I interviewed a few players and coaches on the baseball team and asked them to share their point of view on how they expect to do this season. The players and coaches all say that they will do well and will probably reach a new peak from last season. The coaches see great potential in the new freshman and think they can do well.
This will be Coach Furlong’s first season as head coach of the baseball team, and I personally wish him the best of luck.
Matthew Furlong, Head Coach
Which new players do you see that have a ton of potential? Which freshman seems to show the most potential out of all the incoming players?
Coach Furlong: We have a bunch of new faces looking to contribute this year in a variety of ways, including Dom Crudo, Owen Hart, Colton Jones, Mike Metcalfe, Logan Scully, and Marlon Keller. We also have some freshmen players who have been impressive on JV, but Owen Hart has stood out as a freshman who will contribute to the varsity team this season. Hart is definitely going to have a role on the team with his pitching ability and his athleticism in the field and at the plate.
How would this season’s pre-season differ from last year’s? Do you believe this season’s players will do better than last year’s?
Coach Furlong: With this being my first season as head coach, we have spent a lot of the preseason implementing new game plans and establishing routines and our culture. The players have been doing a great job of buying in, and they have worked hard all offseason, even spending mornings before school lifting in the weight room to get stronger. We have a good mix of guys returning with experience under their belt who will look to improve on last season, along with some new players who will look to leave their mark on the program. This group is driven, and I am excited to see what they accomplish.
Which player this pre-season would you guess is going to have the best batting average this year?
Coach Furlong: Last season, senior captain Nick Carmino had the highest batting average on the team. I would not be shocked if he repeats. In addition, we have some other players who could give him a run for his money!
What is your pre-season estimate of what your team’s final record will be and where they will be ranked this year?
Coach Furlong: I believe that we will be a team in contention for a B-South Division title and a team that can compete for a Central Jersey Group II Championship while doing well in the Ocean County Tournament as well.
Which team are you most excited to play against this year?
Coach Furlong: I am excited for our entire division, which I think will be competitive. In particular, it is always nice to beat Manasquan!
What senior players are going to miss having on your team next season? Are any of these players playing post-high school?
Coach Furlong: We are definitely going to miss seniors Nolan Frake, John Loizos, Chase Connelly, Jaden Druiett, Colton Jones, Matt Lokerson, Nick Carmino, and James Bradley when they graduate this year. Next year, Nick Carmino will be continuing his baseball career at Alvernia University in Pennsylvania, and John Loizos will continue his baseball career at Stockton University in New Jersey.
Andrew Boden, Grade 9
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Andrew Boden: I’m a starting outfielder for JV
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Andrew Boden: 300 or above
Who is your favorite teammate?
Andrew Boden: Brian Liton
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Andrew Boden: Gatorade bars, my favorite pre-game snack is a Honey Stinger.
Jack Sullivan, Grade 11
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Jack Sullivan: This year, I see myself as a role player, not a starter for varsity. I am the guy that they can rely on to fill in positions.
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Jack Sullivan: I think my batting average this season will be .250 or higher. I am fairly good at hitting the ball into the gaps.
Who is your favorite teammate?
Jack Sullivan: My favorite teammate is Landon Hoyle. He is a guy who always leads by example every day.
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Jack Sullivan: I think everyone’s favorite pre-game snack is the cookies and cupcakes from our first annual First Pitch Dinner this year! We had leftovers, and everyone loved it.
Who on the team takes practice extremely seriously?
Jack Sullivan: Personally, I think I practice the hardest. I choose to be a leader every day In practice, practicing hard will encourage younger players (maybe even upperclassmen) to work harder.
Landon Hoyle, Grade 11- Pitcher and First Baseman
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Landon Hoyle: I believe I am a solid defensive first baseman, but I must put together good at-bats and be productive when I get my chances at the plate.
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Landon Hoyle: I hope my batting average will be better than last year’s .200, and I hope to hit .333 this year.
Who is your favorite teammate?
Landon Hoyle: Jack Sullivan, he always comes to practice and works his tail off, even when he understands a starting spot will be tough to come by. He plays a big role on our team
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Landon Hoyle: A lot of people on our team eat seeds and drink energy drinks before games.
Who on the team takes practice extremely seriously?
Landon Hoyle: I would say that all of us take practice seriously, but I would have to say Jack Sullivan and Mikey Metcalf take practice very seriously, especially in I/O and diving for ground balls. I enjoy watching them work hard.
Jaden Druiett, Grade 12 – Outfielder
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Jaden Druiett: I will help in any way for us to win.
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Jaden Druiett: I think it will be in the high .200s, even maybe low .300s.
Who is your favorite teammate?
Jaden Druiett: My favorite teammate is, without a doubt, Fin Czaplinski.
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Jaden Druiett: I don’t know what snack it would be, but I know we all love getting pre-game Oakwoods for lunch.
Who on the team takes practice extremely seriously?
Jaden Druiett: Me, to be honest.
Chase Connelly, Grade 12 – Pitcher
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Chase Connelly: I’m currently injured and could potentially be out for the season, but if I weren’t hurt, I would definitely be starting in the pitching rotation. Shout out, Fin.
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Chase Connelly: I have been called a pitcher only for the past two years, but I hit over .600 as a freshman a couple of years ago. I think I would have a good average if I were able to play this year. I’m still not giving up on being a two-way. Shout out, Fin.
Who is your favorite teammate?
Chase Connelly: My favorite teammate is definitely Landon Hoyle; he’s a great team player and is a great example of mudita, which means being happy for your teammate’s success. Also shoutout Fin
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Chase Connelly: I wouldn’t say we have a pre-game snack, but post-game is definitely Bdubs. We just need to get Coach Furlong and the rest of the coaching staff to come with us.
Who on the team takes practice extremely seriously?
Chase Connelly: We have a lot of guys who take practice very seriously. I would say two of our captains, Nick Carmino and Matt Lokerson, probably take it the most seriously. Also, shout out, Fin.
Matt Lokerson, Grade 12- Outfielder and Team Captain
Based on pre-season, what is your role this season?
Matt Lokerson: I’ve been a starter for the past two years. I’m going to be a starter again and looking forward to the best year yet.
What do you think your batting average will be this season?
Matt Lokerson: I think my batting average will be .330 this year, and I’m hoping for even higher.
Who is your favorite teammate?
Matt Lokerson: My favorite teammate is Fin. He is the goat.
What would you say is the team’s one pre-game snack everyone enjoys?
Matt Lokerson: One pregame snack everyone loves is Little Bites or Uncrustables.
Who on the team takes practice extremely seriously?
Matt Lokerson: I think Fin takes practice seriously because he is the best catcher in the Shore.
We look forward to a successful season for Point Boro Baseball this Spring! Catch one of their games, view their schedule here: Point Boro Baseball Schedule 2026
