WEST ORANGE, NJ — As the 2021 baseball preseason started March 26 for pitchers and catchers and April 1 for the rest of the team, Seton Hall Prep head coach Mike Sheppard Jr. was really looking forward to the season. Shep is starting his 35th season as the head man at Seton Hall Prep and his 36th as a high school head coach, having started at West Orange High School in 1986. His current record stands at 790-208-4, a winning average of .795.
“With the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, this year’s players have little or no varsity experience, so varsity repetitions and experience will be a key factor to our success,” Sheppard said. “We do however have seven players who have verbally committed to play at the next level, so there is some talent/potential. Of the seven players, five also pitch, so we should have depth on the mound.”
Four members of this year’s team have varsity experience from the 2019 squad that went 22-7 and captured the Super Essex Conference–American Division title. They are seniors left-handed pitcher Kieran Hollander, outfielder Cole McGonigal, and first baseman and catcher Karson Harcourt; and junior shortstop and right-hand pitcher Chris Maldonado.
When asked about the upcoming season, Hollander, whose father, Steven, played at Seton Hall Prep in his youth, said, “I am super excited to be able to put on the Seton Hall Prep jersey one last time. The team this year is special as we have a lot of talent and lots of potential playing as a team. I can’t wait for the regular season to start and compete.”
“We have some electric top of the rotation arms and a lot of depth,” McGonigal said. “We have a lot of chemistry because we have all been in the program for multiple years and our junior class is excellent to bolster our senior class. Everyone has been working hard, staying in shape and honing their skills during this past off-season to be prepared for the season.”
“I am confident in our pitching staff as we have guys challenging hitters and letting the defense make plays,” Harcourt said. “What Coach Sheppard teaches is not all about baseball — it’s about discipline, accountability, respect, and, of course, hustle and class.”
Maldonado, who had two brothers, Frank and Nick, play at Seton Hall Prep before him, said, “I am excited to finally be able to represent Seton Hall Prep again on the field. Although we have only four returning varsity players, I believe we have a very talented group of guys with the potential of winning many games. I look forward to having fun with my teammates and working as hard as we can every day to achieve our goals of winning division, county and state titles.”
McGonigal has committed to the University of Pennsylvania, Hollander to Ursinus College, Harcourt to Rowan University, Maldonado to Clemson University, senior left-hand pitcher Gerard Perillo to High Point University, junior right-hand pitcher John Cerwinski to the University of Pennsylvania and junior right-hand pitcher Ryan Sprock to Elon University.
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