The Red Bank Catholic High School baseball team will be looking to get back on the winning track this week after losing two games in a row.
RBC opened the season in dramatic fashion — winning 10 straight games and bringing back memories of last spring when the Casey’s reeled off 24 successive triumphs.
Shore Conference Class B North rival Colts Neck upended RBC on April 26 by a count of 5-3. Then on Friday, Monroe came to town for a non-conference encounter and rode Frank D’Agostino’s three-run, first inning home run to a 4-2 win. Ryan Spahr pitched well in defeat, striking out 12 and battling his way out of several jams.
Caseys’ coach Buddy Hausmann acknowledged that sometimes a loss can help a strong team retain its focus. “There’s no need to lose two in a row; one’s plenty,” he quipped. “Our guys weren’t as selective at the plate as they have been and Colts Neck andMonroe were both able to exploit it. Our guys know what they have to do and I’m confident they’ll get back on track.”
There are plenty of reasons to expect that to happen. RBC is hitting a robust .381 as a team and Hausmann’s team has scored 103 runs in its 12 games. Junior third baseman Mike Rescigno has been hammering opposition pitching to the tune of three home runs, 16 RBI and a .486 batting average, to lead the team in all three categories. Sophomore shortstopAl Molina is right behind with two round trippers, 15 RBI and a .471 average.
Two other regulars are also above the .400 mark. Center fielder Andrew LaMura is hitting .429 with a homer and nine RBI and first baseman Ron Robinson, a junior, is at .417 with one home run and 11 RBI. Sophomore second baseman Brendan Madigan is hitting .381 and catcher Joe Keane is at .333. Hausmann noted that while his big hitters have been strong, unsung players like Nick Mindnich give the Caseys the little things that help them succeed. In eight games, Mindnich has DH’d and played second and third base, while batting .421 and drawing eight walks.
“Guys like Nick are so important,” Hausmann said. “He has worked so hard and he was ready to take advantage of the opportunity when it came his way. He’ll do whatever it takes to help us win.”
On the mound, RBC’s pitchers have been equally as good in compiling a 2.45 team ERA. Ryan Slate has been the ace of the staff, posting a 4-1 mark with 32 strikeouts in 24 and 2/3 innings of work. Spahr is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA. In 24 innings he also has 32 strikeouts. Rescigno is 2-0, including a 15-strikeout performance in a victory against Randolph, and has yet to allow an earned run. Junior John Selden is 2-0 as well. With a 7-1 mark in divisional play, RBC is a game ahead of Colts Neck. The Casey’s, 10-2 overall, are in a race against Immaculata (13-0) and Gloucester Catholic for the top seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public A South tourney.
“I think we’ll be ok,” Hausmann said. “The guys have played very well overall and I know that’s going to continue to happen.”
RBC was given the No. 1 seed for the Monmouth County Tournament and drew a first round bye. The Caseys will play Rumson-Fair Haven (6-6), the 16th seed in a first round game TBA at RBC. RFH beat Manasquan, 5-4, in a preliminary round game onApril 28 to advance.
FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, the home of the Lakewood BlueClaws, will host the MCT semi-finals (May 12) and final (May 30).
All other games are played on the home field of the higher seeded team.