Barring major injuries and unforeseen circumstances, the 2019 RCGC baseball season is expected to be a huge success. The question is this: Just how far will the Roadrunners go this spring?
The short answer -- the talent and experience are enough for the Runners to make a serious run at a Division III national title.
With a loaded lineup from top to bottom and plenty of experience to boot, coach Rob Valli has set lofty goals for his talented team. The Roadrunners posted an impressive 50-9 season last spring in which they finished No. 3 overall in the NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament while spending the entire season in the DIII National Rankings.
Veterans such as sophomore slugger Alex Gattinelli will anchor the lineup while a host of newcomers will form the nucleus of a potent lineup. On the pitching side, the rotation will be paced by solid returnees such as Mike Biasiello, Nick Yoder, Nick Evangelista and Jose Ledesma while benefitting from talented newcomers such as freshman Jack Billings, a top prospect out of St. Augustine Prep and Virginia Tech.
"We are very excited to get the 2019 season started," said Valli, a veteran skipper who captured a national title in 2005 and has two national runnerup finishes. "Our goal is the same as it is every year -- win a national championship!"
The season opens this Sunday with a doubleheader at Delaware Technical Community College.
See season preview below.
2019 Season Preview
Head Coach: Rob Valli; 12th season at RCGC, 401-105 record at GCC/RCGC; former head coach at Temple University; career record of 513-311.
Assistant Coaches: Greg Chew (pitching coach), Chris Rollins (assistant coach).
Last Season: 50-9 overall; 22-2 conference; No. 3 nationally, NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
2019 Outlook: Preseason No. 3, NJCAA Division III National Rankings; Region XIX and GSAC preseason favorite.
Opener: Sunday, February 24, at Delaware Tech, 12 noon and 3 pm.
Top returnees: Mike Biasiello, So., RHP, Kingsway; Jake Catalano, So., OF/RHP, St. Augustine; Nick Evangelista, So., RHP, Washington Twp.; Alex Gattinelli, C/OF, Washington Twp.; Nick Yoder, So., RHP, Highland; Jose Ledesma, So., RHP, Passaic; Ryan Murphy, So., OF/RHP, Wilson (PA); Anthony Angelino, So., 1B, Deptford.
Additional second-year players: Ryan Baglivo, So., C, West Deptford; Anthony Capassao, So., RHP, Mainland; Jake Catalano, So., OF/RHP, St. Augustine; Darwin Matos; So., LHP, Clifton/Bloomfield College; Albert Munoz, So., C, West New York; Nate Williams, So., LHP, Kings Christian.
Newcomers: Roylan Almonte, Fr., Inf., Union; Jack Billings, Fr., RHP/3B, St. Augustine Prep, Virginia Tech; Stephen Brookwell, Fr., OF, Hightstown, Villanova; Shayne Clowar, Fr., RHP, Cherokee, Elon U.; Jose Correa, Fr., SS/2B, LEAP Academy; Erick Duran, Fr., RHP, Passaic; Dauri Genao, Fr., INF, High Tech; Ryan Gray, Fr., C, Pennsville; Jake Korobellis, Fr., RHP, Cherokee; Dawson Magar, Fr. RHP, Donegal (PA); Joe Marino, Fr., LHP, St. Joe's Hammonton; Jack Markley, Fr., C/RHP, Oakcrest; Isaiais Marte, Fr., 3B, Woodrow Wilson; GianCarlo Palmieri, Fr., 2B/OF, Hammonton; Radelvis Paulino, Fr., RHP, Rahway; Mitchell Peers, Fr., OF, Boyertown (PA); Teddy Sparks, Fr., OF, Woodbury; Matt Stil, Fr., RHP, Cherokee; Connor Van Dine, Fr., INF, Kings Christian., Lorenzo Morello, Fr., OF, Washington Twp.
Season Outlook: The Runners begin the season as the No. 3 team in the NJCAA Division III National Rankings. Valli's team is loaded in every part of his lineup, both offensively and defensively. Alex Gattinelli is one of the top power hitters in the nation, and he is supported by a group of talented hitters. The starting rotation is loaded with some of the top talent in the country, and Valli will also rely on a top group of middle relievers and closers.
Coach Rob Valli on his 2019 Roadrunners: "Our strength is undoubtedly the pitching staff -- we have power arms who pitch with command and compete like bulldogs. A group of strong and talented hitters will afford us the ability to mix and match depending on the opposing pitcher."