Head coach: Mike Kane, seventh season (106-69, .606)
First game: Saturday, March 31 vs. High Point, 11
Last year: 17-10
Key losses: Tim Schumacher (RHP, 4-0, 1.94 ERA), John Macce (C, .329), Billy Russo (3B, .309), Jack Kennedy (RHP, 4-0, 0.57 ERA), Matt Roskoski (2B), Pete Kane (DH), Andrew Berger (3B).
Key batters: Grant Sible (SR CF, 2017 all-county), Mike Smith (SR SS), Justin Johnson (SR SS), Matt Wagner (SO 1B/P), Mike Pierce (JR DH/1B/P), Brandon Kuo (JR 2B), Chris Markovich (FR 3B), Cole Salemo (SR OF), Dean Severini (SR IF), Connor Woods (SO C).
Pitchers: Matt Busher (SR RHP/OF, 2017 all-county), Justin Holderbaum (JR RHP), Ryan Ruscansky (SR P/2B), Jonathan Borque (SR P).
Coach’s quote: “North is returning its top three pitchers and a wealth of relief pitchers. We are also returning almost all of our top hitters from last season except John Macce. Justin Johnson is the leader of the squad at shortstop with Grant Sible (CF) and Matt Busher (P/RF) leading the pack also. Busher and Justin Holderbaum teamed up last year and pitched some gems for our team, knocking off two top 10 teams in the state in a two week period. This year with the addition of Ryan Ruscansky, Jonathan Borque, Matt Wagner, Mike Pierce and several other relief pitchers, North is in a great position to not run short of pitching.
“Defensively we are stronger at every position especially with the addition of Chris Markovich at third base. North is returning as tri-division champs and we are looking to be in a strong position to compete for winning the division, county, section & hopefully North’s first state championship. The players have gelled tremendously in this rough month of March and are chomping at the bit to get the season rolling. The team is loose and having a lot of fun so it has the makings to be a great season. The one negative was losing our potential starting C/DH Trey Primatic to a broken ankle just prior to the season.”
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County baseball preview 2018: Team capsules, dates to keep Hunterdon County baseball preview 2018: Team capsules, dates to keep
