2026 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class B North

Last spring could be considered a down year for the public-school teams of Monmouth County, of which there were only two in the final Shore Sports Insider Top 10 and did not appear in said rankings until the No. 8 spot (No. 8 Middletown South and No. 10 Raritan). Monmouth County is represented in all seven of the Shore Conference divisions, so the top public team from the county could technically come from any division, but if there is one division that appears to have the most likely contenders for that unofficial title, it is the Class B North division.

While Class A North is home to consistently good programs Middletown South, Manalapan and Howell, B North has two teams that are primed for big years. Rumson-Fair Haven and Colts Neck bring back talented, experienced rosters – Rumson with a slant toward pitching and Colts Neck toward its lineup. The division also welcomes in reigning Class C North division champion Raritan coming off a 20-win season and 2025 C North rival Freehold Township, with both teams bringing a Division I ace with them. Middletown North also moves in from Class A North, while Howell (A North), Shore Regional (C North) and Matawan (C North) move out.

 

In predicted order of finish

1. Rumson-Fair Haven

With a young team heading into 2024, Rumson got pounded by Colts Neck in the first series of the season (23-3 aggregate score) and still almost chased down the Cougars for a piece of the division title by the end of the year. The season started with senior Owen O’Toole and left-handers Cooper Jones and Max Hinchliffe at the top of the pitching rotation and by the end of the year, Brady Williams as a freshman and Red Bank Catholic in-season transfer Hunter Beattie had joined them to provide a significant boost to the quality of the overall staff.

While O’Toole graduated, the rest of the staff is back and brimming with potential, led by Williams heading into his sophomore season. Jones and Hinchliffe are back as quality options from the left side and Beattie proved to be an x-factor pitching in shorter stints – both to start games and out of the bullpen. Brady Dill was also effective as a sophomore in a relief role and will provide more value this season as an experienced junior, while senior Lucca Strome also returns with mound experience for Rumson’s deep stable of arms. Williams also figures to contribute at the plate as a designated hitter on days when he does not pitch.

At the plate, Rumson brings back a group of six starters along with some part-time experience to fill out the rest of the lineup. Third baseman D.J. Langan is the centerpiece after an All-Shore season as a junior, which included 15 extra-base hits and 22 RBI. Catcher Luke Gallagher is the other returning senior starter, while the rest of the infield will be returnees who are not yet seniors: first baseman Aidan Dill, second baseman Lloyd Bush and sophomore shortstop Miles Martin. Junior rightfielder Casper Billington was Rumson’s second-best hitter in 2025 and seniors Jack Gyimesi and Alex Calabretta will join him in the outfield. If the young offense builds on last year’s progress and the pitching stays healthy, a Class B North championship could just be the beginning for the 2026 Bulldogs, even against loaded fields in both the Shore Conference and Central Jersey Group II Tournaments.

Rumson-Fair Haven at a Glance

Head Coach: Owen Stewart, sixth season
2025 Record: 15-10-1 (7-4-1, second in Class B North)
Key Losses: Owen O’Toole (RHP), Parker Shenman (2B/CF), Nate Margulies (1B/OF), Brayden Ward (OF), Max Mazzucca (1B)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Luke Gallagher, Sr. (.274/.400/.306, 2 2B, 2 R, 7 RBI, 2 SB)

First Base: Aidan Dill, Jr. (.117/.232/.200, 2 2B, HR, 8 R, 7 RBI, 6 SB)

Second Base: Lloyd Bush, Jr. (.269/.406/.308, 2B, 7 R, 5 RBI, SB)

Shortstop: Miles Martin, So. (.257/.356/.405, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 15 R, 6 RBI, 13 SB)

Third Base: D.J. Ylagan, Sr. (.349/.434/.616, 11 2B, 4 HR, 20 R, 22 RBI, 3 SB)

Leftfield: Alex Calabretta, Sr.; Hunter Barrett, Sr.

Centerfield: Jack Gyimesi, Sr. (.133/.316/.400, 2B, HR, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB)

Rightfield: Casper Billington, Jr. (.351/.451/.486, 4 2B, 2 HR, 18 R, 14 RBI, 5 SB)

DH: Brady Williams, So., 1B (2-for-18, 2B, 2 R, RBI)

Other Hitters

Oliver Kolb, Sr., INF

Gavin Kelly, Sr., 1B

Xander Kucich, Sr., OF

Casey Moore, Jr., UTIL

Dan McElduff, So., 1B

Andrew Todaro, So., INF/OF

Mike Capra, So., INF

Matt Glynn, So., C

Evan Sophinos, So., OF

 

Pitching Staff

Brady Williams, So., RHP (3-1, 33 IP, 27 H, 13 BB, 38 SO, 1.27 ERA)

Hunter Beattie, Jr., RHP (3-0, 17 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 18 SO, 0.82 ERA)

Cooper Jones, Jr., LHP (4-2, 37.1 IP, 32 H, 31 BB, 36 SO, 3.94 ERA)

Max Hinchliffe, Sr., LHP (1-3, 26.1 IP, 27 H, 26 BB, 25 SO, 6.38 ERA)

Brady Dill, Jr., RHP (1-0, 14 IP, 17 H, 6 BB, 11 SO, 3.50 ERA)

Lucca Strome, Sr., RHP (0-1, 10 IP, 14 H, 15 BB, 5 SO, 8.40 ERA)

Grant Zimmerer, Sr., RHP

Devin Fahey, Jr., RHP

Mike Barone, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

D.J. Ylagan – St. Peter’s University

Max Hinchliffe – Hamilton College

Lucca Strome – Oberlin College

Cooper Jones – Northwestern University

Casper Billington – University of Richmond

 

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2. Colts Neck

That aforementioned sweep of Rumson set the tone for a championship season for Colts Neck, but the Cougars had to hold on at the end to claim that division title. Colts Neck was 9-3 at the end of April, but went just 3-7 the rest of the way, including a four-game losing streak to close out the season. Last year’s team was junior-heavy, so there is considerable talent, experience and leadership returning for Colts Neck this year, particularly in its lineup.

Shortstop Will Perski is the only 2025 starter to graduate from Colts Neck’s lineup and the Cougars have a ready-made replacement for him in senior Jack Dugo, who played some shortstop last season while mostly serving as a designated hitter, as well as a closer on the mound. Seniors and third-year varsity starters Dan Annunziata and Joe Pignatelli join Dugo in the starting infield, Annunziata at second base and Pignatelli at third. Junior Ryan Rude turned in a solid varsity debut at first base as a sophomore last year and senior Matt Clark and John Glusko are back as the catching tandem. Glusko can also play in the outfield, where two of Colts Neck’s top hitters over the last two years – centerfielder R.J. Conover and Ronon Kiely – will also play.

With arguably the deepest returning lineup in the Shore Conference and a defense that should play at nearly the same level, Colts Neck will just need solid pitching to contend in for the top spot in B North and for a title in Central Jersey Group III. That part of the roster will not be as ready-made, although the return of senior Ryan Spencer to lead the staff will definitely be a good start for coach Mike Yorke. Dugo and Kiely will also take on heavier workloads in the rotation, with senior Aiden Bain also playing two ways. Rude is among the group of juniors that will look to complement the seniors at the top and adding a few more pitchers-only would help the offense and defense focus on the task at hand, which will be to lead Colts Neck to a title – or titles – in 2026.

Colts Neck at a Glance

Head Coach: Mike Yorke, 26th season
2025 Record: 12-10 (8-4, first in Class B North)
Key Losses: Nick Hayden (RHP), Nick Hardy (RHP), Will Perski (SS), Miles Schneider (OF)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Matt Clark, Sr. (.172/.172/.207, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI); John Glusko, Sr.

First Base: Ryan Rude, Jr. (.304/.364/.348, 3 2B, 10 R, 17 RBI, 2 SB); Ronan Kiely, Sr.

Second Base: Dan Annunziata, Sr. (.339/.526/.464, 3 2B, 2 3B, 19 R, 12 RBI, 10 SB)

Shortstop: Jack Dugo, Sr. (344/.467/.426, 3B, HR, 15 R, 7 RBI, 10 SB); Jett Sevilla, Jr.

Third Base: Joe Pignatelli, Sr. (.321/.419/.396, 4 2B, 14 R, 6 RBI, 5 SB)

Leftfield: John Glusko, Sr. (.302/.455/.419, 5 2B, 5 R, 9 RBI, 3 SB); Austin Kiely, Jr.

Centerfield: R.J. Conover, Sr. (.317/.440/.417, 6 2B, 19 R, 12 RBI, 12 SB)

Rightfield: Ronan Kiely, Sr. (.273/.360/.424, 4 2B, 2 HR, 15 R, 22 RBI, 4 SB)

DH: Aiden Bain (Sr., OF)

Other Hitters

D.J. Bruck, Jr., C

Vinnie DePonte, Sr., C

 

Pitching Staff

Ryan Spencer, Sr., RHP ( 1-2, 32.1 IP, 32 H, 31 BB, 43 SO, 3.25 ERA)

Jack Dugo, Sr., RHP (3-0, 20 IP, 27 H, 9 R, 20 SO, 4.90 ERA)

Ronan Kiely, Sr., RHP (0-2, 9.2 IP, 13 H, 3 BB, 13 SO, 3.62 ERA)

Aiden Bain, Sr., RHP

Nick Pignatelli, Jr., RHP

Austin Hardy, Jr., RHP

John Sponder, Jr., RHP

Ryan Rude, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Ronan Kiely – University of Albany

Jack Dugo – St. Peter’s University

R.J. Conover – The College of New Jersey

Dan Annunziata – Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Park

Ryan Spencer – Brookdale Community College

 

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3. Raritan

Behind a well-rounded pitching staff and a fearless, battle-hardened senior class, Raritan authored its best season in seven years in 2025 and is hoping to build on that success this season. While only three starting hitters and two pitchers return, the remaining Rockets from a season ago are still stirring from the season-ending loss to undefeated, Group II champion Governor Livingston, which needed a seventh-inning rally to escape Raritan in the sectional semifinal.

One major reason Raritan nearly knocked off the state’s No. 1 team in the NJSIAA Tournament was left-handed ace Will Meehan, who is back to head up Raritan’s rotation again. The 6-foot-4 Boston College commit is coming off an All-Shore season and will carry a staff that also includes sophomore Brendan “Bear” Evernham, who made a major impact on the mound as a freshman while also showing early signs that he will be a capable shortstop and top-of-the-order bat going forward. Sophomores Dylan Hernandez and Eric McCartney lead a promising group of sophomore newcomers on the mound to go with Evernham. Freshmen Lorenzo Lamberti and Jackson Brosonski could also see innings on the mound.

Seniors Antonio Lamberti and Jake Ricchiuti join Meehan as the three returning starters in the lineup, with Lamberti shifting from third base to second base and Ricchiuti back at first. Evernham takes over at shortstop, while classmate Eric Finne slides in a third base, with Hernandez also in play as an option to start in the infield. Senior Tyler Benedict has the inside track at catcher with sophomore Jacob Johnson working for time as well, while Meehan will likely stay out of the outfield this season in favor of a DH role. Junior Marko Brown leads an entirely new outfield in center, with Hernandez and McCartney the likely starters in the corners. There are many unknowns in that lineup, but with a strong senior nucleus and an exciting group of underclassmen, Raritan is set up to contend again – both now and going forward.

Raritan at a Glance

Head Coach: Jeff Struble, 13th season
2025 Record: 20-8 (10-2, tied first in Class C North)
Key Losses: Travis Evernham (SS), Jobby Dekis (OF), Alan Warren (RHP/OF), Matt Melendez (C), Sean Burnett (2B/RHP), Jimmy Nichols (CF/RHP), Chris Jefferson (OF)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Tyler Benedict, Sr.; Jacob Johnson, So.

First Base: Jake Ricchiuti, Sr. (.320/.446/.427, 4 2B, 2 3B, 18 R, 16 RBI, 4 SB)

Second Base: Antonio Lamberti, Sr. (.363/.476/.438, 4 2B, 3B, 25 R, 13 RBI, 17 SB); Dylan Hernandez, So.

Shortstop: Bear Evernham, So. (1-for-7, 3 R, RBI, SB)

Third Base: Erik Finne, So.; Antonio Lamberti, Sr.

Leftfield: Dylan Hernandez, So.; Giacobbe Manon, Sr.

Centerfield: Marko Brown, Jr.; Jackson Brosonski, Fr.

Rightfield: Eric McCartney, So.; Lorenzo Lamberti, Fr.

DH: Will Meehan, Sr. (.344/.405/.406, 4 2B, 9 R, 10 RBI, 8 SB)

Other Hitters

Matt Paolini, Sr., 1B

 

Pitching Staff

Will Meehan, Sr., LHP (5-0, 40.1 IP, 22 H, 29 BB, 59 SO, 1.21 ERA)

Bear Evernham, So., RHP (2-2, 32.2 IP, 26 H, 8 BB, 20 SO, 1.71 ERA)

Dylan Hernandez, So., RHP

Eric McCartney, So., LHP

Joel Rehfeld, Jr., LHP

Jacob Johnson, So., RHP

Erik Finne, So., RHP

Lorenzo Lamberti, Fr., RHP

Jackson Brosonski, Fr., LHP

 

College Commitments

Will Meehan – Boston College

Antonio Lamberti – Moravian University

 

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4. Freehold Township

Freehold Township has a lot in common with Raritan. Both teams are moving from Class C North to Class B North. Both graduated the majority of their starting offenses. And, most importantly, each team brings back a Division I pitcher at the top of their rotation. The only difference is Raritan is coming off a 20-win season and a division title while Freehold Township essentially went .500 for the year, although the Patriots did beat Raritan in the Shore Conference Tournament and no-hit the Rockets in a regular-season loss.

The pitcher responsible for that no-hitter and the final two innings of that SCT win is Seton Hall commit Jackson Redmond, who is back at the top of the Patriots’ rotation as a fourth-year varsity starter on the mound. As he showed last year, Redmond gives Freehold Township a chance to beat any team they face, so if senior left-hander Christian Chiapuzio and the Patriots’ army of sophomores can pitch their way to some wins in the other games, Freehold Township will be a threat.

The other parts of the equation are at the plate and in the field, where catcher Nick Schicchi and classmate Tommy Sciarra are the only senior returnees. Sciarra will start at second base, with junior Ed Gudaitis also back on the right side of the diamond after he played some second base last year. Sophomore Kobe Dancel moves to shortstop, with classmate Jake Umansky also in play once he recovers from a broken thumb suffered during the preseason, according to coach Todd Smith. Sophomores Julian Bolo and Bradley Santoro – both pitchers – are lined up for starting spots in the lineup, with juniors George Burdge and centerfielder Nick Stabile joining Polo in the starting outfield Senior third baseman John Kokotis rounds out the infield for Freehold Township, which will look to keep its collective head above water in the games not started by Redmond so that the ones with their ace on the mound become even more meaningful.

Freehold Township at a Glance

Head Coach: Todd Smith, 16th season
2025 Record: 10-11 (6-6, fourth in Class C North)
Key Losses: Matt Nuccio (CF/LHP), John Boylan (1B), Christian Borromeo (SS/RHP), Nick Madonia (INF/RHP), Jack Henry (LHP), Connor Brand (RHP), Mark Rice (RHP)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Nick Schicchi, Sr. (.171/.321/.195, 2B, 8 R, 6 RBI, 4 SB)

First Base: Ed Gudaitis, Jr. (.327/.493/.385, 3 2B, 11 R, 11 RBI, 6 SB)

Second Base: Tommy Sciarra, Sr. (.240/.435/.300, 3 2B, 17 R, 11 RBI, 13 SB)

Shortstop: Kobe Dancel, So. (1-for-12, 2 R, 2 RBI)

Third Base: John Kokotis, Sr.

Leftfield: George Burdge, Jr. (.231/.412/.269, 2B, 5 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)

Centerfield: Nick Stabile, Jr. (1-for-5, R, RBI)

Rightfield: Julian Polo, So. (.250/.354/.250, 8 R, 9 RBI, 4 SB)

DH: Bradley Santoro, So.

Other Hitters

Aiden Rivera, So., 2B

Jake Umansky, So. (2-for-10, R, 2 SB) – Injured

Vincent Caruso, Sr., DH

Erol Ramirez, Jr., 1B

Jackson Langley, Jr., C

Skylar Garcia, Jr., 3B/2B

Ryan Van Kleef, So., LF

 

Pitching Staff

Jackson Redmond, Sr., RHP (4-6, 47 IP, 38 H, 11 BB, 50 SO, 1.79 ERA)

Christian Chiapuzio, Sr., LHP (10.1 IP, 10 H, 9 BB, 7 SO, 5.42 ERA)

Bradley Santoro, So. RHP

Julian Polo, So., LHP

Kobe Dancel, So., RHP

Aiden Rivera, So., RHP

Jake Umansky, So., RHP

Emre Koc, Sr., RHP

Shea Terreros, Jr., LHP

Ryan Van Kleef, So., LHP

Dylan Ford, Jr., RHP

Brandon Rice, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Jackson Redmond – Seton Hall University

 

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5. Middletown North

With the graduation of last year’s senior class, Middletown North lost all direct connections with its 2022 NJSIAA Group III championship team. The seniors on this year’s squad still have a small piece of the 2023 Central Jersey Group III title, although none started on that team. That means this year will be about charting a new course for the Lions, which will start with returning seniors Louis Romeo and Ryan Clark – both of whom have experience as two-way players. Romeo will play shortstop and pitcher, while coach Ryan McCabe eased back on Clark’s pitching last season due to shoulder soreness and will likely keep Clark exclusively as a hitter and position player.

Junior Dan Sigler is also back after starting in the 2025 outfield, but the rest of the lineup will be new. Senior Brady Kern is a likely starter at either third base or catcher, with sophomore Derek Thoms also tracking for time behind the plate. Sophomore Donnie Murphy will figure into the infield mix – likely at second base and at shortstop when Romeo pitches – while junior Liam Sheehan takes over at first base. Senior M.J. Parulis, classmate Rob Cutolo and junior Seamus Moore are also in the outfield equation.

Cutolo is ready to take over as Middletown North’s No. 1 starter, although Romeo and a handful of newcomers will be key arms as well. Sophomore Justin Kelly gives coach Ryan McCabe another left-hander along with Cutolo, while freshmen Evan Mazzolla and Jack Myers could break through at the varsity level this season. Sophomore Mike Murphy could provide a late-season boost to the lineup and pitching staff after he transferred from Red Bank Catholic during the preseason. That makes for a lot of new faces at many positions, but moving from Class A North to B North will help make the transition more tenable as Middletown North looks to develop another title contender.

Middletown North at a Glance

Head Coach: Ryan McCabe, seventh season
2025 Record: 13-12 (4-8, tied fifth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Zach Hampton (3B/RHP), Gabe Ahlemeyer (OF/LHP), Alipio Figueroa (1B/RHP), Mike Hallard (C), Aldo Casale (INF), Seamus McCabe (RHP), Ian McGoldrick (OF)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Derek Thoms, So.; Brady Kernan, Sr.

First Base: Liam Sheehan, Jr.; Rob Cutolo, Sr.

Second Base: Donnie Murphy, So.

Shortstop: Louis Romeo, Sr. (.217/.316/.217, 11 R, 4 RBI, 5 SB); Donnie Murphy, So.

Third Base: Brady Kernan, Sr.; M.J. Parulis, Jr.; Jake Byers, Fr.

Leftfield: Ryan Clark, Sr. (.311/.382/.410, 2B, 3B, HR, 11 R, 9 RBI, 6 SB); Seamus Moore, Jr.

Centerfield: Dan Sigler, Jr. (.246/.408/.279, 2 2B, 13 R, 4 RBI, 6 SB)

Rightfield: M.J. Parulis, Sr.; Seamus Moore, Jr.; Rob Cutolo, Sr.

Other Hitters

Greg Breen, So., C

Matt Byrne, Jr., OF

Gavin Plath, Jr., OF

Mike Murphy, So., 3B/OF – Transfer from Red Bank Catholic

 

Pitching Staff

Rob Cutolo, Sr., LHP

Louis Romeo, Sr., RHP (3-2, 16.2 IP, 13 H, 9 BB, 18 SO, 2.94 ERA)

Justin Kelly, So., LHP

Evan Mazzolla, Fr., RHP

Jack Byers, Fr., RHP

Charlie Juliano, Sr., RHP

Tucker Lewis, Sr., RHP

Matt Byrne, Jr., RHP

Gavin Plath, Jr., RHP

Mason Lisotto, Jr., RHP

Colin Curry, Jr., RHP

Josh Flueckgier, Jr., RHP

Pacey Candrea, Jr., RHP

 

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6. Ocean

Ocean’s sixth-place finish in Class B North last year demonstrated the depth of the division, with the Spartans going 11-4 in games outside divisional play. With only three starting players back this season, a sixth-place finish could be in the cards again, although it would also not take much for the Spartans to scrap their way to the third or fourth spot in the field if the pitching – led by returning left-handed senior Mike Martin – can be steady. Junior left-hander Brian Stevens will get a greater share of the innings this season, with juniors John Trotte and David Jules, plus sophomores Braden Moore and Long Branch transfer David Jules, factoring into the pitching staff.

Jules will be a player to watch for Ocean after he put up major offensive numbers playing in the Coastal division with Long Branch a season ago. With Jules giving Ocean some varsity experience at third base, that should take some pressure off an entirely new infield, with Stevens playing firs, Moore at second, junior Eli Gonzalez at shortstop and junior Dom Gervolino at catcher. On the other side of the spectrum, the outfield features three starters returning from 2026, headlined by junior centerfielder Will Walsh and his 23 stolen bases as a sophomore. Martin and fellow senior Hayden Ansell will play in the corners, with sophomore Shane Jordan and junior Jake Garrett also in the outfield picture.

The graduations of Ben Robinson, catcher Connor Tongring and the team’s top two starting pitchers have Ocean looking for answers early this spring, but coach Cip Apicelli’s program tends to find answers. After a surprisingly low finish in last year’s standings, a surprisingly high finish for an inexperienced team can’t be ruled out.

Ocean at a Glace

Head Coach: Cip Apicelli, 16th season
2025 Record: 16-9-2 (5-5-2, sixth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Ben Robinson (SS/RHP), Connor Tongring (C), Tommy Kowaliwjskyj (RHP/OF), Jack Kelly (3B/RHP), Matt Richter (1B), Dillon Schneider (2B), Derek Vazquez (RHP)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Dom Gervolino, Jr.; Aiden Collins, Fr.

First Base: Brian Stevens, Jr.; John Trotte, Jr.

Second Base: Braden Moore, So. (1-for-1, 2B); Justin Penta, Sr.

Shortstop: Eli Gonzalez, Jr.; Anthony Gagliardo, Sr.

Third Base: David Jules, Jr. (.328/.435/.621, 8 2B, 3 3B, HR, 19 R, 14 RBI, 17 SB) – Transfer from Long Branch

Leftfield: Hayden Ansell, Sr. (.255/.531/.255, 17 R, 5 RBI, 8 SB)

Centerfield: Will Walsh, Jr. (.265/.369/.313, 4 2B, 25 R, 13 RBI, 23 SB)

Rightfield: Mike Martin, Sr. (.238/.417/.286, 3 2B, 13 R, 13 RBI, SB); Shane Jordan, So.

DH: Jake Garrett (Jr., OF)

Other Hitters

Ethan Ansell, Sr., OF

 

Pitching Staff

Michael Martin, Sr., LHP (2-3, 30.2 IP, 29 H, 31 BB, 41 SO, 2.05 ERA)

Brian Stevens, Jr., LHP (1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 11 BB, 7 SO, 4.67 ERA)

John Trotte, Jr., RHP

David Jules, Jr., RHP

Braden Moore, So., RHP

Shaen Jordan, So., RHP

Andrew Hill, Jr., RHP

Anthony Gagliardo, Sr., RHP

 

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7. Monmouth

With the Pitcher of the Year in the Shore Conference, Collin Denton, Monmouth still somehow missed out on qualifying for the NJSIAA Tournament and the foremost reason was not that the Falcons were an especially flawed team. While there is certainly more Monmouth could have done, the Falcons also were the victims of rotten luck (and, one could argue, poor planning by the NJSIAA) due to being slotted into a Central Jersey Group II field that had teams miss the tournament (Monmouth, Wall, Jackson Liberty) that would have qualified in every other section in the state – in most cases by a comfortable margin.

Monmouth’s fortunes are not yet turning in the positive direction, as a team already light on returning impact and experience will open the season with its best returning pitcher – Vaughn Bociulis – sidelined by a knee injury for at least the first month, according to coach Paul Crivello. With a No. 1 pitcher and middle-of-the-order bat out, Monmouth will turn to four other returning starters to pick up the slack, led by senior shortstop Beckett Langdon. The outfield of Hunter Oksen, centerfielder Eddie Segarra and sophomore Donovan Hicks consists of all returning starters, although the group will collectively have to replace All-Shore centerfielder Will Theobald. Back on the dirt, junior Jack Thomas replaces slugger Bobby Davidson at catcher, while junior Dom Golembieski moves into a full-time starting job at second base. Junior Thomas Kliger takes over a third base with freshman Robert Lillis in play for at-bats, while Nick Minafro looks to replace Bociulis at first base and junior Jackson Hampton moves into the DH role.

On the mound, Segarra, Oksen and fellow junior Masson Bussem will be tasked with covering the innings of not only Bociulis, but also of Denton from last season. Langdon can also help on the mound, while Lillis and fellow freshman Matt Masek give the Falcons some potential along with a pair of projects for the future. Unfortunately for Monmouth, this season may become more about the future after the loss of critical talent from 2025, but as the lone senior starter other than Bociulis, Langdon will do his best to keep morale high and the Falcons in contention.

Monmouth at a Glance

Head Coach: Paul Crivello, 12th season
2025 Record: 12-10 (6-6, tied fourth in Class B North)
Key Losses: Collin Denton (RHP/1B), Will Theobald (CF/RHP), Bobby Davidson (C), Connor Keefer (RHP), Tanner Simpson (2B)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Jack Thomas, Jr.; Nick Minafo, Jr.; Jackson Hampton, Jr.

First Base: Nick Minafro, Jr.

Second Base: Dom Golembieski, Jr. (.136/.269/.136, 6 R, 2 RBI, 5 SB); Aiden Perez, So.; Matt Masek, Fr.

Shortstop: Beckett Langdon, Sr. (.246/.366/.261, 2B, 12 R, 12 RBI, 5 SB)

Third Base: Thomas Klinger, Jr.; Robert Lillis, Fr.

Leftfield: Hunter Oksen, Jr. (.333/.423/.400, 3 2B, 12 R, 8 RBI, 7 SB); Alex Nickels, So., OF

Centerfield: Eddie Segarra, Jr. (.190/.278/.222, 3B, 7 R, 7 RBI, 7 SB); Mason Bussem, Jr., OF

Rightfield: Donovan Hicks, So. (.186/.324/.237, 3 2B, 12 R, 10 RBI, 4 SB)

DH: Jackson Hampton, Jr.

Other Hitters

Vaughn Bociulis, Sr. (.264/.400/.283, 2B, 4 R, 6 RBI, 2 SB) – Injured

Ryan Reissner, Sr., OF

Joe Henn, Sr.

Tyler Olivor, Jr.

 

Pitching Staff

Eddie Segarra, Jr., RHP (2-2, 14.2 IP, 24 H, 6 BB, 6 SO, 4.77 ERA)

Mason Bussem, Jr., RHP (3 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 3 SO)

Hunter Oksen, Jr., RHP

Vaughn Bociulis, Sr., LHP (1-3, 26.2 IP, 40 H, 11 BB, 28 SO, 5.77 ERA) – Injured

Matt Masek, Fr., RHP

Robert Lillis, Fr., RHP

Beckett Langdon, Sr., RHP

Ryan Reissner, Sr., LHP

Joe Henn, Sr., RHP

Tyler Olivo, Jr., RHP

Alex Nickels, So., RHP

 

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Division Lineup

John Glusko, OF/C, Colts Neck

Jake Ricchuiti, 1B, Raritan

D.J. Ylagan, 2B/3B, Rumson-Fair Haven*

Dan Annunziata, 2B, Colts Neck

Antonio Lamberti, 2B/3B, Raritan

Casper Billington, OF, Rumson-Fair Haven

R.J. Conover, CF, Colts Neck

Ronan Kiely, OF/1B, Colts Neck

Jack Dugo, SS/RHP, Colts Neck

 

Division Rotation

Will Meehan, LHP, Raritan*

Jackson Redmond, RHP, Freehold Township

Brady Williams, RHP, Rumson-Fair Haven

Hunter Beattie, RHP, Rumson-Fair Haven

Cooper Jones, LHP, Rumson-Fair Haven

 

*-All-Shore in 2025 (2nd or 3rd)