The past week of May 5‑11 proved to be a showcase of talent across New Jersey’s high school baseball circuits, as teams from the American, Colonial, Delaware, Greater Newark, and Union divisions delivered performances that turned heads.
Pitching Mastery
Andrew Forster continues to dominate the strikeout leaderboard, sitting at 95 for the season and fanning 12 batters in his latest outing. Kevin Boulden added a career‑high 17 strikeouts while tossing his first no‑hitter, and Mike Casazza posted a perfect‑game‑adjacent shutout with eight strikeouts. Danny Poppe’s 1.09 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings, along with Hunter Brown’s 1.15 ERA and 65 strikeouts over 30 1/3 frames, underscore a pitching depth that rivals any state‑wide benchmark.
Offensive Highlights
At the plate, Ryan McCabe leads a potent lineup with a .544 average, nine extra‑base hits and 27 RBIs, while Zach Brodsky mirrors the success at .447 with 23 RBIs. Jack Murray tops his team with a .508 average, four home runs and 27 RBIs, and Brody Connors surged with a 10‑for‑18 stretch that included a triple and 11 RBIs. Dan Golembiewski’s .452 spring, featuring seven homers and 30 RBIs, and Evan Sepers’ .484 average (31‑for‑64) highlight a batting surge that has left opponents scrambling.
Team Leaders and Milestones
The week also produced several milestones: Damien Porras went 7‑for‑11 across four wins for Allentown, while Aedan Riley’s 13‑strikeout, one‑hit shutout paved the way for a 3‑0 victory. JJ Drennan came within one batter of a perfect game, and Rich Iuliucci struck out a career‑high 10 batters in a complete‑game effort. These feats, combined with the offensive fireworks from players like Brady Cole, Ean Marcussen and Luiyi Martinez, illustrate a competitive landscape where every roster boasts a star ready to impact the scoreboard.
As the season progresses, the statistical leaders — from Hunter Brown’s 65 strikeouts to Gavin Slicner, just 10 hits shy of the 100‑hit milestone — will continue to shape playoff conversations. The blend of dominant arms and explosive bats ensures that New Jersey high school baseball remains one of the most exciting state circuits to follow.