Game #21 vs Metuchen

Metuchen (1) at South Plainfield (11)

Taylor Born (3) of South Plainfield steals second, beating the tag of Metuchen's Stephen Fortuna (13) during South Plainfield's 11-1 victory on Friday. - (Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger)

Ryan Marcoux (9, right) of South Plainfield is congratulated by teammate Taylor Born after scoring a run during their team's 11-1 victory over Metuchen on Friday. - (Noah K. Murray/The Star-Ledger)

Mark Tomei (32) of South Plainfield receives high fives from teammates after scoring against Metuchen at Frank Jost Field. South Plainfield, NJ 5/11/12 (Noah K. Murray -The Star Ledger)

Mike Hronich (21) of Metuchen runs into the tag of Ryan Marcoux (9) of South Plainfield during baseball game at Frank Jost Field. South Plainfield, NJ 5/11/12 (Noah K. Murray -The Star Ledger)  

John Haley, May 11, 2012 7:33 p.m.

Judging by its performance in a Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament tune-up with Metuchen, South Plainfield is a well-oiled machine. South Plainfield recorded an 11-1 triumph and raised its record from 3-5 at one point to 14-7 with its sixth straight victory on Friday in South Plainfield.
South Plainfield, which belted out 14 hits, including four doubles, has outscored its opponents 53-8 during its win streak.
Nine players had at least one hit, eight players had at least one RBI, and seven players scored at least one run in a total team effort. Pitcher Tim O’Leary made his first start a memorable one as he tamed a hot-hitting Metuchen team on two hits with two strikeouts, two walks, and a hit batter.
Stephen Petriello and A.J. Celantano led the barrage with two hits and two RBI each, while Taylor Born, Justin Marks, and Ryan Marcoux all had two hits.
“We’re finally playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played,’’ said South Plainfield head coach Anthony Guida. “We’re pitching, we’re catching the ball, we’re hitting and doing all the little things like running the bases. We’re playing a complete game right now, which is what you want to do this time of the season.’’
South Plainfield scored single runs in the first and second innings and led, 2-1, before breaking things open with four runs in the third and four more in the fourth to claim a 10-1 lead.
In the third, after an out, a hit by pitch, and a bloop single by Pat Boyle, South Plainfield scored on RBI singles by Marks and Marcoux, a sacrifice fly by Jeff Pellegrino, and an RBI single by Sal Esposito, the No. 9 batter.
In the fourth, a two-run single broke things open by Celantano, who was the first batter to face Metuchen ace Stephen Fortuna, who pitched two innings of relief (five hits, two runs).
“We hit from up and down in the order,’’ said Guida. “And Tim pitched great. He had pitched a handful of innings in relief, so he was nervous, especially against a good hitting team. They hit some shots, but right at people, and we made the plays.’’

Staff Report
SOUTH PLAINFIELD 11, METUCHEN 1 (5 inn.): Tim O’Leary finished with two strikeouts, one earned run while allowing two hits to lead the Tigers over the Bulldogs.
Justin Marks had a double and an RBI for South Plainfield while Jon Petrakakos had an RBI double for Metuchen.