The 2023 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across New Jersey.

 Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons at Veteran's Field at the NJSIAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview the top teams across NJ. 

High School: Gloucester Catholic

2022 Record: 21-10

Classification: Non-Public B South

Co-Coach's Name: Dennis Barth (21 seasons)

Career Record: 529-112-1

Twitter: @GCBaseballrams

TOP RETURNERS

2023 LHP Tanner Nolan (Crowder CC)
2024 RHP Howard Tate DeRias (Miami)
2025 RHP Joseph Vaccarella
2023 LHP Jack Sambogna
2023 RHP Brady Roberts (Lehigh)
2024 RHP Daviel Fernandez
2023 C Damon Suriani (Barton)
2023 1B Tyler Bunting (Wilmington) 
2023 INF Matt Leahy (Rider)
2023 Ut. Sal Serici (Immaculata)
2023 OF RJ Mustaro

TEAM OUTLOOK

Gloucester Catholic's goals every year are to win the states and the Diamond Classic and with this list of returners, expect the Rams to make some serious noise once again. Coach Dennis Barth returns some key cogs in the machine in Tanner Nolan and Tate DeRias on the mound with 6-foot-5 right hander 2025 Joseph Vaccarella expected to make a jump, too. DeRias and Nolan accounted for 87 innings pitched, good for nearly 50% of the innings thrown last year. Nolan threw up some impressive numbers, punching out 80 in 49.2IP, while DeRias fanned 44 in 38 IP allowing just 24 hits and posting a 1.66 ERA. Vaccarella was equally as impressive, tossing 27 IP and pitching to a 1.81 ERA. Expect Brady Roberts, Jack Sambogna, and Daviel Fernandez to get elevated roles in the rotation as well. 

The offense will be paced by INF Matt Leahy and Sal Serici, who both return for their 5th "Covid" years. Barton commit Damon Suriani will provide some pop to the middle of the order and RJ Mustaro is back after hitting .378 in 2022. Expect contributions from DeRias and Vaccarella at the dish, too. Tyler Bunting, a Wilmington commit, will be a mainstay in the heart of the order for the Rams. Bunting will be relied upon for his RBI production and extra base hit capabilities. All in all, the Rams are prepping for a run deep into June in 2023.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Super 60 Pro Showcase	NATIONAL	02/05	The MAX - McCook, IL
2023 Northeast ProCase (Invite Only)	NJ	02/12	The Liberty Arena / Williamsport, PA
Central New Jersey Preseason ID	NJ	02/20	Iron Peak Sports - Hillsborough, NJ
2023 NJ Preseason All-State: Upperclass (Invite-Only)	NJ	03/04	Top Corner Sports - Bridgewater, NJ
2023 NJ Preseason All State: Underclass (Invite-Only)	NJ	03/11	Sportika - Manalapan, NJ
Northern New Jersey Preseason ID	NJ	03/12	Sports Domain Academy - Clifton, NJ
2023 NJ Rising Stars ID (2027 Grads)	NJ	03/19	Sports Domain Academy (Clifton, NJ)

 

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