Original Story via The Journal

Playing in the present has helped the Middletown High School North baseball team become a state power. Two years ago, the Lions didn’t let being the 10th seed keep them from winning the program’s first-ever state championship. Last spring, the Lions didn’t live in the past and repeated as Central Jersey Group III champions while going 17-9. North Head Coach Ryan McCabe remarked that the Lions will continue to focus game to game on the here and now this season.

“For us, it’s a new season,” he said. “Everyone will be coming after us.”

The heart and soul of the 2024 Lions are three-year starters Dylan Briggs (OF), Zachary Hampton (INF) and Jason Quardt (OF).

“They were a part of a lot of big games,” said McCabe of his veteran returners.

The offense will be centered around the trio. Briggs (Sr.) batted .462 with 17 RBI and 21 runs scored. Hampton (Jr.) hit .413 with 19 RBI and 23 runs scored. Quardt (Sr.) batted .321 and had eight RBI and 19 runs scored. There are no worries about outfield defense as McCabe said that Briggs and Quardt “are as good as anyone.”

Also returning to the lineup are Gabe Ahlemeyer (Jr.), Michael Hallard (Jr.), Ian McGoldrick (Jr.) and Aldo Casale (Jr.). McCabe remarked that this year’s lineup could be deeper than last year’s Central Jersey champions. One through nine, the Lion hitters are “tough outs.”

The Lions have good team speed and are aggressive on the bases. They take the extra base and score from second on a base hit as good as anyone. In other words, they put pressure on defenses.

Unlike in ’23, the Lions go into this season with a solid pitching rotation. Ahlemeyer emerged as the team’s ace last year, pitching to a 2.57 ERA. He and Hampton (3.74 ERA) led the team during its run to the state sectional title. Alipio Figueroa (Jr.) returns with his 3.15 ERA. Ryan Clark (Sr.), Conor Walsh (Sr.) and McGoldrick all gained experience last year on the mound and will be pitching more innings in ’24. With a condensed schedule meaning more games in a week, the Lions pitching depth will be helpful. There’s no lack of experience behind the plate with the return of catcher Hallard. A solid defender, he works well with the pitchers.

The biggest concern for McCabe is replacing graduated infielders Ryan Frontera, RJ Kiernan and Colby McMahon. They were three-year starters for the Lions and the backbone of the 2022 and 2023 championship teams.

The Lions have no infield experience returning save Casale, who saw limited action last spring. During the first week of tryouts, those vying for starting positions in the infield will be fielding a lot of ground balls as McCabe looks to see who steps up and wins the starting positions.

Photo via Kevin Prefer