South Jersey Baseball Preview

by Marc Narducci | Mar 25, 2024

Teams are in preseason practice for the high school baseball season. Here is a look at the key dates for this season:

Opening day: April 1

Playoff cutoff date: May 18

Playoffs begin: May 22 Non-Public; May 23: Public schools

Diamond Classic begins: May 1

Diamond Classic championship: May 16

Public school sectional finals: June 3 at higher seed

Non-Public school sectional finals: June 1 at higher seed

Public school state semifinals: June 5 at North 2 and South

Non-Public state finals: June 6 at Veterans Park, Hamilton

Public school state finals: June 8 at Veterans Park

Defending champions:

South Jersey Group 1: (No. 1 seeded ) Buena 8, (2) Audubon 4.

South Jersey Group 2: (9) Seneca 5, (2) Haddon Heights 0.

South Jersey Group 3: (9) Mainland 6, (2) Delsea 4.

South Jersey Group 4: (11) Eastern 2, (5) Rancocas Valley 0.

South Jersey NP A: (1) Red Bank Catholic 4, (2) St. Joseph Metuchen 1.

SN NP B: (1) Gloucester Catholic 4, (2) Ranney 1.

2023 State Champions from South Jersey

Gloucester Catholic won Non-Public B with a convincing 10-0 win over St. Mary’s Rutherford. Two other South Jersey teams advanced to the state finals—Buena (Group 1) and Mainland (Group 3).

Look Out Again for Gloucester Catholic

Last season Gloucester Catholic (24-7) was the consensus No. 1 team in South Jersey, winning the Tri-County Royal, Diamond Classic and South Jersey and state Non-Public B titles. The Rams finished No. 3 in the final NJ.com state poll.

The Rams should start out this season as the preseason No. 1 team in South Jersey.

Among the key players the Rams must replace are All-South Jersey lefthander Tanner Nolan, who was 10-0 with a 0.48 ERA and All-South Jersey catcher Damon Suriani (.463).

Yet, coach Dennis Barth will have a strong pitching staff, led by senior Miami commit Tate DeRias. Sophomore third baseman Guy Lynam (.364) is among the key players returning on offense.

This team should have a strong offense and depth in the rotation, which is why the expectations remain high.

Watch Out for Cherry Hill West

Cherry Hill West went 18-8 last year and advanced to the South Jersey Group 3 semifinal before losing a 2-1 decision to Delsea. Coach Dan McMaster brings back a veteran team, led by two Southeastern Conference commits righthander Ryder Garino (South Carolina) and shortstop Jon Young Jr. (Alabama).

Garino, last year had a 1.49 ERA and struck out 91 in 56 1/3 innings (stats courtesy of NJ.com). Young batted .386.

Player to Watch

Delsea senior catcher-first baseman Mike McGlinchey, who has committed to Rider, is among the top returning offensive players in South Jersey. Last season McGlinchey batted .500 (46 for 92). He had seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 27 RBI. McGlinchey played for the Tri-Cape team that advanced to the Carpenter Cup championship before losing to Jersey Shore.

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Photo of Gloucester Catholic Baseball / Marc Narducci

Author: Marc Narducci

South Jersey Baseball Preview

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