North Jersey Baseball Market

Last year's North Jersey final standings tell the story of where the power is and appears its still there.

Don Bosco ran away with the top spot at 26–2, with Passaic Tech (24–7), DePaul (21–7), Glen Rock (24–6), Pascack Valley (22–7), and Ramapo (25–5) right behind them. Most of those programs return key pieces.

Don Bosco returns the most scouted arm in New Jersey in Ethan Lee — the top-ranked 2026 prospect in the state. DePaul comes back with Jason Amalbert, a dual-threat committed to Oklahoma. Ramapo has one of the best battery combinations in North Jersey.

The hierarchy is clear at the top in the beginning. As always we will be tracking the best players and teams and keeping up with all the data.

North Jersey Softball Market

Over on the softball side, one name has owned North Jersey for four straight years, and she's back for one more. Immaculate Heart Academy made history last spring by winning their fourth straight Bergen County title, finishing 24–2. Their best player — Duke-bound catcher Gabby Shadek — returns as arguably the finest player to come through North Jersey softball in a generation.

Behind IHA, Ramsey (22–4), Ramapo (18–6), DePaul (20–7), and Old Tappan (22–4) all finished in the top five last season and return strong rosters.

Passaic Valley's Allmendinger sisters — Kylie (.661) and Lily (.650) — gave the Hornets one of the most dangerous young batting orders in the county last spring, and they're back too.

We will see if anyone can step up and challenge us.

Rankings use the YSSR 100-point formula: prior season record, returning starters, pitching depth, strength of schedule, and coaching continuity.

If you disagree with any list send us an email at [email protected] . Also our DMs are always open - on all our Socials.

1

Don Bosco Prep

Bergen

26–2

2

Ramapo

Bergen

25–5

3

Passaic Tech

Passaic

24–7

4

Glen Rock

Bergen

24–6

5

DePaul Catholic

Passaic

21–7

6

Pascack Valley

Bergen

22–7

7

Bergen Catholic

Bergen

17–8

8

Seton Hall Prep

Essex

Returning All-State pitching

9

Ridgewood

Bergen

21–8

10

Old Tappan

Bergen

18–8

11

Ramsey

Bergen

18–8

12

Mahwah

Bergen

17–10

13

St. Joseph Regional

Bergen

17–10

14

Westwood

Bergen

16–10

15

Wayne Hills

Passaic

17–11

16

Midland Park

Bergen

21–9-1

17

St. Mary

Bergen

17–9

18

Rutherford

Bergen

18–8

19

Hasbrouck Heights

Bergen

17–9

20

Lyndhurst

Bergen

17–10

All honors and school affiliations are verified from the 2025 season. These are the returning players with the most to contribute in 2026.

#1  Ethan Lee, RHP  —  Don Bosco Prep  (Bergen)

The top-ranked 2026 prospect in New Jersey — a right-hander with a sharp breaking ball, polished delivery, and a loose arm already drawing professional scouting attention. When Don Bosco takes the mound with Lee on the hill, the Ironmen are the favorite in just about any game they play. Watch this kid while you can.

📸 @ethan3plee

#2  Jason Amalbert, SS/RHP  —  DePaul Catholic  (Passaic)

A dual-threat committed to Oklahoma — one of the most complete two-way players in the state. He can beat you with his bat, his arm, or his glove. DePaul went 21–7 last spring with him in the lineup, and he's back for more.

📸 @jasonamalbert

#3  Charlie Wingfield, RHP  —  Ramapo  (Bergen)

A 2025 All-State pitcher returning as the anchor of a Ramapo staff that helped the Rams go 25–5. One of the most dependable arms in Bergen County, and the reason Ramapo enters 2026 as a genuine North Jersey title contender.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon; please send to yokals@

#4  JT Deriso, P  —  Pascack Valley  (Bergen)

A 2025 All-State honoree who helped Pascack Valley to a 22–7 finish. Returns as one of the top arms in Bergen County heading into what should be a strong sophomore campaign on the mound for this program.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#5  JJ Drennan, P  —  Seton Hall Prep  (Essex)

Named to the 2025 All-State team, Drennan gives Seton Hall Prep a proven top-of-the-rotation arm — a team whose head coach Mike Sheppard Jr. is just seven wins from 900 career victories. Every outing this spring carries a little extra weight.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#6  Chase Bagley, C  —  Don Bosco Prep  (Bergen)

All-State catcher in 2025. Anchors the middle of a Don Bosco lineup that already has the state's best pitcher on the mound. When your catcher and your ace are both All-State caliber, good things tend to happen.

📸 @chase_bagley8

#7  Brody Barber, C  —  Ramapo  (Bergen)

All-State catcher who gives Ramapo one of the best battery combinations in North Jersey. Strong arm, strong bat, and the kind of steady presence behind the plate that wins close games.

📸 @brodybarber45

#8  Adam Goldberg, P  —  Livingston  (Essex)

The standard-bearer for Essex County pitching in 2026. A 2025 All-State arm who gives Livingston a legitimate ace and makes them a program worth circling on your schedule.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#9  Aiden Ogando, INF  —  DePaul Catholic  (Passaic)

All-State infielder returning for a DePaul squad that went 21–7. One of the more complete bats in the region — the kind of player who shows up in big moments.

📸 @aiden_ogando2

#10  Matt Caruso, 1B  —  Passaic Tech  (Passaic)

All-State first baseman who was a key piece of Passaic Tech's 24–7 run. A proven run producer in one of North Jersey's toughest conferences, and a name to know as the Bulldogs look to reclaim their place at the top.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

Based on verified 2025 final North Jersey standings. Rankings weighted by record, returning talent, and program trajectory. Again if you feel differnetly email or follow up. DMs are open.

1

Immaculate Heart Academy

Bergen

24–2

2

Ramsey

Bergen

22–4

3

Ramapo

Bergen

18–6

4

Old Tappan

Bergen

22–4

5

DePaul Catholic

Passaic

20–7

6

Passaic Valley

Passaic

20–5

7

Paramus Catholic

Bergen

15–6

8

Weehawken

Hudson

18–6

9

Ridgefield Park

Bergen

19–6

10

Pascack Valley

Bergen

19–6

11

Waldwick

Bergen

18–6

12

Hasbrouck Heights

Bergen

20–5

13

Passaic Tech

Passaic

14–8

14

Wallington

Bergen

17–8

15

Rutherford

Bergen

17–7-1

16

St. Mary

Bergen

19–9

17

Butler

Morris

16–7

18

Wayne Valley

Passaic

13–8

19

Pompton Lakes

Passaic

14–8

20

Glen Rock

Bergen

14–6

All honors and school affiliations are verified from the 2025 season.

#1  Gabby Shadek, C  —  Immaculate Heart Academy  (Bergen)

She might be the finest player to come through North Jersey softball in a generation. A Duke commit and three-time All-State catcher, Shadek hit .517 last spring with 49 home runs — a number believed to be a New Jersey state record — while drawing 38 walks and posting a slugging percentage of 1.317. She is the standard. Everyone else is chasing.

📸 @dukesoftball (now at Duke — follow the team for her updates)

#2  Brooke Donofrio, P  —  Ramsey  (Bergen)

Threw a no-hitter during Ramsey's playoff run last spring, part of a squad that reached the Bergen County final and enters 2026 with few departures. She's the ace, the leader, and the reason Ramsey believes this could finally be the year they dethrone IHA.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#3  Kylie Allmendinger, INF  —  Passaic Valley  (Passaic)

As a freshman last spring, Kylie Allmendinger hit .661 — not a typo. She's back as a sophomore, more experienced, and with something to prove. She's already one of the best hitters in Passaic County.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#4  Lily Allmendinger, INF  —  Passaic Valley  (Passaic)

Junior Lily Allmendinger hit .650 last season alongside her sister. When you put those two in the same lineup, opposing pitchers have a very long day. Passaic Valley is a team to watch in 2026, and the Allmendinger sisters are exactly why.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#5  Maddie Falvey, P  —  Immaculata  (Somerset)

Posted a 2.26 ERA in 133 innings as a rookie last spring — one of the most impressive freshman pitching performances in the region. She's no longer a secret, but she's still got the stuff.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#6  Bella Baldino  —  Ramsey  (Bergen)

Hit a home run during Ramsey's playoff push last spring and is part of a returning core that makes the Rams a genuine IHA challenger. The kind of player who produces when the lights are brightest.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#7  LeeAnn Downey, OF  —  Ramapo  (Bergen)

One of the most dynamic leadoff threats in North Jersey — speed on the bases, solid contact, and the kind of on-field energy that sets the tone from the first inning. Ramapo doesn't go anywhere without her.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#8  Haley Kempf  —  Paramus Catholic  (Bergen)

On the 2025 New Jersey preseason watchlist, and a key reason Paramus Catholic finished 15–6 against a tough schedule. She's back and ready to take the next step.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#9  Kama Skrek  —  Jefferson  (Morris)

A 2025 statewide watchlist selection who helped Jefferson through a strong postseason run. Morris County's most intriguing returning player, and one of the more underrated names on this list.

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

#10  Abbey Davis  —  Pope John XXIII  (Sussex)

A 2025 New Jersey softball watchlist player as a junior, making her one of the top returning underclassmen in the region heading into 2026. Sussex County's player to watch — Go Lions!

📸 Handle not yet confirmed — coming soon

COMING NEXT ISSUE: LACROSSE PREVIEW

Noth Jersey is one of the top Lacrose marketings in the country. Three programs right in your backyard were quietly ranked among the best lacrosse teams in the entire country. Not the state. The entire US of A.

Seton Hall Prep, Delbarton, and Don Bosco all finished in the USA Lacrosse national top 20 last spring.

And Seton Hall Prep capped it off by winning their first state championship in 21 years, defeating defending champion Don Bosco in the Non-Public group final to finish 19–3.

We will get into this more in the next issue with our Lacrosse Preview.

Like all previews, we're giving lacrosse the full YSSR treatment — Top 20 teams, Top 10 players, and the story of how North Jersey became one of the premier lacrosse regions in America.

YSSR tracks winning teams and impact players — backed by the data we aggregate each week.

We’re building to 500 Yokals before expanding to the next DMA.

Become a Yokal - -subscribe at yokalsports.com