Asbury Park Press Top 10 baseball poll for June 2

June 02 Poll through Thursday games. Friday results have no bearing on this poll.




Records through Thursday games

1. CBA (22-4) - last week No 1. Has gone 17-0 vs. Shore Conf. teams since that losing spell vs. Manalapan and Howell. Nothing against the Braves and the Rebels - but did that really happen?

2. Wall (21-7) - last week No. 2. Class B North champs saved their ranking with Thursday's MCT win over Ocean giving them 2-2 season split with the Spartans.

3. Ocean (23-5) - last week No. 3. Still alive in the NJSIAAs and SCT. But is Norman available? will pitching hold up?

4. Colts Neck (20-7) - last week No. 5. Blanked last week's No. 4 TR North in the SCT. Plays Ocean Saturday in the SCT.

5. Toms River North (24-5) - last week No. 4. Plays Friday for SJ IV championship.


6. SJ Vianney (19-7) - last week No. 7. Gave CBA a run for the money in states and now gets another shot at the Colts Saturday in the SCT. Could scramble the poll in major fashion with a victory.

7. Jackson (20-8) - Last week No. 6. Took the regular season measure of TR East and TR South in Class A South.

8. TR East (20-7) - Last week No. 8. Season over for Ocean County champs.

9. Toms River South (21-8) - Last week. No. 9. Season over. Fell to Jackson in the SCT and bowed out of SJ IV at the hands of TR North.

10. St. Rose (19-4) - Last week No. 10. Can zero in now on NJSIAA Non-Public B title bid.



Dropped out: none. Some others being considered: none.

My ranking criteria

1. Latest results, trends.

2. Overall body of work.

3. Head to head match ups.

4. Perceived team abilities.

Ocean runs into a Wall of timely hits

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


WALL - Kyle McArdle said he had been at bat seven times all season before Thursday for his Wall High School baseball team.
But inserted into the lead-off spot in a Monmouth County Tournament semifinal game against Ocean, the utility player performed like a born igniter.
""They (Wall coaches) just wanted to try something new, we haven't been swinging the bats well lately'' said McArdle who played third base Thursday.
McArdle singled twice, scored a run, and drove in a run, all in a six-run first inning that started the Knights to a 10-8 victory at Wall's 18th Avenue Field.
Wall (22-7) will play defending MCT champion CBA 3:45 p.m. Monday at Monmouth Regional High School in the final.
Ocean (23-5), still alive in the NJSIAA and Shore Conference Tournaments, hosts Allentown 4 p.m. Friday in the Central Jersey III final.
Wall had been no-hit Tuesday by Allentown in the state tournament and three-hit by Ocean's Jamie Rosenkranz in the SCT Wednesday.
""We didn't want to end the year on those two shutouts,'' said Wall first baseman Matt Logan.
With Ocean's top pitchers unavailable Thursday, Wall raked three of four Spartan hurlers for 13 hits (three by McArdle) and had at least two hits in four of the first five innings.
"It was good to get those guys (his pitchers) some innings,'' said Del Dal Pra, Ocean coach. ""We would have liked to have slugged it out, it just didn't work out.''
Craig Hughes doubled twice and drove in three runs for Wall which mounted a 9-3 lead through four innings.
Rosenkranz laced a three-run double in a four-run fifth and suddenly it was a ball game.
In the sixth with the tying runs aboard with two outs, Logan ranged behind first base to make an over-the-shoulder catch that preserved the lead.
Ocean had the tying runs on again in the seventh before junior left-hander Mark Pellecchia, who pitched a complete game, induced a comebacker to end it.
But was Logan's play that may have assured Wall would play again Monday.
""I knew I had a chance, I just went back there and tried to cradle it in my glove,'' said Logan. ""Luckily it landed in there.''
Wall coach Todd Schmitt said he never viewed the catch as players jumped in front of him in the dugout.
"""I just saw his (Logan's) back to the infield and I said, "Uh, oh.' Then I heard everybody scream.''
Ocean racked Pellecchia for 13 hits but shortstop Matt Debonis started two double plays and leftfielder Drew Pinero threw the fleet Willy Rodriguez out at home in the third on an RBI single by Rosenkranz.
""We said (to Pellecchia) going into this game, Just give us what you can,' '' said Schmitt, noting his losses were to Steinert, Ocean, and CBA.
"'We were ready to pull him in the top of the seventh. He said "No, I want to go.' So I said, "We'll give you one batter.' So when he got the first two outs (we let him finish).''
Schmitt said it had been a rough week . ""It's nice to be able to play for something,'' he said. ""We're happy to be there (Monday's final), that's for sure.''
""We need to knock them (CBA) off,'' said Logan. ""We already won one championship (Shore Conference Class B North). We want to end the year on a high note and win another.''
Schmitt said senior right-hander Hughes (7-2) will start against CBA. ""And the whole staff will be available,'' he said.
Dal Pra said senior Eric Hinkle (5-1) will start Friday but his starter for Saturday's Shore Conference Tournament semifinal vs. Colts Neck is undecided.
He said it could be freshman Ed Mejias (3-1), who pitched one inning Thursday, or Tony DeSantis.
Possibly complicating Ocean's mound situation is the somewhat uncertain status of 8-0 pitcher Kyle Norman who Dal Pra said had some arm troubles.
The coach said that was the reason Norman was removed from the field Thursday after Norman opened the game at second base.

Wall hangs on to beat Ocean 10-8/full game story coming

Utility player Kyle McArdle, with just seven at bats all year, singled twice and scored a run in a six-run first inning helping Wall to a 10-8 victory over Ocean Thursday in a Monmouth County Tournament semifinal game.

Wall will meet CBA 3:45 p.m. Monday at Monmouth Regional in the Monmouth County Tournament Championship final.

McArdle, a junior, had three of Wall's 13 hits as Ocean used four pitchers.

Craig Hughes doubled twice and drove in three runs for Wall which led 9-3 after four innings and hung on behind a complete game by junior lefty Mark Pellecchia (5-3).


Jamie Rosenkranz lashed a three-run double to center when Ocean scored four runs in the fifth inning to get within 9-7.


First basemsan Matt Logan preserved the 10-8 lead in the sixth with a back-to-the-plate running catch of a bloop by Rosenkranz for the final out of the inning with two on.


Ocean had the tying runs on again with two outs in the seventh but Pellecchia induced a comebacker to end it.


Wall shortstop Matt Debonis started a pair of 6-3 double plays that squelched Ocean rallies.


Logan, Drew Pinero, and Dan Camano each added two hits for Wall.


Keith Winkofsky (2-for-3, single, RBI double, IBB), Sean DaSilva, Rosenkranz, and Eric Hinkle had two hits for Ocean.



Computer problems prevented play-by-play blogging from the game after the first inning.

Below was filed from the game before the lap top passed out from the heat:

Wall erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off batter McArdle singled twice in the inning and scored a run. Drew Pinero RBI single for the first run. Then Matt Logan boomed an RBI double to right center. After a walk, Craig Hughes lined a two-run double down the third base line. A fifth run scored on an error.


Ocean scored a run in the top of the second on a bases-loaded double play ball.

Senior all-star game additional info, Ocean roster/Please see prior blog for Monmouth roster

Attached provided by Shore Baseball Coaches Association.


The Press is not responsible for any selections or possible spelling errors here. Am running this for you for informational purposes so you can see who is on the team.

Monmouth roster is on its own prior blog.



Game info: JUNE 13

at First Energy Park
Lakewood NJ

Monmouth County vs. Ocean County Seniors 5pm 9 inn

Shore Conference Alumni vs. State Troopers 7:30 7 inn

$10 Tickets
Money is being raised for "Going to bat for Brian Foundation"
and
"Light up Manchester" Fund Drive


1. John Lightbody TRE P was accidentally omitted from the Ocean list.




2. The lunch in for all the players and coaches will be Sunday June 10th at 507 main in Belmar beginning at 11 am



3. Questions about selections:
a. each school was able to nominate any and all seniors based on the coaches decision.
Monmouth county 73 nominations Ocean County 45 nominations
b. Each school received 1 automatic selection if the school attended (does not have to be the head coach it can be an assistant coach) the minimum of 3 SBCA meeting from November to May(the pre season senior banquet and the end of the year division selections could supplement the monthly meeting). This is the first year the SBCA instituted this rule.
c. any school that is not represented did not meet this requirement or did not nominate their senior players
d. selection committees where set up with 1 representative from each division as well as the head coach from each county
Delpra Monmouth County
Malta Ocean County



Ocean County all-star roster
Pitchers-9 1b-3 INF-6
Dehart TRE Squillante PPB Gavin TRE
Lucchetti Brick Perry TRS Rosario Mon Don
Geran TRN Frank TRE Mazzetta TRN
Scorsone TRN Gordon BM
Stockert Jackson Robinson Manchester
Stimpfel Jackson Cacuzza Southern
Sontag Central
Casey Manchester
Potter TRS

OF-6 Utility-3 DH-2
Biserta PPB Heibroun BM D’Aloia Lakewood
Somma TRE Palmiotto Manchester Mitton Lacey
LaCava TRN Marchitelli Jackson
Talerico TRS
Cartagena Jackson
Doyle TRE

Catchers
Dacenko TRE
Lee Jackson

Thursday's Ocean Wall game

A couple of things. Would not surprise me to see a bunch of runs scored in this one as both teams are beyond their ones and twos in the pitching dept.

Re: blogging the game. Was told by coach Schmitt of Wall the nearest electrical outlet is by the batting cages in centerfield. Yipes! Don't really want to watch the game from there. Anyone have about 300 feet of extension cord?

I have battery power for about two hours and change.. Am thinking I may summarize the first few innings and see how it goes after, say, the second, fourth and fifth innings and maybe blog the last two.

Coverage plans.

Friday I plan to cover the Ocean-Allentown game with Steve Falk at the TR North-Wash. Twp. game.

Saturday I plan on covering the CBA-SJV game and Steve will cover the Ocean-C Neck game. We should have blog updates on these games much as we did today (Wednesday). Hope you are enjoying the blog updates.

Am curious if any parents, fans, etc, log onto these games at work (don't worry, I'll never tell!)

Shore Conference Tournament after Wednesday action/Your picks? Mine in bold

Who do you think wins it??

My picks in bold.Here is the current field for Saturday semifinals:

No. 8 Colts Neck. at No. 4. Ocean. OK...I have gone with CN all the way so far. They will probably pitch - my guess - Ethan Jackson (6-1) vs. Ocean. My guess is Ocean comes back with Kyle Norman (8-0) in this one.

Ocean bounced CN in the 2006 CJ 3 final. This is an older, more experienced CN club. But this is a battle tested Ocean team as well seeking to get back to the NJSIAA Group III final. Both teams have solid lineups. Only one team has Keith Weinkofsky.


.


No. 2. CBA vs. 11. SJ Vianney . SJV gave the Colts a scare Tuersday falling in the states, 4-3. If Kyle Slate, who got the last out Tuesday to save the game for Dave Laufer, pitches into the fifth inning Friday in the state tournament, he won't be eligible to save the day this time. Both teams swing the bats, but the Laufers continue to smash the ball. Have to go with CBA.


Overall winner: Ocean.

Ocean takes Round 3 vs. Wall, Round 4 is Thursday

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


OCEAN - There was little time for Ocean to savor its 2-0 victory over Wall Wednesday in a Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal game.
And Wall has few moments for remorse.
No sooner had the game at Robert Olshan Memorial Field gone into the books, then Ocean (23-4) and Wall (20-7) prepared to tee it up again Thursday in a Monmouth County Tournament semifinal game at Wall's 18th Avenue Field.
The fourth meeting of the year between the teams will decide who clashes with CBA (22-4) in Monday's 3:45 p.m. MCT championship game at Monmouth Regional High School.
In the SCT, fourth-seeded Ocean will host eighth-seeded Colts Neck in a semifinal tentatively set for Saturday.
But currently Wall remains very much on Ocean's mind.
"It's very unheard of in high school baseball (to play one team so many times),'' said Ocean pitcher Jamie Rosenkranz. ""It almost feels like we're a pro or college team playing an opponent twice in two days.''
Had Wall won an NJSIAA game Tuesday (it lost to Allentown) the teams would be meeting for a third day in a row Friday.
""That would have been even better, seeing who could take the series,'' said Rosenkranz.
Though Wall won the Shore Conference Class B North championship, finishing ahead of Ocean, the Spartans currently lead the "series' 2-1.
Wednesday Rosenkranz stopped the Knights on a two hitter. Mixing fastballs and a deadly slow breaking pitch, the right-hander struck out a career high 13, walked none, and hit a batter.
Ocean rode to victory on the long ball against Wall senior Craig Hughes. The right-hander allowed only three hits, but two of them left the park.
Eric Hinkle sent a towering drive over the fence in right center with one down in the second inning, his second home run of the season and the 11th of his career.
Keith Weinkofsky led off the fourth inning nailing a first pitch curve ball and lining it over the centerfield fence.
The home run, the 30th of Weinkofsky's Shore Conference record setting career, was his 11th of the season and tied his own 2006 single season school record.
Wall coach Todd Schmitt has a history of intentionally walking Weinkofsky in most situations.
""With nobody on I guess you've got to pitch him,'' said Schmitt ""When we shook hands after the game I told him, "Don't bring your bat tomorrow.' ''
Ocean coach Del Dal Pra was undecided on today's pitcher. ""It's "I don't know,' '' said Dal Pra whose team also plays Friday vs. Allentown in the NJSIAA CJ III final, and apparently in the SCT Saturday.
Ocean may be leaning today towards freshman Ed Mejias (3-1).
"'Friday its Hinkle,'' said Dal Pra. ""And Saturday it's "I don't know' again.''
Wall coach Todd Schmitt said junior left-hander Mark Pellicchia (4-3) will take the mound today for the Knights.

Colts roar past Jaguars

Jim Laufer belted a grand slam in the first inning and Dave Laufer a three-run shot in the fifth as the No. 2 seeded Colts (22-4) ousted the No. 10 Jaguars (20-8) in an SCT quarterfinal game, 13-5.

CBA will host St. John Vianney in a semifinal game tentatively set for Saturday.

Sophomore Nick Falcone took over on the mound for CBA in the third inning and struck out eight to gain his first varsity victory.

Junior Jordan Gilruth struck out the side for CBA in the seventh inning.

Dave Laufer finished with three hits to lead CBA's 14-hit attack.

- Tony Graham

Teel delivers for SJ Vianney/Lancers rally to halt RBC in the SCT

By BY STEVEN FALK
STAFF WRITER
HOLMDEL - Marc Teel thought he would see a certain pitch from Red Bank Catholic pitcher Mike Yaccarine with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning of Wednesday's Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal-round game.
"I was just looking for a fastball,'' said Teel, a sophomore left fielder for St. John Vianney. "I wasn't doing so good (he had been 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt in his first four plate appearances). I was just looking for something I could drive to the outfield.''
Teel smacked an 0-1 pitch from Yaccarine off the fence in left-center for a single that drove in Chris Ruffler with the winning run and gave St. John Vianney a dramatic 7-6 win.
The 11th-seeded Lancers (19-7), who according to Asbury Park Press records are making their first SCT semifinal appearance since 2001, when they were defeated by eventual NJSIAA Group IV state champion Toms River East, will play at No. 2 seed Christian Brothers Academy (22-4) Saturday in a semifinal.
Teel had swung and missed at the first pitch he had seen from Yaccarine. That had come after Yaccarine had struck out the previous batter.
When Teel swung the bat at Yaccarine's next pitch, the only question was whether it would clear the fence for a grand slam.
"I was a little anxious (on the first one),'' Teel said. "(On the next one), I just waited a little longer and got lucky.''
"I knew he was the right guy (in that spot),'' said St. John Vianney coach Mike Morgan. "He's calm, cool and collected. I knew he would get the ball into the outfield.''
St. John Vianney had loaded the bases with nobody out on a leadoff walk to Ruffler, a double to left by Joe Amore (three hits and two RBI) and an intentional walk to Ed Cetnar.
Yaccarine (4-3) had come on in relief of senior right-hander J.C. Menna, who after a shaky first two innings-plus, had retired 12 of the 14 previous batters he had faced.
"Did he (Menna) want to go seven? No doubt about it,'' said Red Bank Catholic coach Tony Martinez. "He was at 104 (pitches), I believe. I really have to look myself in the mirror when I go to bed and say I'm not overusing a guy.
"There's bigger and better things than Red Bank Catholic baseball. I just can't do that to a kid's arm.''
Menna helped fuel a Red Bank Catholic rally from a 5-1 deficit, by pitching out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the third.
The Caseys (15-11) then tied the game with a four-run fourth that was keyed by a three-run home run to straight away center by Nick Romano.
Tom Higgins' solo homer to left in the fifth gave RBC a 6-5 lead before the Lancers' Chris Lewnes led off the sixth with a homer to center.
"The whole season, we've been a comeback team,'' Lewnes said. "We never consider ourselves out of a game. If we lose a lead, we always end up coming back.''
The Lancers (19-7) almost rallied to beat CBA this past Tuesday in a NJSIAA Non-Public South A quarterfinal before the Colts hung on for a 4-3 win when ace Kyle Slate came on in relief and recorded a strikeout for the game's final out with the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
"We have a lot of confidence. We're not coming in scared,'' Lewnes said. "We know how the team (CBA) plays.''

Colts Neck reaches SCT semifinals for the first time

It was an enjoyable bus ride home from Toms River Wednesday for the Colts Neck High School baseball team.
""The kids are having fun,'' said Colts Neck coach Mike Yorke after the No. 8 seeded Cougars (20-7) upended the top-seeded Mariners 3-0, in a Shore Conference Tournament quarter final game.
Colts Neck will be making its first trip to the SCT semifinals when it visits No. 4 Ocean (23-4) in a game tentatively set for Saturday.
Wednesday junior right-hander Anthony DeSclafani held the Mariners (24-5) to two hits, struck, out seven walked one, and hit a batter.
""He pitched outstanding,'' said Yorke. ""He had control of three pitches. (Pitching) coach Bob Jack did a good job I thought of reading their hitters.''
Colts Neck broke on top in the fourth winning when A.J Rusbarsky singled and scored on a wild pitch.
In the fifth Dom Hayes singled home a run and Rusbarsky knocked in Joe DeNora with a fielder's choice.
DeSclafani dodged trouble in the sixth. With runners at first and second and one out he struck out the next two batters.
""That was huge,'' said Yorke. ""If they answer there it's a 3-2 game and they have momentum. Anthony dug down deep.''
""He (DeSclafani) pitched a very good game and deserved to win,'' said Ted Schelmay, TR North coach. ""He did what he had to do. He carried his team.""
""The kids still know there are two very good teams we have to beat to try and win this thing,'' said Yorke. ""They know they have to stay focused.''
Yorke said he was undecided who would pitch Saturday. ""Whoever can get (Keith) Weinkofsky out,'' he said.
Colts Neck's possibilities include junior right-hander Ethan Jackson (6-1), Hayes (3-4), a senior left-hander, and Ken Potis, a junior right-hander (3-0).
Toms River North hosts Washington Township 3 p.m. Friday in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV championship game.

- Tony Graham

Weinkofsky to play at Brookdale Community College/Jersey Blues land the Tuna

Ocean Township High School slugger Keith Weinkofsky said Wednesday he will continue his baseball career at Brookdale Community College.
Weinkofsky slugged his Shore Conference career leading 30th home run Wednesday vs. Wall in a 2-0 Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal victory,
Weinkofsky had signed a national letter of intent last fall with the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.
""It's (Brookdale) closer to home, good baseball, and I like the coaches and players there,'' said Weinkofsky.
''I think it's great fit for him and us,'' said Johnny Johnson, Brookdale coach.
""He comes in as one of the best players in the state and it opens up more avenues for him in regards to the (Major League) draft and also to big time programs.''
Johnson said Weinkofsky, who has been mentioned as a draft possibility next week by big league scouts, would be eligible for the draft after each of his junior college seasons or could go on to a four-year school.
Weinkofsky's father, Chuck, played at Brookdale as did his sister, Allyson, who played on a Brookdale national championship softball team.
Brookdale finished 36-12 and took fourth place in the 2007 Division III Junior College National Tournament.

- Tony Graham

Ocean Twp. tops Wall, 2-0. Full play-by-play. - Also: SJV rallies to nip RBC - Wednesday SCT high school baseball updates

Wall (20-6) at Ocean (22-4) in Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal

For Wall:Sr. RH Craig Hughes (7-2). For Ocean: Jr. RH Jamie Rosenkranz (5-2).

(These teams meet again 2 p.m. Thursday at Wall's 18th Ave. Field in the MCT semifinals).


Wall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0
Ocean 0 1 0 1 0 0 x - 2



Wall top first: Matt Debonis strikes out swinging. Drew Pinero pop fly to second. Matt Logan lines an opposite field base hit to left. Andy Otterberg flies to center.

Ocean bottom first: Kyle Norman pops to short. Sean DaSilva lines to center. Keith Weinkofsky pops to second.

Wall top second: Chris Hughes safe on throwing error at short. Dan Camano sacrifice bunt. Kyle Middleton flies to deep left to Neil Yaffe in front of the fence. Christian Ranaudo called out on strikes on a curve ball.

Ocean bottom second: Rosenkranz grounds hard to shortstop. Eric Hinkle towering home run over centerfield fence on 2-1 pitch. Dave Kaczka strikes out. Tony DeSantis flies to left.

Wall top third: Anthony Cinelli called out on strikes on breaking ball. Debonis grounds to short. Pinero strikes out swinging (K4).

Ocean bottom third: Sean Fox singles to center. Neil Yaffe sacrifice bunt. (Fox to third on wild pitch). Norman hard ground ball to third (Fox holds third). DaSilva ground ball, diving stop to his left by second baseman Anthony Cinelli, throws out DaSilva.

Wall top fourth: Logan strikes out swinging (K5). Otterberg pops out to right. Hughes flies out to left.

Ocean bottom fourth: Weinkofsky first pitch - tremendous home run, line drive over centerfield fence (#11 on season, #30th career). Rosenkranz grounds to short. Hinkle walks. Kaczka grounds into 5-4-3 double play.

Wall top fifth: Camano strikes out swinging (K6). Middleton strikes out swinging (K7). Ranaudo doubles to deep left. Cinelli strikes out swinging (K8).

Ocean bottom fifth: DeSantis walks. Fox sacrifice bunt. Yaffe strikes out swinging (K2). Norman pops to short.


Wall top sixth: Debonis strikes out swinging (K9). Pinero grounds to third. Logan hit by pitch. Otterberg lines a single to left. Hughes strikes out swinging (K10) on 2-2 curve ball.

Ocean bottom sixth: DaSliva flies to right. Weinkofsky hit by pitch (Willy Rodriguez runs for Weinkofsky). (Rodriguez steals second; Rodriguez picked off second). Rosenkranz struck ou swinging (K3).

Wall top seventh: Camano strikes out (K11) on a high fastball. Middleton walks. Ranaudo strikes out swinging (K12) on 2-2 fastball. Cinelli called out on strikes (K13) on 3-2 fastball.


Ocean wins, 2-0








SJV rallies to top RBC in SCT quarterfinal, 7-6

Steve Falk reports from SJV the starting pitchers were RBC (JC Menna, 4-2) and SJV (Paul Bacigalupi, 10-2). Winner plays CBA vs. Jackson winner. Matt Wiley relieved Bacigalupi in the fourth for SJV.




SJV wins on Marc Teel's bases loaded RBI single off the left field fence with one out in the bottom of the seventh.


Chris Lewnes of SJV tied it up with a solo HR in the sixth.


RBC led 6-5 after five innings.

It rallied from 5-1 deficit after three innings. Menna escaped bases loaded no-out jam in third when it was 5-1.



Nick Romano 3-run HR in four-run fourth for RBC . Tom Higgens solo shot for RBC in the fifth put the Caseys ahead.


SJV scored three runs in the bottom of the second for a 3-1 lead on RBI singles by Joe Amore and Lewnes, and a HBP (Gary Fare).

2007 Monmouth County senior all-star game tentative roster

Am waiting to hear from RFH coach Kevin James who is the game director on date, time, and more specifics and am also awaiting the Ocean roster.

And please don't ask me at this time how this team was picked, etc. I have zero control over these issues.

Monmouth County Senior All-Star Team 2007

Pitchers(13) 1b(3) Inf(8)
Cerruti(Shore) JLaufer(CBA) Helfgott(Marlboro)
Miller(rfh) Logan(Wall) Salvati(CN)
Becker(Manal) Sonnenfeld(Matawan) Zecchino(Rar)
Toohey(Neptune) Bowe(RFH)
Hughes(Wall) Mager(MN)
Norman(Ocean) Rusbarsky(CN)
Cousins(LB) Ferraioli(Holmdel)
Menna(RBC) Galeotafiore(CBA)
Hinkle Ocean
Ranaudo(St.Rose)
Bacigalupi(Vianney)
DLaufer(CBA)
Slate(CBA)


OF(6) Catchers(3)
Miller(Squan)
Stipisich (RBC) O”Hanlan(KBurg)
Pellicane (MD) Gaughran(Mon)
Giordano(RFH)
Otterberg(Wall)
Majewski (Fre Twp)
Hayes(CN)
DH(2)
Locasio(Howell)
Weinkofsky (Ocean)

Monmouth County Tournament schedule updates

This just in from MCT director Ted Jarmusz...


Thursday 2 p.m..
Ocean at Wall (18th Avenue Field) MCT semifinal

Monday 345 p.m. at Monmouth Regional
MCT championship - CBA vs. Ocean/Wall winner.
3:30 p.m. pre game ceremonies - Rich Veth scholarship presentation to Tommy Juliano of Shore Regional

Also: Jim Sullivan Award for contributions to Monmouth County baseball.

Football news/Memorial makes it official - Walt Currie to lead the Mustangs

By STEVEN FALK
STAFF WRITER



Walt Currie, the offensive coordinator at Point Pleasant Boro High School the last five seasons, was named Brick Memorial High School's head football coach and a mathametics teacher at the school Tuesday night by the Brick Township Board of Education, Brick Township District Athletic Director Bill Bruno said.

"I think the quality of the Brick Township School District, and the rich tradition of the Brick Memorial football program are the charcteristics that made me apply for this job,'' Currie said.

Currie, who also was the head baseball coach at Point Boro the past six seasons, succeeds Fred Sprengel, who resigned in March after seven successful seasons as the Mustangs' head coach so he could concentrate on pursuing a graduate degree.

Currie said he will coach just football at Brick Memorial.

Under Sprengel, Brick Memorial went 43-32 overall and won the 2003 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship, the only sectional football title the school has ever won.

With Panthers' head coach Calvin Thompson, giving Currie the green light to install, the flexbone, triple-option offense, Point Boro's offense soared.

The Panthers finished in the top five in the Shore Conference in total offense the last three seasons, including first last year.

Point Boro went 30-4 the past three seasons. In 2005, the Panthers went 12-0 and won the NJSIAA South Jersey Group II championship, the school's first sectional football title since 1978.

"I learned (from Thompson) that the most important thing is getting kids in the right position and to be able to scout ourselves,'' said Currie, who indicated he will install the triple option at Brick Memorial.

"I give Cal a lot of credit for letting his coaches coach. Not a lot of coaches can do that.''

Prior to joining the Point Boro staff, Currie, a 1987 graduate of Toms River East, was an assistant coach at Toms River High School South from 1997-2000 under head coach Ron Signorino and an assistant coach at Toms River East under head coach Ken Snyder for five seasons.

Wednesday baseball scoreboard

.


Shore Conference Tournament

Quarterfinals
SJ Vianney 7, Red Bank Catholic 6 - Marc Teel's single in the seventh wins it (pls see blog on Ocean game which includes SJ Vianney report). Vianney advances to the semifinals to play CBA in a game tentatively set for Saturday.

Ocean 2, Wall 0: Weinkofsky and Hinkle HRs. Rosenkranz Ks 13. Ocean advances to semis vs. Colts Neck.

Colts Neck 3, TR North 0 - Anthony DeSclafani throws a two-hitter and A. J. Rusbarsky drove in a run and scored one.


CBA 13, Jackson 5 - Jim Laufer grand slam in the first and Dave Laufer three-run shot in the fifth.

CBA holds off SJ Vianney/full coverage

by By STEVEN FALK
STAFF WRITER

MIDDLETOWN - Seconds after Tuesday's NJSIAA Non-Public South A quarterfinal between Christian Brothers Academy and St. John Vianney ended, a CBA fan yelled, "The legend grows''.
The legend of CBA senior right-hander Kyle Slate, that is.
Slate hurriedly warmed up in the top of the seventh, and then came on in relief and struck out Lancers' power hitter Nick Scarillo on three pitches with runners on first and second for the final out that preserved CBA's 4-3 victory.
It looked like the University of Maine-bound Slate (10-0 with three saves) was going to get the day off. CBA (21-4) was leading 4-1 heading into the seventh, but the Lancers (18-7) slowly put together a rally against reliever Mike Galeotafiore.
Then, after Chris Lewnes singled to load the bases with two out, Colts' coach Marty Kenney told Slate, who has thrown a seven-inning no-hitter and combined with Tuesday's starter Dave Laufer on another seven-inning no-hitter this year, to warm up.
"Things can happen so fast in baseball,'' said Slate, who pitched five innings this past Saturday in CBA's 11-1 win over Raritan in a Shore Conference Tournament game and will start Friday, when the Colts host Camden Catholic (19-9) in a Non-Public South A semifinal.
While Slate was warming up behind the CBA dugout, Gary Fare delivered a two-run single to right to pull St. John Vianney within a run, Kenney, then, slowly walked to the mound.
"I probably should have had him light toss,'' Kenney said. "But, everything happened so quickly, I almost didn't have enough time to get him loose. "I was hoping not to use him. I wanted to give him a good five days rest.''
However, Kenney did not immediately bring Slate in. In a tactic to buy Slate as much time as possible, Kenney walked back to the dugout, asked Slate, if he was ready and then walked back to the mound and made the change.
"I probably got a good 10-15 (warmup pitches) in,'' Slate said. "I wasn't working on my mechanics. I was just trying to loosen up my arm.''
Scarillo, who has six home runs this year, was a batter Slate was familiar with because they played on the same travel team last summer.
Slate got the first strike on a change-up. Strike two came on a split fastball, which Scarillo fouled straight back and just missed. Slate then struck him out swinging on a fastball.
"I knew he likes to swing the bat,'' Slate said. "I thought if I could paint the black with an outside fastball, he wouldn't have a chance.''
"I had the right guy (at the plate),'' said St. John Vianney coach Mike Morgan. "He got fooled on one of the pitches, but Slate could have made a mistake and Nick could have put the ball over the scoreboard (in right-center).''
CBA got all its runs in the fourth, when it broke a scoreless tie on a two-run double by Jim Laufer and a two-run homer by Scott Micallef.
Dave Laufer (6-2), who struck out three, walked five and allowed three hits in six innings, preserved the 4-1 lead in the fifth by getting a 4-6 forceout with the bases loaded.

Brebner sails Mariners s into SJ IV final

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

DOVER TOWNSHIP - Pitcher Zach Brebner of Toms River North said he didn't realize he had a no-hitter in progress Tuesday until the sixth inning.
""I was just going out there, doing my job,'' said the junior right-hander.
Supported by a diving catch by leftfielder Mike LaCava of a Kevin Gilmore line-drive leading off the seventh inning, Brebner hurled the Mariners to a 1-0 no-hit victory over Toms River South in an NJSIAA South Jersey IV semifinal game at Ryan Field.
TR North (24-4), which coach Ted Schelmay said has surpassed its prior single season victory total by two, will host Washington Township (17-11) Friday looking for its first sectional title since 1997. It has never won the overall Group IV title.
""A hell of a catch, that was a crazy catch,'' said Brebner who struck out two, walked one, and hit a batter in producing his first no-hitter at any level.
According to Schelmay the seven-inning gem was the first since a 2001 Mike McTamney no-hitter of Manasquan.
""I just wanted to save the no-no,'' said LaCava who got a good jump on the ball. ""I was going for it all the way right off the bat,'' he said.
After the LaCava catch Joe Talerico grounded out before a Ryan Kapp slow infield roller was bobbled for an error.
Unruffled, Brebner (7-1) induced Tyler Gebler to bounce the first pitch to second baseman Chad Geran and then was engulfed by his Mariner teamates.
""He pitched a good game,'' said Talerico, TR South's Seton Hall University signee who has been mentioned by big league scouts as a candidate for next week's First-Year Player Draft.
""He did a good job, had a good demeanor on the mound, had a good defense behind him,'' Talerico said.
Brebner said he used mostly fastballs. ""I had a lot of movement today,'' he said.
The game was strikingly reminiscent of the May 14th Ocean County Tournament semifinal when Brebner blanked TR South over nine innings and junior Marc Potter blanked the Mariners for eight.
TR North won the game in the 12th inning, 1-0.
""They (his teamates) were joking in the dugout,'' said Brebner. ""They were saying, "You going 12 today?' ''
Tuesday Potter (3-1), a junior right-hander, pitched a complete game three-hitter fanning three, walking one, and hit a batter.
""I can't say enough good things about Potter,'' said Ken Frank, TR South coach. ""I just told him (Potter) I felt sorry for him. We didn't score in 16 innings (vs. Brebner) for him.''
The only run Potter allowed Tuesday was unearned. Paul Demartino led off the sixth with a single to center and took second base on a two-strike bunt single by Geran.
One out later a double error on an infield grounder by LaCava allowed Demartino to race home from second base.
TR South's last three defeats were by 1-0 scores.
Toms River North returns to action 4 p.m. Wednesday hosting Colts Neck in the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament. ""We want to go through there and get that championship,'' said Brebner.
""I wish them (TR North) all the luck in the world,'' said Ken Frank, TR South coach. ""I hope they win the state championship.''
Tuesday Washington Township defeated Cherry Hill West, 11-0. Last week it eliminated Toms River East in a SJ IV game, 2-0.

Play-by play of Zach Brebner of TR North pitching no hitter, wins 1-0

Starting pitchers for today's NJSIAA SJ IV semifinal between Toms River South (21-7) and TR North (23-4):

for TR South - Jr RH Marc Potter (3-0)
for TR North - Jr. RH Zach Brebner (6-1)


Note - last time these two pitchers hooked up was the 1-0 TR North win in 12 innings in the OCT




TR South 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -0


TR North 0 0 0 0 0 1 x - 1

TR South top 1st: Chase Gray grounds to second. Kevin Gilmore
taps back to Brebner. Joe Talerico a smash to third, thrown out by Scott Shan.

TR North bottom first: Chad Geran flies to shallow right. C.J. Alonso thrown out by Potter. Mike Lacava grounds to short.


TR South top second: Ryan Kapp strikes out swinging. Tyler Gebler walks. Mark Perry grounds out to second (Gebler to second). Brian Chrashewsky (Gebler thrown out trying to take third by catcher Alonso on ball in the dirt.

TR North bottom second: Billy Hoermann strikes out swinging. Steve Nyisztor grounds out to third. Scott Shan grounds to third.

TR South top third: Brian Chrashewsky strikes out swinging. John Coppinger rolls out to second. Jake Delvento grounds to third.

TR North bottom third: Anthony Mazzetta grounds to the mound. Mike Reid lines a single to center. Paul Demartino grounds into a 5-4 force play. Chad Geran (Demartino steals second) strikes out swinging.

TR South top fourth : Chase Gray grounds out to second. Kevin Gilmore grounds out hard to third. Joe Talerico hit by pitch (Talerico steals second). Ryan Kapp skys to right.

TR North bottom fourth: Alonso grounds to third. Lacava lines to second. Hoermann chops to third.


TR South top 5th: Gebler grounds to third. Perry out 1-3 on bunt attempt. Chrashewsky rolls to short. Brebner has a no-hitter going.


TR North bottom fifth: Nyisztor lines softly to the mound. Shan rolls to second. Mazzetta hit by pitch. Reid grounds to short. Potter is pitching a one-hitter.


TR South top sixth: Coppinger grounds to second. Delvento rolls weakly to second. Gray bounces softly to first.


TR North bottom sixth: Paul Demartino singles to center. Geran
bunt single on two-strike pitch. Alonso strikes out bunting. Lacava safe at first, Demartino scores on throwing error. Hoermann
pops to right. Nyisztor flies to deep centern:

TR South top seventh: Brebner takes no-hitter to the mound - hitters due: 2-3-4.


Gilmore lines to left on diving catch by Lacava. Talerico rolls to short. Kapp safe on slow roller, error at second. Gebler grounds to second.

TRN wins 1-0 on Brebner no hitter.

Tuesday baseball

NJSIAA Tournament

Sectional semifinals

Central Jersey Group III

Ocean 8, West Windsor North 7 - Keith Weinkofsky three-run double in the sixth snapped a 4-4 tie.


Allentown 2, Wall 1 - Knights are no-hit by the Redbirds


Central Jersey Group II

Spotswood 4, Raritan 1

South Jersey Group IV

TR North 1, TR South 0 - Zach Brebner no-hitter.

South Jersey Group II

Sterling 5, Manchester 1

South Jersey Group I

Pennsville 2, Point Beach 1 (eight innings)

Sectional quarterfinal

Non-Public South A

CB 4, SJ Vianney 3 - Kyle Slate fans the last hitter in relief to halt the Lancers.



Game reports:


Ocean got used some big hits and some little ones Tursday to outlast West Windsor North, 8-7, in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal game.
Ocean's defending sectional champions will host Allentown Friday in the sectional final after the Redbirds edged Wall Tuesday, 2-1.
Ocean (22-4), which trailed 4-2, used a three-run double in the sixth with two outs by Keith Weinkofsky (3-for-4) to snap a 4-4 tie and a squeeze bunt by Tony Desantis made it 8-4 in the seventh.
Jamie Rosenkranz came on in relief and struck out the last hitter with the tying run at first base after the Knights (22-5) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh.
The game marked Ocean's fourth consecutive appearance in a semifinal game.
""These kids are battle tested,'' said Del Dal Pra, Ocean coach. ""They know each game gets tougher and tougher and you have to dig down a little deeper.
""It was a very hostile environment but after playing some big games in Toms River over the years we were ready for these type of battles.
""We've been Toms River tested in the past so we know we what it's like to be screamed at by fans and by the other team.''
""They do us a favor by getting us ready to play in the state tournwment.''
Ocean tied the game in the fourth on a two-out, two-run single by Dave Kaczka.
Willy Rodriguez stole two bases and scored each time after Weinkofsky's doubles.

- Tony Graham






ALLENTOWN 2, WALL 1: Ethan Perro hurled the first six innings and Anthony Gambino completed a no-hitter for the Redbirds (16-5) who used two unearned runs to move on to visit Ocean Friday in the CJ III final.
Wall (20-6) scored in the seventh when Dan Camano walked, courtesy runner Nick Gacos stole second, took third on a wild pitch, and came home on a sacrifice fly by Christian Ranaudo.
Anthony Cinelli grounded out to end the game.
Brandon Miles of Wall scattered nine hits, fanning five, in going the distance.
Allentown's Jeremy Valesi reached on an error and scored in the third inning for Allentown and Rob Juliano singled to make it 2-0 in the fifth.

- Tony Graham



STERLING 5, MANCHESTER 1: Ryan Casey, who entered the SJ II semifinal in the third inning, yielded a two-run double to the second batter he faced but struck out 13 over the final 4.2 innings.
It was too late, however, to save the season for the Hawks (15-9) who fell behind the Knights (17-10) 5-0 after three innings.
Allen Robinson singled for his 27th RBI for the senior in the fifth inning for Manchester.

- Tony Graham


PENNSVILLE 2, POINT BEACH 1: Terry Holgate's RBI single wiuth two outs in the bottom of the seventh foiled the Garnet Gulls (13-12) in a South Jersey I semifinal.
Point Beach, bidding to return to a sectional final for the first time since 2001 took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on when Sam Sciamarelli scored on a fielder's choice.
Pennsville tied the game in the fifth inning.
Craig Gourley scattered three hits over 5.1 innings striking out seven for Point Beach. Colin Trautman took the loss in relief.

- Tony Graham

2007 Carpenter Cup team/schedule/history

I think this team has the best shot to win it all since the 2002 champions....



Name School POS
JC Menna RBC P
Marc Zecchino Raritan p
Anthony Ranaudo St Rose p
Ryan Casey Manchester p
Chad Geran TR North p
Craig Hughes Wall p
Kyle Slate CBA p

AJ Miller Manasquan c
Keith Weinkofsky Ocean c

Ben Miller Rumson 1st Base
Jim Laufer CBA 1st base

Jamie Rosenkranz Ocean Inf
Chris Bresnahan St Rose inf
AJ Rusbarsky Colts Neck inf
Kevin Mager Middletown North inf
Mike Galeotafiore CBA Inf
John Melendez Matawan inf

Milke La Cava TR North OF
Chris Lewnes SJV OF
Joe Talerico TR South OF
Pat Biserta Pt Boro OF
Dom Hayes Colts Neck OF
Dave Laufer CBA OF

Billy Lee Jackson DH
Sean Gavin TR East DH



Selection committee


John Kaye b-north
Mike Yorke a-north
Art Gordon a central
Frank Malta a-south
Walt Currie b-south
Bart McInerneyb-central


Head Coach John Musolf
coaching staff TBA

The schedule

4 p.m. June 11 vs. Delaware South at Penn

Following dates and times if the team advances

1 p.m. June 18 at Penn

9:30 a.m. June 21 at Citizens Bank Park

1 p.m. June 22 (championship) at Citizens Bank Park

Past Winners
2006 Burlington County2005 Philadelphia Catholic2004 Mercer County2003 Chester County 2002 Jersey Shore 2001 Lehigh Valley 2000 Delaware South 1999 Suburban National 1998 Lehigh Valley 1997 Olympic Colonial 1996 Chester 1995 Olympic Colonial 1994 Ocean Monmouth County 1993 Suburban I Nationals1992 Olympic Colonial1991 Olympic Colonial1990 Philadelphia Catholic1989 South Jersey C1988 Suburban I Nationals1987 Philadelphia

JV Baseball Shore Challenge

Some of you had askede about thje JV Tournament at Wall this weekend..so Todd Schmitt was good enough to have one of his coaches e-mail me the results.

This appears was a formal tournament. It consisted of 8 teams and was played in 2 days.

On Friday(1st round):

Monmouth Reg. beat Steinert 6-2

Old Bridge beat Triton 9-8

Wall beat Hamilton West 5-1

Cherry Hill West beat St. Rose 8-7 (in 8 innings)


On Saturday the Semi-Finals:

Monmouth Reg. beat Old Bridge 6-2

Wall beat Cherry Hill West 3-1


FINALS:

Wall beats Monmouth 8-1

Latest SCT field after Saturday

Who do you think wins it???


My picks in bold.


Here is the current field for next Wednesday. All games at 4 p.m. as far as I know.


Upper bracket quarterfinals: 1. TRN vs. No. 8 Colts Neck. 4. Ocean vs. No. 5 Wall.

Lower bracket Quarterfinals: 10. Jackson vs. 2. CBA. 11. SJ Vianney vs.14 Red Bank Catholic (there are many tough calls but this is a doozy, let me tell you).

Lower bracket close up

From group am staying with CBA - superior mound strength anchored by Kyle Slate with Dave Laufer , Make Galeotafiore and Remy Cohen backing him up and also the most potent lineup. D. Laufer hit another bomb Saturday. D. Laufer will start Tuesday vs. SJV in states

Not surprised to see RBC and SJ Vianney advancing. SJV's Paul Bacigalupi is pitching well and the basbeall looks like a balloon these days to Nick Scarillo. Overall, both these clubs can hit...should be a heck of a game. RBC should have the more rested staff since they are not in states Tuesday.

Great job by Jackson to get this far.... Kudos to the sophomore Needham for sterling effort vs. TR South. But Jags may have to hit more than they have to down CBA.



Upper bracket close up:
As I said, Colts Neck didn't tie CBA for first place in A North by accident.Tough call here, but still going with Keith Weinkofsky and the Ocean bats as difference makers.

I look for CNeck to upset TR North and Ocean to outlast Wall though expect Wall to IBB Weinkofsky in batting practice.


If my picks prevail (when has this ever happened?!) it's still a CBA vs. Ocean final.

At this point - if both teams are still in the states...it remains to be seen what pitchers will be on the hill since coaches tend to use their No. 1's in the states.

And the winner is....still.........Ocean (or CBA, can I pick two?).

Saturday baseball/CBA cools off Raritan/full story

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


MIDDLETOWN - CBA is doing all the little things right these days. As well as the big things.
The No. 2-seeded Colts received yet another strong pitching effort from ace Kyle Slate Saturday and the almost daily home run by one of the Laufer twins.
But CBA also reeled off two critical double plays to snuff out Raritan threats before finishing off the No. 18-seeded Rockets with six runs in the fifth inning of an 11-1 Shore Conference Tournament Round of 16 triumph at Colt Field.
CBA (20-4) will host No. 10 Jackson (20-7) 4 p.m. Wednesday in an SCT quarterfinal.
But Saturday began in shaky fashion for the Colts. ""I came out a little rocky,'' said Slate.
Pinned to the CBA dugout wall Saturday was the Asbury Park Press article recounting Raritan's NJSIAA Central Jersey II Friday win over Rumson.
""They're a good team no doubt about it,'' said Dave Laufer. ""They hit the ball.''
Raritan (15-9), on a spree in which it had averaged 13.4 runs over its last five games, appeared ready for a fast start vs. CBA when it loaded the bases with out out in the first inning.
Slate wasn't rattled. ""I knew if I got a ground ball with the bases loaded my infield would pick me up,'' he said.
Shortstop Anthony Cirillo started a 6-4-3 double play, and in the fourth Slate covered first base helping complete a difficult 3-6-1 twin killing.
""I got over there as fast as I could and I settled myself (at the bag),'' said Slate. ""We do that in practice all the time. It worked out for me good.''
A run scored on the play, just the second earned run allowed by the right-hander as his ERA "climbed" to 0.24.
By then CBA led 5-1 after Laufer's three-run home run capped a four-run third inning. The line shot over the left field fence marked the seventh time in the last 10 games and the third game in a row that Dave or his brother Jim have gone deep.
""He's hitting the ball real well,'' said Dave Laufer of Jim. ""I was slumping a little bit midway through the season but I'm starting to do better again.
""Everyone is hitting right now. Best time of the year to be doing that.''
""That one guy, there, Slate, is a very good pitcher,'' said T.J. O'Donnell, Raritan coach. ""What can you do? You do everything you can. We tried to piece it together a little bit today.''
Marc Zecchino singled and doubled for Raritan which has its No. 1 and two pitchers, Zecchino and Charlie Rivera, ready for a Tuesday NJSIAA Central Jersey II semifinal at Spotswood.
""You always feel good about your chances,'' said O'Donnell. ""Hopefully we can let this one roll off our back.''
CBA will host St. John Vianney (18-6) Tuesday in an NJSIAA Non-Public A quarterfinal.
CBA coach Marty Kenney said Dave Laufer (5-2) will start against the Lancers (18-6) who have won seven games in a row.

Rockets in blast off mode/full coverage of surging Raritan in the NJSIAA Tournament

by By STEVEN FALK
STAFF WRITER
RUMSON - Confident and relaxed.
It is what the Raritan baseball team is these days, now that senior Marc Zecchino is fully recovered from the back woes that prevented him from pitching much during the first six weeks of the season.
"Everybody is hot,'' said Zecchino, after the surging Rockets roared to a 14-3, five-inning win over Rumson-Fair Haven Friday in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II quarterfinal-round game.
Zecchino is one of those who is hot.
Friday, he got the Rockets (15-8) started with a three-run opposite field home run to right center in the first. He also had an RBI single in the fourth.
On the mound, he struck out nine and had his fastball clocked at 90 miles per hour by a pair of Major League scouts as he made his second start of the week.
Rumson (15-6) had swept the regular season series from Raritan on its way to the Shore Conference Class A Central championship.
Zecchino, troubled by the bad back, did not pitch in either of the Rumson games.
"Marc makes all the difference in the world,'' said Rumson coach Kevin James. "They're a nice ballclub without Marc. With a healthy Marc in the mix on the mound and at the plate, they're a top five team in Group II and a top six team in the Shore.
"They're a lethal ballclub with him. He's a difference-maker. You don't see many of them in a coaching career.''
"The warm weather helps (Zecchino's back),'' said Raritan coach T.J. O'Donnell.
The Virginia Tech-bound Zecchino said it was frustrating not being able to help his teammates pitching-wise early in the season.
"It was aggravating,'' Zecchino said.
The Rockets were 8-8 after a 7-6 loss to Shore Regional in a Monmouth County Tournament game May 4.

They have won seven straight since, including two lopsided wins over Shore. They have scored 67 runs in their last five games and won four of them via the 10-run rule.
"We just started hitting and kept on rolling,'' said catcher Dave Shrum, whose three-run, opposite field homer to right center in the third gave Raritan a 7-0 lead.
O'Donnell said a 12-4 win over Colts Neck on May 14 is when everything came together.

That was the day Zecchino came in and pitched four innings of relief.
"With Marc being able to pitch, our guys feel they can win,'' O'Donnell said.
Eleventh-seeded Raritan, which will play at No. 2 seed Spotswood Tuesday in a CJ II semifinal, had 12 hits yesterday and has 48 in its last three games. Eight of the nine players in the lineup had at least one hit.
Leadoff batter Joe Doerrer had two hits and scored three runs. Tom Evancho had two run-scoring doubles and Chris Clayton had two hits and two RBI.
"I think we have the confidence to take it a long way,'' said Zecchino, who will likely be on the mound Tuesday.
"I feel like we can do a lot in the states,'' Shrum said.
"They're a club that has a chance to win it all,'' James said.

Seven in the seventh do it for Ocean, Weinkofsky HRs again, sets new school hit record. Ocean and Wall could play three times in upcoming days

Keith Weinkofsky hit another home run Friday.
But with first base open it was an intentional walk to the record-breaking slugger, followed by a barrage of two-out singles in the seventh inning that keyed a seven-run rally and carried Ocean to a 10-5 victory over St. Rose in the quarterfinals of the Monmouth County Tournament.
Jamie Rosenkranz followed he intentional walk with a two-run single that gave Ocean a 5-4 lead and then the hits kept coming.
A Dave Kaczka RBI single, a two-run single by Tony DeSantis, and RBI single by Victor Nunez completed the stunning rally.
""It was pretty exciting to say the least,'' said Del Dal Pra, coach of Ocean (21-4). ""I said to the team before the inning a good team goes down fighting and great teams comes back and win.
""At the end I said I guess an exceptional team scores seven runs.''
Weinkofsky extended his Shore Conference career home run record to 29 with a two-run shot in the first inning, his 10th of the season.
The blast also established a new carerr school record of 134 hits surpassing the
133 set in the late 80's by Tim Flannelly who spent time in the Yankees' system.
But St. Rose (19-4) roared in front 4-3 with three runs in the fourth inning, two on a home run by by Brian Donohoe.
Owen Stewart of St. Rose hit a solo homer in the seventh and was 4-for-4 with two RBI and Neil Yaffe was 3-for-3 with a run scored for Ocean.

Ocean advances to play Shore Confernce Class B North rival Wall in a semifinal (date undertermined) with the winner taking on CBA in the championship game.
Ocean will also play the Knights Wednesday in the SCT quarterfinals and, perhaps, Friday in the NJSIAA CJ III final.

St. Rose coach Bart McInerney said ace Anthony Ranaudo did not pitch because of thumb injury suffered sliding Wednesday against Manchester.
McInerney said the 6-7 LSU signee, being mentioned by big league scouts as a prominent candidate for the June 7-8 First-Year Player Draft, is expected to pitch next Friday in an NJSIAA Tournament South Jersey Non-Public B semifinal.
- Tony Graham

Raritan rockets past Rumson in NJSIAAs 14-3

Rumson vs. Raritan


Steve Falk reports Raritan has defeated host Rumson 14-3.


Raritan scored four runs off Rumson ace Ben Miller in the top of the first inning and added three more in the third and fourth innings and pulled away in the NJSIAA Central Jersey 2 quarterfinal.

Pitcher Marc Zecchino slugged a 3-run HR in the first inning and Tom Evanchko an RBI double for Raritan which dropped both regular season games to Rumson's Class A Central Public champions.

A Dave Shrum three-run shot made it 7-0 in the third inning. Zecchino and Evanchko added RBI singles in the fourth and Chris Clayton an RBI double.

Surging Raritan (16-8), which has won seven in a row and eight of nine, will visit No. 1 seed CBA (19-4) 11 a.m. Saturday in a Round of 16 Shore Conference Tournament game. Raritan was seeded 18th.

Friday NJSIAA scoreboard Manchester, Raritan , SJ Vianney, TRS, TRN P Beach win; C Neck, Jackson, RBC, HH fall

Game reports below scoreboard


FRIDAY BASEBALL

NJSIAA Tournament
Central Jersey Group IV Quarterfinals

South Brunswick 8, Jackson 4



Hunterdon Central 12, Colts Neck 2 - Pat Specchio 2-for-2 with a solo HR and A.J. Rusbarsaky 2-for-3 for the Cougars.


Group II

Raritan 14, Rumson 3 (some details on separate blog)


South Amboy 11, Henry Hudson 1 - Brian Olofson homered as the second batter in the game but it was the only hit for the Admirals (8-11) who fell to South Amboy (14-5) in a CJ I quarterfinal game.




South Jersey Group IV Quarterfinals

TR South 11, CH East 1 - Joe Talerico slam, 2-for-3, 5 RBI.

TR North 15, Absegami 3

Group II

Manchester 7, Haddon Twp. 5 - Allen Robinson key two-run single as Hawks take 7-1 lead.



Group I

Point Beach 4, Pitman 2

Non-Public A First Round

SJ Vianney 8, Monsignor Donovan 3 - Nick Scarillo 3-run HR in first inning.

St. Joseph's Metuchen 6, Red Bank Catholic 2



Monmouth County Tournament Quarterfinal

Ocean 10, St. Rose 5 - Tuna two-run HR in first, Ocean erupts with seven in top of seventh to wipe out 4-3 deficit.

Weinkofsky's home run was his 134th career hit according to Ocean coach
Del Dal Pra.


The Spartans advance to meet Wall in a semifinal. That winner plays CBA in the championship game. (please see separate blog for more on this game)




GAME REPORTS

TOMS RIVER NORTH 15, ABSEGAMI 3: Winning pitcher Chad Geran slammed a three-run home run in the fourth inning and also doubled during a three-run third inning as the top-seeded Mariners (23-4) rolled into the SJ IV semifinals with a win over the No. 9 Braves (17-9).
Mike Lacava went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double and three RBI and scored three runs, and Steve Nyisztor had four RBI with a two-run single and a two-run double.
Billy Hoermann added two hits including an RBI double.

- Tony Graham


TOMS RIVER SOUTH 11, CHERRY HILL EAST 1: Joe Talerico hit a grand slam and Tyler Gebler and Mark Perry tagged back-to-back solo shots in a six-run third inning that sent the No. 4 Indians (21-7) to a victiry over the No. 12 Cougars in a SJ IV semfiinal.
Chase Gray led off the first inning with a home run for TR South on his way to a 3-for-3 day and scored three runs.
Talerico's sixth home run of the season was No. 16 in his career placing him second all-time at TR South behind Todd Frazier 26.
Winning pitcher Tyler Gebler pitched 3.2 innings of shutout relief for the victory.

- TONY GRAHAM

ST. JOHN VIANNEY 8, MONSIGNOR DONOVAN 3: Red hot senior Nick Scarillo slammed a three-run home run in the first inning, his sixth home run in the last nine games, to start the seventh-seeded Lancers (18-6) to a South Jersey NJSIAA Non-Public quarterfinal win over the No. 10 Grffins (12-14).
SJ Vianney will visit No. 2 CBA in a semifinal Tuesday.
Chris Ruffler tagged a tow-run shot in the fifth when St. John mounted an 8-2 advantage.
Nick Colon was 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an an RBI for Donovan.

- Tony Graham



MANCHESTER 7, HADDON TOWNSHIP 5: Allen Robinson's two-run single capped a three-run sescond inning helping No. 3-seeded Hawks to a 7-1 lead en route to a SJ II quarterfinal win over the sixth-seeded Haddon Hawks (16-10).
Nine different Manchester players had hits including a lead-off double by Mike Riobverts in the second inning.
Brian Ward drove in two runs with two infield outs and scored a run.
Ryan Casey pitched the last 2.2 innings behind Anthony Palmiotto striking out the last two batters with the tying runs aboard.
Casey fanned six and walked three.

- Tony Graham





ST. JOSEPH'S METUCHEN 6, RED BANK CATHOLIC 2: Pat Quinn went 2-for-3 with two doubles, knocking in a run in the second inning and Kyle O'Neill went 2-for-3 with a double but the Caseys (15-10) fell in a South Jersey Non-Public A first round game.
Nick Romano had a sacrifice fly for RBC.

- Tony Graham

Baseball Poll for Saturday May 26/Poll based on games though Thursday

May 26 Poll.
Records through Thursday games

1. CBA (19-4) - last week No 1. Is 14-1 since early season stumbles. Either Dave or Jim Laufer have homered in six of their last nine games.

2. Wall (20-5) - last week No. 2. Class B North champs are 14-1 vs. Shore Conference teams (the loss to CBA) since falling to Ocean in April.

3. Ocean (20-5) - last week No. 3. Perhaps the first of several post-season meetings with Wall is on tap for next week in the SCT.

4. Toms River North (22-4) - last week No. 6. Bounced back from OCT final loss and is only TR team alive in the SCT.

5. Colts Neck (20-6) - Last week No 8. Cougars have won eight of 10 to advance in the SCT and NJSIAA Tournaments. Face TRN next week in the SCT.

6. Jackson (20-6) - Last week No. 10. Have won nine of 10, swept TR East and won two of three from TR South. Alive going into Friday in SCT and NJSIAAs.

7. SJ Vianney (17-6) - Last week. Unranked. Class A Central Non-Public champs have gone 8-0 vs. Shore Conference teams since losing to Ocean and upset TR East in SCT Wednesday.


8. TR East (20-7) - Last week No. 5. Season suddenly over for Ocean County champs.

9. Toms River South (19-7) - Last week. No. 7. Fell to Jackson in the SCT. Tries to stay alive Friday in NJSIAA SJ IV. Result has no bearing on this poll, however.


10. St. Rose (19-3) - Last week No.4. Stock dropped like the '29 Crash with lossses to RBC and Manchester. Ranaudo will apparently try to halt the slide Friday vs. Ocean. Again, result has no bearing on this poll.


Dropped out: Rumson.

Some others being considered (listed alphabetically): Raritan, RB Catholic, Rumson.

My ranking criteria


1. Latest results, trends.

2. Overall body of work.

3. Head to head match ups.

4. Perceived team abilities.

TR South downs Donovan Thursday

Thursday baseball


TR SOUTH 6, DONOVAN 0: Jeff Bissey,a junior right-hander, won his team-leading sixth game (6-1) Thursday night. He struck out three and walked one, scattering four hits for the Indians (20-7).
Chase Gray slammed a two-run homer in the third inning and Mark Perry a two-run shot in the fourth to open a 4-0 lead over the Griffins (12-13).

- Tony Graham/Steve Falk

Both teams see action in the NJSIAA Tournament Friday.

Quadruple crown chase

Just two teams left in the running....CBA and Wall....BUT ..since both are in the MCT..only one could win it.

SCT field updated /My picks below

Who do you think wins it???

My picks in bold


Here is the current field for next Wednesday. All games at 4 p.m. as far as I know.



Upper bracket quarterfinals

1. TRN vs. No. 8 Colts Neck.

4. Ocean vs. No. 5 Wall.


Lower bracket


Quarterfinals


10. Jackson vs. 2. CBA.

11. SJ Vianney vs.14 Red Bank Catholic (there are many tough calls but this is a doozy, let me tell you)


Lower bracket close up. From this group am staying with CBA - superior mound strength anchored by Kyle Slate with Dave Laufer , Make Galeotafiore eand Remy Cohen backing him up and also the most potent lineup. D. Laufer hit another bomb Saturday.


Not surprised to see RBC and SJ Vianney advancing. SJV's Paul Bacigalupi is pitching up a storm.

Overall, both these clubs can hit...should be a heck of a game.

Great job by Jackson to get this far.... Kudos to the sophomore Needham for sterling effort vs. TR South. But Jags may have to hit more than they have to down CBA.

Upper bracket close up: As I said, Colts Neck didn't tie CBA for first place in A North by accident.Tough call here, but still going with Keith Weinkofsky and the Ocean bats as difference makers. I look for CNeck to upset TR North and Ocean to outlast Wall though expect Wall to IBB Weinkofsky in batting practice.

If my picks prevail (when has this ever happened?!) it's still a CBA vs. Ocean final.

At this point - if both teams are still in the states...it remains to be seen what pitchers will be on the hill since coaches tend to use their No. 1's in the states.

And the winner is....still.........Ocean.

Advisory

We were so busy tonight plus some computer malfunctions I didn't get to the blog comments until I got home around midnight ...so.....am sorry I could not get to your comments earlier....


Re: Weinkofsky. I think he's relieved "the chase" is over. Now he might really start to hit! (justr kidding!)

Some eye-popping results today in the SCT...My "dark horses" (SJV and Colts Neck) are still running....hard to believe I didn't jinx them....


Not sure when we will do our next "live blog game updates" but there should be more forth coming.

This week's Top 10 poll will be a challenge...!!!

Tuna reels in the record/fullcoverage of Keith Weinkofsky's record-setting day

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER



Keith Weinkofsky had already tied the Shore Conference career home run record when he led off the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday.
With the count 3-and-0, the Ocean Township senior catcher glanced down the third-base line at coach Del Dal Pra.
""Del gave me the green light, that if it was there crank it,'' said Weinkofsky. ""If not, take the walk.
""It was there.''
And then it was gone.
Weinkofsky lined the next pitch, a fastball, over the left-field fence capping his record-setting day and highlighting a 12-4 victory by the No.‚4 seeded Spartans (20-4) over No. 5 Nottingham (13-10) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal game at Robert Olshan Memorial Field.
Weinkofsky's 28 career home runs surpass the previous record of 27 set in 1994 by Jackson's Marc Fink.
Weinkofsky went 3-for-4 with five RBI on Wednesday, and started his day with a two-run shot to left field in the bottom of the first inning.
""It was a change up,'' Weinkofsky said. ""I didn't take that good of a swing. I got enough of the pitch and it went out.''
In his next two at-bats, Weinkofsky hit a two-run single and lined to third base.
Of his nine home runs this season, eight have come in four two-home run games, including Wednesday.
Fink, an assistant coach at Jackson Memorial, owns the Shore Conference single season record of 14 hit in 1994.
""I congratulate Keith because there's been a lot of pressure on him,'' said Fink. ""It's probably been very frustrating for him. He's been pitched around a lot.
""The thing is when he gets a pitch to hit he can't miss it because he doesn't get many.''
Weinkofsky said he was as relieved and also excited to break the career record.
""I'm glad to get it off my back,'' said Weinkofsky. ""It's a great accomplishment. Now I can keep doing I've been doing, enjoy playing and winning games and help our team go on and win championships.''
Weinkofsky said at the beginning of the season he was over anxious about the record.
""I was swinging for the fences,'' he said. ""(Assistant) coach (Gerry) Malanga sat me down, said for me to do what I was capable of doing and to go the other way.''
In the sixth inning, Jamie Rosenkranz followed Weinkofsky with his third home run of the season as part of Ocean's 16-hit attack.
""I'm very happy for Keith and his family,'' said Dal Pra. Keith's father, Chuck, hit a then school-record seven home runs in 1974.
Mike Chiarella broke that mark when he hit 10 in 2005. Keith Weinkofsky tagged 11 last season.
""He (Keith) put it back in the family,'' said Dal Pra.
Senior Kyle Norman improved to 7-0 with the victory.
With the win Ocean, the defending sectional champion, advances to the CJ III semifinals to face the winner of Friday's game between West Windsor North and Moorestown.
Ocean is next in action 3:30 p.m. Friday in a Monmouth County Tournament quarterfinal game vs. St. Rose at the Shore Christian Academy in Wall Township.

Weinkofsky breaks HR record

Ocean Township senior catcher Keith Weinkofsky belted a two-run home run today in the first inning and a solo shot in the sixth of a 12-4 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III win over Hamilton North to break the Shore Conference career home run record.

The home runs at Ocean's Robert Olshan Memorial Field broke the mark of 27 in a career a set by 1994 Jackson Memorial graduate Marc Fink .

Weinkofsky's home runs today were his eighth and ninth of the season.

Wednesday baseball

GAME REPORTS below scoreboard


NJSIAA Tournament
Central Jersey Group III
Quarterfinals

Ocean 12, Nottingham 4 - Keith Weinkofsky 2 HR breaks Shore Conference record (please see separate blog)

Wall 5, Monroe 4 (8) innings - Andrew Otterberg scored the winning run on a wild pitch:

Shore Conference Tournament

Round of 16

TR North 5, Freehold Township 4 - Three-run double by Chad Geran (3-for-4) overcame 3-2 Township lead.

Colts Neck 3, Rumson 2: Two-out single in the seventh by A. J. Rusbarsky wins it. School record 19 wins for Colts Neck.



Jackson 1, Toms River South 0 - Sophomore Kevin Needham a two-hitter, Sean Stimpfel doubles home a run in the sixth.


St. John Vianney 6, Toms River East5


Monmouth County Tournament

Semifinal

CBA 8, Shore 1

Regular season

Point Boro 12, Mater Dei 2

Manchester 4, St. Rose 2

Neptune 1, Howell 0 - Brian Battalglia home run

Pinelands 11, Southern 7


GAME REPORTS

SHORE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT

SJ VIANNEY 6, TR EAST 5: Andrew Archer went 3-for-4 with a two-run single in the third and Gary Fare and Nick Scarillo had run-scoring doubles in the third as the No. 11-seeded Lancers (17-6) defeated the No. 6-seeded Raiders (20-7) in a SCT round of 16 game.
Paul Bacigalupi pitched four innings to pick up his 10th win.

- Steve Falk



TOMS RIVER NORTH 5, FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP 4: Chad Geran's three-run double in the fourth inniNG wiped out a 3-2 deficit and sparked the top-seeded Mariners (22-4) past the No. 16 Patriots (12-10) into the quartertfinals vs. the Rumson/Colts Neck winner.
A Chris Ballester RBI single drew Freehold Township within a run in the fifth inning.
Senior Anthony Scorsone worked 1.3 scorless innings behind junior Zach Brebner (6-1) for his fifth save.
Freehold Township used an RBI single by Chase Mejewski en route to a 3-1 lead in the thrd inning.
Geran, who went 3-for-4, singled and scored on a Billy Hoermann single when TR North closed within 3-2 in the bottom of the inning.

- Tony Graham



NJSIAA TOURNAMENT

WALL 5, MONROE 4: Andrew Otterberg, who had been by a pitch, scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the No. 2-seeded Knights (20-5) to a CJ III win over the No. 7 Falcons (13-10).
Winning pitcher Craig Hughes snapped a 2-2 tie with a double when Wall scored twice in the sixth inning.
Hughes went the distance striking out seven and walking three.

- Tony Graham


MONMOUTH COUNTY TOURNAMENT
CBA 8, SHORE 1: Senior right-handers Kyle Slate, who went four innings, and Dave Laufer combined for the top-seeded and defending champion Colts (19-4) to no-hit the No. 4 Blue Devils (15-9) to move into the championship game.
Slate (9-0) struck out eight and walked none and Laufer fanned four and walked two.,
Laufer cappaed a three-run first inning with a two-run home run and Mike Galeotafiore had two singles and a double and drove in three runs.
Laufer and Scott Micallef each hadded two hits to CBA's 12-hit barrage.
Shore scored an unearned run in the third inning when CBA made three errors.
The no-hitter was the second of the season for CBA. Slate threw a sevenn-inning no-hitter opening day to defeat Freehold Townshuip.
CBA will meet the Ocean/St. Rose/Wall survivor in the MCT final.

- Tony Graham


REGULAR SEASON

MANCHESTER 4, ST. ROSE 2: Bob Johnson's two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh lifted the Hawks (14-8) past the Purple Roses (19-3) in a nondivision game.
Chris Martisofski went 3-for-4 and scored two runs for Manchester.

- Tony Graham

Ocean 10, Point Boro 4,final.

Ocean scored six runs in the bottom of the third, led by a solo homer by Kyle Norman, RBI double by Victor Nunez that made it 5-4 and a two-run single by Neal Yaffe. The Spartans added three more in the fourth, keyed by a two-run single Eric Hinkle. Pat Biserta has driven in all of Point Boro's runs. He has an RBI double in the first, and a towering three-run homer to right-center in the third that gave the Panthers a short-lived 4-1 lead. That was homer No. 5 on the season and 17 for his career for the Rutgers-bound Biserta. Ocean's Keith Weinkofsky is 1-for-3 with a single and a walk.

Tuesday baseball

NJSIAA Tournament

South Jersey Group I
(9) Point Beach 14, New Egypt 10 _ Garnet Gulls' first state tournament win since 2001.

Shore Conference Tournament

Round of 16

(4) Ocean 10, (20) Point Boro 4

(5) Wall 9, (21) Donovan 4. Wall and Ocean will meet in the SCT quarterfinals in their third meeting of the year.

Regular Season

Monmouth 4, Holmdel 0
Spotswood 5, Henry Hudson 2
Long Branch 13 Keyport 7
Mater Dei 6, Neptune 3
Marlboro 4, Red Bank 1

GAME REPORTS

POINT BEACH 14, NEW EGYPT 10:
Point Beach coach Ray Ellis feels his team can make a run in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I playoffs, similar to 2001 when the Garnet Gulls reached the SJ I championship game.
"The pitching was more established, more dominant in '01,'' Ellis said. "The four guys we have now, Gourley (Craig Gourley, Sciamarelli (Sam Sciamarelli), Trautman (Colin Trautman) and Seggel (P.J. Seggel) lack experience. But if one or two of them get hot, then, yeah, we can be a factor because we can hit.''
Point Beach (12-11) hit Tuesday. It banged out 16 hits and scored five in the sixth and four more in the seventh and then held on to defeat New Egypt, 14-10, in a South Jersey Group I first-round game.
It was the Garnet Gulls' first state tournament win since 2001, according to Ellis. Ellis said 2001 is the last time Point Beach qualified for the state tournamen,
The The Garnet Gulls, the No. 9 seed, will play at No. 1 seed Pitman Friday in a SJ I quarterfinal.
Trautman and Shane Ferguson each had three hits. Ferguson had a two-run single in a five-run sixth and also scored three runs. Trautman had two RBI and scored two runs.
Seggel added a three-run double down the left field line in the top of the seventh to give Point Beach a 14-6 lead.
Sciamarelli pitched the final 21/3 innings to pick up the win.

I
N THE SHORE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT:
OCEAN 10, POINT BORO 4: Jamie Rosenkranz went 2-for-3 with two RBI and three stolen bases and he also struck out eight over the first five innings to pick up his fifth win of the season as the No. 4 seeded Spartans (19-4) wiped out a 4-1 deficit with six runs in the third and three more in the fourth and defeated the 20th-seeded Panthers (12-12) ina round of 16 game.
Ocean will host No. 5 seed Wall in the quarterfinals. It could be the first of several more meetings between the two. Both teams are in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs and both are still alive in the Monmouth County Tournament. The two Class B North rivals split their two regular season meetings.
Kyle Norman started the third inning rally with a homer. Tony DeSantis added an RBI single, Victor Nunez a run-scoring double and Neil Yaffe a two-run single.
Eric Hinkle's two-run double was the key blow in the fourth.
DeSantis and Hinkle also each had two hits and both pitched an inning in relief.
Spartans' catcher Keith Weinkofsky, who is one home run away from tying 1994 Jackson graduate and current Jaguars' assistant coach Marc Fink's Shore Conference record of 27, went 1-for-3 with a single and a walk.
Point Boro's Rutgers University-bound center fielder Pat Biserta concluded his career by going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer, his fifth round-tripper of the season and 17th of his career. Drew Zanowic was 4-for-4 for the Panthers.
Ocean will play Nottingham Wednesday in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal. Kyle Norman will likely start for the Spartans.


WALL 9, MONSIGNOR DONOVAN 4: Matt Logan went 3-for-4 with two triples, a double and two RBI and Andrew Otterberg was 2-for-2 with two RBI as the No. 5 seeded Crimson Knights(19-5) defeated the 21st-seeded Griffins (12-12) in a Round of 16 game.
Logan had run-scoring triples in the first and fifth innings. Otterberg had a sacrifice fly in the first and an RBI single in the fifth.
Dan Camanao was 2-for-3 with a triple for Wall, which hosts Monroe Wednesday in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal-round game.
Brandon Miles struck out eight over the first 62/3 innings to pick up his seventh win of the season. Kyle McArdle got the final out on a pop-up to first with two runners on.
Matt Crosta had a solo homer in the seventh and an RBI double in the fourth for Monsignor Donovan, which plays St. John Vianney Friday in a NJSIAA Non-Public South A first-round game.


IN REGULAR SEASON GAMES
MATER DEI 6, NEPTUNE 3: Mike Pellicane slammed a two-run homer in the second and went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Tom Matthew scattered eight hits and struck out six as the Seraphs (5-16) defeated the Scarlet Fliers (11-13) in a nondivisional game.
Brendan Roddy went 2-for-3 with a double for Neptune.
MONMOUTH 4, HOLMDEL 0: Matt Conte hurled five-hit ball over the first six innings and C.J.Pratt's two-run single highlighted a four-run second as the Golden Falcons (10-11) defeated the Hornets (9-15) in a nondivisional game.
MARLBORO 4, RED BANK 1: Senior right-hander Matthew Lictenthal struck out eight and allowed an unearned run on three hits over the first five innings to pick up his first varsity win and Cameron Nichols pitched the last two innings to pick up his first varsity save as the Mustangs (5-17) defeated the Bucs (4-18) in a nondivisional game.
Anthony DiMarco went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI for Marlboro.
LONG BRANCH 13, KEYPORT 7: Marques Johnson went 4-for-r with five RBI and three runs scored to lead the Green Wave (5-17) to the nondivisional win over the Red Raiders (6-12).
Craig Youncofski homered and had three RBI for Keyport.
SPOTSWOOD 5, HENRY HUDSON 2: Brian Olfson hit a two-run homer for the Admirals (8-11), bubut it was not enough to avoid defeat to the Chargers (20-4).
Mike Hohman was 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI for Spotswood.

Monday baseball - RBC beats Ranaudo, St. Rose in SCT; TR South, Colts Neck, Jackson, Raritan win in NJSIAAs, Ocean, Wall win regular season games

GAME REPORTS BELOW SCOREBORD


NJSIAA Tournament First Round

Central Jersey Group IV
North Brunswick 3, Manalapan 2 - Braves rally falls short

Colts Neck 10, WW South 3 - Tony DeSclafani (6-1) threw four innings of one hit ball with six Ks.

Hunterdon Central 7, Midd. North 6



Old Bridge 2, Freehold Twp. 0


Jackson 9, Sayreville 3


Central Jersey Group III

Moorestown 5, Neptune 4



Central Jersey Group II
Roselle Park 6, Manasquan 1

Raritan 12, Shore 1 - two home runs for Dave Shrum of the Rockets.



South Jersey Group IV

TR South 4, Millville 2 - Joe Talerico two-run HR in four-run sixth. His career 15th ties him with Jeff Frazier for 2nd all time at TR South behind Todd Frazier (26).


Washington Twp. 2, TR East 0: Raiders held to four hits.



South Jersey Group II

Audubon 2, Barnegat 1



Delran 9, Point Boro 3 - Pat Baserta 2-run HR, 3 RBI

Shore Conference Tournament

First Round

RB Catholic 6, St. Rose 2 - Kyle O' Neill (3-for-4, 4 RBI) hits two-run HR in the fifth off Ranaudo for a 5-2 RBC lead

Regular season


Southern 3, Manchester 2

Long Branch 16, Red Bank 9

Wall 5, Howell 2 - Matt Debonis had an RBI double and Kyle Middleton a two-run single for the Knights (18-5). Sophomore right-hander Frank DeSarno notched his first varsity win in a complete game effort, fanning six. Wall will host Donovan 3:45 p.m. Tuesday in an SCT Round of 16 game.


Ocean 6, St. Mary's (Rutherford) 3 - Weinkofsky two-run single (no HR). Willie Rodriguez 1-for-2, four stolen bases, RBI single, two runs scored.

Holmdel 6, Marlboro 5





GAME REPORTS
Caseys jar Ranaudo, St. Rose

Red Bank Catholic didn't figure to do much scoring Monday against St. Rose ace Anthony Ranaudo in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament.
"'We were, of course, expecting to win by maybe scratching out a run here or there,'' said RBC coach Tony Martinez. ""Maybe squeeze in a run.''
But RBC (15-9) did more than that.
It got a two-run double and a two-run home run from junior Kyle O'Neill and the 14th-seeded Caseys (15-8) jolted the third-seeded Purple Roses, 6-2.
O'Neill hit a two-run double in the third inning that made it 2-1 and his two-run home run in the fifth made it 5-2.
""Kyle has kind of waited for the right time to start performing,'' said Martinez. ""He missed three games with high ankle sprain and it took him a little while to feel comfortable.
""He was our four hitter and we dropped him to eight, and lately we moved him up to sixth.''
O'Neill went 3-for-4 Monday.
Ranaudo, who has signed with LSU, fell to 5-1 suffering just the third loss of his varsity career.
The 6-7 right-hander was charged with six runs, four earned, struck out four, walked three, and hit a batter in five innings.
""We had some success today in fast ball counts,'' said Martinez. ""Our hitters had a lot of confidence today.
""You definitely want to build on this win. It's good to know you can have success against a dominating pitcher.''
Senior J.C. Menna took over on the mound for RBC in the fourth inning. He struck out six and walked two, allowed two hits, and one unearned run to improve to 4-2.
'' I tip my hat to RBC, they played very well today,'' said Bart McInerney, coach of St Rose (19-2).
""They deserved to win the game today.''
RBC moves into the quarter final round vs. the winner of Wednesday night's game between 11th-seeded St. John Vianney and No. 6 Toms River East.

- Tony Graham

RARITAN 12, SHORE 1: Dave Shrum slammed solo homers in the second and sixth innings and had three RBI and senior right-hander Marc Zecchino struck out 12 over 51/3 innings as the 11th-seeded Rockets (14-8) defeated the Blue Devils (15-8) in a Central Jersey Group II game.
Charlie Rivera had three RBI, including a two-run triple in a six-run third inning and and Ed Martin was 3-for-3 as Raritan banged out 16 hits in beating Shore for the second time in four days.
Raritan play at No. 3 seed Rumson-Fair Haven Friday in a CJ II quarterfinal. Rumson won the two regular season meetings between the two teams.

- Steven Falk


TR SOUTH 4, MILLVILLE 2: Joe Talerico's two-run home run put the No. 4 seeded Indians (19-6) ahead to stay as they scored all their runs in the sixth inning and wiped out a 2-0 deficit and defeated the 13th-seeded Thunderbolts (13-9) in a South Jersey Group IV first-round game.
Talerico, who has signed a national letter of intent to attend Seton Hall University, now has five homers on the season and 15 for his career. He is tied for second on the school's all-time list with current Seattle Mariners' farmhand Jeff Frazier. Rutgers University junior shortstop Todd Frazier is the school's all-time home run leader with 26, tied for second in the Shore all-time with current Ocean catcher Keith Weinkofsky.
Chase Gray, who led off the sixth with his school-record tying 27th career double, made it 2-1 when he scored on a throwing error on Brian Chrashewski's infield single. Talerico's homer made it 3-2 and winning pitcher Tyler Gebler capped the rally with an RBI single.Gebler (5-4) pitched two innings of one-hit relief with three strikeouts. Marc Potter hurled five-plus innings of one-run ball.
Talerico, Gebler and Ryan Kapp all had two hits.

- Steve Falk



rdup JACKSON 9, SAYREVILLE 3: Billy Lee had a two-run single to highlight a six-run fifth inning that broke a 3-3 tie, slugged a two-run homer in the third and had five RBI as the No. 3 seeded Jaguars (19-6) defeated the Bombers (9-10) in a Central Jersey Group IV first-round game for their first state tournament win since 2003.
Ryan Guarino had an RBI double and two more runs scored on an error in the fifth inning.
Seniors Joe Marchitelli hurled 21/3 innings of hitless relief with two strikeouts to improve to 3-3.
Jackson is within range of the school record for wins set in 1972 when it went 22-7 en route to the NJSIAA Group III championship behind 12-3 ace John Langford.
.

- Steven Falk

COLTS NECK 10, WEST WINDSOR SOUTH 3: Ethan Jackson slammed a three-run triple in a four-run first inning and the Cougars (18-6) tied the school record for victories by downing the Pirates (10-13) in a Central Jersey IV game.
A.J. Rusbarksy paced a 14-hit attack going 4-for-4 with two RBI and had one of his team's three triples, Ashton Jackson added three hits, and Pat Specchio doubled, tripled, and drove in a run.
Anthony DeSclafani struck out six over four one-hit innings leaving with a 7-1 lead.
- Tony Graham



HUNTERDON CENTRAL 7, MIDDLETOWN NORTH 6: The Red Devils (20-5) scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single and the third wild pitch of the inning on what would have been an inning-ending strikeout to spoil the upset bid of the Lions (11-13) in CJ 4.
Senior Chris Saginor and Jim Trancucci each had three hits and Kevin Mager two hits for North in its season finale.
- Tony Graham



WASHINGTOWN TOWNSHIP 2, TOMS RIVER EAST 0: The 14th-seeded Minuteman (13-10) rode the four-hit pitching of University of Maryland bound senior Bill Rice past the No. 3 Raiders (20-6). Toms River East's best shot was in the fifth inning but it left the bases loaded.
Nick Favatella hit a solo home run in the second to give Township the lead.
Losing pitcher Pete Fitzsimmons allowed four hits, fanned five, and walked one.

- Tony Graham


OLD BRIDGE 2, FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP 0: Mike Aguliera,struck out 10, walked none for Old Bridge. Matt Cadigan went the whole way for the Patriots (12-9), struck out five, walked one.
Chris Ballester was 3-for-3 for Freehold Township. Old Bridge got an RBI double by Doug Frew and an RBI single by Mike Conway.

Tony Graham/Steve Falk


NORTH BRUNSWICK 3, MANALAPAN 2: Chris Lamboy had an RBI single in the sixth inning but a line-drive double play halted the rally and the Braves(16-10) went on to lose the CJ IV game to North Brunswick (14-10),
Craig Peterson led off the Manalapan seventh with a home run and Manalapan loaded the bases with two out. But the game ended on a fly out to left.


- Tony Graham


MOORESTOWN 5, NEPTUNE 4: Bryan Toohey socked a solo home run in th seventh inning but the Scarlet Fliers (11-12) fell in their first NJSIAA appearance since 1995 in a CJ 3 game at the hands of Moorestown (9-5).
Sean Scorben went 2-for-3 with two RBI for Neptune which took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning.
Toohey, a senior right-hander bound for Connecticut, struck out five but was reached for three home runs.
- Tony Graham

AUDUBON 2, BARNEGAT 1: Junior Matt McNeal struck out 11 but the Green Wave pushed over two runs in the sixth inning to eliminate the Bengals (13-11) in a South Jersey II game.
Sam Redmond singled home McNeal in the fourth inning for Barnegat.


OCEAN 6, ST. MARY'S (Rutherford) 3: Keith Weinkofsky had a two-run single capping a three-run sixth inning when the Spartans (18-4) snapped a 3-3 tie and registered a nonconference win over the Gaels (17-8).
Willie Rodriguez (normally the courtesy runner for Weinkofsky), got a rare start in the outfield, went 1-for-2 with an RBI single, scored two runs, and stole for bases.
Freshman Ed Mejias pitched two innings in relief for the win and Kyle Norman notched a save, his third.
Ocean coach Del Dal Pra said junior Jamie Rosenkranz (4-2) will face Pat Biserta and Point Boro in Tuesday's SCT second round game at Ocean.

SOUTHERN 3, MANCHESTER 2: Andrew Schmidt had two hits and scored twice helping the Rams (9-15) down the Hawks (13-8) in a nondivision game.
Southern's Devon Cucuzza drove in two runs with a sac. fly and a fielder's choice.
Ryan Casey singled, doubled, scored a run, and stole two bases for Manchester.

- Tony Graham


LONG BRANCH 16, RED BANK 9: Josh Weiss, 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored, 4 RBI for the Green Wave (4-16) .
Weiss had a two-run double in the fifth inning and RBI-singles (6th and 7th) in the nondivision game.
LB's Shawn Brown 4-for-5 with 2 runs scored 4 RBI. Had RBI singles (1st and 6th), two-run-double in the 5th.
For the Bucs (4-17) Zach Honecker 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

- Tony Graham

Jags tune up for NJSIAAs with big win

Jackson delivers Sunday punch to Elizabeth, 5-1

Junior right-hander Paul Alvear (2-0) went 5.1 innings and visiting Jackson (18-6), No. 10 in the Press Top 10 Poll, scored four runs in the third inning to defeat Elizabeth (18-5) Sunday afternoon, 5-1.

Cory Carr and Eddie Giddings, catching for Bill Lee who had the day off, had two-run doubles in the third inning.

Jackson launches its bid in Central Jerey Group IV Monday afternoon when it hosts Sayreville. Jackson is seeded third in CJ IV and Sayreville 14th.
Jackson visits TR`South Wednesday in a Shore Conference Tournament first round game.

Updated with Tuesday results (Will update this again Thursday after Wednesday action) ...Pick the SCT winner!...my pick below

Who do you think wins it???..


Here is the current field after Tuesday.



Upper bracket: 1. TRN vs. 16 Freehold Twp., 9. Rumson vs. No. 8 C Neck; . 4. Ocean vs. No.5 Wall. .


Lower bracket: 2. CBA vs. 18. Raritan; 10. Jackson vs. 7. TR South; 11. SJ Vianney vs. 6. TR East; 14.RBC vs. (11) SJ Vianney/(6) TR East winner.

Games this week:

Upper bracket first round match ups

Free Twp. at TR N Wed 3:45 p.m.
Rumson at Colts Neck Wed 3:45 p.m.



Lower bracket first round matchups


SJ Vianney at TR East Wed 7:30 p.m.
Jackson at TR South Wed 3:45 p.m.

My thoughts... - Lower bracket .

CBA , St. Rose, TR East, and TR South all in the same bracket. Ouch - a tough draw all-around. Considering some NJSIAA games (and perhaps MCT games) as well may be mixed in here, pitching staffs will be stretched.My dark horse in this bracket - SJ Vianney. We'll see abou that one Wednesday night.

From this group I think CBA has the superior mound strength anchored by Kyle Slate with Dave Laufer and Remy Cohen backing him up and also the most potent lineup.


No one can get the Laufers out these days.



From the upper bracket: The favorites would appear to be TR North and Ocean who would not meet until the semifinal. Colts Neck, playing very well at the moment, could square off with TR North in the quarters with Class B North champ Wall and Ocean in the other quarter.Dark horse - Colts Neck (no pun intended). This team didn't tie CBA for first place in North by accident.


Tough call here, but I have to go with Keith Weinkofsky and the Ocean bats as difference maker.

If my picks prevail (not likely!!) it's a CBA vs. Ocean final.

If both teams are still in the states...it remains to be seen what pitchers will be on the hill since coaches tend to use their No. 1's in the states.And the winner is.........CBA, Ocean, CBA, Ocean, flipping coin, CBA, Ocean,CBA Ocean..and finally, purely on a hunch .....

Ocean.

Full Press coverage of Monsignor Donovan's first SCT win in seven years

Griffins down Braves behind Gannon's bat and arm

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

LAKEWOOD - Paul Murray, Monsignor Donovan High School baseball coach, tossed Saturday's game ball through the drizzly air to winning pitcher Andy Gannon.
""Here you go, kid,'' said Murray
Gannon thought for a moment about what he might do with the souvenir from the school's first victory in the Shore Conference Tournament since 2000.
""Maybe I'll put it on my mantle, mount it up there,'' said Gannon.
The junior held a potent Manalapan lineup to three hits, struck out seven, walked none, and also drove in three runs to lead the Griffins to a 7-2 SCT first round victory over the Braves (16-9) at FirstEnergy Park.
Monsignor Donovan (12-10), seeded 21st, will visit fifth-seeded Wall (17-5) in a Round of Sixteen Game tentatively set for Wednesday.
Gannon (5-4) said pitching at the spacious home of the Lakewood BlueClaws, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, was much different than pitching at his long ball friendly high school field.
There, Manalapan defeated him a few weeks ago in a nondivision game, 5-2.
""He was in total command today with his fastball, changeup, and curveball,'' said Murray. ""He got strikeouts on every pitch.''
""Fly balls here are routine outs,'' said Gannon. ""I can focus on my pitches and be aggressive.''
Saturday Gannon focused on his hitting as well with a pair of doubles.
He blasted a long two-run double to left field in the first inning and in the third a two-run single by Adam Murray helped make it 5-0.
Manalapan appeared to receive a break with two down in the fourth. Two runs scored when a Jay Goldheimer fly ball was dropped in right field and Ryan Harvey then lashed a single to center.
But junior Ken Ouimet's laser throw to the plate cut down Goldheimer trying to score.
""The kid (Ouimet) has big time arm,'' said Murray. ""Normally something like that (error) is deflating to a team. But to come back and throw the kid out at home switched the momentum in our favor.''
In the fifth Gannon pulled an RBI double inside third base and Chris Khoudary's RBI single made it a five-run game.
According to Asbury Park Press records Donovan's last SCT appearance before Saturday was in 2001 after it defeated Keansburg, 3-1, in 2000.
Murray said Mark Poinsett (2-1), a sophomore left-hander, will have the assignment against the Knights.
""Winning this is a good feeling,'' said Gannon. ""We just want to keep it going. Hopefully we can have a good game against Wall.''

Saturday baseball

Shore Conference Tournament
First Round
(11) SJ Vianney 9, Manasquan 0 - Nick Scarillo two, two-run homers and Chris Lewnes also had a two-run homer (more below).

At FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood
(21) Monsignor Donovan 7, Manalapan 2 (Please see separate story)

Regular Season
St. Rose 10, Monsignor Donovan 4 - John McGrath went 2-for-3 with an RBI; Anthony Ranaudo drove in three runs with two hits including a two-run triple in a six-run fourth inning ,and junior Casey Cannon struck out seven over five innings for the Purple Roses (19-1). Connor Smith had an RBI double in the big inning.



TR South 8, Clearview 4 - Joe Talerico goes 3-for-3 with a three-run home run and four RBI and becomes the 10th player in Toms River South history to record 100 hits (more below).

TR North 6, Central 2

Old Bridge 1, Marlboro 0





GAME REPORTS
IN A SHORE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT GAME
ST. JOHN VIANNEY 9, MANASQUAN 0: Nick Scarillo hit two, two-run homers and Chris Lewnes added a two-run homer as the 11th-seeded Lancers (16-6) defeated the 22nd-seeded Warriors (11-13) in a Shore Conference Tournament first-round game.
Lewnes hit his homer and Scarillo socked his first in the first inning as St. John Vianney took a 4-0 lead. Scarillo's second homer came in the fifth. Scarillo has five homers on the season and Lewnes four.
Paul Bacigalupi had a no-hitter through four innings and pitched a three-hitter with four strikeouts through five innings.
St. John Vianney will play at No. 6 seed Toms River East (20-5) in the Round of 16 sometime this week.

IN REGULAR SEASON GAMES
TR SOUTH 8, CLEARVIEW 4: Seton Hall University-bound Joe Talerico became the 10th player in Toms River South's history to record 100 hits for a career and went 3-for-3 with four RBI as the Indians (18-6) defeated the Pioneers (7-12) in a nonconference game.
His 100th career hit came on a three-run homer in the third. He also had an RBI single in the first and singled and scored in the fifth.
Chase Gray was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.


TR NORTH 6, CENTRAL 2: Billy Hoermann hit a two-run double and Scott Shan a two-run homer in the first inning and five pitchers combined on a seven-hitter as the Mariners (21-4), ranked No. 6 in the Asbury Park Press Top 10, defeated the Golden Eagles (4-14-1)… Saturday night at Al Leiter Field, Berkeley.