Shore Conference Baseball Tourmament: How we would seed it

The 44th Shore Conference Baseball Tourmament will be seeded Wednesday night at Red Bank Catholic.

And as always the seeding committee will have a difficult time trying to sort out who should be seeded where because of many conflicting head-to-head results.

Here is the way we currently think the tournament should be seeded. This is just one man's opinion, and not necessarily how the committee will seed it. Results Wednesday afternoon can certainly change things.

We tried to use as many head-to-head results as possible in forming our seeds.

Teams must be .500 or better through Wednesday afternoon's games in order to be seeded into the tournament.

Through Tuesday night, 23 teams had clinched berths in the tournament. Middletown North (8-9) can qualify with a win over Red Bank Catholic Wednesday in a Monmouth County Tournament Marty Kenney Sr. Division (championship bracket semifinal.

The tournament begins Saturday with first-round games. The round of 16 is Monday. The quarterfinals are May 15. The semifinals May 18 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Count Basie Park, Red Bank and the championship game May 20 at 7 p.m. at ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood.

1. Southern (13-3)

Wins: Central 2 times; Toms River South 2 times; Toms River East 2 times; Toms River North 2 times; Jackson Memorial 2 times; Brick 2 times; Brick Memorial.

Defeats: Brick Memorial; Toms River South (with seniors away on class trip); Hammonton (with seniors away on class trip).

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-1.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-1.

Record against out of area teams: 0-1.

Reason for seed: The Shore Conference Class A South championRams, when they have had their full lineup, have been the Shore's most consistent team.

2. Middletown South (14-3)

Wins: Howell 2 times; Marlboro 2 times; Manalapan 2 times; Middletown North; Colts Neck; Freehold Township 2 times; St. John Vianney; St. Rose; Toms River North; Allentown.

Defeats: CBA; Colts Neck; Middletown North.

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-2.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-1.

Record against out of area teams: 1-0.

Reason for seed: The Eagles, who have clinched a tie for the overall Shore Conference Class A North championship, have been hot. They have won their last nine games and the record against teams in the field is solid.

3. Toms River East (15-4)

Wins: Brick 2 times; Toms River North 2 times; Central 2 times; Toms River South 3 times; Jackson Memorial 2 times; Barnegat 2 times; New Egypt; Bayonne.

Defeats: Southern 2 times; Jackson Memorial, Brick Memorial.

Record against teams in the tournament: 2-4.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 11-0.

Record against out of area teams: 2-0.

Reason for seed: The Ocean County Tournament champion Raiders have defeated everybody they should have beaten. The lack of wins against teams in the field, although no fault of theirs, is a concern.

4. Christian Brothers Academy (11-5)

Wins: Howell 3 times; Middletown North 2 times; Freehold Township 2 times; Middletown South; Manalapan; Marlboro; Neptune.

Defeats: Colts Neck 2 times; Manalapan; Marlboro; Seton Hall Prep.

Record against teams in the tournament: 3-4.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-0.

Record against out of area teams: 0-1.

Reason for seed: I originally had the Colts No. 2 but two defeats to Colts Neck in the last two days drop them to No. 4. They can move back up if they defeat Middletown South Wednesday in a MCT Marty Kenney Sr. Division (championship bracket semifinal).

5. Wall (12-4)

Wins: Shore 2 times; Raritan 2 times; Rumson-Fair Haven 2 times; Holmdel 2 times; Monmouth, Red Bank Catholic; Red Bank; Manasquan

Defeats: Monmouth; Red Bank Catholic; Howell; Robbinsville.

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-2.

Record against Shore Conference teams not currently in the tournament: 7-1.

Record against out of area teams: 0-1.

Reason for seed: The Shore Conference Class A Central champion Crimson Knights get the seed ahead of Red Bank Catholic because of the divisonal title. They have also defeated almost everybody they should have defeated.

6. Red Bank Catholic (13-6)

Wins: Raritan 2 times; Holmdel 2 times; Monmouth 2 times; Rumson-Fair Haven; Wall; Shore; Jackson Memorial; Ranney; Long Branch; Burlington Township.

Defeats: Rumson-Fair Haven; Wall; Shore; Marlboro; Gloucester Catholic; Old Bridge.

Record against teams in tournament: 6-3.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 6-1.

Record against out of area teams: 1-2.

Reason for seed: The four-time defending champion Caseys have shown this is their tournament, but their pitching is not as deep as it has been.

7. Matawan (13-2)

Wins: Neptune 2 times; Ocean 2 times; St. John Vianney 2 times; Freehold 2 times; Manasquan 2 times; Red Bank 2 times; Freehold Township.

Defeats: Ranney; Middletown North.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-2.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 9-0.

Reason for seed: The Shore Conference Class B North champion were in line for a top three seed and maybe the top seed until they lost twice in the last week. Ace Brandon Falco has also been sidelined recently.

8. Colts Neck (12-6)

Wins: Middletown North 2 times; Howell 2 times; CBA 2 times; Manalapan; Middletown South; Freehold Township; Ocean; Princeton; Celebration

Defeats: Marlboro; Manalapan; Middletown South; Freehold Township; St. Rose; Brighton.

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-4.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 5-1.

Record against out of area teams: 2-1.

Reason for seed: The Cougars have moved way up in the last two days with their sweep of CBA. The win against Middletown South also helps their cause.

9. Jackson Memorial (11-9)

Wins: Brick Memorial 3 times; Brick 2 times; Central; Toms River East; Toms River South; Point Beach; Manchester; Millville.

Defeats: Southern 2 times; Toms River East 2 times; Central; Red Bank Catholic; Toms River North; Monroe; Delsea.

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-5.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 5-2.

Record against out of area teams: 1-2.

Reason for seed: The Jaguars have three wins against Brick Memorial, which has a couple of quality wins of its own. The loss Tuesday against Toms River North does not help their cause.

10. Brick Memorial (11-5)

Wins: Toms River South 2 times; Central 2 times; Brick 2 times; Southern; Toms River North; Toms River East; Jackson Liberty; St. Rose.

Defeats: Jackson Memorial 3 times; Southern; Toms River North.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-4.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 7-1.

Reason for seed: The wins over Southern and Toms River East are enough to get them a solid seed. The three defeats to Jackson Memorial have them below the Jaguars.

11. Ranney (12-5)

Wins: Neptune 2 times; Freehold 2 times; St. John Vianney 2 times; Red Bank; Ocean; Manasquan; Matawan; Holmdel; Shore.

Defeats: Red Bank; Manasquan; Ocean; Red Bank Catholic; Poly Prep (N.Y.).

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-3.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-1.

Record against out of area teams: 0-1.

Reason for seed: The Panthers do have a win over Matawan and if they defeat Matawan again on Wednesday, they could move up.

12. Point Pleasant Beach (17-1)

Wins: St. Rose 2 times; Henry Hudson; 2 times; Keyport 2 times; Keansburg 2 times; Long Branch 2 times; Lakewood 2 times; Asbury Park 2 times; Pinelands; Toms River North; Donovan Catholic; Manchester.

Defeat: Jackson Memorial.

Record against teams in the tournament: 5-1.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 12-0.

Reason for seed: The Class B Central champion Garnet Gulls are always a tough read, through no fault of their its making, because the Shore Conference places them in Class B Central against overmatched teams. However, Point Beach wallopped St. Rose twice and St. Rose has two wins over teams in the field from Class A North. The Garnet Gulls also have that win over Donovan Catholic in an OCT quarterfinal. A head to head result, no matter who pitched, has to count for something.

13. Donovan Catholic (11-6)

Wins: Pinelands 2 times; Lacey 2 times; Barnegat 2 times; Point Boro; Jackson Liberty; Manchester; Central; Don Bosco Prep.

Losses: Point Boro; Jackson Liberty; Point Pleasant Beach; Delbarton; Pope John; Allentown.

Record against teams in the tournament: 2-3.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-0.

Record against out of area teams: 1-3.

Reason for seed: Here is another tough read. The Griffins have that massive win over two-time defending NJSIAA Non Public A champion Don Bosco Prep. But, they do not have many quality wins inside the Shore, and there is that loss to Point Beach.

14. Marlboro (8-8-1)

Wins: Freehold Township 2 times; Colts Neck; Middletown North; Howell; CBA; Manalapan; Red Bank Catholic.

Defeats: Middletown South 2 times; Howell; CBA; Manalapan; Shore; Old Bridge; Middlesex.

Tie: Spotswood.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-5.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 4-1.

Record against out of area teams: 0-2-1.

Reason for seed: The wins over CBA, Red Bank Catholic, Colts Neck and Manalapan are enough to land them in the middle of the pack.

15. Manalapan (12-8)

Wins: Freehold Township 3 times; Howell 2 times; CBA; Colts Neck; Middletown North; Marlboro; Holmdel; Robbinsville; Bayonne.

Defeats: Middletown South 2 times; CBA; Colts Neck; Middletown North; Marlboro; St. Rose; Old Bridge.

Record against teams in the tournament: 3-6.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 7-1.

Record against out of area teams: 2-1.

Reason for seed: Manalapan is a tough call because it has some really good wins and it has one of the Shore's deeper pitching staffs. However, the loss to St. Rose could hurt it.

16. Monmouth (9-6)

Wins: Shore 2 times; Raritan 2 times; Wall; Rumson-Fair Haven; Holmdel; Point Boro; St. John Vianney.

Defeats: Red Bank Catholic 2 times; Wall; Rumson-Fair Haven; Holmdel; Middletown North.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-3

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 5-3.

Reason for seed: The Falcons' win over Point Pleasant Borough has them ahead of the Panthers, plus they do have a win against Wall. The defeats to teams not currently in the field prevent a higher seed.

17. Point Pleasant Borough (11-5)

Wins: Manchester 2 times; Jackson Liberty 2 times; Barnegat 2 times; Pinelands 2 times; Donovan Catholic; Lacey; Howell.

Defeats: Donovan Catholic; Lacey; Toms River South; Monmouth; Raritan.

Record against teams in the tournament: 3-2.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-3.

Reason for seed: The Panthers, who have clinched at least a share of the Shore Conference Class B South championship, have a win over Donovan Catholic, but the three defeats to teams not in the field plus the one to Monmouth hurt their seed.

18. St. Rose (14-5)

Wins: Henry Hudson 2 times; Long Branch 2 times; Keyport 2 times; Keansburg 2 times; Asbury Park 2 times; Lakewood Neptune; Manalapan, Colts Neck.

Defeats: Point Pleasant Beach 2 times; Brick Memorial; Ocean; Middletown South.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-5.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 10-0.

Reason for seed: The Purple Roses are another difficult read, through no fault of their own, because of being placed in Class B Central. The wins over Colts Neck and Manalapan are impressive. The defeat to Ocean and the two lopsided defeats to Point Beach prevent a higher seeding.

19. Shore (9-6)

Wins: Holmdel 2 times; Rumson-Fair Haven 2 times; Raritan 2 times; Red Bank Catholic; Marlboro; Ewing.

Defeats: Monmouth 2 times; Wall 2 times; Red Bank Catholic; Ranney.

Record against teams in the tournament: 2-6.

Record against Shore teams currently not in the tournament: 6-0.

Record against out of area teams: 1-0.

Reason for seed: The wins over Red Bank Catholic and Marlboro earn the Blue Devils the seed over Ocean.

20. Ocean (13-7)

Wins: Freehold 2 times; Red Bank 2 times; St. John Vianney 2 times; Neptune 2 times; Ranney; Manasquan; Jackson Liberty; St. Rose; Hillsborough.

Defeats: Matawan 2 times; Ranney; Manasquan; Colts Neck; Manchester; Freehold Township.

Record against teams in the tournament: 4-5.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-2.

Record against out of area teams: 1-0.

Reason for seed: The win over St. Rose gets Ocean the seed over Manasquan, who it split with. The defeats to Manchester and Freehold Township prevent a higher seed.

21. Manasquan (8-6-1)

Wins: St. John Vianney 2 times; Neptune 2 times; Ranney; Ocean; Red Bank; Freehold.

Defeats: Matawan 2 times; Ranney; Ocean; Rumson-Fair Haven; Wall.

Tie: Red Bank.

Record against teams in the tournament: 2-5

Record against teams not currently in the tournament: 6-1-1.

Reason for seed: The wins over Ranney and Ocean enable Manasquan to be seeded above the final two teams.

22. Jackson Liberty (9-6)

Wins: Manchester 2 times; Pinelands 2 times; Barnegat 2 times; Donovan Catholic; Lacey; Toms River South.

Losses: Point Boro 2 times; Donovan Catholic; Ocean; Brick Memorial; Brick.

Record against teams in the tournament: 1-5.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 8-1.

Reason for seed: The lack of wins against teams in the field.

23. Henry Hudson (9-5)

Wins: Keyport 2 times; Asbury Park 2 times; Long Branch; Keansburg; Highland Park; Perth Amboy Magnet; Dunellen.

Defeats: Point Beach 2 times; St. Rose 2 times; Long Branch.

Record against teams in the tournament: 0-4.

Record against Shore teams not currently in the tournament: 6-1.

Record against out of area teams: 3-0.

Reason for seed: No wins against anybody in the field.

NOTE

If Middletown North gets in it, it has wins over Middletown South, Manalapan, Monmouth, Matawan and would have one over Red Bank Catholic. That could place it in the 15-16 range.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ Baseball: Shore Conference Tournament seeding analysis