Baseball: Final Top 25

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

Here's the final Top 25 ranking for South Jersey baseball, as of Sunday June 12:

(Previous rankings in parentheses)

1. Clearview (3) 22-6-1
The Pioneers emerged from a loaded field as the South Jersey Group 4 champions and also won the Tri-County Royal Divison crown. This was a team with five NCAA Division 1 college players in Ryan Lauk, Eric Lauk, Tim Dezzi, Trip McCaffrey and Kenny Mendoza, who was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 24th round of the MLB. Mendoza, Ryan Lauk and Drew Ryback were a formidible 1-2-3 at the top of the pitching rotation. "Magical season," coach Rocco Cornacchia said.

2. Eastern (2) 22-7
The Vikings won the Joe Hartman Diamond Classic, the Olympic American title and the Camden County tournament crown. Eastern was led by the 1-2 hitting punch of sophomore Jack Herman (.553, nine home runs) and junior Davis Schneider (.439, 16 doubles). This is a team with a valid arguement to be ranked No. 1, based on their Diamond Classic title. Clearview earns the slight edge based on the state tournament, which carries more weight than an in-season tournament. Eastern was knocked out of the SJ 4 tournament in the first round by TR North. Clearview shut out TR North in the next round and emerged as the champion of a sectional that included powerhouse programs such as Eastern, TRN, Millville, CH West, Lenape and Cherokee, among others.

3. Ocean City (6) 21-6
The Red Raiders won the South Jersey Group 3 title and the CAL American title, the first time they managed that double in program history. This team was in position to grab the No. 1 spot on Saturday but lost the Group 3 state title game by a 7-2 score to Northern Highlands.

4. St. Augustine (4) 20-8
"It was an amazing run," coach Mike Bylone said of the Hermits' drive to the NP A title game. St. Augustine beat higher seeds Christian Brothers, Gloucester Catholic and Camden Catholic to win sectional crown.

5. Gloucester Catholic (1) 24-4
Ace RHP Tyler Mondile was drafted in the sixth round Friday by the Cincinnati Reds. He is a Florida State recruit but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Mondile sign with the Reds and get started on his professional career. Some scouts think Mondile has the stuff and make-up to develop into a great closer. Others like him as a starter.

6. West Deptford (11) 24-6
In winning six state tournament games, the Eagles allowed a total of three runs. That's astounding. That's a credit to the pitching of senior Derek Wakeley and junior Drew Wilden but also to the team defense, focus and attention to detail. That reflects well on coach John Oehler and his staff.

7. Millville (15) 18-9
Junior Buddy Kennedy batted .536 with nine home runs and nine doubles for the Thunderbolts. After May 19, Millville beat Mainland, Lenape, Brick, St. Augustine, Washington Twp. and Egg Harbor Twp.

8. Holy Cross (16) 24-7-1
Shortstop Joey Paolini and second baseman James Papeika played in their 110th game together in Saturday's victory in the NP B state title. Fittingly, they turned a double play for the final two outs of their careers to start the celebration. "It's really hard to put into words," Paolini said Sunday. "To end it that way, it's really was Storybook."
 
9. Highland (12) 17-5-1
Senior RHP Christian Scafidi was 6-1 with a 1.22 ERA for a team that won 12 in a row before losing to Ocean City in the SJ 3 title game.

10. Camden Catholic (10) 19-8-1
Senior shortstop Nolan Gerold batted .535 with seven home runs, seven doubles and 44 RBIs for the South A finalists and Olympic National champions.

11. Williamstown (9) 16-6
The Braves were 37-12-1 over the last two seasons.

12. Cherry Hill West (5) 15-7
Senior first baseman Jake Campbell batted .413 with seven home runs, six doubles and 26 RBIs for the Lions.

13. Lenape (7) 15-9
The Indians won two games in the Diamond Classic as well as a SJ 4 tournament game.

14. Pennsville (25) 22-7
Senior Jeremy Boucher earned four pitching wins in the Eagles' drive to the Group 1 state title. Pennsville has seven state crowns, behind only GC (17), BE (8) and Audubon (8) among South Jersey programs.

15. Cherokee (8) 17-10
Senior LHP Nick Snyder was 6-0 with an 0.95 ERA for the Chiefs.

16. Egg Harbor Twp. (NR) 15-11
The Eagles rallied from a 2-4 start and reached the semifinals of the SJ 4 tournament.

17. Mainland (17) 15-9
The Mustangs battled arch rival Ocean City to the bitter end. The teams split in the regular season and OC won the SJ 3 semifinals on an eighth-inning walkoff on a three-base throwing error.

18. Audubon (18) 17-6
The Green Wave was 11-2 in its final 13 with both losses to Group 2 state champion West Deptford. Junior catcher RJ Concepcion batted .532 with 11 doubles.

19. Delran (19) 20-6
Senior catcher Ben Youngberg batted .342 with nine doubles for a team that won 12 in a row before losing to Delaware Valley in the CJ 2 title game.

20. Northern Burlington (20) 18-8
Senior Zack Wright, a La Salle recruit, batted .446 with seven home runs, 31 RBIs and 34 runs for the Greyhounds.

21. Seneca (21) 15-7-1
The Golden Eagles went 9-1 down the stretch before losing a heart-breaker to Highland in the SJ 3 semifinals.

22. Haddonfield (13) 16-5
Junior shortstop Joe Loperfido, a Duke recruit, batted .431 and led South Jersey with six triples.

23. Shawnee (NR) 12-10
The Renegades might have been the hottest team in South Jersey in late May, winning their final nine games.

24. Bishop Eustace (22) 13-10
The Crusaders were a year away this season but watch out for sophomore Sky Duff and freshmen John Piecentino and Matt Orlando and Co. in the future.

25. Rancocas Valley (NR) 12-8
Junior first baseman Tyler Dearden, a Penn State recruit, batted .481 with nine doubles for the Red Devils, who shared the Burlco Liberty title with NBC.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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