This year’s three remaining Burlington County Scholastic League baseball teams in The Trentonian’s coverage area are taking advantage of a chance to start the season in March. Florence and Northern Burlington will get the earliest jump when they open Monday, March 24. Bordentown will join them W ednesday, March 26. STEMCivics Charter in Ewing had planned on playing this spring, but had to back out because of a low turnout. Thrive Charter (formerly Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy) is trying to rebuild its program as a Group I school, but is not yet ready with its team. The three remaining locals combined for close to 30 wins last season, and each figure to have quality sides returning. Northern Burlington played .500 ball (3-3) in the BCSL’s Liberty Division in 2024, but is hoping to put up a better divisional showing this time around. Considering fourth-year head coach Gene Darling’s squad was 14-10-1 overall last year, the Greyhounds have the talent to stick with just about any team. “I think our depth and our pitching will be our strengths,” said Darling, whose team started last season, 3-3, before hitting more of a stride in mid-April. “The players are bigger and stronger, but we’ve got to hit. We also have to be careful about being too confident.” While each of its classes has talent, Northern will look to its five seniors for direction. Second baseman and right-handed pitcher Luca Mannino leads the senior class, along with catcher/infielder Nick Filipponi, right-handed pitcher/infielder Jimmy Musser, plus outfielders/left-handed pitchers Nick Dromboski and Anthony Freeze. Bordentown and Florence will be competing in the Patriot Division again this spring. Fourteenth-year head coach Chris Glenn’s Scotties figure to once again chase a league title as they did a year ago when they finished tied with Pennsauken (both 7-1) for the crown. This time around, B’town will have seven seniors to lead its charge. “We’ll have to be more consistent offensively this year, and we’ll have to find more pitchers,” said Glenn, who is searching for players to fill the void left by graduated pitching workhorse Elijah Tradigo, who helped the team go 17-11 in 2024. That’s where the Scotties’ senior class will be important. Senior right-handed pitchers like Tyler Rossell and Connor Collura will play a part as will shortstop Luke Guire, first baseman/outfielder Nick Carlini, catcher Dustin Kang, plus outfielders Anthony Dziubak and Matt DiGiovanna. “The interesting thing with the way our schedule is, if we don’t have any rainouts, we could be done with our divisional games by the end of April,” Glenn said. “So we have a tough non-conference schedule.” Ninth-year head coach Kyle Ballay’s Flashes struggled during the BCSL Patriot Division regular season in 2024 (2-6), but came on late to reach a sectional semifinal, finishing 8-12. With a large chunk of that roster back this season, things are looking up. “Our players have a lot of experience, so I definitely like our chances,” Ballay said. “I like starting early, especially with the weather we’ve been having. In our first scrimmage, we looked good at the plate. That will be key. Last year, our defense and pitching were good for us. The approach they’ve been showing at the plate this year looks good. They just have to maintain it.” Leadership will need to come from Florence’s six seniors: right-handed pitchers/infielders Josh Pagano and Evan Saintz, catcher/right-handed pitcher Christian Bernhard, right-handed pitchers/outfielders R.J. and Zach Sobon, plus outfielder Zac Castro. BORDENTOWN Head Coach — Chris Glenn (14th season). Assistant Coaches — Mike Oliver, Brian Guire, Matt Youngberg, Chris Wade, Ryan Tomasulo, Kyle Kafer. Last Season — 17-11 overall, 7-1 BCSL Patriot, Patriot Division co-champs, NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinalist, No. 6 in Trentonian Top 15. Roster — Luke Guire (Sr., SS), Tyler Rossell (Sr., RHP/3B), Nick Carlini (Sr., 1B/OF), Connor Collora (Sr., RHP/3B/2B), Anthony Dziubak (Sr., OF), Dustin Kang (Sr., C), Matt DiGiovanna (Sr., OF), Andrew Forster (Jr., RHP/3B/1B), Luke Harris (Jr., OF/2B), Ryan Wood (Jr., C), Wyatt Steckley (So., RHP/OF), Chris Basile (So., 2B/RHP), J.R. Brovak (So., RHP). Outlook — The Scotties graduated seven from a solid squad. Eight return, looking to keep B’town in the Patriot Division hunt, while also preparing for more later in the year with its difficult non-league schedule. FLORENCE Head Coach — Kyle Ballay (ninth season). Assistant Coaches — Nate “Goose” Smith, Tim Stone, Steve Obetz. Last Season — 8-12 overall, 2-6 BCSL Patriot, NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinalist. Roster — Josh Pagano (Sr., RHP/IF), Christian Bernhard (Sr., C/RHP), Evan Saintz (Sr., RHP/IF), R.J. Sobon (Sr., RHP/OF), Zach Sobon (Sr., RHP/OF), Zac Castro (Sr., OF), Conor Clevenger (Jr., UTL), Tuck Carey (Jr., C/IF), Colin Ditmars (Jr., IF), Justin Marbach (So., RHP/IF), Blake Boss (So., RHP/IF), Cole Bernhard (So., RHP/OF), Hudson Zuno (So., RHP/OF), Adam Piotrowski (Fr., IF/RHP), Troy Pair (Fr., IF/RHP), Stone Carnival (Fr., IF). Outlook — The Flashes only had two players graduate after making a late-season run in 2024. With 12 players returning, Florence is hoping to make a move earlier this year, starting back in the Patriot Division. NORTHERN BURLINGTON Head Coach — Gene Darling (fourth season). Assistant Coaches — Zak Westerberg, Kenny Mauss, Rick Doppler. Last Season — 14-10-1 overall, 3-3 BCSL Liberty, No. 9 in Trentonian Top 15. Roster — Luca Mannino (Sr., 2B/RHP), Nick Filipponi (Sr., C/IF), Jimmy Musser (Sr., RHP/IF), Nick Dromboski (Sr., OF/LHP), Anthony Freeze (Sr., LHP/OF), Cole Marchetti (Jr., C/3B), Liam Velit (Jr., C/3B), Jordan Gilligo (Jr., RHP/OF), Matt Lutzker (Jr., RHP/OF), Jake Bartlett (Jr., RHP/IF), Matt Caloiaro (Jr., 1B), Aarnav Tekulapally (Jr., RHP/OF), Brent Walulak (So., IF), Logan Downey (So., RHP/1B), Gavin Hoppe (So., OF), Jaden Freeze (Fr., RHP/OF). Outlook — The Greyhounds graduated six and have 14 back to try to improve on last year. A better Liberty Division showing is always the goal. Northern’s pitching and schedule figure to keep it tough. ...read more read less