Preview via Shore Sports Network

The depth of Class A North has been something to behold over the last two seasons and no team exhibited that depth more than the 2022 Middletown North Lions. After struggling during April, Middletown North rallied to the brink of qualifying for the Shore Conference Tournament, only to lose a win-and-in game vs. Red Bank that ultimately left the Lions out of the tournament. From there, Middletown North regrouped and proceeded to win its last 12 games, including six in the NJSIAA Tournament to capture the Group III championship for first time in program history.

To win its first state title, Middletown North rode the strong right arm of fifth-year senior Colin Dowlen, who started four of the six games in the state tournament, winning the first three. The Lions also got clutch pitching performances from 2023 graduates Mike Weinbel and Matt Adamson, leaving this year’s team without its three top pitchers from last year’s championship club. Throw in the graduation of clutch slugger Andrew Lombardi, plus the considerable offensive production Dowlen, Weinbel and Adamson provided during the run, and Middletown North has plenty of work to do in replacing the senior leadership that helped drive the Lions to their first championship.

It is going to sound like a broken record in this division, but despite the losses to graduation, Middletown North is another team that has some serious talent. Seton Hall commit Ryan Frontera was an All-Shore shortstop a year ago and has had some pitching success in his high-school career, although his role as a pitcher was significantly scaled back a season ago. Frontera was one of Middletown North’s core players last year and many of the returning players came up big as role players a year ago. Returning first baseman Zach Hampton hit .420 as a freshman, while outfielders Dylan Briggs and Jason Quardt emerged as sophomores who figure to be even better now that they are a year older. Senior Colby McMahon also caught fire for the stretch run to lengthen a Middletown North lineup that went from stale to splendid once the calendar flipped to May.

May could be a big month for Middletown North again, as Lions coach Ryan McCabe is hoping to get senior slugger R.J. Kernan back for this year’s stretch run. Kernan suffered a torn ACL that robbed him of a chance to play during the state tournament run and the Montclair State commit is hoping to get back in time to contribute to another one this year. In the meantime, there will be a group of newcomers trying to hold down the fort in the lineup: sophomore catcher Michael Hallard, outfielders Connor Walsh, Gabe Alemeyer and Ian McGoldrick and sophomore third baseman Aldo Casale.

If Middletown North is going to make more noise this season, its pitching will have to get caught up in a hurry. The Lions will be leaning on their group of sophomores to fill in a lot of openings, particularly on the mound. Hampton returns with the most experience after serving as the No. 3 starter for most of the year until Adamson came on strong to end the season and ease the burden on the freshman. That burden will be even heavier as Hampton looks to take over the No. 1 spot on what looks to be the least experienced staff in the division.

Considering Dowlen’s role during the tournament run and the job Weinbel and Adamson did on days Dowlen could not pitch, it is hard to see a team with a staff this green navigating its way to a top-three finish in A North and back to a sectional final.

Then again, Middletown North’s offense was unstoppable for the final 12 games of 2022 and there is enough back within that lineup to believe in the Lions again in 2023.

Head Coach: Ryan McCabe, fourth season
2022 Record: 21-10 (6-8, tied fifth in Class A North)
Key Losses: Colin Dowlen (RHP/1B), Mike Weinbel (RHP/3B/2B/OF), Andrew Lombardi (DH), Matt Adamson (CF/LHP), Aidan Sheehan (C)

Middletown North Around the Diamond

Catcher: Michael Hallard, So.

First Base: Zach Hampton, So. (.420/.506/.493, 5 2B, 13 R, 12 RBI); Gabe Ahlemeyer, So.

Second Base: Colby McMahon, Sr. (.317/.411/.450, 6 2B, 1 3B, 13 R, 12 RBI, 3 SB)

Shortstop: Ryan Frontera, Sr. (.379/.464/.632, 7 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 29 R, 21 RBI, 10 SB)

Third Base: Aldo Casale, So.

Leftfield: Jason Quardt, Jr. (.291/.333/.302, 1 2B, 16 R, 8 RBI, 6 SB)

Centerfield: Dylan Briggs, Jr. (.255/.368/.489, 3 2B, 4 3B, 18 R, 9 RBI, 6 SB)

Rightfield: Connor Walsh, Jr.; Gabe Ahlemeyer, So.; Ian McGoldrick, So.

DH: Joey Wall, Jr.; Jack Jensen, So.; Gabe Ahlemeyer, So.; Ian McGoldrick, So.; Eddie Patrick, Sr.

Other Hitters

R.J. Kernan, Sr., OF (Injured)

Photos via Kevin Prefer