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.
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.
posted by Tony Graham at 6:06 PM
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