HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEW

Big North American Division Cliffside Park graduated only two seniors from last season and should benefit from the experience gained by underclassmen. Dumont (19-9) will be a contender thanks to its pitching depth. Senior P Daniel Raglievich has committed to Post University (Conn.) after a breakout 2016. He was named to the all-division first team, as were senior outfielders Steven DiGirolamo and Frank Deane. If Dwight Morrow (11-14) can find some pitching depth among its young arms, coach Mario Lugones Jr. believes the team could contend in the division. The Maroon Raiders are strong up the middle with CF/P Lisandro Ulerio (.405, 20 SB), C David Veras (.333, 15 RBI) and SS Lucas Rodriguez (.293, 15 RBI). Coach Pete Kraljic Jr. takes over at Fort Lee (6-16), which returns three starters, including senior CF Jarritt Lopez, senior 2B Gionni Rosado and junior SS Ethan Keller. Rebuilding Ridgefield Park (6-17) has a solid top of the order, comprised of senior 2B/P Brandon Rodriguez, junior C Chanz Martinez and CF Jonas Espinal, a junior tabbed “one of the best hitters in Bergen County that not many people know about” by coach Scott Papetti. H.S. Baseball Preview: Players to watch H.S. Baseball: The Record 2017 Preseason Top 25 H.S. Baseball Preview: Five things to watch Freedom Division First-year coach Frank DiLorenzo inherits a Hackensack (5-18) team that brings back a strong junior class. Among the group is IF Adonys Figuero and OF Jeff Pena and Jean Carlos Sanchez. Lewin Osorio is the lone pitcher with varsity experience, and he is part of a quartet of senior returnees that includes IF Brian Conoscenti, SS Manny Mendez and OF William Recarte. Indian Hills (14-13) hopes for a return to the county and state tournaments with a rotation that features seniors Kyle Sears (6-4) and Jake Ursillo (3-1) and junior Alex Havlicek (4-4). They’ll be throwing to third-year varsity catcher Matt Paiotti, and the infield defense will be led by senior SS Mike Casaleggio. Northern Highlands (22-10) graduated 14-of-16 players from its 2016 Group 3 championship squad. The two returnees will go a long way toward keeping the Highlanders in contention. Senior P/1B Zach Dreznin (6-1, 0.91 ERA) and sophomore SS/P Breylin Jones (.323, 15 RBI, 24 runs) are two of the best in North Jersey. Seniors Ryan Adkins (2B), Will Russo (RF/P), Dan Patrick (3B) and Ryan Duncan (P) will step into expanded roles, and coach Paul Albarella noted, “We do have a talented sophomore class.” Paramus is out to rebound from a 6-18 campaign with Rhode Island commitment Dan Luetkemeyer (1.89 ERA, 48 K in 37 innings) leading a pitching corps that coach Jonathan Morrisette calls “one of the tops in the county.” Seniors Mike Martinelli and Dante Vartolone are part of the staff, and talented juniors include OF Robbie Weiss and Garrett Nathan, SS Chris Gass and catcher Zachary Matesic. Fresh off its first sectional final appearance since 2005, Ramapo (19-11) returns only four letter-winners. Two are senior captains and three-year starters, P/IF A.J. Ferrara (5-1) and OF/P Evan Mooney. SS/P K.C. Hunt made an impact as a freshman last spring. A North 1, Group 4 final bid and the program’s first league title in 27 years marked the 2016 campaign for Ridgewood (21-6), which can carry over its success with several key seniors returning. Top hitter Andrew Eng (.417, 31 RBI) is back in the outfield. SS Chris Symington (.330 average), 2B Tony Zambito (.391 OBP) and DH/P Alex Shakibai (.314 average, 25 RBI) add to the offensive firepower. Independence Division Fair Lawn (6-19) must mature quickly if it hopes to get the eight wins needed to give coach Jamie Graceffo No. 100 for his career. The Cutters will rely upon seniors Nick Cicero (2B) and John Kostick (LF) and juniors Mike Checinski (OF/P), Ryan Rue (1B/P) and Louis Scappaticcio (OF/P). Lakeland (13-11) will try to maintain the momentum it built up by winning four of its final six games in 2016. Its two losses during that stretch were one-run setbacks to Top 25 teams St. Joseph and Glen Rock. Passaic Valley (12-15) appears poised to take a step forward with seven starters returning. Seniors Chris Watkins (C/RF), Carlos Morales (2B) and Dylan Russo (P), juniors Jason Langevin (P/1B), AJ Ward (SS) and Jordan Fields (3B) and sophomore Chad Cole (P/CF) make up the group. Defending Passaic County champion Wayne Hills (22-6) welcomes new coach Joe Maus, who has seven returning lettermen at his disposal. Seniors John Barone (59 K in 35 innings) and Austin Stowe pace the pitching staff, with classmates Marco Caprioni (OF/2B) and Anthony Couso (3B) among those backing them up in the field. Wayne Valley (16-11), the 2015 Passaic champ, appears primed to contend for county supremacy again. 1B/P Joe Namendorf (.376, 22 RBI) and SS/P Kevin Woll (.341, 15 RBI) are dealing with injuries that may limit their pitching but not their offense.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PREVIEW

Photo Credit: Ramsey High Athletics