By Rich Chrampanis
Shore Conference softball’s reputation speaks for itself, and the 2025 SCT promises to bring excitement thanks to three juggernauts at the top of the seeding. Donovan Catholic is currently the top-ranked team in New Jersey with an undefeated record. The Griffins are the top seed, followed by two-time defending Non-Public “A” state champion St. John Vianney, which is ranked second in the state. The fourth-ranked team in the Garden State is Red Bank Catholic, which split two games with SJV and lost 4-2 to Donovan Catholic right before the Shore Conference Tournament cutoff.
Middletown North, Colts Neck and Middletown South are in the top eight and have the talent to make deep runs not only in the SCT but also in the state playoffs.
Shore Conference Tournament Softball Seeds
1. Donovan Catholic
2. St. John Vianney
3. Red Bank Catholic
4. Middletown North
5. Colts Neck
6. Southern Regional
7. Middletown South
8. Raritan
9. Marlboro
10. Pinelands
11. Barnegat
12. Jackson Memorial
13. Brick Memorial
14. Holmdel
15. Matawan
16. Point Pleasant Boro
17. Wall
18. New Egypt
19. Manalapan
20. Central Regional
21. Monmouth Regional
22. Shore Regional
23. Toms River East
24. Jackson Liberty
25. Trinity Hall
Opening Round: Thursday, May 8
(17) Wall at (16) Point Pleasant Boro
(18) New Egypt at (15) Matawan
(19) Manalapan at (14) Holmdel
(20) Central Regional at (13) Brick Memorial
(21) Monmouth Regional at (12) Jackson Memorial
(22) Shore Regional at (11) Barnegat
(23) Toms River East at (10) Pinelands
(24) Jackson Liberty at (9) Marlboro
(25) Trinity Hall at (8) Raritan
Round of 16: Saturday, May 10
Winner of (17) Wall/(16) Point Pleasant Boro at (1) Donovan Catholic
Winner of (18) New Egypt/(15) Matawan at (2) St. John Vianney
Winner of (19) Manalapan/(14) Holmdel at (3) Red Bank Catholic
Winner of (20) Central Regional/(13) Brick Memorial at (4) Middletown North
Winner of (21) Monmouth Regional/(12) Jackson Memorial at (5) Colts Neck
Winner of (22) Shore Regional/(11) Barnegat at (6) Southern Regional
Winner of (23) Toms River East/(10) Pinelands at (7) Middletown South
Winner of (24) Jackson Liberty/(9) Marlboro at (25)Trinity Hall/(8) Raritan
The article originally appeared in the May 8 – 14, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
