The Express-Times 2011 All-Area Baseball Team

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

FINAL RANKINGS:

1. Nazareth 23-4

2. Voorhees 18-4

3. Parkland 18-5

4. Salisbury 20-7

5. Hackettstown 21-2

6. Emmaus 15-7

7. Pen Argyl 19-5

8. Northern Lehigh 18-5

9. Hunterdon Central 20-9

10. Northampton 14-9







































Sean Keselica headshotView full sizeSean Keselica
Sean Keselica
Pitcher, Voorhees, Sr.

Talented Voorhees senior had a monster season in leading the Vikings to the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title. The first-team Raritan Division All-Star capped his sensational year with a 16-strikeout gem in a 1-0 eight-inning win over Somerville. Fittingly, the Virginia Tech-bound athlete started the winning rally with a double. Also a first baseman, Keselica batted .420 with 6 home runs, 10 doubles, 27 runs and 24 RBIs.
Statistics: 10-1, 1.04 ERA, 60-1/3 IP, 25 hits, 121 Ks, 35 BB.

Karl Keglovits headshotView full sizeKarl Keglovits
Karl Keglovits
Pitcher, Nazareth, Jr.

Hard-throwing Nazareth junior had another overpowering season on the mound. The two-time Express-Times All-Area first-team selection began the spring with a five-inning perfect game with 10 strikeouts against Pocono Mountain West. Keglovits hurled a two-hit shutout with 19 strikeouts in a 3-0 triumph over Bethlehem Catholic on April 20. The power-hitting Keglovits also played first base and batted .362 with three home runs and 24 RBIs.
Statistics: 8-1, 1.30 ERA, 59-1/3 IP, 41 hits, 77 Ks, 16 BBs.

Matt Reynolds headshotView full sizeMatt Reynolds
Matt Reynolds
Pitcher, Hackettstown, Sr.

Repeat Express-Times All-Area first-team pick had another stellar season in leading Hackettstown to the NJSIAA North 2 Group 2 title game. In addition to being the team's undisputed ace on the mound, the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division All-Star also hit an impressive .461 with 5 home runs, 25 runs and 25 RBIs. He'll continue his baseball career at Division I Monmouth.
Statistics: 7-2, 57 IP, 50 hits, 46 Ks, 21 BBs, 2.82 ERA.

Justin Pacchioli headshotView full sizeJustin Pacchioli
Justin Pacchioli
Catcher, Nazareth, Sr.

Outstanding Nazareth catcher was also an Express-Times All-Area first-team selection at Easton last season before transferring. The athletic Pacchioli showed his versatility by stealing a team-high 24 bases, an extraordinary number for a catcher. He became a perfect fit in the No. 3 spot in Nazareth's potent lineup. The Lehigh University-bound Pacchioli was very adept at throwing out base stealers and filled in at left field and third base on occasion.
Statistics: 33-for-73, .452 BA, 7 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 2 HRs, 33 Rs, 30 RBIs.

Brett Bittiger headshotView full sizeBrett Bittiger
Brett Bittiger
Infield, Pius X, Sr.

Senior shortstop was a key member on a talented Pius X squad that advanced to the District 11 Class A semifinals. Voted team MVP, Bittiger drove in four runs in a 12-2 romp over Palisades on April 21. He followed that performance with three hits, including a pivotal two-run single in the sixth inning, in a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over Wilson on April 25. Bittiger is committed to play baseball at Division I Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Statistics: .452 BA, 27 hits, 9 2Bs, 3B, 2 HRs, 26 Rs, 32 RBIs.

Mike Garzillo headshotView full sizeMike Garzillo
Mike Garzillo
Infield, Nazareth, Jr.

Nazareth junior shortstop emerged as one of the dominant players in the Lehigh Valley Conference. Blazing speed combined with tremendous power made Garzillo a constant threat out of the No. 2 spot in the Blue Eagles' lineup. Garzillo stroked a team-high six home runs despite missing a number of games with an injury. He homered twice in the District 11 Class AAAA quarterfinal win over Pleasant Valley and added another in the semifinal win over Northampton.
Statistics: 31-for-73, .425 BA, 9 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 6 HRs, 34 Rs, 18 RBIs.

Jim McCarthyView full sizeJim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy
Infield, Liberty, Jr.

Athletic Liberty junior was a Lehigh Valley Conference first-team all-star. Also the quarterback on the Hurricanes' football team, McCarthy displayed his toughness when he stole home in the LVC semifinals against Nazareth at Sam Balliet Stadium. He was the consummate leadoff batter, compiling a dynamic .563 on-base percentage. He also stole a school-record 32 bases (in 33 attempts). Considered a Division I baseball prospect.
Statistics: .453 BA, .563 OBP, 29 hits, 2 3Bs, 24 Rs, 10 RBIs, 32 SBs.

Kevin Nemeth headshotView full sizeKevin Nemeth
Kevin Nemeth
Infield, Easton, Sr.

Power-hitting third baseman was a constant threat in the middle of Easton's lineup. Nemeth served as one of the Red Rovers' captains and was a co-recipient of the 2011 Ed Snyder Award -- given to the Easton player who best exemplifies good sportsmanship on and off the field. A Lehigh Valley Conference first-team all-star, Nemeth was 3-for-3 with a home run in a 9-3 win over Emmaus and blasted a two-run homer in a 4-1 win over rival Liberty. He'll attend James Madison University.
Statistics: 24-for-63, .381 BA, .500 OBP, 8 2Bs, 3B, 3 HRs, 16 Rs, 19 RBIs.

Westyn BaylorView full sizeWestyn Baylor
Westyn Baylor
Outfield, Bangor, Sr.

Slugging outfielder played a big role on a Bangor team that ran off seven straight wins during an 11-day stretch in mid-April. The first-team Colonial League All-Star was also 2-2 as a pitcher and had 36 strikeouts in 27-1/3 innings. A highlight of Baylor's season occurred on April 15 when he pitched a two-hitter with seven strikeouts and was 3-for-4 with two doubles in a 13-1 romp over Saucon Valley. He'll continue his baseball career at Radford University.
Statistics: 29-for-54, .537, BA, .662 OBP, 7 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 4 HRs, 20 Rs, 26 RBIs.

Dylan Evans headshotView full sizeDylan Evans
Dylan Evans
Outfield, Pen Argyl, Jr.

Versatile three-sport athlete was a mainstay on a Pen Argyl team that won the Colonial League championship and advanced to the District 11 Class AA title game. Evans had two hits and two RBIs in a 7-4 league semifinal playoff win over Salisbury. He pitched a five-hitter with eight strikeouts and added two more hits in a 2-1 win over Northern Lehigh in the league title game. He finished 6-1 on the mound with a 2.55 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 46-2/3 innings pitched.
Statistics: 33-for-69, .478 BA, 6 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 2 HRs, 21 Rs, 16 RBIs, 15 SBs.

Kris Kent headshotView full sizeKris Kent
Kris Kent
Outfield, Nazareth, Sr.

Speedy leadoff hitter was the sparkplug on a high-powered Nazareth team that scored eight or more runs in 14 games. The center fielder led the team with 36 hits and stole 23 bases without being caught. He had three hits in a 4-3 Lehigh Valley Conference win over Whitehall on April 25. Kent also pitched four innings this season, allowing no earned runs while striking out five. He'll play football at Colgate University next season.
Statistics: 36-for-87, .414 BA, 6 2Bs, 26 Rs, 16 RBIs, 23 SBs.

Ryan DeJesso headshotView full sizeRyan DeJesso
Ryan DeJesso
Utility, Pen Argyl, Sr.

Standout pitcher/infielder was a model of consistency for Pen Argyl this season. DeJesso opened the season with a home run, triple, four RBIs and was the winning pitcher in a 7-4 win over Northwestern on March 30. The first-team Colonial League All-Star earned a complete-game victory against Salisbury in the league semifinals on May 21. DeJesso was 7-1 with a 2.75 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 56 innings. He'll attend Penn State University next season.
Statistics: 20-for-61, .328 BA, 3 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 4 HRs, 17 Rs, 13 RBIs, 7 SBs.

Nick Macaione headshotView full sizeNick Macaione
Nick Macaione
Utility, North Warren, Sr.

The two-time Express-Times All-Area first-team pick had another big season for a strong North Warren team that won 15 games and advanced to the second round of the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 playoffs. In addition to Macaione's offensive talents, the first-team Skyland Conference Valley Division All-Star was 6-2 on the mound with a 2.62 ERA and was 14-for-14 in stolen bases. He'll play baseball at Lehigh University next season.
Statistics: 27-for-62, .435 BA, 10 2Bs, 2 HRs, 22 Rs, 26 RBIs, 14 SBs.

Mike Murray headshotView full sizeMike Murray
Mike Murray
Utility, Phillipsburg, Sr.

Hard-nosed third baseman was a formidable threat in the No. 3 spot of Phillipsburg's lineup. The Skyland Conference Valley Division first-team all-star slugged a school record-tying eight home runs. Murray doubled, homered, drove in three runs and scored twice in a 15-6 triumph over North Hunterdon on April 26. He added two hits and two runs in a 13-1 rout of Easton on May 1. Murray will play baseball at The College of New Jersey next season.
Statistics: .404 BA, 36 hits, 11 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 8 HRs, 33 runs, 25 RBIs.





SECOND TEAM:

P: Steve Bloodworth, N. Hunterdon, Sr.

P: Anthony Ciavarella, Phillipsburg, Jr.

P: Jim Sawyer, Liberty, Sr.

C: Mark Feci, Hackettstown, Sr.

INF: Colin Case, Easton, Sr.

INF: Drew Hercik, Nazareth, Sr.

INF: Jay Maletz, Pius X, Jr.

INF: Adam Young, Hackettstown, Sr.

OF: Derek Jenkins, N. Hunterdon Jr.

OF: Kevin Rold, Freedom, Jr.

OF: Luke Szoke, Northampton, Sr.

UTL: Jake Bostick, Northampton, Sr.

UTL: Brett Wagner, Bangor, Jr.

UTL: Andrew Westlin, N. Hunterdon, Sr.
Kevin Nemeth battingView full sizeExpress-Times Photo | MATT SMITHEaston's Kevin Nemeth is a first-team infielder along with Pius X's Brett Bittiger, Nazareth's Mike Garzillo and Jim McCarthy of Liberty.


































Honorable Mention
Pitcher -- Kyle Allen, Warren Hills, Jr.; Justin Knight, Hackettstown, Sr.; Jason Mitch, Northampton, Sr.; Collin O'Connor, Pius X, Sr.; Jerod Rodriguez, Pius X, Jr.; Shane Simpkins, Notre Dame, Jr.; Jordan Smith, Nazareth, Sr.; Justin Souders, Easton, Sr. Catcher -- James Bertolotti, Liberty, Jr.; Joe Campbell, Palisades, Sr.; Jason Okken, Saucon Valley, Sr.; Nick Plinio, North Hunterdon, Sr.
Infield -- Matt Camilletti, Pius X, Sr.; Connor Casey, Bethlehem Catholic, Sr.; Pat Dolan, North Warren, Sr.; Tyler Duplega, Voorhees, Jr.; Ryan Hawke, Voorhees, Sr.; Preston Koehler, Northampton, Sr.; Alex Longernecker, Bethlehem Catholic, Sr.; Ryan Luke, Phillipsburg, Sr.; Taylor Overby, Bethlehem Catholic, Sr.; Ryan Pysher, Bangor, Jr.; Phil Ruggiero, Pen Argyl, So.; Justin Scuorzo, Phillipsburg, Sr.; Jay Young, Pen Argyl, Jr.
Outfield -- Garret Becker, North Warren, Jr.; Matt Bonavita, Voorhees, Jr.; Logan Boone, Palisades, Sr.; Greg Butto, Easton, Sr.; Frank Croasdale, Delaware Valley, Sr.; Erich Doerr, Notre Dame, Jr.; Ryan Hester, Bangor, Jr.; Andrew Hollander, Palisades, Jr.; Joe Matarazzo, Warren Hills, Sr.; Conor Mulrine, Easton, Sr.; Kirby Neuner, Hackettstown, Sr.; Phil Schmidt, Northampton, Sr.; Brandon Shuck, Saucon Valley, Sr.; Shane Siebler, Nazareth, Sr.
Designated hitter -- Chad Frankenfield, Freedom, Sr.; Tyler Grogan, Belvidere, So.; Dakota Murray, Wilson, Jr.; Scott Paulus, Warren Hills, Sr.; Dan Yashinski, Palisades, Jr.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE?
Athletes from schools in The Express-Times circulation area where the newspaper is home-delivered are eligible for our All-Area teams. They include Bangor, Belvidere, Bethlehem Catholic, Delaware Valley, Easton, Freedom, Hackettstown, Liberty, Moravian Academy, Nazareth, North Hunterdon, North Warren, Northampton, Notre Dame of Green Pond, Palisades, Pen Argyl, Phillipsburg, Pius X, Saucon Valley, Voorhees, Warren Hills, Warren Tech and Wilson.