As the 2018 New Jersey Shore Conference high school baseball season approaches, the Middletown High School North Lions program will be looking to lean on the leadership of their experienced pitching staff.  This year’s team boasts one of the best pitching staffs in the county, led by Seniors Tyler Ras, Garrett French and Chris Price. Ras, a Division I – University of Alabama commit, features a 93+ MPH fastball and has been a varsity starter since his Freshmen campaign. Ras earned 2017 All B-North Division and 2nd Team All-Shore Selection during his junior campaign.

Rutgers University-bound French features an array of pitches that led to him being chosen as a 2017 All B-North Division and 3rd team All-Shore Selection.  Chris Price was a surprise to many in the Shore last year as he kept hitters off balance all season, while earning the respect of many of his opponents through his methodical approach and pinpoint control. Chris will be attending the University of Maryland in the fall. Middletown North Lions Head Coach Justin Nathanson feels that this Senior-led pitching staff, along with the relief pitching of Jason Timmons, Sean Gardiner, Brendan Sansone, Kevin Fallon, Kernan Alba, and Ryan Rozinski, will have a great impact on the success of the 2018 season.  

“It all starts with the pitching. We are very fortunate to have Tyler, Garrett and Chris returning in 2018. These three have been a very strong component to our success and we will lean on them to give ourselves a legitimate shot at winning the B-North Division crown as well as the Monmouth County Tournament, Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA State Tournament,” says Nathanson.

These three seniors led the Lions to a 14-10 record last season with strong statistical performances.  These three pitchers combined for a total of 148 innings, 125 strikeouts, with a combined 1.84 ERA., 1.05 WHIP, and a .209 Opponents Batting Average (BAA).  Ras believes that with another year of developing, this pitching staff will be even better and hopes that the program will reap the rewards.

“Since the end of last season, our whole team has been working hard with training and conditioning and we hope that it will translate to success on the field and look to bring back championships to Middletown High School North,” said Ras.

Garrett French believes that because of the talent and depth of the pitching staff, the Lions will be very competitive.  “I feel that we have a great chance at winning championships with our pitching staff and the offense and defense that the coaching staff has put together.  We have an opportunity to compete and win every time we take the field.”

This year’s squad is very confident heading into opening day against Middletown High School South.  Price believes that this confidence is important, especially early on in the season. Price stated, “I believe we are a very unique and confident pitching staff.  Tyler, Garrett and myself all have a different approach and style to the way we throw, but we all have the same goal in mind. That goal is to compete and play well. If we can do that, then we will be successful this season.”