Shore Sports Insider Baseball Preseason Top 10

The division structure of the Shore Conference got another overhaul this season, and the most recent change will have a greater impact on the postseason than any other realignment that has happened in recent years. The top teams in the conference over the past two seasons by power points are grouped together, with some consideration for geography as 17 of the 20 teams in the Class A, B and C South divisions are still from Ocean County.

The realignment is also likely to impact the Shore Sports Insider rankings throughout the season. That is already apparent with the first set of rankings heading into the 2025 season. Eight of the teams in the top 10 are from either the Class A North or Class A South divisions, with one each from Class B North and Class B South rounding out the preseason field.

Each team listed with 2024 Record

1. Christian Brothers Academy (19-6)

The defending Shore Conference Tournament champions bring back nearly an entire starting lineup at the plate and a pitching staff that is once again stocked with future college arms. Danny DiTullio is positioned to be the ace of CBA’s staff, senior right-hander and Michigan commit Dylan Iwanyk emerged as a big-game pitcher for the Colts a year ago, which means the Colts could open the season with Sean Loggie – a University of Virginia commit – as their No. 3 starter. Throw in versatile seniors Shane Langan and Jack Dufficy, plus a senior All-Shore catcher in Danny Tsimbinos, and runs will be hard to come by for CBA’s opponents.

2. Toms River East (17-7)

The Raiders broke through with their first Ocean County Tournament title since 2007 last year and will be trying to take it to the next level this year with most of the team returning. Shortstop Matt Ferrara is a University of Pittsburgh commit who will once again head the offense, with three other top hitters from last year – Gavin Toth, sophomore Joey DiMeo and Mike Vaccarino – joining him. The pitching is not as overpowering as what CBA and a handful of other teams in the top 10 can throw at opponents, but the Raiders have plenty of options who attack the zone and do the job.

3. Ranney (15-8)

Winning 15 games with a team that started six freshmen in the field and used pitchers in that rookie class for over 75 innings on the mound was an impressive feat for the Panthers in 2024, and that figures to set them up very well for the coming years. It will not, however, be easy to replace what Shore Conference Player of the Year Ryan Costello brought to the table hitting in the middle of the order. His injury-related absence at the end of last year really hurt Ranney’s performance. The Panthers should get a lift from a healthy sophomore southpaw Brody Mauro on the mound, plus the addition of defensive dynamo Ricky Lopez at shortstop.

4. Red Bank Catholic (18-10)

A late-season injury to rotation stalwart Declan Leary tested Red Bank Catholic’s rotation depth in 2024, and the Caseys will be tested on the mound again. Senior right-hander and Virginia commit Ryan Prior will be the unquestioned ace and a pair of high-upside freshmen – Aidan McGarry and Sam French – will jump into the mix along with returning contributors like Glen Popes and Luke Meyers. The lineup, meanwhile, should remain imposing with the return of senior Notre Dame commit Dylan Passo as the headliner and varsity veterans Max Dantoni and Aiden Funk still in place at premium positions – Dantoni at shortstop and Funk behind the plate.

5. Brick Memorial (17-9)

The Mustangs have been competitive in Class A South year in and year out, but when it comes to winning hardware, they have missed out. This year might finally be the year Brick Memorial finishes off a championship run, whether in Class A South, the Ocean County Tournament or in Central Jersey Group III. Centerfielder Jimi Popp and shortstop Tyler Garbooshian will be up-the-middle producers on offense, Brayden Nalducci a two-way impact player at second base and on the mound, and sophomore Zack Pirnik a potential All-Shore left-hander in the making following an outstanding freshman year on the mound.

6. Ocean (16-9)

With just about an entire pitching staff returning, Ocean can dream big in 2025 after holding its own against senior-loaded Matawan and talent-rich Ranney in the 2024 Class B North division race. Tommy Kowaliwskyj can match up with any ace in the Shore Conference based on his varsity track record, and Ocean brings back starters at three key up-the-middle positions. Shortstop Ben Robinson and catcher Connor Tongring are fourth-year varsity starters, and sophomore centerfield Will Walsh is on his way after a successful freshman season. If a few more varsity returnees can step up to add length to the lineup, there is enough pitching and defense to make Ocean a serious postseason threat.

7. Point Pleasant Beach (25-5)

On paper, Point Beach looks like the best returning lineup in the Shore after the Garnet Gulls raked 1-through-9 on the way to a 25-win season and the program’s first trip to the Group I final. With a new year and all that success comes a new division, which will most certainly tone down the numbers Point Beach’s hitters have posted in recent years. Then again, the Garnet Gulls performed against top competition, particularly first-team All-Shore catcher Dan Lubach. Scoring runs should remain a strength for Point Beach, and if the Garnet Gulls can replace a pair of key seniors in the rotation, they will become further entrenched in the top 10.

8. Jackson Memorial (18-11)

Jackson Memorial knocked Point Beach out of two tournaments last season – the Ocean County and Shore Conference Tournaments – and then won the Central Jersey Group IV championship. The Jaguars don’t return quite as much offense as Point Beach does, but they will be well-positioned for another competitive season thanks to the returns of four proven senior producers on the infield: shortstop Jackson Osmond, third baseman Brady Wendell, second baseman Dane Jorgensen and catcher Tyler Huzzy. The outfield is unproven and the pitching staff lost some quality innings at the top, but the offensive core and the pitching duo of Danny Hutchinson and Matt Colaneri is a good place to start.

9. Middletown North (12-13)

The Lions asked a lot of Zach Hampton last year. Early in the season, he had to carry too much of the load. As the season wore on, however, Middletown North rounded out the rest of its pitching staff and started to settle positions around the diamond and in the lineup. Now, the Lions – still led by Hampton – bring back an experienced group that has experienced winning at a championship level. A bounceback year on the mound from left-hander Gabe Ahlemeyer would go a long way in returning the Lions to their championship form, but there is enough help in the staff to take the pressure off Ahlemeyer, who continues to put up big numbers at the plate.

10. Manalapan (17-12)

The Braves grab the final spot in the preseason top 10 on the back of a deep pitching staff that has a legitimate No. 1 leading the way in Kevin Rusinak. Last season, Rusniak went pitch-for-pitch with CBA ace, Milwaukee Brewers third-round draft pick and current Wake Forest freshman Chris Levonas and helped Manalapan knock off the Colts in that game. Beyond Rusinak, Rider commit Dylan Kane is coming off a breakthrough junior season, while Aiden Cruz and Cristian Ptasienski both performed well in relief and spot duty. The defense should be solid with juniors Anthony Foti at shortstop and Robert Cruz behind the plate, so figuring out how to score enough runs is the last piece to Manalapan’s puzzle.

 

The Next 10

Colts Neck (16-10) – Replacing Casey Gardiner’s big bat and Anthony Vallaro’s tremendous glove at shortstop will be difficult, but the Cougars have a junior class that has already proven itself, plus an under-the-radar ace in Nick Hayden leading an improved pitching staff.

Wall (17-6) – The Crimson Knights have moved into an unforgiving Class A South division and will have two freshmen on their roster, but the ceiling for Wall’s young team is very high, especially with a proven junior pitching duo (Christian Suarez and John Catanio) leading the way.

Middletown South (21-7) – The pitching staff looks much different without the two standout left-handers leading the way, but the Eagles don’t need dominance on the mound with the run-scoring potential that remains in the lineup, headlined by All-Shore centerfielder Jack Concordia.

Howell (12-15) – The Rebels play in one of the Shore’s most homer-friendly parks, but will be built on pitching and defense this season thanks to the return of most of their innings on the mound, plus a stellar group of defenders on the infield, led by shortstop Aaron Wojenski and catcher Brody Loch.

Manasquan (12-13-1) – Injuries got in the way of what could have been a more memorable 2024 for Manasquan, which was also the case in 2023. This year, the Warriors have the makings of a deeper, healthier pitching staff that will be spearheaded by junior left-hander Chase Kaplan.

Rumson-Fair Haven (8-14) – The Bulldogs will be one of the youngest teams at the Shore, but the return of senior Parker Shenman in centerfield to lead the talented underclassmen could be the key to Rumson’s return to the top 10.

Marlboro (11-13) – The Mustangs have the pitching depth to navigate a trying schedule in Class A North and beyond, but to push them over the top as a top 10 team and a potential contender for a championship in 2025, the Mustangs will need their many first-year sophomore starters to grow up quickly.

Jackson Liberty (15-9) – This is the final year of Jackson Liberty as we know it, and the Lions are looking to go out with a bang in Class B South. Mike Kisseberth was limited on the mound last year, but is ready to contribute as a pitcher and position player for a team of multi-talented players around the diamond.

Brick (12-13) – The Green Dragons have plenty of production back on the mound and in the batter’s box, plus a new division home in Class C Central. First baseman Chris Quick is one of the Shore’s top sluggers, and he will complement a deep pitching staff that has Brick positioned as the tentative favorite in its new division.

Raritan (9-14) – After falling victim to a rash of close losses in a tough Class A Central division last year, the Rockets return most of their pitching and starting lineup in the field as they look to make a run at the top spot in the newly formed Class C North division.