Michael Lobosco follows through at the plate for Zoned RedHawks 17U.

By Sean Reilly

The roster for the Zoned RedHawks 17U lists so many defensive positions for Michael Lobosco that the printed line actually runs out of space. 

Basically, the Class of 2026 performer from Bridgewater-Raritan High School can play anywhere on the field. 

On Friday afternoon, Lobosco caught all five innings when the Zoned RedHawks closed out play at the Diamond Nation Super 17 Invitational, Powered By Victus, with a 14-0 decision over Wow Factor Northeast 16U National.

Lobosco drew two walks and hit a sacrifice fly in the win, during which his team totaled eight hits and benefitted from 12 walks. 

What made his afternoon an especially good one was his handling of the team’s three pitchers — Aiden McCarthy, Dalton Michael and Jack Goodman — who combined on a one-hitter. 

Each of those pitchers brought a different look to the mound, so working with those distinct styles can only do positive things for Lobosco’s development as a catcher.

First baseman Jake Florio of Wow Factor Northeast 16U National handles throw for an out.

McCarthy, from South Plainfield, was the starter. He worked two perfect innings, and struck out the side in the second. 

Michael was part of the staff that led Middlesex High School to the NJSIAA Group 1 state championship. The 5-9, 240-pounder threw the third and fourth innings, and allowed one hit with five strikeouts and one walk. 

Goodman, from North Hunterdon, pitched a 1-2-3 fifth to close out the game. 

“Our first pitcher has been our ace for a bunch of years,” Lobosco said. “Our second guy was a closer for a team that won a state championship and the last guy has been with us for a few years and has good stuff. I’ve been catching for a long time. Working with each of them and with pitchers with different styles helps me expand my horizons as a catcher.” 

The RedHawks, who were officially 1-2 on the week but held a 5-0 lead in another game before it was rained out on Thursday, jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. 

Lucas Grob led off with an infield single. The next three batters — Jordan Snow, McCarthy and Lobosco — all walked. Michael grounded out to first to deliver the second run. Samuel Malone was safe on a fielder’s choice that reloaded the bases. Sean Hughes was hit by a pitch to score the third run, and Elijah Zavatsky drew an RBI walk for the fourth.

It was that kind of day for the RedHawks, who added three runs in the third (highlighted by a two-run single from Justin Snow) and seven more in the fifth.

Aiden McCarthy makes contact on RBI double for Zoned Red Hawks 17U.

The fifth-inning burst included an RBI single from Jake Zotollo, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs. Jordan Snow had a one-run single and McCarthy hit a two-run double in the inning. 

For the game, Grob was 2-for-2 with a walk and hit by pitch, with two runs and one RBI to join Zotollo as a multiple-hit performer. Nine of the RedHawks scored a run, with five scoring twice. 

“We have a really good lineup,” Lobosco said. “Up and down, everyone can hit. We have a bunch of really good pitchers. Everyone knows what they can do, and today they all did their job.”

Joseph LoBue had the lone hit for Wow Factor, a two-out single to left field in the fourth inning.