Another week of baseball games is in the books. Across the state, elite teams are settling into the 2025 campaign, which includes matchups against one another.
Below, have a look at NJ.com’s Top 20 rankings through April 15 games.
NJ.com Top 20 - April 16, 2025
1-Gloucester Catholic (5-0)
Last week: No. 1
It was close, but the Rams extended their winning streak with a 2-1 walk-off victory over Clearview on Monday in Tri-County Royal action. Coastal Carolina commit Jackson Smallets tossed a complete game, striking out seven and scattering four hits. The senior right-hander has fanned 14 in 13 innings, posting a 0.54 ERA. Gloucester Catholic has outscored opponents 30-7.
Week ahead: at GCIT (Wednesday); at Delbarton (Saturday)
2-Don Bosco Prep (5-0)
Last week: No. 2
Passing a huge test on Tuesday at DePaul, Don Bosco is starting to solidify itself as the top dog in North Jersey. The Ironmen will face DePaul again on Wednesday, but taking Round 1 on the road was pivotal. In five games this season, they have yet to allow more than two runs in a contest. Their other win this past week came at home against Bergen Catholic.
Week ahead: DePaul (Wednesday); at St. Joseph (Mont.) (Monday)
3-Seton Hall Prep (5-0)
Last week: No. 3
The Pirates weren’t the busiest team in the state playing just once. They made the most of it, though, as they took down Caldwell, 14-0. It marked Seton Hall Prep’s second consecutive shutout and third in the last four games. The team has only surrendered five runs all season while scoring 49.
Week ahead: at West Essex (Wednesday); vs. Columbia (Thursday); at Old Bridge (Saturday); vs. St. Joseph (Met.) (Monday)
4-Gov. Livingston (6-0)
Last week: No. 4
Gov. Livingston continued its winning ways with three victories last week against Cranford, Delbarton and Union Catholic. There might not have been a more dynamic offense in New Jersey over the past seven days, as the Highlanders put up 32 runs while allowing just four. The most impressive of the three were the 11-4 victory against Delbarton on Sunday led in part by four RBIs from Zach Geertsma and three from Ryan Pappas.
Week ahead: at Brearley (Wednesday); at Lyndhurst (Saturday); vs. Westfield (Monday)
5-Eastern (9-0)
Last week: No. 5
The Vikings kept their unbeaten streak alive with four wins over the last week, including a 23-3 decision over Cherry Hill East that gave coach Rob Christ his 500th career victory. They also knocked off Moorestown, Paul VI and Lenape, the final game being their third shutout of the year. Matt Gryskiewicz had two RBIs, while Logan Dawson struck out seven and scattered three hits in a complete-game effort against Lenape. Eastern has outscored opponents 93-27.
Week ahead: at Bordentown (Saturday); at Cherry Hill West (Tuesday)
6-St. Augustine (7-1)
Last week: No. 6
The Hermits bounced back from a non-league loss to Holy Ghost Prep (PA) with a 12-9 Cape-Atlantic American win over Ocean City, 12-9, on Tuesday. Brady Jackson and Alex Weingartner each hit home runs and combined for nine RBIs. They hold a three-game lead in the division and have scored in double digits in six of their victories.
Week ahead: Ocean City (Thursday); at Jackson Memorial (Saturday)
7-DePaul (6-1)
Last week: No. 7
The Spartans’ first loss of the season came Tuesday at home against Don Bosco Prep. They have an immediate opportunity to level the score with an away game against them on Wednesday, however. This past week, DePaul picked up a series sweep over St. Joseph (Mont.) along with a weekend victory over Lyndhurst.
Week ahead: at Don Bosco Prep (Wednesday); Pascack Valley (Saturday); Paramus Catholic (Monday)
8-Christian Brothers (5-0)
Last week: No. 8
CBA nabbed a crucial division win over Middletown South on April 8, then followed that up with a convincing victory against Hun at Rutgers.
Week ahead: at Middletown North (Wednesday); Middletown North (Thursday); at Red Bank Catholic (Tuesday)
9-Cherokee (3-0)
Last week: No. 10
Due to its senior trip and poor weather, Cherokee has played just three games since the start of April. The Chiefs have handled business, the latest being an 11-1 victory over Rancocas Valley in Olympic American play. Brett Gable went the first 5 2/3 innings and Drew Dreby got the last out as the tandem combined on a one-hitter. Mason Kelleher and Brett Jackson combined for five RBIs, with each also collecting a double. The Chiefs are averaging eight runs per game.
Week ahead: at Lenape (Wednesday); at Washington Township (Thursday); at Paul VI (Saturday); Cherry Hill East (Tuesday)
10-Delbarton (6-2)
Last week: No. 9
Delbarton started the week strong with a pair of tight victories against Morris Knolls but then saw its four-game winning streak snapped with a loss to Gov. Livingston on Sunday. The Green Wave rebounded with a 4-1 win against Pascack Valley on Tuesday.
Week ahead: vs. Mainland (Wednesday); vs. Gloucester Catholic (Saturday); vs. Randolph (Monday)
11-Passaic Tech (5-1)
Last week: No. 13
The Bulldogs are winners of five straight contests, taking down Bergen Tech (twice) and Clifton this past week. This spring, PCTI is outscoring opponents 51-15.
Week ahead: Clifton (Wednesday); Westwood (Thursday); at Union City (Saturday); Passaic (Monday)
12-Delsea (7-0)
Last week: No. 14
Leaders of the Tri-County Liberty, the Crusaders have outscored opponents 44-13 following Monday’s 9-0 shutout over Cumberland. Coastal Carolina commit Frank Cairone struck out 13 and allowed one hit over five innings, while Ethan DuBois had two hits - including his second home run of the season. Delsea has won 14 of its last 15 games dating back to last year.
Week ahead: at Triton (Wednesday); at Penn Charter (PA) (Saturday); Clearview (Tuesday)
13-Immaculata (5-1)
Last week: No. 11
The Spartans suffered their first loss of the season on April 10 against Ridge, but Immaculata split the series with them. They also picked up a division win over Hunterdon Central.
Week ahead: at Hunterdon Central (Thursday); at North Hunterdon (Tuesday)
14-Ridge (5-1)
Last week: Not ranked
The Red Devils crack the Top 20 for the first time this season following back-to-back shutouts over Immaculata and Bridgewater-Raritan. It’s looking like Immaculata and Ridge are the early contenders in the Delaware Division championship race of the Skyland Conference and appear to be evenly matched.
Week ahead: Bridgewater-Raritan (Thursday); at Pingry (Saturday); Rutgers Prep (Saturday)
15-Red Bank Catholic (5-1)
Last week: No. 15
The Caseys split the two-game series with Ranney this past week, picking up another huge 10-0 victory vs. Morris Knolls. Through six games, RBC is outscoring the opposition 57-9.
Week ahead: at Middletown South (Wednesday); Middletown South (Thursday); Howell (Saturday)
16-Old Tappan (7-0)
Last week: Not ranked
The Golden Knights slide into the Top 20 for the first time this season thanks to a shutout on the road at Ramapo with other wins over Wayne Valley and Teaneck. OT has allowed just nine runs through seven contests entering Wednesday.
Week ahead: at Passaic Valley (Wednesday); Ramsey (Saturday); Pascack Valley (Monday)
17-Shawnee (4-2)
Last week: Not ranked
The Renegades cracked the state rankings for the first time this season, giving the Olympic American three teams in the Top 20. Their lone losses were both one-run decisions against No. 5 Eastern and No. 9 Cherokee. Shawnee posted wins over No. 20 Bishop Eustace and then-No. 17 Mainland in the last week. Lleyton Coughlin and Kayden Maybury had two RBIs apiece against Mainland. Aidan Brady is hitting a team-leading .412 with two home runs.
Week ahead: at Camden Catholic (Wednesday); at Burlington Township (Thursday)
18-Morris Knolls (3-4)
Last week: Not ranked
Morris Knolls squared off with four teams in last week’s Top 20. It dropped games against Delbarton by one and four runs before a 10-0 defeat against Red Bank Catholic on Sunday. The Golden Eagles got back on track with a strong 6-1 win against Roxbury on Monday behind a stellar six-inning performance from Dean Kaletcher on the mound.
Week ahead: vs. Roxbury (Wednesday); at Mount Olive (Saturday); vs. Montville (Monday)
19-Northern Burlington (8-0)
Last week: Not ranked
Leaders of the Burlington County Liberty, Northern Burlington has been playing tremendous baseball and joins the state rankings for the first time since May 4, 2021. The Greyhounds have posted three shutouts in a row - Holy Cross Prep, Burlington Township, Riverside - and scored 38 runs in the process. They have outscored opponents 78-12 overall, with Cole Marchetti (.619), Jaden Freeze (.500) and Nick Dromboski (.481) leading the way for a squad that’s hitting .388 overall. The pitching staff owns a collective 1.60 ERA - giving up just four earned runs. Luca Mannino has struck out 28 in 15 innings, with sophomore Logan Downey throwing a five-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Riverside on Tuesday.
Week ahead: Lawrence (Wednesday); at Steinert (Saturday); at Cinnaminson (Monday); at Moorestown (Tuesday)
20-Bishop Eustace (3-2)
Last week: No. 12
The Crusaders suffered a heavy drop but remain in the state rankings, with their losses coming at the hands of No. 9 Cherokee and No. 17 Shawnee. Bishop Eustace did rebound from its 4-3 loss to Shawnee with a decisive 16-0 win over Winslow in which five pitchers combined on a five-inning no-hitter. Dante Bell (.429), Roman Faiola (.500) and JJ McLaughlin (.438) continue to pace the offense, while Eamon McDermott has struck out 21 batters and walked just three in 9 1/3 innings of work.
Week ahead: at Paul VI (Wednesday), Lenape (Thursday), Moorestown (Saturday), St. Joseph Prep (PA) (Monday)
Under consideration: Clearview (3-1); Colts Neck (5-1); Kingsway (4-2); Lawrence (7-2); Passaic Valley (6-0); Ramapo (6-2); Ranney (2-3), Roxbury (4-3); St. Peter’s Prep (7-2); Woodbridge (7-0)
Note: Kevin Minnick and Brian Bobal contributed to this report.
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PJ Potter may be reached at PPotter@njadvancemedia.com.