“It was never going to be easy.” said Coach Ryan Spillane when asked about the challenges the Middletown South boys baseball team would faced this year. The Eagles, who won a state title under Spillane two years ago and an A North Division title last year, came into this year’s season with high hopes, and even higher levels of adversity. South would not only have to cope with the loss of graduates like Howie Brey and Brian Healy, but they also would have to contend with a division that boasts more top caliber teams than any other. This year, the Class A North Division contains not only defending Monmouth County Tournament Champions Freehold Township and powerhouse CBA, but also CJGIV finalist Manalapan, and Colts Neck, which returns to the division after three years in B North. However, despite the obstacles before them, this year’s team has proved that South always has to be respected.

With a current record of 8-6, and an in division record of 8-5, the Eagles find themselves still in the hunt for at least a share of the division title, trailing Howell by only a single game as both teams enter the final leg of the regular season. Middletown also drew the 8^th seed in this year’s Monmouth County Tournament, and after earning a first round bye, the Eagles are set to play division rival Colts Neck, which is the number 9 seed in the tournament. South is currently ranked as the #8 team in the APP Top Ten, and was ranked as high as #3 earlier in the season.

While the team did suffer a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to CBA at home on April 25 and dropped both of its games against Manalapan, the team has assembled an impressive résumé of results in the win column including a 5-2 defeat of CBA in their third game of the season, and two wins against cross town rival Middletown North. The team’s only non division loss came against #7 ranked Wall on April. 27.

While South’s team stats may be good, some of the individual numbers that players have put up have been simply staggering. The pitching staff in particular has been exceptional. Seniors Rob Grilli and Perry Kulaga are both in the top 10 for total strikeouts, Grilli with 37 and Kulaga with 34, and Grilli also boasts the 5^th lowest ERA in the conference, with .84. Grilli also was recognized as the player of the week in early April after he threw a complete game 2-hitter against Marlboro. Senior Mike Grossi has also contributed quality innings for the Eagles, and has a record of 3-1, and Wagner recruit Mike Diorio is currently in the top 5 in the conference for stolen bases.

While the season is far from over, the boys baseball team has already proven that they cannot be discounted from any game. With the playoffs fast approaching, and the Central Jersey Group III Tournament only a few weeks away, the Eagles hope to find their rhythm, and bring home yet another title.