Baseball: Skyland Conference Delaware Division 2018 team-by-team preview

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BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN

Coach: Max Newill

Last year: 11-15

Key losses: Mike Capra (P/OF), Nate Race (OF), Jeff Praml (P), Brian Cooper (P/1B), Nick Costanzo (2B), Corey Karnila (3B), Andrew Larkey (INF), Sam Meyers (OF), Ray Orta (OF), Tyler Rudy (C)

Key hitters: Regan Goldberg (Sr., SS), Ryan Nagle (Sr., 2B/3B), Justin Procopio (Sr., 3B), George Kallimanis (Sr., OF)

Pitchers: Nick DeStio (Jr., P), Greg Verano (Jr., OF/3B/P)

Key Newcomers: Cal Hendrerson (Sr., OF), Andrew Grasso (Sr., OF), Matt Perez (Sr., P), Ian Smoke (Sr., P), Josh Polon (Jr., C), Elliott Rodgers (Jr., C), Jack Tone (Jr., SS/2B/P), Jack Fedak (Jr., P), Jake Olson (So., OF/P), Justin Sinibaldi (So., P)

Outlook: The inexperienced – but talented – Panthers hope to again contend for county and conference titles. Bridgewater-Raritan reached the Somerset County Tournament final four the past two seasons, and in 2015 set a school record for wins (21) en route to winning the division crown. This year's talent includes the right-handed Verano, also a right fielder, who was a second-team All-Delaware selection last season (3-2, 1.95 ERA). Junior Nick DeStio also brings experience on the varsity level. The Panthers have veterans up the middle with the shortstop lead-off hitter Goldberg and second baseman Nagle manning the territory.

HUNTERDON CENTRAL

Coach: Kevin Cuozzi

Last year: 23-6

Key losses: Pete Woltersdorf (P), Matt Padre (C), Andrew Ollwerther (DH), Ryan Koep (SS), Sal Lombardo (3B), Mark Saponara (CF)

Key hitters: Pete Cosentino (Sr./1B), Colin Mason (Sr./OF) 

Pitchers: Joey DeChiaro (Jr./LHP), Alex Degen (Sr./RHP), Justin Kosinski (Sr./RHP)

Key Positional Players, New Comers, & Reserve Players:  Luke Longo (Jr./C), Garrison LeGros (Sr./SS), David Cucci (Jr./OF), Luke Pizzico (Jr./RHP), Dan Icaza (Sr./Utility), Pete Ciufreda (Jr./OF)

Outlook: Pitching? Check. Quality hitting? Check. Contending for a group championship? Check. In 2017, the Red Devils captured the Central Group IV title and tyied a school record for wins along the way. Despite graduating pitcher Peter Woltersdorf, the Courier News Player of the Year after going 8-0 with a 1.27 ERA, Hunterdon Central will have a deep staff led by lefthander Joey DeChiaro (7-1 last season, 57 strikeouts, Old Dominion recruit) and righties Alex Degen (4-1, 48 strikeouts, Kentucky) and Justin Kosinski (Montclair State). Hitting-wise, seniors Pete Cosentino (.360, 31 RBI, Montclair State) and Colin Mason (.300, 17 RBI, Binghamton) lead the way. The Red Devils' speed and defense should be bolstered by returners Icaza, Garrison, Legros and Totten, while relying on talented varsity newcomers like Ciufreda, Cucci and Longo. Additionally, underclassmen hope to step up and provide depth and versatility.

WATCHUNG HILLS

Coach: Joe Tremarco

Last year: 17-11

Key losses: Tyler Kulisz (SS), Kevin Sylvestri (P), Nick Mink (CF)

Key hitters: Jeff Poggi (Sr., C), Mike Murray (Sr., P/DH), Tyler Riley (Sr., 2B), James McKenna (Jr., OF), Andrew Martins (Jr., SS)

Pitchers: Mike Murray (Sr., RH), Joe Blajsa (Sr., RH), Nick McGann (Sr., RH), Ben Ant (Jr., RH)

Top reserves: Mike Recenello (Sr., OF), Kevin Badger (Jr., OF), Matt Alarcon (Soph., OF)

Outlook: Tremarco calls his team the “Hustlin' Warriors” and noted his players “aren't afraid to roll their sleeves up and get dirty.” Add in talent, and the Warriors should be primed for an excellent spring. Watchung Hills graduated six seniors from a 17-win season. Even with slugging first baseman Brandon Hylton transferring to Ridge, the Warriors have talent keyed by the captains Blajsa (3-2 record, 46 1/3 inn, 1.66 era), Poggi (.368 BA, 7 doubles, 2 HR's, 19 RBI) and Riley. The staff is rounded out by seniors Murray (3-3, 43 1/3 inn, 2.75 era) and Nick McGann (3-2, 30 inn, 2.80 era). Junior Ben Ant is expected to eat up innings. Watchung Hills is solid up the middle with Riley and Martins. McKenna and Recenello will control the outfield. Tremarco said, “This is as a determined, focused, and just pure competitive bunch that I've ever been around.”