Special thanks to Metamorphosis Landscape Design for sponsoring this year’s series
by Max Edelman
Varsity baseball beat Kellenberg 6-5 in an elimination game. Aidan Casey earned the win striking out 6 over 4 2/3. Jacob Schmutz had the game winning 2 rbi double. Ethan Schmutz made a diving catch to end the game. They will play St. Dominic’s on Tuesday. Great team win! pic.twitter.com/XmXrBxdO9j
— St. John the Baptist Cougars (@SJBDHSCougars) May 21, 2024
In the always competitive Catholic League, three separate teams lost at the hands of the St. John the Baptist Cougars during the 2024 playoffs. Head Coach Ryan Dalton, who is entering his third year in charge, looked back on what was a strong year for his program.
“We were 13-11 overall and 11-11 in league play last season.” Dalton said. “We started off the playoffs beating St. Mary’s, then losing to St. Anthony’s putting us in the losers bracket. We then played Chaminade, Kellenberg and then eventually lost to St. Dom’s on a walkoff in the quarter finals. The highlight of our season was that run we went on right at the end, we ended up eliminating three of the seven teams in our league during the playoffs.”
Due to the success of St. John’s over the last number of seasons, many of their players have moved on to play college baseball. In 2024, members of the senior class include Tommy Rorick, who is playing at Muhlenberg, Nicholas D’Avanzo at North Greenville, Ray Ferguson at NYU and Dom Conigilo at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Despite losing a large pool of talent, the pool is far from empty, as the Cougars have plenty of talent ready to help the team compete in 2025. St. John’s have three All League returners in senior outfielder and Sacred Heart commit Jacob Schmutz, junior shortstop and Binghamton commit Keegan McElligott and junior pitcher/outfielder Aidan Casey.
Schmutz, who is entering his final high school season, made a big impact both at the plate and on the bases in 2024. Schmutz hit .344 with a 459 OBP and stole 14 bases in 15 attempts.
“The ball is really jumping off his bat.” Dalton said. “Even more so than in the past. “I see him being more of a power threat this year as well, a top of the order guy. He’s also one of the faster guys in the league, and I see him being one of the biggest offensive threats in the league this year.
Although only a junior, McElligott has wasted little time making a big impact on the varsity level in his first half of high school, last season, McElligott finished the year with a .375 on base percentage and a .980 fielding percentage at shortstop.
“He’s definitely one of the top defenders around.” Dalton said. “He’s also a top of the order guy for us. He’s battled some injuries over the last few years, but when he’s healthy, he’s definitely a premier player on the Island. He’s a big time competitor, big time leader, so he’s one of our main guys that other guys look up to.”
Also a junior, Dalton is expecting big things from Casey to begin the second half of his St. John’s career. The junior pitcher allowed only four earned runs in 31 innings, with 28 strikeouts to only nine walks. Casey also had an incredible 0.90 ERA and a 0.968 WHIP.
“Aidan is going to be another top rotation guy for us.” Dalton said. “He had an outstanding year last year, so I’m looking forward to another strong season from him this year. He’s also a large part of our lineup as well as an outfielder.
The top of the St. John’s rotation will be led by Iona-commit Marco Pipia. Last season, Pipia finished the season with a 2-0 record, a 2.80 ERA with 27 strikeouts. Entering his final season with the Cougars, Dalton believes the best is yet to come from his pitcher.
Iona-commit Marco Pipia (St. John the Baptist 2025) with a strikeout pic.twitter.com/1srKFy2VuI
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 28, 2024
“He’s gained a lot of muscle this offseason.” Dalton said. “He’s begun to fill out and look very strong early in the winter. He gained a little bit of velocity as well. So he’s definitely going to be one of our top pitchers we’re leaning on this year.
Speaking of pitching, Dalton also had high praise for Utica commit Brady Leichtman. Primarily a reliever last year, Leichtman pitched to a 1.75 ERA, with 17 strikeouts. However, in one of Leichtman’s few opportunities to start, he shined, tossing a complete game, two-hit shutout against Monsignor McClancy. Dalton believes that this could lead to more starting opportunities for him in the future.
Other players that Dalton sees having impacts on the team are seniors Kyle Cahill, who after transferring to St. John’s last year, is expected to be an on base threat while supplying strong defense, and John Cullinan, a senior who is committed to Manhattanville University, and Joseph Randello, who is committed to SUNY Old Westbury.
In terms of juniors, Dalton also sees second baseman Ethan Schmutz, who hit .246 with a .347 OBP as a sophomore as someone who could continue to improve during their junior season, and Lucas Christman, who is expected to provide strong outfield defense as well as a dangerous presence on the basepaths.
When discussing the strength of his team, Dalton believes it lies on his team’s defense.
“We were very strong defensively from behind the plate, to the infield and outfield.” Dalton said. “That, as well as our speed, we have a lot of guys who run very well, and are very good on the bases for us.”
St. John’s will open it’s season on March 17 vs. the Stony Brook School.
