Jackson Memorial Returns Enough For A Shot At Back-To-Back Titles

Photo above: Joe DeMaio, Brandon Janofsky, Rich Roundtree and Ryan Takacs

JACKSON – In a somewhat unexpected, but sensational six-game run through last year’s state playoffs, the Jaguars won their first Central Jersey Group IV title since 2010 and fifth sectional title in its 50-year program history. They then went on to capture the NJSIAA Group IV title for their first group title since 1972 when they won the Group III title.

It was a run for the ages, but heading into the playoffs the Jaguars held a very pedestrian 14-7 record. They had dropped three in a row, including a first-round loss to No.23 seed Monmouth Regional in the Shore Conference Tournament and an 8-0 semifinal loss to Barnegat ace Jason DeGroom in the Monmouth County Tournament.

The Jaguars righted the ship in their final regular season game defeating Toms River East to claim a share of the Class A South title and give them a boost that catapulted them into the playoffs.

Jackson has some holes to fill entering the 2015 season, especially in the middle of their lineup. They must replace second-team All-Shore pitcher/first baseman and current Widener University freshman Matt Guarino, All-Division outfielder and current Seton Hall freshman Nick Dabrio and cleanup hitter Mike Petrizzo, who batted .314 with 10 RBI’s

“A lot guys had down years offensively for us last year,” Jackson head coach Frank Malta said. “We have three or four guys returning to the lineup that if they just have normal years we’ll be okay replacing the players we lost.”

The Jaguars do return six position players who started in state final, counting first-team All-Shore pitcher/short stop Brandon Janofsky, who’s committed to Stony Brook College, tossed a complete game one-hit shutout in the state final for his seventh-straight win of the season. Janofsky was also the winning pitcher in the sectional final as well as the division-clinching win against Tom River East. He’ll be at shortstop when he’s not on the mound where last season he hit .333 with 11 RBI’s, six doubles and a team leading four home runs and 28 runs scored.

Joining Janofsky in the rotation will be 6-foot-3 Manhattan College recruit Ryan Takacs. The rangy senior appeared in nine games last season with three starts going 2-1 with 2.36 ERA in 26.2 innings pitched. Junior Chris Hawrlyk, who logged 34.2 innings for the Jaguars last year with a 2-3 record and 3.63 ERA is injured but is expected back in early April. When he’s not on the mound Hawrlyk will be either at first base or designated hitter after hitting .286 last season in 12 games in the field. Sophomore Dylan Kannor and seniors Dave Harlinski and Jim Paganis will be back of the rotation guys.

In the field, junior Kyle Johnson returns at third base after hitting .278 with seven double, two triples and 17 runs scored while starting all 28 games with 82 plate appearances. Johnson’s offensive numbers slipped some after a stellar freshman season so there’s room for improvement there. Senior second baseman John Carello joins Johnson in the infield after a season which saw him hit .231 in 19 games.

“John’s a big guy who was a part-time starter for us last season,” Malta said. “He’s been hitting the ball very well this preseason and could end up hitting in the middle of our lineup.”

Senior Nick Rocco will be behind the plate after having hip surgery and missing all of last season. He’s healthy now and should be a solid addition.

Iona College recruit Joe Demaio is looking to win his third state title after quarterbacking Jaguars to the Central Jersey Group IV title in football last December and starting in centerfield last spring for the Jaguars. He’ll be back in center where he hit .265 with 10 RBI’s, five doubles and a triple. As a sophomore Demaio hit for average and Malta believes he’ll see it climb back up this season.

Lining up with Demaio in the outfield will be juniors Rich Roundtree and Kyle Lona. Both started in the championship game and are expected to get starting nods this season. Roundtree will be in left field while Lona will be in right field and can fill in behind the plate. Roundtree drove in seven runs with two doubles and a triple and had some big hits down the stretch. Senior Matt Crispe is in the mix as well after hitting .237 in 42 plate appearances last season and Malta feels he’s capable of having a much more productive year offensively.

Matt Castronuova - a Monmouth University football recruit - can play in the outfield or infield after playing for Jackson Liberty last season as a junior. He’s a tremendous athlete who’s extremely versatile and will get starts at a number of different positions depending on who’s pitching. Malta feels he’s the type of guy who’ll definitely have an impact on the team.

“Our goals never really change,” Malta said. “We plan on competing again this year, that’s a given for us now every year. We want to work hard enough to have an opportunity to win some of those championships whether it is the A South, the Ocean County and Shore Conference Tournaments or the states; we look forward to that.”

The Jaguars open the season at home today, April 1 versus division rival Toms River South at 3:45

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