Jersey Baseball Show - powered by NJ College Baseball Nation

Jersey Baseball Show - powered by NJ College Baseball Nation

by Michael H Olshin

News Commentary Sports News Baseball

Season 2

2022 HS BASEBALL PREVIEW WEEK - Group 1 & Group 2

TWO MORE DAYS until Opening Day. Noted New Jersey baseball guru John Kroeger joins us all week. The man who sees more NJ baseball than anyone on Earth gives us his EARLY look at what he sees in the Group 1 and Group 2 as we break down the final two public school brackets. Who will join 2021 champs Middlesex (Group 1) and Voorhees (Group 2) to be immortalized as champions? These are both FIERCELY contested brackets - both were decided in incredible walkoff manner a year ago. Remember - the ultimate goal isn't who gets mentioned NOW - it's who wins it all in June.

2022 HS BASEBALL PREVIEW WEEK - Non-Public A & B

Opening Day is getting closer. Noted New Jersey baseball guru John Kroeger joins us all week. The man who sees more NJ baseball than anyone on Earth gives us his EARLY look at what he sees in Non-Public A & B as we break down two of the most hotly contested brackets anywhere on the face of the Earth. Who will join 2021 champs Saint Joseph's Regional (Non-Public A) and Holy Spirit (Non-Public B) to be immortalized as champions? The Non-Publics include some of the best - and best known - programs you'll find anywhere. Remember - the ultimate goal isn't who gets mentioned NOW - it's who wins it all in June.

2022 HS BASEBALL PREVIEW WEEK - Group 3, Group 4 previews

The lead in to opening day has officially started. Noted New Jersey baseball guru John Kroeger joins us all week. The man who sees more NJ baseball than anyone on Earth gives us his EARLY look at what he sees in Group 3 and Group 4, as we kick things off with the two larger public school divisions. Who will join 2021 champs Ocean City (Group 3) and Middletown South (Group 4) to be immortalized as champions? Remember - the ultimate goal isn't who gets mentioned NOW - it's who is able to win 6 straight games in June.

JBS - SJR Two-sport star Chad Falcon ready to hunt opponents in 2022

On the first day of 2022 scrimmages in New Jersey, we bring you the story of Saint Joseph's Regional two-sport, two-way Saint John's University commit Chad Falcon. The junior is part of a talented core of players who hope to continue the success of last year's No. 1 team in the state, a senior-dominated team led by Sean Hard, who was drafted by the Yankees and is now at Boston College. Falcon is a unique athlete, power bat with lefty funk on the mound and an incredible competitor. How do we know that? Chad had planned to give up wrestling to focus on baseball after the Saint John's commitment. When SJR's regular 190-pounder went down with injury, Falcon decided to give wrestling one more shot - stepped in - and finished 5th in Regions, narrowly missing a trip to the state tournament in Atlantic City. Get to know this high level athlete with a refuse-to-lose attitude on this edition of JBS.

TGIM - FRIENDS FOR LIFE - Grady, Chapman still chasing state titles together

Why do we love baseball? It brings people together. For life. Like Cranford's Shea Grady and Matt Chapman. They've been winning state titles together since 7U Little League. Fast forward a decade and these guys are now D1 verbal commits (Grady to Bryant, Chapman to Mount St. Mary's) and part of a Cranford team that's certainly a contender for Group 3 honors when the season going. We sit down with them for a legendary episode of TGIM. Movie-like twist to the story - Cranford's biggest competition in Group 3 in North Jersey is Millburn - which is coached by Matt's dad Brian Chapman, one of the state's best. (Unlike the movies, Brian is incredibly popular, respected, and highly regarded.) We also talk some wiffleball - as these guys went all out to create a wiffleball league with their friends to get through COVID quarantine. Most of all, this is a great conversation with two lifelong best friends and an awesome episode of TGIM!

JBS - For St. Augustine, Austin Sofran is CHIEF OF STAFF

With full team tryouts set to start tomorrow, there's a ton of anticipation over at St. Augustine, going for a South Jersey Sixpeat - and hoping to break through to a state championship. The Hermits have one of the deepest and most talented HS pitching staffs we've seen, with more than a half dozen guys throwing different looks and nasty stuff at enemy hitters. Today we talk to the guy on the field whose job is to handle all of these stud arms - St. Augustine senior catcher Austin Sofran. Awesome young man and a fun story, we get some inside info on what should be a great season, as well as learn a lot about what makes Austin a rising star. Sofran is headed off to the PSAC next year to continue his career at Shepherd University - but before he goes, there's one more memorable season about to happen!

JBS - THE TWINTERVIEW - Christian and Logan Mote are NJ's only D1 bound identical twins

Today we talk to New Jersey's only D1 signed identical twins currently playing high school baseball. Christian and Logan Mote are set to lead Gill St. Bernard's into action as they chase an elusive Non Public B sectional and state championship before they both head off to Iona College in the Fall. So we got the chance to find out from GSB's middle infield duo what it's like to excel in multiple sports with their closest friend (Christian is the school's all time point leader in hockey, while Logan is GSB's all-time playmaker). High level athletes rely on communication - how big of an edge is it to play with your twin? It's a fascinating story and these guys are such great representatives of GSB and the game of baseball that we really enjoyed our conversation. Check us out NOW!

TGIM - For enemy hitters, it's Lill's Mound of Horrors

A special TGIM because it's Opening Day for PIAA Pitchers and Catchers (NJSIAA coming tomorrow!). So we have a special episode featuring one Pennsylvania's best pitchers in West Chester East senior RHP Gavin Lill. The University of Pittsburgh signee has a lethal arsenal on the bump, punishing size, a great work ethic, and a ton of insight to share in this fun, wide-ranging conversation. Gavin is going to be one to follow this year and well beyond - see why Pitt is so excited for this young man and learn more about this future ACC fireballer on today's episode of TGIM!

JBS - Mainland's COLE CAMPBELL is used to Catching Some Heat

We've heard all about what it was like to be able to THROW 102 mph in high school from Chase Petty, now a first-round draft selection of the Minnesota Twins. We've heard how tough it was for high school players to try to HIT a ball that fast. But what about trying to CATCH it? Being 17 years old and tagged with the responsibility of catching a pitcher who throws harder and with more movement than most major leaguers. That was Cole Campbell's job last year and he didn't get nearly the credit he should have for the incredible job he did with a challenge unique to any other HS catcher in the country. We sit down with Campbell and talk to the current Mainland HS senior about that and much more. The NJIT senior can swing it too - 35 hits last year - runs like the MIF he used to be (6.8 60), and tells us about the crazy food superstition he had last year. Really fun conversation with Cole - hope you enjoy this week's BONUS edition of JBS.

JBS - JACK ZABARSKY is flying into 2022

The Shore Conference 2022 season is going to be a BATTLE. So many good teams, so many crazy student sections, so much ... fun. Great games every day. Great players - some you know, some flying under the radar. Ocean Township is one of those programs and their star infielder Jack Zabarsky is one of those players. The dude flat out rakes. And loves to do it too. Put on about 20 pounds from last year and ready to show he's one of the best players in New Jersey. He joins us to talk some Shore baseball, some OT baseball (FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM AT OT.BASEBALL), tell us a story that he's going to tell his kids some day, and explain why Shore Conference players love Chipotle so much. Jack is going to be a great fit at Montclair State as they build to re-emerge as a D3 superpower in the loaded NJAC. Enjoy today's edition of JBS with Jack Zabarsky!

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