2026 Shore Conference Baseball Preview: Class A South

It might not have the first-glance appeal of a division that includes three private-school powerhouse teams like Christian Brothers Academy, Red Bank Catholic and Ranney, but the Class A South division makes a compelling case as the Shore Conference’s best division thanks to a strong collection of teams – five of which will either open the season in the Shore Sports Insider Top 10 or just outside of it.

As the reigning Shore Conference Tournament champion with two top pitchers and four All-Shore hitters back, Brick Memorial comes back the favorite in Class A South, but will again face challenges from 2025 Class A South holdovers Toms River East, Jackson and Wall, although Jackson is technically a new team after the merging of Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty.

Point Pleasant Beach moves into Class A South as a Group I program thanks to a tremendous run of success, which should continue, even against the harder division schedule. Southern remains a wild card after the Rams battled throughout 2025 with an inexperienced team, which is something the Rams will be doing again in 2026. There are no breaks in this schedule and while there is a clear favorite, there are also multiple potential spoilers.

In predicted order of finish

1. Brick Memorial

For the first time in 29 years, Brick Memorial is a defending division champion and it is the first time ever the Mustangs are either a defending Class A South division champion or a defending Shore Conference Tournament champion. The exciting part for 2025 Shore Sports Insider Coach Evan Rizzitello is that last year might only be part one of a two-year stretch of excellence thanks to the return of some of the Shore’s top players from 2025.

For the first part of 2025, Brick Memorial’s offense stole the headlines by bludgeoning teams and the only reason it tailed off is because the Mustangs’ early pace was not sustainable. Brick Memorial boasts a senior catch in Joe McGlynn who hit better than .500, a first baseman in Dan Golembiewski who possesses some of the more prodigious power in the conference and a shortstop in Tyler Garbooshian with all-around talent and who is heading to Rutgers next year. Throw in returning outfielders Brody Moore, Michael Figner and Gavin McCue and Brick Memorial’s lineup is set to be deep and dangerous again – especially if newcomers like Trevor Kish, Matt McGlynn, Andrew Garcia and Jack Moriarty make major contributions.

Even as the offense came back to Earth over the course of the season, Brick Memorial still had dominant pitching to fall back on and that pitching only got better as the season progresses. Two of the three top pitchers from last year are back, with junior left-hander Zach Pirnik becoming a workhorse as a sophomore and Moore dominating as a left-hander as well. James Martin makes it three left-handers at the front of the pitching staff, with junior right-hander Will Montanye in the mix as well. The Mustangs will need a few arms to provide relief to the returning group, but if Moore and Pirnick can supply similar innings totals to the ones they did last year, Brick Memorial will have a great chance to defend its SCT title and make a run at its first ever NJSIAA sectional title after falling one win shy of it a season ago.

Brick Memorial at a Glance

Head Coach: Evan Rizzitello, 16th season
2025 Record: 22-7 (8-2, first in Class A South)
Key Losses: Brayden Nalducci (2B/RHP), Jimi Popp (CF), Luke Douglas (3B), Dan Popovitch (2B), Justin Fabbricatore (OF), Jaxon Figueroa (OF/RHP)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Joe McGlynn, Sr. (.506/.574/.621, 7 2B, HR, 10 R, 25 RBI, 3 SB)

First Base: Dan Golembiewski, Sr. (.412/.514/.729, 9 2B, 6 HR, 29 R, 31 RBI, 6 SB)

Second Base: Trevor Kish, Sr.; Matt McGlynn, So.

Shortstop: Tyler Garbooshian, Sr. (.351/.461/.521, 10 2B, 2 HR, 33 R, 24 RBI, 18 SB)

Third Base: Matt McGlynn, So.; Jack Moriarty, So.

Leftfield: Gavin McCue, Sr. (5-16, 3 2B, 5 R, 6 RBI, 3 SB); Jack Moriarty, So.

Centerfield: Brody Moore, Sr. (.326/.425/.371, 4 2B, 16 R, 17 RBI, 3 SB); Gavin McCue, Sr.

Rightfield: Michael Figner, Jr. (.268/.417/.375, 3 2B, HR, 7 R, 12 RBI, SB)

DH: Andrew Garcia (Sr., C)

Other Hitters

Roy Hobbs, So., C/OF

Tyler Williams, Sr., 3B

Evan Meyer, Jr., 3B

Will Montanye, Jr., 2B

Braden Kabus, Jr., OF

Tyler Hudak, Sr., OF

Evan Pelo, Sr., UTIL

Sean Collins, Sr., OF

Chris Gago, Jr., 1B

Cayden Concepcion, Jr., UTIL

Josh Hoogvliet, So., UTIL

Justin Collins, So., 3B/2B

 

Pitching Staff

Brody Moore, Sr., LHP (6-0, 46 IP, 33 H, 19 BB, 64 SO, 1.67 ERA)

Zach Pirnik, Jr., LHP (9-3, 57 IP, 51 H, 16 BB, 55 SO, 1.96 ERA)

James Martin, Sr., LHP (1-1, 16 IP, 16 H, 13 BB, 18 SO, 1.75 ERA)

Will Montanye, Jr., RHP (2-0, 14.2 IP, 22 H, 8 BB, 14 SO, 4.29 ERA)

Chris DiChiara, Sr., RHP

Trevor Kish, Sr., RHP

Gavin McCue, Sr., RHP

Michael Figner, Jr., RHP

Cayden Concepcion, Jr., RHP

Chris Gago, Jr., LHP

Jack Moriarty, So., RHP

 

College Commitments

Tyler Garbooshian – Rutgers University

Joe McGlynn – Holy Family University

Dan Golembiewski – Fairleigh Dickinson University

Brody Moore – West Chester University

James Martin – Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham

 

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2. Point Pleasant Beach

While Brick Memorial is the clear choice as the on-paper favorite in Class A South, there are a group of teams capable of dethroning the Mustangs this season. Of the challengers, Point Beach returns the most talent from 2025, with a mix of volume and production from a team that won 20 games for a fourth straight year and reached the Central Jersey Group I final for a sixth straight season. The Garnet Gulls bring back six regulars from the 2025 lineup, led by two up-the-middle, All-Shore First Team players in catcher Dan Lubach and centerfielder Tommy Conroy. Brody Powers also put up big numbers around a .405 batting average and while he will play leftfield, he is capable of shifting to second or third base.

Antonio Acevedo is a third-year starter at shortstop, with Carson Pfeifer back a third base as well and Dylan Ryan moving from a part-time role to a starting job at second base. Rightfielder Dan Coleman is the other starter back from 2025, with first baseman Matt Rossi rounding out the eight regulars in the field.

The pitching staff will round out the lineup, as all of Point Beach’s pitchers are in the mix to hit for themselves. That makes perfect sense when Conroy or Acevedo is on the mound, with Conroy ticketed to be the No. 1 starter and Acevedo likely to reprise his role as closer and relief ace. Bennett Moberg was a breakout pitcher for Point Beach in 2025 and will slot in behind Conroy in the rotation, with Gabe Povone and junior Thomas Slobiski also returning with real-game experience. Moving from Class B Central to Class B South put Point Beach’s pitching depth to the test and the Garnet Gulls passed that test by winning a division title in a tougher division a year ago. That will be even more difficult this year in the Class A South gauntlet, but the Garnet Gulls are equipped to tackle that challenge.

Point Beach at a Glance

Head Coach: Angelo Fiore, 12th season
2025 Record: 20-8 (11-1, first in Class B South)
Key Losses: Noah Banick (1B/LHP), Dan Storch (OF), Chris Napolitano (2B)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Dan Lubach, Sr. (.494/.548/.809, 8 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 9 R, 47 RBI)

First Base: Matt Rossi, Sr.

Second Base: Dylan Ryan, Sr. (4-for-12, 16 R, 5 RBI, 6 SB)

Shortstop: Antonio Acevedo, Sr. (.264/.381/.402, 12 2B, 24 R, 15 RBI, 5 SB)

Third Base: Carson Pfeifer, Jr. (.294/.402/.306, 2B, 17 R, 20 RBI, 2 SB)

Leftfield: Brody Powers, Jr. (.405/.465/.571, 9 2B, 2B, HR, 23 R, 23 RBI, 6 SB)

Centerfield: Tommy Conroy, Sr. (.396/.542/.495, 6 2B, HR, 41 R, 13 RBI, 22 SB)

Rightfield: Dan Coleman, Jr. (.329/.426/.392, 3 2B, 3B, 16 R, 11 RBI, 2 SB)

DH: Gabe Pavone, Jr.; Bennett Moberg, Sr.

Other Hitters

Davin Marquez, So., OF

Mason Sesny, Fr., INF

Landon Schultz, Sr., INF

Brian Larkin, Sr., 1B

Pete Tumillo, Sr., OF

Jayden Kolans, Sr., OF

Colin McLaughlin, So., INF

Gino Simonetti, So., OF

Ricky Hoffman, So., INF

 

Pitching Staff

Tommy Conroy, Sr., LHP (4-1, 44 IP, 50 H, 21 BB, 54 SO, 2.54 ERA)

Bennett Moberg, Sr., RHP (7-1, 43.1 IP, 27 H, 44 BB, 60 SO, 3.07 ERA)

Antonio Acevedo, Sr., RHP (2-1, 16.2 IP, 13 H, 8 BB, 13 SO, 3.36 ERA)

Gabe Pavone, Sr., RHP (3.2 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 9 BB, 4 SO)

Brody Powers, Jr., RHP (1 IP, H, ER, BB, SO)

Thomas Slobiski, So., RHP (2-1, 24.2 IP, 24 H, 4 BB, 10 SO, 2.55 ERA)

Harry Montuoro, So., LHP

Gino Simonetti, So., RHP

Hunter Grasso, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Tommy Conroy – St. Peter’s University

Dan Lubach – Kean University

Antonio Acevedo – Pace University

 

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3. Toms River East

Of the three teams in Class A South to claim NJSIAA sectional championships over the past two seasons, Toms River East is the only one of them that did so in 2025. The Raiders won their first sectional championship since 2006 by upending Toms River South in the South Jersey Group III final, which came after they beat Brick Memorial in the Ocean County Tournament final to capture their second straight sectional crown.

While Toms River East is likely closer to the beginning of a run of success than the end, this year will present some challenges for coach Keith Smicklo and his roster. Joey DiMeo returns and will slide from third base to shortstop to cover for 2025 SSI Player of the Year Matt Ferrara, who signed with the Phillies after being selected in the ninth round of Major League Baseball Draft in July. DiMeo was part of a lethal top-of-the-order for the Raiders and to maintain that status, outfielders Lucas Melton, Chase Caswell and Carson Frazier will need to develop into steady hitters after flashes of brilliance a year ago. Catcher Dominik Sabatino, meanwhile, replaces Gavin Toth behind the plate and is one of four juniors stepping into starting jobs, which includes first baseman Dominic Roma, second baseman Chris Tennaro and third baseman Max Mika.

Senior James Whalen figures to be a difference-maker in the middle of the order and on the mound after a disappointing, injury-marred 2025 followed a promising sophomore campaign in 2024(2.00 ERA in 21 innings). Whalen will pitch near the front of the rotation and serve as a DH on his non-pitching days, when Liam Scallon, Jonathan Pallman, Melton, Caswell and the group of juniors figure into the picture on the mound. The group of underclassmen is also worth keeping an eye on, as Toms River East sets itself up for the longer-term future while still making a run at more championships this season.

Toms River East at a Glance

Head Coach: Keith Smicklo, eighth season
2025 Record: 20-7 (6-4, third in Class A South)
Key Losses: Matt Ferrara (SS), Dan Nafziger (RHP/2B), Gavin Toth (C), Mike Vaccarino (OF/2B), Mason Pentz (RHP), Jax Buatez (1B)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Dominik Sabatino, Jr. (.208/.367/.292, 2 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI)

First Base: Dominic Roma, Jr.

Second Base: Chris Tennaro, Jr.

Shortstop: Joey DiMeo, Jr. (392/.551/.570, 9 2B, 3B, HR, 37 R, 17 RBI, 41 SB)

Third Base: Max Mika, Jr.

Leftfield: Chase Caswell, Sr. (.333/.440/.381, 2B, 5 R, 8 RBI); Jonathan Pallman, Sr. (.167/.310/.208, 2B, 7 R, 2 RBI, 6 SB)

Centerfield: Carson Frazier, So. (.256/.326/.317, 5 2B, 10 R, 17 RBI, SB)

Rightfield: Lucas Melton, Sr. (.288/.403/.424, 3B, 2 HR, 16 R, 15 RBI, 18 SB); Cooper Caswell, Sr.

DH: James Whalen, Sr.

Other Hitters

Michael Mendes, Fr., 3B

Matt Brush, Fr., C

Jayce Cappello, So., 2B

Aiden Ciaravino, So., 2B

Andrew Gallipoli, Jr., RF

 

Pitching Staff

Liam Scallon, Sr., RHP (2-0, 28 IP, 33 H, 16 BB, 23 SO, 4.50 ERA)

James Whalen, Sr., RHP (0-2, 10.1 IP, 13 H, 9 BB, 13 SO, 4.74 ERA)

Jonathan Pallman, Sr., LHP (0-1, 18.2 IP, 20 H, 2 BB, 22 SO, 2.62 ERA)

Lucas Melton, Sr., LHP (1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 SO)

Chase Caswell, Sr., RHP (3.1 IP, H, 0 ER, 4 BB, SO)

Cooper Caswell, Sr., RHP

Max Mika, Jr., RHP

Dominic Mansueto, Jr., LHP

Dominic Roma, Jr., LHP

Aiden Ciaravino, So., RHP

Logan Macchia, So., RHP

Carson Frazier, So., RHP

 

College Commitments

James Whalen – Wagner College

Lucas Melton – Barry University

Liam Scallon – Nichols College

 

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4. Wall

By the final days of the 2025 season, Wall was down to two experienced pitchers, with just two freshmen backing them up. Injuries decimated the Crimson Knights on the mound, with Christian Suarez, Nick Plevier and Dan Hennessy all missing significant time due to injury. All three pitchers are back this season, as is two-year staff ace John Catanio, who has been one of the Shore’s more well-rounded players during back-to-back All-Shore seasons as a sophomore and junior. Suarez is only two years removed from a breakout sophomore campaign and Hennessy was on his way toward solidifying the No. 3 spot in the rotation before he went down for the year. Plevier, meanwhile, missed all of 2025 after his own sophomore-season breakout.

With the pitching in a much better place, Wall’s offense should shine this season. The pitching injuries put immense pressure on a young core of hitters to carry the team and it never quite materialized. Now, this lineup is loaded with senior and sophomore talent, which is usually a recipe for sustained success, starting with this season. Catanio and catcher Frank Soos are back as middle-of-the-order mashers, while fellow seniors Austin Harr, Davis Harr, Jack Murphy and Will Hague all return as starters.

The sophomore trio of shortstop Jackson Soos and two-way corner infielders Luke Dana and Chris Knight are coming off an impressive collective showing as freshmen after all three slugged over .400, with Knight and Jackson Soos trailing only Catanio for the team lead in batting average. Will Hunt joins them as sophomore varsity contributors and if all of them can avoid the dreaded sophomore slump, coupled with better health on the mound, Wall is positioned to climb back into championship contention – both in Class A South and in come tournament time.

Wall at a Glance

Head Coach: Jim Rochford, sixth season
2025 Record: 9-11 (5-5, fourth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Dane Rue (RHP)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Frank Soos, Sr. (.300/.432/.550, 6 2B, 3 HR, 6 R, 22 RBI, 2 SB)

First Base: Luke Dana, So. (.279/.436/.465, 5 2B, HR, 13 R, 7 RBI, SB)

Second Base: Austin Harr, Sr. (.208/.313/.264, 3 2B, 10 R, 7 RBI, 4 SB)

Shortstop: Jackson Soos, So. (.348/.464/.464, 6 2B, 3B, 23 R, 9 RBI, 7 SB)

Third Base: Chris Knight, So. (.352/.485/.463, 6 2B, 7 R, 10 RBI, 4 SB)

Leftfield: John Catanio, Sr. (.385/.468/.554, 8 2B, HR, 16 R, 18 RBI, 6 SB)

Centerfield: Jack Murphy, Sr. (.274/.395/.306, 2 2B, 14 R, 11 RBI, 12 SB)

Rightfield: Davis Harr, Sr. (.302/.371/.358, 2B, 3B, 15 R, 11 RBI, SB)

DH: Will Hague, Sr. (.225/.311/.275, 2 2B, 7 R, 6 RBI, SB)

Other Hitters

Jack Duffy, Jr., OF

Will Hunt, So., OF/1B

Canaan Struble, Sr.

Shane Ludwig, Sr.

David Chafey, Jr., 1B

 

Pitching Staff

John Catanio, Sr., RHP (4-2, 42.1 IP, 37 H, 17 BB, 46 SO, 2.02 ERA)

Christian Suarez, Sr., LHP (0-2, 14.1 IP, 15 H, 18 BB, 17 SO, 4.39 ERA)

Nick Plevier, Sr., LHP (2024 Stats: 3-1, 29.1 IP, 27 H, 6 BB, 26 SO, 2.62 ERA)

Dan Hennessy, Sr., RHP (0-1, 16.1 IP, 14 H, 2 BB, 12 SO, 1.29 ERA)

Luke Dana, So., RHP (1-1, 10 IP, 10 H, 10 BB, 7 SO, 4.20 ERA)

Brendan Pollack, Sr., RHP

Shane Ludwig, Sr., RHP

Chris Knight, So., RHP (0-1, 8.1 IP, 8 H, 7 BB, 6 SO, 3.36 ERA)

David Chafney, Jr., LHP

Will Hunt, So., LHP

 

College Commitments

Christian Suarez – Pace University

Frank Soos – The College of New Jersey

John Catanio – The College of New Jersey

Nick Plevier – North Carolina Wesleyan College

Will Hague – Rutgers University-Newark

Austin Harr – Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham

 

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5. Jackson

The timing of the merger between Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty came at an opportune time for the players on both teams and head coach Pat George, who welcomes the Jackson Liberty players into what is, essentially, the Jackson Memorial program he has been running for the last five years, only with a new home field. Jackson Liberty has been trapped in the middle of Class B South in recent years and their players will get a chance to compete with a group that has at least some remnants of a team that won a sectional championship in 2024.

From George’s perspective, his returning Jackson Memorial team will get an infusion of talent from Jackson Liberty that will cover some of last year’s losses to graduation rather nicely. Jackson Memorial started a senior at catcher, second base, third base and shortstop and Jackson Liberty’s 2025 team will cover three of those four openings. Old Dominion commit Carney O’Donnell returns as one of the Shore’s top catchers after starting at Jackson Liberty for three seasons, while seniors Matt Galayda and Mason Ciccariello man the left side of the infield. In the outfield, junior S.J. Wall is coming off a breakout season at the plate at Jackson Liberty and will join returning Jackson Memorial starters Charlie Buchinsky and Mike Fogarty. Jackson Memorial holdovers Angel Cruz and Aidan Alu will cover the right side of the infield.

Galayda, O’Donnell and Jayden Harnett will be the returning Jackson Liberty contingent on a pitching staff headlined by senior left-hander Matt Colaneri. As a sophomore Colaneri helped pitch Jackson Memorial through the Central Jersey Group IV bracket and a year ago, he authored a stellar junior season that included a complete-game win over Toms River East. Brandon Wilson is the other returnee on the mound from last year’s Jaguars team, which needed a lift after some heavy graduation losses and got one with the addition of some very talented players from Jackson Liberty.

Jackson at a Glance

Head Coach: Pat George, sixth season
2025 Record (Jackson Memorial): 13-9 (7-3, second in Class A South)
2025 Record (Jackson Liberty): 9-13 (5-7, tied fifth in Class B South)
Key Losses (Jackson Memorial): Tyler Huzzy (C), Jack Osmond (SS), Brady Wendell (3B), Dane Jorgensen (2B), Danny Hutchinson (RHP), Frank Noviello (CF), Nick Sirico (OF)
Key Losses (Jackson Liberty): Mike Kisseberth (SS/RHP), Colin Menafra (OF/RHP), Nic Nannini (1B/RHP), Anthony Woods (Sr., RHP/INF; transferred to Southern)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Carney O’Donnell, Sr. (.367/.512/.500, 5 2B, HR, 21 R, 16 RBI, 19 SB)

First Base: Aidan Alu, Sr. (.217/.265/.239, 2B, 3 R, 4 RBI, SB)

Second Base: Angel Cruz, Sr. (.164/.203/.200, 2 2B, 4 R, 5 RBI, 2 SB)

Shortstop: Matt Galayda, Sr. (.350/.475/.467, 5 2B, 3B, 15 R, 19 RBI, 15 SB)

Third Base: Mason Ciccariello, Sr. (.245/.391/.264, 2B, 7 R, 12 RBI, 11 SB)

Leftfield: Charlie Buchinsky, Jr. (.300/.367/.329, 2 2B, 16 R, 8 RBI, 2 SB)

Centerfield: S.J. Wall, Jr. (.384/.500/.521, 7 2B, HR, 23 R, 18 RBI, 17 SB)

Rightfield: Mike Fogarty, So. (.241/.343/.267, 2B, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB)

DH: Shane McIntyre (Jr.); Caden Rathbauer (Sr., 2B); Dominic Zolla (So., C)

Other Hitters

Luke Novak, Sr., 1B

Jake Schalen, Sr., OF

Austin Cruz, Jr., OF

Sean Hallihan, Sr., OF

 

Pitching Staff

Matt Colaneri, Sr., LHP (6-1, 43.2 IP, 34 H, 24 BB, 42 SO, 2.24 ERA)

Brandon Wilson, Jr., RHP (1-1, 24.2 IP, 26 H, 22 BB, 14 SO, 4.26 ERA)

Matt Galayda, Sr., RHP (2-4, 29.2 IP, 36 H, 7 BB, 27 SO, 2.83 ERA)

Carney O’Donnell, Sr., RHP (3 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 2 SO)

Sean Hallihan, Sr., RHP

Jayden Harnett, Jr., RHP (0-1, 12.2 IP, 21 IP, 15 BB, 15 SO, 11.05 ERA)

Caden Calcaterra, Jr., RHP

Mike Trancucci, Jr., LHP

Kyle Johnson, Sr., RHP

Colin Ruth, Sr., RHP

Mike Fogarty, So., LHP

Jake Schalen, Sr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Carney O’Donnell – Old Dominion Univeristy

Matt Colaneri – Alvernia University

Matt Galayda – William Paterson University

Colin Ruth – DeSales University

Luke Novak – Wilson College

 

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6. Southern

In 2023 and 2024, Southern raised the expectation level for its program with a two-year run of championship contention that ended with the loss of an impact graduating Class of 2024. Last year, a few holdovers from that team helped keep Southern competitive in an unforgiving Class A South division and doing so this year will be even harder with the graduation of another solid senior group, led by two-way talent Tyler McLeod.

A number of seniors responded to greater roles last year and more of the same will be required from this year’s group while trying to keep up with Wall, Jackson, Point Beach and Toms River East – let alone Brick Memorial. Ryan Dietrich stepped up as a junior to start in the middle infield and was one of two pitchers back on this year’s team to give the Rams at least 10 innings on the mound as well. Senior left-hander Pat Davis is the other and Davis will also slot into the starting outfield when he is not on the mound. The pitching staff will also get a boost from Jackson Liberty transfer Anthony Woods, with senior Nolan Nitahara and juniors Connor Kerlin and Dawson Howarth working toward larger varsity roles on the staff.

Nitahara also broke into the lineup as a junior in 2025 and with returning starters Davis and Harrison Grose. As a junior, Grose was one of Southern’s top hitters and will be an offensive centerpiece heading into his senior season. Sophomore catcher Elias Gonzalez got a taste of the No. 1 catcher job as a freshman and has a chance to grow as much as any player in the program this season as he enters the year with a starting spot settled. Woods, Nick Sabatino and Colton Oravets are three more seniors looking to make noise in the lineup, with Kerlin also in the mix for first-base at-bats. There are more unknowns for Southern than there are for the other five teams in the division, but the Rams showed last year they can remain competitive after losing a lot.

Southern at a Glance

Head Coach: Ed Truitt, fifth season
2025 Record: 9-12 (3-7, fifth in Class A South)
Key Losses: Tyler McLeod (RHP/3B), Mike Kaczynski (SS/RHP), Aiden Miller (OF/RHP), Trevor Kerlin (1B/RHP), Frankie Himmelreich (2B/3B), Hunter Kreybig (1B)

Around the Diamond (with 2025 stats)

Returning Starters in Bold

Catcher: Elias Gonzalez, So. (.189/.318/.189, 4 R, 4 RBI)

First Base: Connor Kerlin, Jr.

Second Base: Nick Sabatino, Sr.; Anthony Woods, Sr. (transfer from Jackson Liberty)

Shortstop: Ryan Dietrich, Sr. (.135/.292/.173, 2 2B, 10 R, 6 RBI, 3 SB)

Third Base: Colton Oravets, Sr.

Leftfield: Harrison Grose, Sr. (.339/.439/.429, 5 2B, 13 R, 10 RBI, 7 SB)

Centerfield: Nolan Nitahara, Sr. (.220/.385/.244, 2B, 5 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB)

Rightfield: Pat Davis, Sr.

 

Pitching Staff

Pat Davis, Sr., LHP (1-0, 12.1 IP, 15 H, 14 BB, 10 SO, 7.95 ERA)

Ryan Dietrich, Sr., RHP (0-2, 11.2 IP, 12 H, 11 BB, 9 SO, 4.20 ERA)

Nolan Nitahara, Sr., RHP

Anthony Woods, Sr., RHP (0-4, 19 IP, 29 H, 23 BB, 14 SO, 6.26 ERA)

Connor Kerlin, Jr., LHP

Dawson Howarth, Jr., RHP

 

College Commitments

Ryan Dietrich – Widener University

Anthony Woods – Georgian Court University

 

 

Division Lineup

Dan Lubach, Catcher, Point Beach**

Joe McGlynn, Catcher, Brick Memorial*

Dan Golembiewski, 1B, Brick Memorial**

Joey DiMeo, SS, Toms River East*

Tyler Garbooshian, SS, Brick Memorial*

Jackson Soos, SS, Wall

Brody Powers, OF, Point Beach

Lucas Melton, OF, Toms River East

Carney O’Donnell, C/UTIL, Jackson

 

Division Rotation

Brody Moore, LHP/LF, Brick Memorial*

Zach Pirnik, LHP, Brick Memorial*

Matt Colaneri, LHP, Jackson

John Catanio, RHP/LF, Wall*

Tommy Conroy, LHP/CF, Point Beach**

 

**-First Team All-Shore in 2025

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