2025 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class C South
The end of the Class C South regular season will mark a return to glory for one of the seven teams in the division – all of which finished with a losing record a year ago.
The first of the C South teams that come to mind when the phrase “return to glory” is evoked is Toms River South. The most decorated program in Shore Conference history is undergoing a major transition this season, with former Toms River South standout and Jackson Liberty head coach Jim Rankin taking over the program following the retirement of N.J. coaching legend Ken Frank after 46 seasons and a state-record 934 wins. The Indians won only five games a year ago in their only last-place finish in Class A South in history under Frank. This year’s team will look to ride ace Aiden Lynch and a collection of promising position players to a restorative championship season – albeit in a new division.
Brick joins Toms River South as a former Class A South team moving into Class C South with hopes of shining as a bigger fish in a smaller pond. The Green Dragons bring significant production back on the mound and at the plate from a 2024 team that came up just short of .500 at 12-13 overall. They finished tied for fifth place in a division with four teams that won at least 17 games and three that finished within the Shore’s Top 10. Brick has not experienced life at the top since winning the Ocean County Tournament in 2011, and this year’s team has a chance to grab a division title and enter the tournaments as a potential sleeper.
Four Class B South teams from a year ago make of the core of the new Class C South, led by a Manchester squad that is now four years removed from winning the South Jersey Group III championship and finished fourth in Class B South a year ago. The Hawks have an All-Shore catcher in Evan Palmer to replace but bring back several key arms on the mound and still have a varsity-ready starting catcher in Colton Sitarik.
Barnegat has had no shortage of talent over the past 15 years. While last year’s 6-18 season suggests that talent was not on hand in 2024, it would be more accurate to say that the talent was just simply not yet developed. The Bengals relied heavily on underclassmen and hope to reap the benefits over the next several seasons. Sophomore Nick Malinowski is in the process of emerging as one of the Shore’s top pitchers and junior Nick Bruno is looking to get back on track after enduring a sophomore slump following a freshman season in which he hit over .400.
Lacey has the most to replace of any of the teams in Class B South but has been a steady program within the division and might benefit from some turnover after going 7-13 a year ago. The Lions also have a group of players transitioning from underclassmen to juniors, which could lead to some big jumps in production.
Pinelands, meanwhile, looks to put an 0-18 season behind it while playing in a new division. Nate Sofield is one of the better catchers in the Shore Conference and has put up impressive rate stats at the plate during his career, but it was not enough to overcome the team’s shortcomings on the mound and throughout the rest of the lineup a season ago.
New Egypt makes its Shore Conference debut in Class C South after winning just four games a year ago — one of which was an Ocean County Tournament preliminary-round win over Pinelands. Junior Nolan Arnold – a two-sport standout who finished second in the Shore Conference in scoring during basketball season – tops the list of returnees as a two-way player. He will look to help the junior-loaded Warriors make a statement in their first Shore Conference season.
In predicted order of finish
1. Brick
Head Coach: Jason Groschel, 19th season
2024 Record: 12-13 (5-9, tied fifth in Class A South)
Key Losses: David Marcus (OF), Jayden Espana (2B/RHP), Luke Billheimer (CF), Rob Distlecamp (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Peyton Horning, Sr. (.228/.397/.386, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 R, 11 RBI); James Donoghue, So.
First Base: Chris Quick, Sr. (.386/.505/.643, 9 2B, 3 HR, 17 R, 22 RBI, 2 SB)
Second Base: Zack Martin, Jr.; Nick Newcomb, Sr.
Shortstop: Brayden Heatter, Jr. (.340/.360/.447, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI, 5 SB)
Third Base: Brannon McBride, Sr. (.208/.287/.208, 10 R, 7 RBI); Sean Savannah, Sr.
Leftfield: Shawn McLaughlin, Sr. (.196/.308/.214, 1 2B, 3 R, 8 RBI, 2 SB); Gavin Maffei, Sr.
Centerfield: Sean Savannah, Sr.; Matt Goodfellow, Jr.
Rightfield: Nick Newcomb, Sr.; James Donoghue, So.
DH: Taylor Cavanaugh (Jr., C); Peyton Horning, Sr.; Gavin Majors (Jr., 3B)
Other Hitters
Joe Lohmeyer, So., OF
John Renda, So., SS
Joe Martucci, Jr., 1B
Austin Jaycox, Jr., OF
Pat Shave, Sr., 2B
Pitching Staff
Peyton Horning, Sr., RHP (4-3, 1 Save, 33.1 IP, 33 H, 12 BB, 33 SO, 2.52 ERA)
Sean Savannah, Sr., RHP (1-2, 1 Save, 24.2 IP, 25 H, 23 BB, 27 SO, 5.11 ERA)
Pat Shave, Sr., RHP (0-2, 18.2 IP, 17 H, 12 BB, 12 SO, 3.00 ERA)
Brannon McBride, Sr., RHP (3-2, 13.2 IP, 21 H, 7 BB, 8 SO, 4.61 ERA)
Nick Newcomb, Sr., RHP (1-0, 16.2 IP, 16 H, 7 BB, 12 SO, 3.36 ERA)
Brayden Heatter, Jr., RHP
Zach Martin, Jr., RHP
Gavin Majors, Jr., RHP
Joe Martucci, Jr., RHP
Ayden Christiensen, So., RHP
John Renda, So., RHP
College Commitments
Sean Savannah – Felician University
Peyton Horning – Drew University
Chris Quick – Arcadia University
Brannon McBride – Cairn University
Pat Shave – Caire University
2. Barnegat
Head Coach: Dan McCoy, 13th season
2024 Record: 6-18 (4-8, tied fifth in Class B South)
Key Losses: Tyler Carll (CF/LHP), Dylan DeGrazio (3B), Julian Marfino (OF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Jack Haviland, Jr.
First Base: Jaihan Dominguez, Sr. (.167/.310/.167, 6 R, 4 RBI, 4 SB); Nick Malinowski, So.
Second Base: Tommy Szukalski, Sr.
Shortstop: Declan Brain, So. (.200/.333/.320, 3 2B, 4 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB)
Third Base: Nick Bruno, Jr. (.145/.293/.177, 2 2B, 7 R, 5 RBI, 3 SB)
Leftfield: Chris Santero, So.
Centerfield: Patrick Mackie, Jr. (.190/.370/.214, 1 2B, 3 R, 5 RBI, 4 SB)
Rightfield: Nick Coles, So.
DH: Nick Malinowski, So. (.228/.333/.456, 5 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 8 R, 15 RBI, 2 SB); Brennan Gallagher (So., C)
Other Hitters
Dominic Bucca, Jr., 2B
Jack Kozaks, So., 1B
Jayden Schworn, So., 2B
Michael Yankowski, Jr., OF
Pitching Staff
Nick Malinowski, So., RHP (4-3, 38.2 IP, 32 H, 16 BB, 50 SO, 2.53 ERA)
Nick Coles, So., LHP
Jaihan Dominguez, Sr., LHP (1-5, 26 IP, 33 H, 19 BB, 18 SO, 5.92 ERA)
Liam Cooper, Jr., RHP
Ray Danbrowney, Jr., RHP
Patrick Mackie, Jr., LHP
Dylan Appice, Sr., RHP
3. Toms River South
Head Coach: Jim Rankin, first season (16th overall)
2024 Record: 5-18 (2-12, eighth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Rob Abatemarco (2B/SS/RHP), Cooper Greitz (CF), Tyler Kopin (C), Shane Byrne (LHP), Billy Madigan (3B), Shaun Olcott (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Ben McEwan, Jr. (.238/.360/.317, 1 2B, 2 3B, 6 R, 8 RBI, 7 SB); Brett Rankin, Jr.
First Base: Alex Fischer, Sr.; Brett Rankin, Jr.
Second Base: Evan Schmidt, Jr. (.143/.286/.143, 3 R, 1 RBI, 4 SB); Anthony Abatemarco, So.
Shortstop: Ruben Febres, Sr. (.182/.338/.200, 1 2B, 5 R, 2 RBI, 7 SB)
Third Base: Christian Mascaro, So. (.278/.316/.278, 3 R, 4 RBI, 5 SB); Evan Schmidt, Jr.
Leftfield: Jaden Geremia, Jr. (.284/.400/.388, 7 2B, 14 R, 4 RBI, 11 SB)
Centerfield: Ryan Randall, Jr. (.138/.167/.138, 2 R, 4 SB)
Rightfield: Karsin Migliori, Jr.; Canaan Sanzone, Jr.
DH: Brett Rankin, Jr.
Other Hitters
Scott Keenan, Sr., INF
Aiden Lynch, Sr., 3B
Pitching Staff
Aiden Lynch, Sr., RHP (3-6, 53.2 IP, 46 H, 15 BB, 55 SO, 1.83 ERA)
Aiden Moylan, So., LHP
Evan Schmidt, Jr., RHP (0-1, 17.1 IP, 19 H, 15 BB, 15 SO, 4.44 ERA)
Ruben Febres, Sr., RHP (0-4, 5.1 IP, 9 H, 7 BB, 3 SO, 7.88 ERA)
Christian Mascaro, So., RHP (1-2, 14.1 IP, 24 H, 9 BB, 9 SO, 7.82 ERA)
Canaan Sanzone, Jr., RHP
Alex Fischer, Sr., LHP (7.1 IP, 16 H, 6 BB, 10 SO, 9.55 ERA)
Karsin Migliori, Jr., LHP
Scott Keenan, Sr., RHP
Anthony West, Jr., LHP
Sean Adcock, Sr., LHP
4. Manchester
Head Coach: Dave Beauchemin, ninth season
2024 Record: 7-13 (5-7, fourth in Class B South)
Key Losses: Evan Palmer (C), Joe Bentivegna (SS), Patrick McKay (CF), Damien Crispin (RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Colton Sitarik, Sr. (.304/.347/.362, 4 2B, 4 R, 14 RBI)
First Base: Justyce Garcia, So.; Sam Spaziano, Fr.
Second Base: Colin McAllister, Sr.
Shortstop: Brody Boyd, So. (.214/.313/.214, 5 R, 3 RBI)
Third Base: Brenden Spaziano, Sr. (.169/.246/.220, 3 2B, 5 R, 6 RBI, 2 SB); Anthony Carino, Sr.
Leftfield: Damian Dowling, Jr.; Sean Colling, So.
Centerfield: Gavin Stapon, Sr. (.170/.291/.170, 10 R, 3 RBI)
Rightfield: Mateo Solis, Sr.; Mike Fink, So.
DH: Anthony Carino, Sr. (.328/.423/.443, 4 2B, 1 HR, 16 R, 13 RBI, 2 SB)
Other Hitters
Josh Rommel, So., C
Pitching Staff
Anthony Carino, Sr., RHP (1-5, 35.2 IP, 36 H, 28 BB, 46 SO, 2.75 ERA)
Justin Uriarte, Sr., RHP (4-1, 38.2 IP, 25 H, 27 BB, 32 SO, 2.90 ERA)
Brenden Spaziano, Sr., RHP (9.1 IP, 9 H, 13 BB, 10 SO, 9.75 ERA)
Tom Meyer, Jr., RHP
Dom Hunt, Jr., LHP
Jimmy Censoplano, So., RHP
Sam Spaziano, Fr., LHP
College Commitments
Anthony Carino – Wilmington College
5. Lacey
Head Coach: Adam Taha, sixth season
2024 Record: 7-14 (4-8, tied fifth in Class B South)
Key Losses: Anthony Eckerson (C), Ethan Anderson (2B/RHP), Michael Marcus (CF/RHP), David Golini (RHP), Shane Trangone (1B), Tyler Preston (OF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Nathan Baran, So.; Evan Greenberg, Fr.
First Base: Russell Davies, Jr.; Tim O’Sullivan, So.
Second Base: Lorenzo Scarbino, Sr.
Shortstop: Brayden Messina, Jr. (.256/.326/.282, 1 2B, 9 R, 2 RBI, 5 SB)
Third Base: Logan Resetar, Jr. (.132/.267/.184, 2 2B, 1 R, 5 RBI); Joe Geiger, So.
Leftfield: Zach Lodge, Jr.; Ryan Brewer, Jr.
Centerfield: Owen Coburn, Sr. (.200/.283/.300, 2 2B, 1 3B, 6 R, 7 RBI, 3 SB); Landon Raabe, Sr. (.250/.385/.250, 8 R, 3 RBI, 6 SB)
Rightfield: Dylan Zech, Sr. (.276/.333/.345, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB); Dalton Johnson, So.
DH: Evan Greenberg, Fr., Owen Coburn, Sr.
Pitching Staff
Dylan Zech, Sr., RHP (5-3, 38.2 IP, 56 H, 9 BB, 33 SO, 4.34 ERA)
Logan Resetar, Jr., RHP (0-1, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO)
Zach Lodge, Jr., LHP
Russell Davies, Jr., LHP
Dalton Johnson, So., LHP (4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO)
Tim O’Sullivan, So., LHP
Joe Geiger, So., RHP
6. New Egypt
Head Coach: Mike Kibildis, second season
2024 Record: 4-19
Key Losses: Colton Harper (OF), Brian Lynch (OF)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Lucas Burgos, Jr. (.145, 8 H, 2 2B, 9 R, 7 RBI, 4 SB)
First Base: Jake Milicia, So. (5-for-22)
Second Base: Dylan Harper, Jr. (.200, 10 H, 9 R, 2 RBI, 6 SB); Joey Merwin, So. (2-for-9, 1 2B)
Shortstop: Nolan Arnold, Jr. (.452, 28 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 20 R, 9 RBI, 7 SB); Dylan Harper, Jr.
Third Base: Aidan Healy, Sr. (.246, 14 H, 6 2B, 9 R, 13 RBI, 2 SB)
Leftfield: Evan Goldberg, Jr. (.154, 8 H, 1 2B, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB)
Centerfield: Justin Kramer, Jr. (.288, 19 H, 8 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB)
Rightfield: Paul Kennedy, So. (2-for-14, 1 2B)
DH: Will Davis, Jr. (.279, 12 H, 4 R, 7 RBI)
Other Hitters
Anthony Vidal, Fr.
Pitching Staff
Nolan Arnold, Jr., RHP (37 IP, 38 H, 19 BB, 46 SO, 5.49 ERA)
Aidan Healy, Sr., RHP (22 IP, 36 H, 8 BB, 17 SO, 6.05 ERA)
Justin Kramer, Jr., RHP
Anthony Vidal, Fr., LHP
Jake Milicial, So., RHP (13 IP, 21 H, 16 BB, 9 SO, 11.85 ERA)
Paul Kennedy, So., RHP (22.2 IP, 36 H, 16 BB, 15 SO, 7.72 ERA)
Joey Merwin, So., RHP (13.2 IP, 21 H, 12 BB, 7 SO, 8.20 ERA)
Dylan Harper, Jr., RHP
Nick MacAllister, Sr., RHP (5.1 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 8 BB, 1 K)
College Commitments
Aidan Healy – McDaniel College (football)
7. Pinelands
Head Coach: Dan Mulligan, fifth season
2024 Record: 0-18 (0-12, seventh in Class B South)
Key Losses: Kaden Inman (RHP/2B), Dan Maher (SS/RHP), Logan Russo (OF/RHP)
Around the Diamond (with 2024 stats)
Returning Starters in Bold
Catcher: Nate Sofield, Sr. (.385/.489/.615, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 8 R, 4 RBI, 7 SB)
First Base: Ethan Kuna, Jr. (3-for-5); Jacob Haywood, Jr.
Second Base: T.J. Nugent, Sr. (.216/.370/.243, 1 2B, 3 R, 3 RBI)
Shortstop: Nico Ramos, So.
Third Base: Jacob Haywood, Jr. (.220/.313/.220, 4 R, 10 RBI); Landon Seidenfaden, Jr.
Leftfield: Logan Hammer, Sr. (.167/.186/.190, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI); Andrew Sesta, Jr.
Centerfield: Tyler Dean, Jr. (.188/.328/.271, 4 2B, 7 R, 3 RBI); Logan Hammer, Sr.
Rightfield: Paul Dunn, Jr. (3-for-28, 1 2B)
DH: Landon Siedenfaden, Jr. (2-for-11)
Other Hitters
Victor Giorgio, So., 2B
Connor Quigley, Fr., C
Pitching Staff
Tyler Dean, Jr., RHP (0-4, 24.1 IP, 49 H, 12 BB, 19 SO, 5.18 ERA)
Landon Siedenfaden, Jr., RHP (0-5, 31.2 IP, 49 H, 25 BB, 22 SO, 5.97 ERA)
Paul Dunn, Jr., RHP
Jacob Haywood, Jr., RHP (4.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO)
Ethan Kuna, Jr., LHP (4 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO)
Andrew Sesta, Jr., LHP
Dan Williams, Jr., LHP
Nico Ramos, So., RHP (2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO)
College Commitments
Nate Sofield – Presbyterian College
Logan Hammer – Atlantic Cape Community College
Division Lineup
Nate Sofield, Catcher, Pinelands
Colton Sitarik, Catcher, Manchester
Chris Quick, First Base, Brick
Brayden Heatter, Shortstop, Brick
Nolan Arnold, Shortstop, New Egypt
Brayden Messina, Shortstop, Lacey
Christian Mascaro, INF, Toms River South
Jaden Geramia, Outfield, Toms River South
Anthony Carino, First Base/DH/RHP, Manchester
Division Rotation
Aiden Lynch, RHP, Toms River South
Nick Malinowski, RHP, Barnegat
Peyton Horning, RHP, Brick
Justin Uriarte, RHP, Manchester
Dylan Zech, RHP, Lacey
