Atlantic Physical Therapy Baseball 2026 Week 2 Top 10
Shore Sports Insider Week 2 Baseball Top 10
Sponsored by Atlantic Physical Therapy
It is easy to take bold action in the rankings early in a baseball season because there is often opportunity to do so. Just about anything can happen when teams are pitted against the same opponent twice in one week and while the early-season rust is still in play for many teams, so too are upsets.
The first week-plus of the 2026 season has had some upsets to consider, but as is normally the case in the Shore Sports Insider rankings through one week, they don’t have a huge impact. It is not to say there is not some movement; some results are too impressive or damaging to ignore. Ultimately, though, most teams are still feeling their way into the season and we’re still feeling our way through the rankings.
1. Christian Brothers Academy (1-3, 0-0) Last Week: 1
The Colts return to New Jersey 1-3 after battling three Southern California teams in San Diego last week. The good news is the starting pitching was as advertised, with returning seniors Dylan Iwanyk, Danny DiTullio and Dan Pardini all turning in strong starts, as well as an impressive two-inning debut by freshman Raymond Fuchs. CBA will kick off its Class A North slate this week vs. Manalapan and Middletown South.
2. Brick Memorial (2-1, 1-1) Last Week: 2
For the most part, Brick Memorial has looked like a team that won 22 games a year ago and brings a ton of production and pitching back and despite that, the Mustangs have trailed in every game so far this year, including a 7-6 loss at Toms River East. They also clobbered the Raiders, 16-1, two days earlier and capped the week by shaking off a four-run first inning by Manasquan to beat the Warriors, 8-4. A clash with 2-0 Wall this week could establish the division favorite in Class A South.
3. Red Bank Catholic (1-0, 1-0) Last Week: 4
RBC returns a proven core of hitters, but the pitching was far less proven heading into the year. That is why a quiet offensive debut vs. Middletown South is not too much of a concern. Junior Anthony Scaglione was dominant in firing six shutout innings against the Eagles, which indicates the Caseys will indeed have capable pitching to go with an offense that should get rolling in due time.
4. Point Pleasant Beach (2-0, 2-0) Last Week: 5
After run-ruling Southern to open the season, Point Beach put up a 10-spot in the first inning of its second game vs. the Rams, then went cold the rest of the way in settling for an 11-4 win to sweep the series. Scoring runs should be a strength all year for Point Beach and the pitching will give that offense a chance each week. The competition is likely to ramp up in the coming week with a series vs. Toms River East.
5. Ranney (1-2, 1-1) Last Week: 3
Noah Hynes was sharp in his season debut – a five-inning shutout of Howell in a 12-0 Panthers win over the Rebels – but Ranney has allowed a total of 23 runs in its other two games. Those were losses to Howell and Poly Prep of Brooklyn, so the 1-2 start is not quite an anchor on Ranney’s Top 10 résumé, but the start is also less than ideal. A pair of games with Middletown South this week will be an opportunity for Ranney to solidify its top-five status, but those come with some pressure as well.
6. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 7
The Bulldogs have showcases their deep lineup and diverse, dominant pitching in two victories to open the season. Brady Williams dominated for five innings in a season-opening win over Barnegat, then delivered two big hits while Cooper Jones took care of the mound work in a 7-2 road win over Toms River East. Rumson will have to deal with Freehold Township and Seton-Hall-bound ace Jackson Redmond this week, as the Bulldogs look to keep climbing.
7. Wall (2-0, 2-0) Last Week: 8
After rolling through Jackson on opening day, then winning an epic extra-inning game against the Jaguars two days later, Wall is also creeping up the rankings behind a 2-0 start. Injuries derailed the Crimson Knights in 2025, but so far, Wall has looked healthy on the mound and more imposing everywhere else now that last year’s impressive freshman group is now a scary group of sophomores to go with a quality collection of seniors. This week will present a major test in the form of two games vs. Brick Memorial.
8. Colts Neck (3-0, 1-0) Last Week: 9
The Cougars won a wild, extra-inning game to close out their stay in Florida, then returned to the Garden State to beat Monmouth Regional on Saturday in their Class B North opener. Putting up runs has not been an issue and it should not be an issue most days for Colts Neck, which brings back eight starters from last year. The best part for the Cougars is a new starter, senior Aiden Bain, also has a triple and three RBI in the early going, so there is no break for opposing pitchers. The offense will be put to the test this week vs. Raritan and Boston-College-bound left-hander Will Meehan.
9. Toms River East (1-2, 1-1) Last Week: 6
After an ugly opening-day loss to Brick Memorial and a rough start to the rematch, Toms River East rallied to score an important win over its Class A South rival. The Raiders lost some serious impact from last season, so while the remaining talent is considerable, it is understandable that there are some growing pains to endure for this Toms River East team. If they can settle into a pitching rotation, the Raiders can hang in the Class A South race, but it won’t be easy – especially with two games vs. Point Beach this week.
10. Toms River South (3-0, 3-0) Last Week: Not ranked
After quieting Point Boro’s bats and coming through with some clutch hits and dazzling defense in Saturday’s win over the Panthers, Toms River South moves into the Top 10 as the updated favorite to win Class B South. That, of course, can change quickly this early in the year, especially since Point Boro is due another shot at Toms River South on Tuesday in Point Pleasant. For now, though, the Indians are owners of three impressive wins, three quality starting pitchers leading the rotation, a balanced lineup and plenty of motivation after making it to the South Jersey Group III final in 2025.
Dropped Out
Point Pleasant Boro (2-1, 2-1) Last Week: 10 – The Panthers outscored Brick, 17-0, in two games to open the season before running into a Toms River South team that executed a few more plays than they did in a 4-1 Point Boro loss.
The Next 10
Middletown South (1-1, 0-1) – A walk-off win over Hunterdon Central and a narrow loss to Red Bank Catholic is an encouraging start for the Eagles.
Manasquan (2-1, 2-0) – A no-hitter, a sweep of Central and four first-inning runs against Brick Memorial left-hander Zach Pirnik is an impressive start, even if Manasquan could not finish off Brick Memorial following the fast start.
Howell (2-1, 1-1) – A 12-0 loss at Ranney was a bucket of cold water on an already-cold day, but before that, Howell put up 27 runs in two wins over St. John Vianney and Ranney to open the year.
Raritan (1-1, 1-1) – Will Meehan and Bear Evernham combined on a no-hitter vs. Middletown North to open the season, but Middletown North paid the Rockets back when the Lions did not have to face either of the two standout pitchers.
Manalapan (2-2, 0-0) – The Braves broke even on their spring-break trip and return to play a ruthless Class A North schedule, which begins this week with a series vs. No. 1 CBA.
St. Rose (2-0, 2-0) – Barnegat returned an All-Shore ace and an experienced team poised to make a run at the Class C South title and St. Rose put a dent in those dreams by sweeping the Bengals to open the season thanks to outstanding pitching by Peter Nolan, Nick Ferrante and James Alesso.
Jackson (0-4, 0-2) – The record is unsightly and a few of the scores have been as well, but the Jaguars have faced as tough a schedule as any team in the conference so far, with two losses to Wall, one to Kingsway and another to Gloucester Catholic.
Red Bank (3-0, 2-0) – Shore Regional figured to be a Class C North favorite thanks to a an experienced group that played in B North last year, but Red Bank handed the Blue Devils two division losses last week and made it a 3-0 start with another well-pitched game.
Lacey (3-1, 1-1) – An extra-inning loss to Pinelands holds back Lacey from serious Top 10 consideration at the moment, but the Lions have already shown they can pitch at a level that gives them a great chance at a division title.
Holmdel (2-1, 2-0) – The Hornets handled Matawan after losing their opener vs. Lacey, then had to claw back to secure the sweep over the Huskies on Saturday.
