hitters
Massimo Sperduto, Jr., OF
Kyle Silberman, So., C/OF
Pitching Staff
Dylan Zammit, Jr., RHP (2-3, 29.1 IP, 37 H, 30 BB, 28 SO, 4.53 ERA)
Jack Vallillo, Jr., RHP (1-1, 15.1 IP, 12 H, 8 BB, 22 SO, 2.74 ERA)
Lincoln Maikos, Jr., RHP (0-3, 23 IP, 25 H, 9 BB, 9 SO, 4.26 ERA)
Jason Dubleski, Jr., RHP (4.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO)
Dylan Carri, So., RHP
Logan Cardinoza, Sr., RHP (0-1, 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO)
Nick Rakoski, Sr., LHP (6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO)
Alex Cabrera, Jr., LHP
5. Red Bank
Head Coach: Nick Tucker, 11th season
2024 Record: 13-12-1 (5-8-1, fifth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Tommy Ruth (SS/RHP), Nick Gandolfo (LHP/1B), Ryan Robinson (2B/RHP), P.J. Whitehead (OF/RHP), Tim Kelly (CF), Hoyt Smith (3B)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Nick Walker, Sr. (.250/.468/.268, 1 2B, 11 R, 10 RBI, 3 SB)
First Base: Matt Huss, Jr. (.218/.389/.218, 17 R, 9 RBI, 3 SB); Casey Lillis, So.
Second Base: Joe Henry, So.; Casey Lillis, So.
Shortstop: Gavin Smith, Sr. (5-for-14, 2 2B, 9 R, 6 RBI); Casey Lillis, So.
Third Base: Chris Doody, So.; Casey Lillis, So.
Leftfield: Will Marziarz, Sr. (.235/.286/.314, 2 2B, 1 3B, 8 R, 10 RBI, 3 SB); August Ray, Jr.
Centerfield: Jack Forsythe, So. (.211/.250/.289, 3 2B, 12 R, 4 RBI)
Rightfield: Jake Pouso, Sr. (.254/.351/.373, 1 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 9 R, 9 RBI, 3 SB); Sean Keatts, Jr.
DH: Casey Lillis, So.; Graham Reppert (Jr., 3B)
Other Hitters
Rhys Dolan, Jr., OF
Dan DuPont, Sr., 2B
Vinny Niesz, Jr., SS/2B
Jack Monahan, Jr., C
Jason Huss, OF
Pitching Staff
Will Marziarz, Sr., RHP (2-1, 30.1 IP, 38 H, 19 BB, 37 SO, 4.15 ERA)
Sean Keatts, Jr., RHP (1 Save, 22.1 IP, 15 H, 6 BB, 22 SO, 2.19 ERA)
Matt Huss, Jr., LHP (1-1, 7 IP, 9 H, 12 BB, 9 SO, 11.00 ERA)
Casey Lillis, So., RHP
Jason Huss, Jr., LHP (1-2, 8.1 IP, 11 H, 13 BB, 12 SO, 7.56 ERA)
Jack Monahan, Jr., RHP
August Ray, Jr., RHP
Graham Reppert, Jr., RHP
Gavin Smith, Sr., RHP
Joe Henry, So., RHP (0-1, 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Jack Forsyth, So., LHP
College Commitments
Will Marziarz – Dickinson College
6. Freehold Boro
Head Coach: Andrew LaMura, first season
2024 Record: 6-18 (3-11, seventh in Class B North)
Key Losses: Aidan Rivera (RHP/INF), Danny Opramolla (RHP/SS), Nick Montello (2B/RHP), Spencer Friedman (RHP), Josh Medina (DH)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Tyler Kucken, Jr. (.306/.397/.371, 4 2B, 9 R, 5 RBI)
First Base: Cole Hurley, Sr.
Second Base: Filippo Arena, Sr.; Aamir Haniff, Jr.
Shortstop: Xander Bartuck, Sr. (.232/.306/.250, 1 2B, 11 R, 7 RBI, 5 SB)
Third Base: Erol Bayrasli, Jr.
Leftfield: Nick Lynch, Jr. (.125/.255/.125, 4 R, 4 RBI)
Centerfield: Nick Russo, Sr. (.435/.533/.581, 5 2B, 2 3B, 10 R, 14 RBI, 11 SB)
Rightfield: Noah Ochojski, Sr. (.293/.379/.379, 3 2B, 1 3B, 8 R, 8 RBI, 6 SB)
DH: Aamir Haniff, Jr. (.250/.286/.300, 1 3B, 4 R, 3 RBI)
Other Hitters
Anthony Virzi, So., OF
Pitching Staff
Aamir Haniff, Jr., RHP (0-2, 14.2 IP, 14 H, 14 BB, 16 SO, 4.30 ERA)
Nick Lynch, Jr., RHP
Anthony Virzi, So., RHP (0-3, 9.2 IP, 12 H, 10 BB, 13 SO, 9.41 ERA)
Noah Ochojski, Sr., RHP (1-2, 16.1 IP, 12 H, 18 BB, 25 SO, 6.86 ERA)
Cole Hurley, Sr., RHP (1-1, 10.2 IP, 11 H, 2 BB, 12 SO, 3.94 ERA)
Erol Bayrasli, Jr., RHP
7. Neptune
Head Coach: Kevin Frederick, 10th season
2024 Record: 3-20 (0-14, eighth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Aedan Martin (2B/RHP), Alex Soto (1B/RHP), Carl Christie (CF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Jack Gamba-Ellis, Sr. (.333/.520/.431, 1 3B, 1 HR, 9 R, 10 RBI, 3 SB); Nick Bailey, Sr.
First Base: Trevor Rummel, Sr. (.297/.387/.328, 2 2B, 5 R, 17 RBI)
Second Base: Jordan Torres, Sr. (.226/.305/.226, 9 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB); Javier Gordan, Fr.
Shortstop: Hunter Morgan, Sr. (.290/.384/.339, 1 2B, 1 3B, 14 R, 5 RBI, 17 SB); Jordan Torres, Sr.
Third Base: Andrew Wardell, Jr. (.149/.333/.170, 1 2B, 5 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)
Leftfield: Nick Bailey, Sr. (.125/.340/.175, 1 3B, 5 R, 2 RBI, 5 SB)
Centerfield: Javier Gordan, Fr.; Javier Lemus, Fr.
Rightfield: Max Kifner, Sr., OF
Pitching Staff
Trevor Rummel, Sr., RHP (1-4, 38.1 IP, 55 H, 21 BB, 24 SO, 5.30 ERA)
Hunter Morgan, Sr., RHP (1-4, 25 IP, 32 H, 16 BB, 24 SO, 4.48 ERA)
Jack Gamba-Ellis, Sr., RHP (1-1, 13 IP, 17 H, 19 BB, 16 SO, 12.38 ERA)
Andrew Wardell, Jr., RHP (0-2, 9.1 IP, 17 H, 7 BB, 4 SO, 9.75 ERA)
Division Lineup
Matt Iulo, Catcher, Holmdel
Mike McCormack, First Base, St. John Vianney
Tyler Shpiro, First Base, St. John Vianney
Sean Burnett, Second Base, Raritan
Travis Evernham, Shortstop, Raritan
Jack Gamba-Ellis, UTIL, Neptune
Nick Russo, Centerfield, Freehold Boro
Jobby Dekis, Rightfield, Raritan
Nick Rakoski, Centerfield, Holmdel
Division Rotation
Jackson Redmond, RHP, Freehold Twp.
Alan Warren, RHP, Raritan
Will Marziarz, RHP, Red Bank
Dylan Zammit, RHP, Holmdel
Jimmy Nichols, RHP, Raritan
Jack Vallillo, RHP, Holmdel
