After a lost season, baseball is finally back in the Garden State. JSZ begins its coverage with a handful of marquee games. Check back throughout the night to watch all of the highlights!


Kingsway 7 Williamstown 1

North Carolina commit Justin Szestowicki homered, drove in three runs, and threw two shutout innings on the mound to help lead the Dragons to an Opening Day victory. Landon Edwards allowed just two hits in five innings-pitched for Kingsway, and drove in a run. Bobby DiDonato had an RBI double for the Braves in the loss.

JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights from this Tri-County Conference clash:

Coverage of Williamstown is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.


Verona 5 Caldwell 4

Senior Florida commit Pierce Coppola began his much-anticipated season on a high note. Pitching in front of nearly two dozen scouts, Coppola fanned 11 batters and allowed three walks and a hit in five scoreless innings. Thomas Radigan boosted the Hillbillies’ offense with a two-run triple in the sixth inning to pad their lead. Caldwell starter Ryan Lill pitched relatively well for the Chiefs, striking out six and allowing three runs.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from Essex County:


Red Bank Catholic 2 Toms River North 0

Shane Panzini threw a complete game two hitter with 14 strikeouts to lead the Caseys to an impressive Opening Day road win. Panzini, the University of Virginia commit, reached 96 on the radar gun in the first inning and consistently threw in the 90s in his 97 pitch gem. Sean Ettore’s RBI single in the 5th gave the Caseys all the offense they needed and Anthony Borriello added an insurance base hit in the 7th that plated Sean Griggs with his second run of the game. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Toms River: