The Caseys regularly produce top 10 teams despite having to often replace a number of their star players from the previous year and this season will be no different.
Red Bank Catholic doesn't rebuild they restock from a rich talent pool that supplies their roster with some of the best talent in the Shore Conference year-after-year.
They also boast one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the Shore Conference, including Buddy Hausman, who is entering his 12th season as head coach with 212 wins under his belt, assistant coach Ted Jarmusz, who spent 27 seasons as head coach at Monmouth Regional where he compiled 447 wins and Joey Pingitore, who was an assistant at Monmouth during Jarmusz' entire tenure.
A year ago, the Caseys won their second straight Monmouth County Tournament before suffering early exits in both the Shore Conference Tournament and Non-Public A South Tournament as favorites and that's still fresh in their minds.
"We got eliminated pretty early last year in the SCT so we want to come back and make it all the way," said senior center fielder David Glancy, who was a first-team All-Shore selection a year ago but is currently shelved with a broken hamate bone in his left wrist that will keep him out of action for another three to four weeks. "States too, we came up short in a game we should've won that ended our season but we have a lot of guys back and we just want to win it all."
Glancy had a breakout season in 2018 when he hit .360 with seven home runs, 11 doubles, three triple and 27 RBI with an OBP of .495 and a slugging percentage of .797.
"I know everyone else on my team can pick me up and fill the job," said Glancy of his time on the injury list. "They're all capable of it. We all worked so hard in the off season to get to this point and I don't think anything can stop us now. When I come back I just want to keep it rolling with the team and try to do my best to contribute."
In his absence, the Caseys needed to shuffle the outfield a bit with two newcomers. Sophomore Anthony Borriello – originally slated to start in left field – will shift to Glancy's spot in center with senior Ray Martinis taking over in left field.
Senior Ryan O'Hara will start in right field and is also penciled in as a starting/relief pitcher where he unveiled a blazing fastball last season. At the plate he has some untapped power hitting three home runs a year ago while driving in 16 runs and those numbers should go up substantially this season.
Although the Caseys must replace two standout starters, O'Hara is part of a strong starting rotation that will take the mound this season.
Sophomore Shane Panzini came on strong last season after finding a spot in the starting rotation and finished throwing 27 innings allowing just eight earned runs for a sparkling 2.07 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
John Nimeth – a junior righty – went 4-2 a year ago in 33 IP with a team-low 1.70 ERA to give the Caseys another experienced starter.
Then there's senior right-hander Vincent Bianchi, who is already committed to Saint John University next season. Bianchi – a standout shortstop when not on the mound - hit .333 with nine doubles, two triples, one home run and 14 RBI.
Bianchi – an All-Division selection - will be counted on to pick up some of the slack at the plate until Glancy returns and with his arm now 100 percent expectations are that he'll return to the form he flashed on the mound as a sophomore.
Second baseman Alex Gonzalez will assume Glancy's leadoff spot in the lineup after putting together an excellent junior campaign when he laced 28 hits for a .337 average with 12 RBI.
Chris Sparber is back behind the plate where he distinguished himself by the way he handled pitchers and in the batter's box as well last year as a sophomore. He hit a solid .348 and displayed some power as he drilled three triples and a homer.
At first base, Jack Scrivanic cracked the lineup as a sophomore a year ago and is back there as a starter this season. Another player with power after hitting three home runs and driving in 15, he gives the Caseys five players with legitimate home-run power.
"Everything honestly, mostly our hitting and pitching," said Glancy when asked what he thought the strengths of the team were. "Our defense is pretty good too – our middle infield – everywhere, we're just a solid team all-around.
"Just be consistent, no errors, everyone do their job and we should be all right," added Glancy.
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