You ever see a game end on a walk-off grand slam? Not just any game, but a county championship final where your team was the fifth seed and basically everyone expected the "powerhouse" run to end three rounds ago. That’s exactly what happened in May 2025. JP Zayle stepped up to the plate and absolutely deleted a baseball, sending it 370 feet into the New Jersey sky to secure a 7-4 win over Edison. It wasn't just a win; it was the ninth Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) title for the Falcons, a new league record.
Honestly, st joseph metuchen baseball is one of those programs that people love to talk about because they just don't go away. If you follow Jersey high school ball, you know the deal. One year they might look like they're in a "rebuilding" phase, and the next thing you know, they’re dog-piling on the mound at Diamond Nation. It’s a culture. It’s the green and white jerseys. It’s that weird, relentless ability to win four straight tournament games in walk-off fashion like they did in 2025.
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The Dennis McCaffery Era Begins
Early in 2025, things felt a bit uncertain. Mike Murray Jr., who had been the face of the program for years and a guy the players absolutely worshipped, stepped down to spend time with his family. That’s a massive hole to fill. But St. Joe’s didn't just hire a "replacement." They went out and landed a legend.
Dennis McCaffery took the helm, and if that name sounds familiar, it's because the guy is a literal Hall of Famer. He spent 25 years at Cranford, racked up 511 wins, and took home three state titles. He’s the fourth-winningest coach in the history of Union County. For him to cross over into Metuchen was a huge deal. He didn't just come to coach, though—he took a job as the Assistant Dean of Students.
McCaffery’s style is sort of old-school but in the best way possible. He talks about "blue-collar" baseball. No fluff. Just hard work, fundamentals, and being a good human being. One of the first things he did wasn't some fancy drill; he had the team out at Buddy Ball in Edison, playing sports with kids who have special needs. He’s building men, not just shortstops.
The 2025 Season: A Masterclass in the "Never Say Die" Attitude
If you looked at the 2024 season, you’d see a 7-20 record. It was rough. It was probably one of the most difficult stretches the program had seen in a decade. But 2025 was a complete 180-degree turn.
The Falcons finished the 2025 regular season with a 15-6 record. They weren't the favorites going into the Jim Muldowney GMC Tournament. In fact, they were the five-seed. But this team developed this bizarre, heart-attack-inducing habit of winning in their final at-bat. Every. Single. Game.
- They walked off in the first round.
- They walked off in the quarterfinals.
- They walked off in the semifinals against Spotswood (4-3).
- They finished it with the Zayle grand slam against Edison.
It was the most dramatic run in the history of the GMC. You had guys like Bobby Christensen, Joseph Barca, and Damian Pipitone just grinding out at-bats when the lights were the brightest. Barca, a senior in '25, was huge in that final, driving in runs and keeping the line moving.
From Metuchen to the Big Leagues
The reason st joseph metuchen baseball stays relevant on a national level is the "pro factor." The school has become a factory for Division I talent and MLB draft picks.
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Take Donovan Zsak, class of ’22. The guy is a left-handed flamethrower who was hitting 85 mph as a freshman. He went through two—yes, two—elbow surgeries before he even got to the pros. Most kids would have hung it up. Instead, he worked his way back at Rutgers, started sitting 95-98 mph with his heater, and got drafted in the 8th round by the Cleveland Guardians in 2024.
Then there’s Adam Boucher (Class of '20), who’s currently in the Tampa Bay Rays system. When you have scouts sitting in the bleachers in Metuchen every spring, it changes the energy of the dugout. The younger kids see Zsak or Boucher getting paid to play, and they realize the dream is actually reachable from a small private school in New Jersey.
Realities of the Grind: The Schedule is No Joke
Playing for St. Joe’s isn't just about the local rivalries. They don't just play Edison and Old Bridge. To get ready for the NJSIAA Non-Public A South tournament, they have to play the best of the best.
In 2025, they were knocking off teams like Westfield and Sayreville in 1-0 pitcher's duels. They went up against Metuchen High in a neighborhood battle at Diamond Nation and squeezed out a 1-0 win. That kind of schedule prepares you for the post-season pressure. It’s why, even when they were 7-20 the year before, nobody wanted to play them in a single-elimination game.
Why the Culture Sticks
- The Alumni: Guys come back. You’ll see former players at the games constantly. It’s a "brotherhood" thing that sounds like a cliché until you see it in person.
- Academic Focus: McCaffery and the administration are big on the "student" part. Players like Richard Zangara (Ithaca) and John Palermo (Susquehanna) aren't just ballplayers; they're high-academic kids heading to great schools.
- The Facility: Having access to top-tier fields and a dedicated weight program helps, but honestly, it’s the mindset. They expect to win.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re a fan or a parent looking at the program, the future is bright. McCaffery’s first year was a massive success, but he’s just getting started. He has a young core that now knows how to win under pressure.
Keep an eye on the rising juniors and seniors who played supporting roles in the 2025 championship run. Guys like JP Zayle have already etched their names into school lore, but the challenge now is staying at the top of the GMC. Everyone is going to be gunning for the Falcons now that they hold the record for the most titles.
If you want to see what high-level Jersey baseball looks like, head down to a home game. Bring a chair, grab some food, and wait for the bottom of the seventh. Chances are, something crazy is about to happen.
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Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Players:
- Attend a Prospect Camp: If you're a middle schooler looking to play at the next level, the St. Joe's summer camps are where the coaches actually evaluate talent for the future.
- Follow the Live Streams: Many GMC games are now broadcast on Central Jersey Sports Radio. It's the best way to keep up with the stats and play-by-play if you can't make it to the field.
- Check the NJSIAA Brackets: Early May is when the state tournament seedings drop. That is the ultimate test for the Falcons as they look to add a state trophy to their mounting county titles.