It’s shaping up to be a chaotic end to the 2023 New Jersey high school baseball season.
In fact, Tuesday proved to be the most chaotic day since the state tournament began over a week ago. State tournament favorites and contenders were stunned by upstart and hungry teams that are making noise and getting hot at the perfect time of the season.
The public sectional semifinals on Tuesday saw the last undefeated team in the state lose, while there were plenty of other dramatic wins across the state.
Here is the NJ.com Top 20 for May 31:
1-Red Bank Catholic (22-5)
Last week: No. 2
Here’s why: The roller-coaster ride continues for the Caseys, who return to the No. 1 spot. RBC advanced to Wednesday’s South Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal with a 4-2 win over Pingry last Friday. RBC has won seven of its last eight games and has not allowed more than two runs in any of them. RBC’s only loss since May 11 was a 5-2 loss to Bergen Catholic on May 23. RBC catcher Shane Andrus had a 12-game hitting streak ended when he took the collar versus Pingry. Andrus is 20 for his last 40 with 11 RBI.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: vs. St. Augustine in SJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4
2-Ranney (26-2)
Last week: No. 3
Here’s why: The Panthers advanced to the South Jersey, Non-Public B semifinal with an 11-0 win over St. Joseph (Hamm.) on May 24. It was Ranney’s ninth shutout and the 17th time it scored in double figures. Ranney has won 20 of its last 21 with the only loss coming to Red Bank Catholic, 2-0, in Shore Conference Tournament final on May 21. Ranney has 74 extra-base hits.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: vs. Bishop Eustace in SJ, Non-Public B semifinals, 4:30
3-Millburn (26-3)
Last week: No. 4
Here’s why: Millburn moves up one spot in this week’s rankings after clinching a spot in the North 2, Group 3 final for the third consecutive season. But it wasn’t an easy path to the final for the Millers. Millburn had to stage a comeback against Chatham in the quarterfinals, eventually winning on a walk-off hit. Millburn then held off a feisty South Plainfield team in the semifinals, winning 2-1 as Drew Oppenheim and Alex Faust combined to toss a one-hitter. Ace Steven Echavarria is set to draw the start in the sectional final Friday against a North Hunterdon team having a remarkable season.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: vs. No. 20 North Hunterdon in North 2, Group 3 final, TBD
4-Delbarton (24-4)
Last week: No. 5
Here’s why: Delbarton has a chance to get some revenge on Wednesday when it faces Don Bosco Prep in the North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinals. Delbarton lost to Don Bosco Prep last season in eight innings in the semifinals, and that loss seems to have fueled this season’s team. Delbarton shut out Oratory 9-0 in the quarterfinals to book its spot in the semis. The Green Wave are currently on a six-game winning streak and have won 18 of their last 19 games.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: at No. 5 Don Bosco Prep in NJ, Non-Public A semifinals 4:15
5-Don Bosco Prep (24-5)
Last week: No. 10
Here’s why: Don Bosco Prep is finally putting it all together. The Ironmen garnered their ninth Bergen County Tournament title with a 9-3 win over Bergen Catholic to capture the crown. Don Bosco has won nine straight games, scoring 10 or more runs seven times to bring its lineup average to .364 with 77 extra-base hits. In the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, Don Bosco defeated Seton Hall Prep, 11-2 behind Allen Hernandez’s four RBIs.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: vs. No. 4 Delbarton in NJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4:15
6-Bergen Catholic (24-5)
Last week: No. 6
Here’s why: The Crusaders have been a top threat all spring. Reaching the Bergen County finals, Bergen Catholic has a consistent lineup with a pitching staff that can change up an opponent’s pace. BC had won 10 straight before the county finals loss to Don Bosco, defeating St. Peter’s Prep, 5-2 in the state quarterfinals.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: vs. St. Joseph (Mont.) in NJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4:15
7-Gloucester Catholic (22-7)
Last week: No. 13
Here’s why: The Rams won their seventh game in a row Tuesday, stopping Holy Spirit 16-3 in the South Jersey Non-Public B semifinals. Winners of 20 state championships, Gloucester Catholic scored seven runs in the second and six more in the third to blow the game wide open. Tyler Bunting and Guy Lynam hit home runs, while RJ Mustaro added a double, triple and three RBIs. Gloucester Catholic has outscored its opponents 71-17 in its current winning streak.
Upcoming schedule
- June 3: vs. Ranney-Bishop Eustace winner in SJ, Non-Public B final, TBA
8-St. Joseph (Mont.) (21-8)
Last week: No. 11
Here’s why: The Green Knights creep into the Top 10 for the first time this year. Playing tough against fellow top Non-Public opponents, St. Joe’s has emerged as a premier contender in the playoffs. This team won eight straight ballgames to reach the Bergen County semifinals, falling to Don Bosco by one run. In the postseason, this squad defeated Pope John, 6-4 behind Carter Grande’s four runs batted in.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: at Bergen Catholic in NJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4:15
9-Cranford (26-1)
Last week: No. 1
Here’s why: It was a tough end to the season for Cranford, which began the season outside of the rankings before rising to the state’s top spot last week. The Cougars lost to a surging North Hunterdon squad, 3-0, in the North 2, Group 3 semifinals on Tuesday, ending their season. It was still a successful season for Cranford coach Dennis McCaffery and his team. Cranford won a second consecutive Union County Tournament championship and put together a 26-game winning streak, being the last undefeated team in New Jersey.
Upcoming schedule
10-Rumson-Fair Haven (20-5)
Last week: No. 14
Here’s why: The Bulldogs advanced to the Central Jersey Group 2 final with a 2-1 win over Ocean Township on Tuesday. RFH has allowed three runs in its three tournament games. The Bulldogs have won six of their last seven games. Three RFH pitchers combined for a three-hitter and eight strikeouts in the win over Ocean Township. Owen Kenney and Spencer Hobson had RBIs in the win. RFH scored two runs in the first then rode the pitching of Jackson Hinchcliffe, Owen O’Toole and Matt Bruno to victory.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: vs. Spotswood in CJ, Group 2 final, 4
11-Ridge (25-4)
Last week: No. 7
Here’s why: Ridge was one of the best public teams in the state all year long. The Red Devils were docked a win in the playoffs following a pitch-count violation and will finish the season with 25 victories behind 1.58 team ERA and 250 punch-outs in 199 innings. Ridge defeated Piscataway in the playoffs and reached the Somerset County championship.
Upcoming schedule
12-St. Joseph (Met.) (20-9)
Last week: No. 15
Here’s why: St. Joseph (Met.) just continues to win games as coach Mike Murray Jr.’s team is two wins away from winning a sectional championship. The Falcons defeated Paul VI 8-4 in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey, Non-Public A sectional and faces a surging Notre Dame team in the semifinals on Wednesday. St. Joe’s is playing with a ton of confidence, winning 13 of its last 15 games, and will look to continue the momentum on Wednesday.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: vs. No. 19 Notre Dame in SJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4
13-North Brunswick (21-6)
Last week: No. 19
Here’s why: North Brunswick rises six spots in this week’s rankings on the heels of a dramatic win over Monroe in the Central, Group 4 semifinals. Senior and Rutgers commit Zachary Konstantinovsky cranked a walk-off home run as the Raiders won 4-3. Konstantinovsky spun a complete game with nine strikeouts and went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double and four RBIs. North Brunswick faces yet another Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division team in Old Bridge in the sectional final on Friday. Old Bridge won the first two meetings this spring.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: at Old Bridge in CJ, Group 4 final, TBD
14-Delsea (20-6)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: A team that was in the Preseason Top 20 but didn’t survive to make the first regular-season rankings, Delsea returns on the heels of a 2-1 victory over Cherry Hill West in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals. The defending sectional champions have won four games in a row and nine of their last 11. Senior right-hander Ryan Harrison has started all three postseason games and is 3-0, while also winning his last six starts dating back to May 9 against Egg Harbor Township in the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic. Delsea also got a solo home run by Zach Maxwell in the semifinal win, while Austin Buchanan drove in the game-winning run as part of the team’s two-run fourth inning.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: vs. Mainland in SJ, Group 3 final, 2
15-Bayonne (24-6)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: The Bees climb back into the Top 20 following big-time playoff wins over Union, Phillipsburg and Westfield to reach the North 2, Group 4 finals. Bayonne has 31 runs in three playoff contests and has posted 10 or more runs a dozen times this spring.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: at Bridgewater-Raritan in North 2, Group 4 final, TBA
16-Bishop Eustace (21-7)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: The Olympic National champions return to the state rankings for the first time since May 9. The Crusaders have won five in a row and 13 of their last 14 games. They knocked off Doane Academy in the South Jersey Non-Public B quarterfinals and will look to avenge a 3-0 loss on April 20 against Ranney in Friday’s sectional semifinals. Look for senior Jack Kirchner (93 K’s in 48 2/3 innings, 1.58 ERA) or junior Landon Mack (47 K’s in 34 1/3 innings, 1.83 ERA) to get the start.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: at Ranney in SJ, Non-Public B semifinals, 4:30
17-St. Augustine (17-7)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: The six-time defending South Jersey Non-Public A champions recorded a win for the ages in the sectional quarterfinals against Christian Brothers to stay alive in postseason play. The Hermits rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the contest and then got a walk-off, RBI single off the bat of sophomore Joe Erace to post a dramatic 5-4 victory. St. Augustine is back in the Top 20 for the first time since May 11.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: at Red Bank Catholic in SJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4
18-Bridgewater-Raritan (22-6)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: The Panthers are back into the Top 20 once again following playoff victories over Dickinson, Hunterdon Central and Woodbridge to extend their winning streak to five. Outscoring opponents 66-28 over that span, Bridgewater-Raritan has one of the best offense in Group 4 this year with a .319 team batting average and 59 extra-base hits.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: vs. Bayonne in North 2, Group 4 final, TBA
19-Notre Dame (20-4)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: Notre Dame is back in the rankings after it pulled off an upset when it defeated then-No. 9 Donovan Catholic in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey, Non-Public A sectional tournament. The Irish got big contributions from the lineup in the win over Donovan, none bigger than Jack Hughes, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Notre Dame looks to spring another upset when it plays No. 12 St. Joseph (Met.) in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Upcoming schedule
- May 31: at St. Joseph (Met.) SJ, Non-Public A semifinals, 4
20-North Hunterdon (18-6)
Last week: Unranked
Here’s why: The Lions crack the Top 20 for the first time of the season thanks to a massive win over then-undefeated Cranford in the North 2, Group 3 semifinals. In a 3-0 win, Chris Sand fired a complete-game shutout. This postseason, North Hunterdon has defeated Mendham, Randolph and Cranford, outscoring opponents 14-2.
Upcoming schedule
- June 2: at Millburn in North 2, Group 3 final, TBA
Teams under consideration
Buena (26-3); Donovan Catholic (22-5); Lawrence (21-6); Middlesex (17-8); Montville (19-9); Morris Knolls (18-10-1); Passaic Tech (23-4); Ramsey (18-7-1); Ridgewood (21-7); Shawnee (22-4)
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Kevin Minnick covers South Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports
PJ Potter covers North Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PJ_Potter
Luis Torres covers North and Central Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ByLuisTorres
Joe Zedalis covers Central Jersey baseball. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Josephzedalis