West Essex H.S. 2025 Baseball Preview

By Guy Kipp Published March 29, 2025 at 8:00 AM Last updated March 29, 2025 at 5:56 PM NORTH CALDWELL, NJ -- The program's winning tradition has been restored in head coach Joe Cardinale's first two seasons at West Essex. The reward for the Knights' 40-14-1 record over the previous two seasons is an elevation back to the American Division of the Super Essex Conference, where West Essex will do battle with the county's elite programs, including Seton Hall Prep, Livingston, Montclair and Millburn, against whom the Knights will play two games apiece. West Essex, though, appears to have a talented and experienced enough roster to take on that brutal schedule, including a brilliant double-play combination and a pitching staff that accounted for 147 of the team's 190 innings on the mound in 2024. "I am excited to build on our successful season from last year," Cardinale said. "We return nine pitchers and six starters from last year's 24-5 section finalist team. We have moved up into the American Division and play a very difficult independent schedule." Seniors Max Garcia at second base and Joe Panzarino at shortstop comprise a keystone combination that any coach in the county would be happy to take into battle. Garcia batted .347 with 23 stolen bases and 32 runs scored. Panzarino hit .375 with a team-leading 28 RBI. Senior RHP Chris Murano logged a team-high 53 1/3 innings last year, striking out 68, walking 31 and posting a 2.89 ERA. Senior RHP Tyler Gordon struck out 32 batters in 33 1/3 innings with a 3.36 ERA. Junior RHP Jake Long had a 3.33 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 21 innings. As sophomores last year, Caden Lozito and Jackson Lodgek both pitched to ERAs well under 3.00. That pitching staff will have the luxury of throwing to three-year varsity catcher C.J. Fogg, who excels behind the plate and boasts better running speed than a lot of catchers. He stole 12 bases last season. Senior left fielder Jack Epstein was West Essex' leading hitter last season with a .397 average. Lozito (.303) will also start in the outfield, with junior Cole Fiore appearing to be the third outfield starter. Senior T.J. Barbella plays third and senior Aydan Sorrentino will be at first base. Junior Carlino Gencarelli can either catch or be the designated hitter. Senior Luca Leonardis can fill several spots in the infield. In addition to the pitchers named above, Sorrentino, a left-hander, also figures to see innings on the mound. “Our players had a phenomenal off-season, and I'm excited to see us compete against some of the best teams in the area day in and day out,” Cardinale said. Opening day is Monday at Hanover Park. The Knights will be at West Orange on Tuesday and then will play their first home game on Thursday against Montclair.

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WEST ESSEX H.S. 2025 BASEBALL PREVIEW

GUY KIPP

Tapinto - West Essex | 3/29/2025