If the 2025 Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division looks a lot like the 2024 CVC Colonial Division, that’s because it is. With conference realignment this season, six of last year’s Colonial teams will now be in the Valley. The lone holdover is Hamilton West. Yet, just because the Hornets di d not make the move up to the Colonial doesn’t mean they are not good enough to win the updated Valley Division. Second-year head coach Gerry Gomez Jr. has the bulk of his team back after a 2024 campaign in which it started off 6-2 before showing its youth and finishing 11-14. “So far so good,” Gomez said last week. “We’re going to miss last year’s two seniors, but just about every kid we have has varsity experience. That experience elevates them. We’re looking at this year to get back on track.” The proud Hamilton West program will have nine seniors to lead it, seven of whom can pitch. There are left-handed pitchers/outfielders Triston Bonilla, A.J. Maddalena and Derek Anson. There are right-handed pitchers Peter Lanausse, Andrew Maglowski, Simeon McDaniel and Ryan Anderson. Then there are also middle infielder Jayden Jennings and catcher/outfielder/third baseman Henry Jimenez to help the Hornets have a winning season for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. Hightstown finished above .500 (11-10) with a young team a year ago. That squad is looking to keep moving forward and challenge for the Valley Division crown this spring. “I think this move will be good for us,” third-year head coach James Pugliese said. “We know there are going to be tight games ahead. But the good news is everybody’s one year older.” Seven seniors return who can help the Rams at many different spots on the field. There’s outfielder Cole Vinson, right-handed pitchers Dominick Terranova and Andrew Emslie, catcher Alex Werden, shortstop/righty pitcher Jordan Klim, second baseman Michael Guarino and designated hitter Peyton Atlak. Princeton may only have five seniors in 2025, but seventh-year head coach Dominic Capuano has watched his charges grow and believes they will keep improving this season. “As a group, we’re coming off the best week of preseason that we’ve had,” Capuano said. “The team’s more committed to doing the little things. The players are getting better each day.” The Tigers, who were 8-16 in 2024, will look to its upperclassmen to lead them on the mound, in the field and at the plate. Outfielder/left-handed pitcher Travis Petrone, outfielder/first baseman/left-handed pitcher Nate Nydick, plus infielders/right-handed pitchers James Schiavone, Nano Sarceno and Eric Wheeler will try to set the example. West Windsor-Plainsboro South’s third-year head coach Joe Gambino has three top-notch pitchers among his seven-member senior class, which he hopes will keep the Pirates in the Valley mix after going 9-17 overall a year ago. Old Dominion University-bound outfielder/right-handed pitcher Bennett Siegel, second baseman/right-handed pitcher Jonah Kasof and third baseman/first baseman/right-handed pitcher Matt Raeter headline a senior group which also includes all-purpose player John Konzelman, second baseman Tanmay Prabhala, plus outfielders Christopher Schultz and Humza Khalid. “We want them to have fun playing baseball this year,” Gambino said. “We’ll rely on a lot of returners. For us, it’s going to come down to situational hitting, infield play and staying healthy.” WW-P North has a familiar face as its new head coach, Ryan Kmiec. He will be the third different head coach in the last three years for the Northern Knights seniors and juniors. But this long-time assistant brings his strong Mercer County roots to a team which began to shine again last season when it went 12-13, made the state tournament and played for a Mercer County Invitational championship. “This team has a lot of versatility, which will help,” Kmiec said. “Our senior class has been a big help. Last year, they had some good wins and some tough losses. They’re all good kids – the whole team. They’re already starting to get more comfortable with me, which also should help.” Seniors Conor Sattiraju (right-handed pitcher/first base), Zach Owens (utility), Evan Knepper (infield), Will Carter right-handed pitcher/outfield), plus outfielders Zeeshan Shariff and Jinuka Jayasinghe have displayed their leadership abilities to aid their new coach. Coming off an improved 6-12 campaign, fourth-year Trenton High head coach Ariel Rivera expects his team to keep getting better in 2025, especially with eight seniors on the roster. “The team looks ahead of where we were at this point last year,” Rivera said. “They’re definitely catching on well, and they’re getting the basics down. I think we have some depth this year, plus we have two or three starting pitchers with 10 or 11 guys who can pitch, which will help us.” The seniors looking to take the Tornadoes higher are right-handed pitcher/utility player Adrian Jimenez-Paulino, infielder/right-handed pitcher Bryan Paulino, infielder Wilfreddy Navarro, first baseman/outfielder/left-handed pitcher Oliver De La Cruz, right-handed pitcher/first baseman Daniel Peralta, outfielders Eliangel Pachardo and Raudel Herrera, plus outfielder/right-handed pitcher Yoniel Espinosa. Princeton Day School may have finished at the bottom of the Colonial Division in its first CVC season last spring, but the Panthers also won an NJSIAA Tournament game. In its third season under head coach Eric Schnepf, PDS should continue growing this season with hopes of posting double-digit wins. Seniors Luke Haan (catcher/first baseman), Dylan Powers (right-handed pitcher/utility), Santino Cignarella (shortstop/right-handed pitcher) and Justin Picado (utility) hope to help the Panthers improve upon last year’s 6-17 finish. “I’m really excited about the guys we have this year,” Schnepf said. “It’s nice to see how they’ve grown and matured to take on this next challenge. I think the new division will give us a chance to be more competitive.” Former minor league pitcher James Pugliese skippers Hightstown. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo) HAMILTON WEST Head Coach — Gerry Gomez Jr. (second season). Assistant Coaches — Mark Pienciak Jr., Kevin Smiegocki, Nick Diaz, Steve Macri, Mike Costello. Last Season — 11-14 overall, 5-9 CVC Valley, Mercer County Invitational semifinalist, No. 15 in Trentonian Top 15. Roster — Triston Bonilla (Sr., LHP/OF), Andrew “A.J.” Maddalena (Sr., LHP/OF/1B), Derek Anson (Sr., LHP/OF), Jayden Jennings (Sr., 2B/SS), Peter Lanausse (Sr., RHP/OF/3B), Andrew Maglowski (Sr., RHP), Simeon McDaniel (Sr., UTL/RHP), Henry Jimenez (Sr., C/OF/3B), Ryan Anderson (Sr., RHP), Yamalvin Cortorreal (Sr., 3B), Bryce Bolognini (Jr., LHP/OF/1B), Tyrone Crupi (Jr., 2B/SS/RHP), Anthony “A.J.” Zuccarello (Jr., C/1B), Robert Lipsett Jr. (Jr., C/3B/2B), Joaquin Gutierrez (Jr., LHP/2B), Jeffrey Segura (Jr., OF/LHP), Daniel Tozzi (So., 3B/SS/RHP), Daniel Vergara (So., SS/2B/RHP). Outlook — With just two players having graduated and 16 back, the Hornets should improve this spring. With plenty of experience, renewed confidence and six southpaw pitchers, West may prove hard to beat. HIGHTSTOWN Head Coach — James Pugliese (third season). Assistant Coaches — David Gorner, Mark Bergen, Ed Horowitz. Last Season — 11-10 overall, 8-6 CVC Colonial, Colonial Division runner-up (tie), No. 12 in Trentonian Top 15. Roster — Cole Vinson (Sr., OF), Jordan Klim (Sr., SS/RHP), Dominick Terranova (Sr., RHP), Alex Werden (Sr., C), Michael Guarino (Sr., 2B), Peyton Atlak (Sr., DH), Andrew Emslie (Sr., RHP), Anthony Benitez (Jr., LHP/1B), Noah Francisco (Jr., IF/RHP), Daniel Krier (Jr., LHP/CF), Devon Decker (Jr., 3B), Dylan Stables (Jr., 3B), Alex Mikita (Jr., C), Manny Gonzalez (Jr., RHP/1B), Josiah Porter (So., RF/LHP), Brian Drews (So., SS). Outlook — The Rams graduated three players from last year’s much improved team, so, with 13 back, the team should continue to grow. The pitching and defense look solid, but the hitting has to get stronger. PDS Head Coach — Eric Schnepf (third season). Assistant Coaches — Ty Holzapfel, Kyle Gruver. Last Season — 6-17 overall, 1-13 CVC Colonial, 0-1 vs. Prep B opponent. Roster — Luke Haan (Sr., C/1B), Dylan Powers (Sr., RHP/UTL), Santino Cignarella (Sr., SS/RHP), Justin Picado (Sr., UTL), Grayson McLaughlin (Jr., 2B/3B/RHP), Connor Lemole (Jr., OF/RHP), Keegan Fullman (So., OF/RHP), Matt Silverman (So., OF), Mason Roitburg (So., 2B/RHP), Tyler Nevrotski (So., 1B), Bailey Mitra (So., 1B), A.J. Doran (Fr., OF/RHP), Cameron Kelemen (Fr., OF/RHP), Vince Filis (Fr., IF), Elijah Morris (Fr., C), Gavin Ross (Fr., IF), Ryan Zieselman (Fr., OF/LHP). Outlook — Five players graduated from a team that won four of its last five games in 2024. With 10 back, the still young Panthers are determined to build off last year and get better with the switch to the Valley. PRINCETON Head Coach — Dominic Capuano (seventh season). Assistant Coaches — Scott Goldsmith, Pete Nielsen, Jason Zegarski. Last Season — 8-16 overall, 5-9 CVC Colonial. Roster — Travis Petrone (Sr., OF/LHP), James Schiavone (Sr., IF/RHP), Nano Sarceno (Sr., IF/RHP), Eric Wheeler (Sr., IF/RHP), Nate Nydick (Sr., OF/1B/LHP), Matt Akey (Jr., C), Chase Hamerschlag (Jr., IF/RHP), Anders Hedin (Jr., OF/IF/RHP), Elian Duran (Jr., OF/RHP), Max Decker (Jr., OF), Will Arns (So., IF/RHP), Tyler Fiorentino (So., OF/RHP), Charlie Baglio (So., IF/RHP), Nick Rizzo (So., 1B/RHP), Matt Brophy (So., IF/RHP), Salvo Taibi (Fr., C). Outlook — With five having graduated and nine back, the Tigers will try to make an impact in the new division. With 13 of 16 who can pitch, Princeton needs steady offense & defense to take full advantage. TRENTON Head Coach — Ariel Rivera (fourth season). Assistant Coaches — Bryan Roldan, Branford Colvin, Paul Sumners, Chris Reyes, Nicholas D’Antuono. Last Season — 6-12 overall, 5-9 CVC Colonial. Roster — Adrian Jimenez-Paulino (Sr., RHP/UTL), Bryan Paulino (Sr., IF/RHP), Wilfreddy Navarro (Sr., IF), Oliver De La Cruz (Sr., 1B/OF/LHP), Daniel Peralta (Sr., RHP/1B), Eliangel Pachardo (Sr., OF), Raudel Herrera (Sr., OF), Yoniel Espinosa (Sr., OF/RHP), Stalin Hernandez (Jr., OF), Jerickson Alvarez (Jr., RHP/C/OF), Janniel Hernandez (So., RHP/IF), Jharris Genao Ramos (So., OF/RHP), Frank Baez (So., IF), Liansel Perez (So., IF/RHP), Jeremiah Kelly (So., OF/RHP), Jalen Jenkins (So., C/RHP). Outlook — The Tornadoes graduated six, leaving eight returnees hoping to help the team climb. Rivera can see a change in his team and, with 11 pitchers available, the new division should help Trenton rise. WW-P NORTH Head Coach — Ryan Kmiec (first season). Assistant Coach — Dave Kosa. Last Season — 12-13 overall, 5-9 CVC Colonial, Mercer County Invitational runner-up, No. 13 in Trentonian Top 15. Roster — Conor Sattiraju (Sr., RHP/1B), Zach Owens (Sr., UTL), Evan Knepper (Sr., IF), Will Carter (Sr., RHP/OF), Zeeshan Shariff (Sr., OF), Jinuka Jayasinghe (Sr., OF), Brian Lu (Jr., RHP/IF), Adithya Satav (Jr., 3B/RHP), Raveen Punjabi (Jr., OF/2B), Arjun Hsu (Jr., C), Chase Lau (Jr., OF), Taran Varma (Jr., RHP), Nicholas Scarpa (Jr., OF), Kasey Daigneault (So., IF/RHP), Jonathan Skelton-Leon (So., UTL), Aditya Shinde (So., UTL), Nicholas Bell (So., UTL), Logan Mulvey (So., C), Zander Raoof (Fr., OF), Quincy Fontes (Fr., IF), Colin Morton (Fr., OF/C). Outlook — Well-traveled assistant Kmiec moves into a spot Tom Cruder had for one year. Just three Northern Knights graduated for a second straight season, leaving 16 returnees eager to build off last year. WW-P SOUTH Head Coach — Joe Gambino (third season). Assistant Coaches — Chris Gero, Miguel Alvarado, Dominick Gambino. Last Season — 9-17 overall, 3-11 CVC Colonial. Roster — Bennett Siegel (Sr., OF/RHP), Jonah Kasof (Sr., 2B/RHP), Matt Raeter (Sr., 3B/1B/RHP), John Konzelman (Sr., UTL), Christopher Schultz (Sr., OF), Tanmay Prabhala (Sr., 2B), Humza Khalid (Sr., OF), Xander Rudisill (Jr., IF/RHP), Thor Bernheisel (Jr., OF/RHP), Aiden Choi (Jr., C), Nihan Palla (Jr., IF), Aiden Boukema (Jr., C), Brandon Aleman (Jr., RHP), Mattius Diaz (So., IF), Henry Hamm (Fr., OF/RHP), Nicky Carrabba (Fr., IF). Outlook — Six Pirates graduated for a second straight year, leaving seven returnees ready to help South battle. With three talented senior hurlers, this team can’t be overlooked, especially if it can hit and defend. ...read more read less