Gloucester Catholic could be one of the best high school baseball teams in the country this spring, and the Rams should have the chance to prove that on a national stage.
Gloucester Catholic will return to play in the Bishop Gorman Easter Classic, April 11-14 in Las Vegas, coach Dennis Barth said Friday.
The Rams finished 31-2 last season and were ranked No. 9 in the country in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. They also were No. 23 in Baseball America's final Top 50.
One of Gloucester Catholic's losses was to host Bishop Gorman in the annual tournament in Nevada that often features some of the top programs in the country.
Gloucester Catholic will return to Las Vegas with a loaded squad that includes five seniors who have signed with Division I colleges: shortstop Robbie Alessandrine (Monmouth), first baseman John Brue (St. Joseph's), second baseman Joe Brooks (East Carolina), third baseman Brett Tenuto (Stony Brook), and outfielder Pat Kane (Old Dominion).
In addition, Gloucester Catholic junior pitcher Mike Shawaryn is a highly recruited prospect in the class of 2013.
Bishop Gorman finished 35-4 last season and was No. 7 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and No. 6 in Baseball America's Top 50.
Bishop Gorman returns a powerful squad this season led by Nevada Class 4A Player of the Year Joey Gallo, a member of the Team USA 18U squad. Gallo batted .471 last season with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
