NJSIAA Check-in: Top 10 Teams

May 6, 2025
By: Nick DiBenedetto
NJ Content

At the halfway point of the high school baseball season in New Jersey, conversations are heating up around the state's top-performing teams. Powerhouse programs like Don Bosco Prep, St. Augustine, and Gloucester Catholic continue to dominate headlines with strong records and standout performances on the mound and at the plate. With midseason statistics rolling in and rivalries intensifying, this is a crucial time to evaluate which teams are poised for deep postseason runs and which under-the-radar squads could emerge as contenders. Today, we will be highlighting the top teams in the state, standout performers, and future matchups for these teams.

10 Teams to Watch

Listed alphabetically, all stats and records as of 5/6/2025

Cherokee (17-0)

The Chiefs are currently undefeated overall and in first place (6-0) in the American division for the Olympic Conf. The offense is being led by senior infielder, Brett Chiesa (2025, Rowan University), Chiesa is hitting .397, with 23 hits, four doubles, three triples, a homer, and 16 RBIs. Junior Brett Jackson (2026) has been hitting for a combination of average and power so far this year, hitting .446 with four homers, along with 25 RBIs. Senior Mason Kelleher (2025, Frostburg State) is hitting .367 with six doubles, two triples, and two homers. The pitching staff has been impressive as well, Senior LHP Brett Gable (2025, Harvard) is leading the staff with 29.2 IP while allowing just two earned runs, striking out 47 with 11 BBs. Henry Radbill (2025, Rutgers) a LHP committed to Rutgers is another starter for the chiefs, in 23 innings of work, Radbill has allowed four earned runs with 39/10 K/BB ratio.

Christian Brothers (14-1)

The Colts have just one loss on the season to Red Bank Catholic. The standout offensive performers for Christian Brothers have been Danny Tsimbinos (2025, Catholic University), Ryan Wetmore (2027), Danny Russo (2025), and Will Fahey (2025, Monmouth). Each of them are hitting above .350 with multiple XBH. LHP Sean Loggie (2026, Virginia) has led the staff on the mound throwing 22+ innings allowing just three ER, while striking out 37. Jack Dufficy (2025, Catholic University) has done his share on the bump, with 18+ innings, the right-hander has allowed four ER, with 26 Ks, and seven BBs.

Delbarton (14-3)

The Green Wave lead the American division in the NJAC with a 5-1 conference record. Delbarton has had a potent offense this year with many top performers. The top three hitters have been Sal Garcia (2026, Duke) who is hitting .518 with 11 doubles, three homers, and 29 RBIs. Outfielder Matt Tafuri (2026) is hitting .490 with five doubles, two triples, a homer, and 14 RBIs. Lorenzo Maselli (2026) has also been hot at the plate with a .431 average with three doubles, three triples, a homer, and 17 RBIs. On the mound, the top ranked ‘27 in the state Finnian O’Loughlin (2027) has been the top arm for Delbarton with 23+ IP allowing just one ER, and striking out 25.

Delsea (16-0)

The Crusaders are another undefeated team, currently 7-0 in the Tri-County Conf. and lead the Liberty Division. Ethan DuBois (2027) had led the way on offense with a .447 average, two doubles, two home runs, and 17 RBIs. Cole Hudson (2025) has also been a big piece of the offense, hitting .429, with 12 RBIs, two doubles, and two home runs. The Crusaders have a shut down 1-2 punch on their pitching staff with two seniors, Nick Mokienko (2025) and Frank Cairone (2025, Coastal Carolina). Mokienko carries a 0.37 ERA, allowing just two earned runs in 38+ innings of work with 44 strikeouts to 14 walks. Cairone, a Super 60 participant, has allowed one earned run all season in 27 IP. The left-hander has struck out 61 and walked 8.

Don Bosco Prep (13-2)

The Ironmen carry a 5-0 record in the Big North - United conference. The offense is led by Chase Bagley (2026, Maryland), Nick Becker (2025, Virginia), and Mason Daly (2025, Roger Williams). Bagley carries a .457 BA with four doubles and 15 RBIs. Becker is hitting .441 with three doubles, two triples, and two home runs, along with 11 RBIs. Finally, Daly is hitting .385 with three doubles, a triple, two homers, and 15 RBIs. The pitching staff is led by Anthony Costello (2025, Charleston Southern) who has let up two earned runs in 19+ innings of work while striking out 27. Evan Stavrou (2025) has thrown 14 innings allowing one earned run with 20 Ks and just two BBs.

Gloucester Catholic (13-0)

The Rams are currently undefeated and are in first place in the Tri County - Royal division (7-0). Braeden Lipoff (2026, East Carolina), Jack Mustaro (2025), and Guy Lynam (2026, Auburn) lead the way for the Rams offense. Lipoff is having an impressive season so far hitting .575 with seven doubles, three home runs, and 17 RBIs. Mustaro is hitting .378 with 11 RBIs, and Lynam is hitting .368 with two doubles, a triple, and a homer. The pitching staff had Jude Morgan (2026) who holds a 0.56 ERA, allowing just two earned runs in 25 innings of work with 23 Ks and 3 BBs. Another standout arm for the Rams has been Jackson Smallets (2025, Coastal Carolina) who has thrown 33 innings allowing three earned runs with 39 strikeouts and 10 walks.

Gov. Livingston (14-0)

Another undefeated team in NJ, the Highlanders come in at 8-0 in conference and lead the UUC - Watchung division. The offense has three players hitting above .400 with Zach Geertsma (2026, Virginia) hitting .500 with six doubles and five homers, Ryan Pappas (2026) hitting .432 with two doubles, a triple, and a homer, and Michael Novotny (2026, UMass-Amherst) hitting .400 with three doubles, a triple and a homer. Anthony DeNora (2025, Caldwell) has impressed on the mound for the Highlanders. In 14+ IP, DeNora has allowed just two earned runs striking out 11 with three walks.

Northern Burlington (17-1)

The Greyhounds are a one loss team and are in first place in the BCSL - Liberty division at 5-0. As a team, Northern Burlington is hitting .404 as a team, and have three players hitting above .440. Nick Dromboski (2025) is hitting .542 with seven doubles and five homers, Luca Mannino (2025) is hitting .442 with four doubles, and seven home runs. Finally, Cole Marchetti (2026, Rutgers) carries a .510 average with ten doubles and three home runs. The pitching staff as a whole have been shut down all season so far, two standouts are Logan Downey (2027) and Luca Mannino (2025). In 18 innings of work, Downey hasn't let up a run yet and has struck out 32 with eight walks. Mannino has thrown 25 innings, allowing just one run with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks.

Seton Hall Prep (13-1)

The Pirates are 7-0 in the SEC - American Conference with offensive help from multiple different players. Henry Ayers (2025, Middlebury) has stood out with a .525 average with four doubles, and 14 RBIs. Jordan Burwell (2026, West Virginia) has also impressed, hitting .415 with 18 RBIs, four doubles, and three home runs. Kaden Frei (2025, Purdue) is also having a solid season up to date with a .444 average, six doubles, 21 runs, and 11 stolen bases. JJ Drennan (2026, Boston College) and Marcelo Harsch (2025, Wake Forest) have been the top two arms for the Pirates, Drennan has thrown 21.2 innings allowing four earned runs with a 37/7 K/BB ratio. Harsch has thrown 20 innings, allowing one earned run, striking out 33, and walking six.

St. Augustine (13-3)

The Hermits are 10-1 in the Cape-Atlantic - American division. On offense, Marco Christopher (2025; La Salle) and Joey Erace (2025; Rutgers) have both made a large impact at the plate. Christopher carries a .396 average with 19 RBIs, five doubles, and four home runs. Erace is hitting .440 with four doubles and a homer. On the mound, Jameson Dobis (2025; Bryant) has been the top arm for the Hermits. In 22+ IP, Dobis had allowed four earned runs while striking out 32.