GAME #15 South Plainfield 8, JFK Iselin 7.

By Star-Ledger
on April 29, 2014 8:58 p.m.

Justin Marks beat out a throw home as South Plainfield defeated Iselin Kennedy in walk-off fashion, 8-7, in South Plainfield.
In the home half of the eighth inning, Marks hit a single into left field. Nick Polizzano and Rob Eggert then each put down bunt singles to load the bases. Sean Erhardt then stepped to the plate and hit an infield single to drive home Marks.
Bryan Gillen finished 2-for-2 with a run, three RBI and a triple for South Plainfield. Chris Graves earned the win striking out three in four innings. He allowed two earned runs and walked three.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2325443014058730686/iselin-kennedy-7-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #15 South Plainfield 8, JFK Iselin 7.

By Star-Ledger
on April 29, 2014 8:58 p.m.

Justin Marks beat out a throw home as South Plainfield defeated Iselin Kennedy in walk-off fashion, 8-7, in South Plainfield.
In the home half of the eighth inning, Marks hit a single into left field. Nick Polizzano and Rob Eggert then each put down bunt singles to load the bases. Sean Erhardt then stepped to the plate and hit an infield single to drive home Marks.
Bryan Gillen finished 2-for-2 with a run, three RBI and a triple for South Plainfield. Chris Graves earned the win striking out three in four innings. He allowed two earned runs and walked three.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2325443014058730686/iselin-kennedy-7-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #14 Jackson 2, South Plainfield 0

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger

Standing in left field with Jackson nursing a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, Joe Demaio played every possible scenario over in his mind. No matter what happened, if the ball came his way, he’d be prepared.
“I just wanted someone to hit me the ball so I could make a play,” Demaio said.
So when South Plainfield’s Kyle Dickerson swung and lifted one high to right field, Demaio knew exactly what to do.
The Jackson outfielder camped underneath it for one out, then fired home to catch a tagging Rob Eggert. The 7-2 double play secured a 2-0 Jackson victory in the Autism Awareness Challenge in North Brunswick.
“When it left the bat I ended up going back because I thought it was gonna be deeper than it was,” Demaio said. “I ended up having to run in on it. That gave me a running start when I let it go.”
The double play ended South Plainfield’s best chance for a run on the day. Throughout the majority of the contest, Jackson, No. 16 in The Star-Ledger 20, watched as starting pitcher Ryan Takacs took over.
Through 6 1/3 innings, the righty allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four.
“I was feeling it,” Takacs said. “I was a little around the strike zone, but I was getting the job done. Then I just lost it a little in the seventh."
Eggert led off the game’s final frame with a single before stealing second. Takacs then hit the next two batters to load the bases. The situation pulled coach Frank Malta out of the dugout for a pitching change.
Out came Takacs and in came Chris Hawryluk.
“Ryan really battled to get us to that point,” Malta said. “Bringing Chris in wasn’t something we anticipated in that situation. Chris is a sophomore and Ryan is a junior. We know those two can be very effective.”
Hawryluk threw just one pitch before Demaio’s double play.
“That last play was pretty nice,” Takacs said. “I thought it was actually going to drop, but (Demaio) came running in, he got momentum and he got the out.”
On the other side, South Plainfield starter Vincent Pellegrino matched Takacs in a pitching duel. The right-hander went the distance, allowing four hits, one earned run and no walks while striking out one.
A passed ball in the third and sacrifice fly in the seventh were the lone runs that came across under his watch.
“He did a great job on the mound,” Malta said. “They’re a very good team. It was a great test for us today. You can see with the way they all play the game they do a great job.”
It was Jackson's first year at the Autism Awareness Challenge. For the last seven years, teams across the state have come together to raise autism awareness. The tournament is run and organized by Colorado Rockies scout Mike Garlatti.
“I’ve known Mike for a while and I was very honored when he asked us to play,” Malta said. “To be able to explain to our guys what these games and showcases are all about is a great thing.
“Mike had a dinner for us and we got to bring a few kids up and they heard him speak and they got a little more respect when it comes to people dealing with autism.”
Eggert finished 2-for-3 for South Plainfield. Mike Petrizzo and Brandon Janofsky scored the lone runs for Jackson.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3325451014080730658/south-plainfield-0-at-jackson-2-baseball/

GAME #13 South Plainfield 12, Immaculata 5

By Star-Ledger
on April 25, 2014 9:15 p.m.

Aidan McDermott had three hits including one double and three RBI to lead South Plainfield past Immaculata, 12-5, in Flemington. Rob Eggert had three runs for South Plainfield. Brandon Rickert pitched for five innings and had two strikeouts for South Plainfield. Derek Walker had two runs for Immaculata.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3325457014216730948/south-plainfield-12-at-immaculata-5-baseball/

Baseball: Autism Awareness Challenge preview

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 25, 2014 8:42 a.m.                   

Seven years ago, 16 Greater Middlesex County teams got together to play eight game with one common goal. For one afternoon, all put aside the "win at all costs" mentality for the sole purpose of bringing awareness to the illness Autism.

"It was just about getting the word out, getting people some information," Colorado Rockies scout Mike Garlatti said. "And we wanted to use baseball as the avenue to do that."
This coming Saturday, 26 teams across seven counties will play 13 games at three different locations with that same common goal. The afternoon, which has earned the name "The Autism Awareness Challenge," has ballooned to something even Garlatti didn't imagine when he began it so many years ago.
"I really never thought it was going to get this big," Garlatti, who has a son who suffers with autism, said. "Not that it has to be that big, but we've added some things to it. We've got some bigger named and ranked schools, it's intriguing to fans."
Garlatti's baseball career began as a former catcher at both the University of Tampa and Ramapo College. Later, he worked underneath Fred Hill on Rutgers University's coaching staff before he created the "Baseball Warehouse," a baseball school helping kids of all ages.
It was during this time that Garlatti wanted to create something to bring attention to Autism.
"You see how in the majors they do the pink bats for breast cancer and the NFL makes everything pink," Garlatti said. "I wanted to bring awareness and I got a lot of help from the local high school coaches. It's really grown."
One of the teams that has been involved for the last five years is North Brunswick High School.
"The whole point of it isn't even really baseball," North Brunswick coach Ryan Lillis said. "It's a fun day where everyone is at one spot. There's some good competition, everyone is talking about it and Mike usually sets up a table. It's designed to spread the word."
This year, all athletes will be taking an additional step in spreading the word. For the first time, each team will go to school on Friday in a different, extravagant colored jersey with the hope fans, parents, teachers and fellow students ask what it's for.
"All of the kids have been versed on how to explain it to them," Lillis said. "After they do, the hope is it will reach thousands and thousands of kids during the day. Those kids go home and explain it to their parents and it spreads."
While in the past games have been played at one location, this year they will be played at three: North Brunswick Community Park, East Brunswick High School and Myrtle Field in Metuchen. Below you will find the complete schedule for The Autism Awareness Challenge.

NORTH BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY PARK: 

Field One:
North Brunswick vs Montgomery, 10am
Steinert vs St. Joseph (Met), 1 pm
Edison vs Elizabeth, 4pm
Millburn vs Red Bank Catholic, 7pm

Field Two: South Plainfield vs Jackson Memorial, 10:30am
Spotswood vs New Brunswick, 1:30pm
Somerville vs Sayreville, 4:30pm
CBA vs Pope John, 7:30pm

MYRTLE FIELD Plainfield vs Dunellen, 2pm
Bernards vs Middlesex, 4:30pm
Metuchen vs Barnegat, 7:30pm

EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL Ridge vs East Brunswick, 1:30pm
Weehawken vs South River, 4:30pm

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7839117519703551037/baseball-autism-awareness-challenge-and-preview/

Middlesex baseball: Updated team records

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 24, 2014 7:30 a.m.

The season is another week older as we take a look at where each team stands within the county. Below you will find each teams respective record.
Please note, records are updated through April 23

RED DIVISION
South Brunswick (6-5)
East Brunswick (8-3)
Old Bridge (10-1)
J.P. Stevens (5-7)
Piscataway (3-7)
Edison (4-6)
Perth Amboy (1-7)
Sayreville (5-5)
St. Joseph (Met) (9-2)

WHITE DIVISION
South Plainfield (8-4)
North Brunswick (7-5)
Monroe (8-2)
Woodbridge (4-7)
Colonia (4-7)
JFK (2-9)

BLUE DIVISION
Spotswood (8-4)
Bishop Ahr (4-3)
New Brunswick (1-9)
Metuchen (5-2)
Middlesex (8-4)
South River (7-5)
Carteret (5-8)

GOLD DIVISION
South Amboy (9-0)
Cardinal McCarrick (7-3)
Highland Park (5-3)
East Brunswick Tech (5-5)
Dunellen (4-7)
Timothy Christian (2-7)
Piscataway Tech (3-6)
Wardlaw-Hartridge (3-4)
Perth Amboy Tech (1-8)

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2184288917451185910/middlesex-baseball-updated-team-records/

GAME #12 Monroe 9, South Plainfield 5

Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger

 

 

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 23, 2014 8:20 p.m.

 



As Monroe coach Pat Geroni glanced over his team’s roster prior to the start of the season, he prepared himself for a year that would be filled with questions -- and, he hoped, answers.
After watching five senior players graduate, leaving just as many holes in the field, Geroni knew the replacements were talented, but unproven. One of the biggest questions on his mind was how they would bounce back after a difficult loss.
Just 24 hours after watching a game slip away versus South Plainfield, Geroni got his answer. Monroe won the second of a two-game series, 9-5, yesterday in South Plainfield, to improve to 8-2 on the season.
“This is a huge step,” Geroni said. “We wanted to see what we had today, we wanted to see how we’d come out and we really answered the bell. The energy in the dugout was unbelievable from the start.”
Eric Heatter got the start for Monroe and pitched a complete game. The freshman scattered 10 hits, allowed three earned runs, walked two and struck out six.
“To get this win feels great,” Heatter said. “It was a good way to stay composed and the team gave me a lot of run support, which is good.”
After managing just one run and two hits in its 4-1 loss to South Plainfield, Monroe jumped on top early. In the second inning, the team brought 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs, highlighted by Chris Hernandez’s RBI single.
“Coach has been working with us all in the cage,” said Hernandez, who finished 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI. “We’ve been hitting pretty well lately, just trying to keep it up.”
Monroe would add three more runs in the third off an RBI from Kyle Daly, an error and a wild pitch. Despite the 9-1 deficit, South Plainfield worked to mount a comeback.
In the home half of the third, Aidan McDermott hit a two-run home run that sailed well over the 320-foot sign in left field. Four batters later, Sean Erhardt hit an RBI double to cut the lead to 9-4.
With South Plainfield beginning to gain momentum, Heatter simply took a deep breath and brought the game back to his pace.
“I just needed to stay composed, stay within myself and throw strikes,” Heatter said. “That’s all I gotta do.”
Heatter would allow just one run the remainder of the game.
“I remember his first scrimmage, I said, 'he’s a freshman,' ” Geroni said. “Then he struck out three guys in 10 pitches. This wasn’t his best day, the wind in his face was killing his fastball. He’s been striking out two-plus an inning.”
Geroni admitted that when the season began, he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d have. During his three-year tenure with Monroe, seniors, with an underclassman or two sprinkled in, had always dominated the team.
But what the team lacks in experience, it makes up for in something else, he said.
“This whole year the kids have been real gritty, and grit isn’t something we have had at Monroe in the recent past,” Geroni said. “”We’ve had good teams, great players and kids that work hard, but this team tends to get those little jam-shot singles, they lay out in big situations.
“This team is an outstanding ballclub.”
McDermott finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI for South Plainfield. Ryan Jendrus went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI for Monroe.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6797012293772231096/south-plainfield-5-at-monroe-9-baseball/

 

 

Middlesex County Baseball Stat Leaders

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 23, 2014 7:30 a.m.

As we do every Wednesday, let's take a look at the top statistical leaders throughout Middlesex County. See something you think we're missing? Contact Connor Hughes. (Chughes@Njschoolsports.com)
Please note: Stats are submitted and compiled via coach or reporter at games. If games are not reported, complete with stats, that player's stats will not be represented below.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY STAT LEADERS
OFFENSE
HITS
1- Orville Vazquez, South Amboy- 16
2- Nick Smutko, East Brunswick- 15
T3- Nick LaVecchia, Old Bridge- 14
T3- Chris Hernandez, Monroe- 14
T3- Joseph Siecinski, J.P. Stevens- 14
T3- Mike Ng, East Brunswick, 14
DOUBLES
1- Jefferson Bonialla, Piscataway Tech- 5
T1- Tristan O'Connor, Middlesex- 5
3- 11 tied at 4
TRIPLES
1- Zach Attianese, Old Bridge- 3
2- Victor Konstantinovsky, North Brunswick- 2
T2- Dom Lampasona, Middlesex- 2
T2- Orville Vazquez, South Amboy- 2
5- 20+ tied at 1
HOME RUNS
1- Cliff O'Brien, Wardlaw-Hartridge- 2
T1- Nick LaVecchia, Old Bridge- 2
T1- David Johnson, Dunellen- 2
T1- Will Johnson, Spotswood- 2
T1- Justin Marks, South Plainfield- 2 
 T1- Tim Kales, South Amboy- 2
RBI
1- Tim Kales, South Amboy, 20
T2- Eric Reardon, North Brunswick, 12
T2- Jeremy Corrente, Spotswood, 12
T2- Will Johnson, Spotswood, 12
T2- Frank LoGuidice, J.P. Stevens, 12
PITCHING
WINS
1- Victor Dudka, East Brunswick, 4
T1- Brandon Abdul, Old Bridge, 4
T1- Kyle Moroney, South Plainfield, 4
4- 9 tied at 3
STRIKEOUTS
1- Anthony Keri, Middlesex, 43
2- Dan Murphy, South Amboy, 37
3- Brandon Abdul, Old Bridge, 35
4- Brandon Bielak, St. Joseph (Met.), 33
5- John DiNoia, East Brunswick Tech, 32

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7764416860463368002/middlesex-baseball-countys-stat-leaders-updated-through-april-22/
 

GAME #11 South Plainfield 4, Monroe 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 22, 2014 9:16 p.m.

Kyle Moroney struck out 11, allowed just two hits, one earned run and no walks as South Plainfield defeated Monroe, 4-1, in Monroe.
After Monroe tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth, South Plainfield scored two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to pull away. Aidan McDermott went 2-for-4 with an RBI and one run.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6797016293774230993/south-plainfield-4-at-monroe-1-baseball/

MONROE — As soon as the opponent’s bat greeted the ill-advised changeup, Kyle Moroney knew the ball, his shutout, his scoreless innings streak and – most importantly to the senior right-hander – his team’s lead were gone.
After cleanup hitter Anthony Tagliaferro’s solo blast over the left-centerfield fence enabled Monroe to forge a short-lived 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth, Moroney’s South Plainfield High School baseball teammates responded with two runs in the ensuing frame.
Moroney made the second lead stand, retiring the game’s final 11 batters while propelling the Tigers to Tuesday’s 4-1 victory as the Falcons endured their first Greater Middlesex Conference White Division loss.
Monroe, which entered the game with a phenomenal 0.60 team ERA, having allowed just 20 hits and six earned runs, fell to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the division. South Plainfield (8-3, 4-3) and Woodbridge trail the Falcons by one game in the wins column.
Despite returning just six of its innings pitched and with six starters from the team that reached last year’s GMC Tournament final currently playing in college, Monroe boasts the league’s fourth best overall record. Monroe’s pitching staff has been aided by solid defense as the middle infield has turned 11 double plays including one against the Tigers. Outfielders Chris Henrandez (.500) and Danny Gregor (.428) entered Tuesday’s game as the leading hitters on a solid lineup, which Moroney (4-0, 0.38 ERA) quelled.
“We’ve had some darn good pitchers come through here and that’s the best performance I’ve ever seen,” veteran South Plainfield head coach Anthony Guida said of Moroney’s two-hit, 11 strikeout effort.
South Plainfield took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on Rob Eggert’s perfectly executed safety squeeze down the first-base line that scored senior centerfielder Aidan McDermott with runners on the corners. McDermott, who will attend St. John’s University on a partial baseball scholarship, singled, stole second and advanced to third on a catcher’s throwing error.The Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the fifth on McDermott’s RBI single off losing pitcher Mario Danza’s glove and cleanup batter Justin Marks’ run-scoring single to center.
“I needed a boost right there and that’s exactly what they did,” Moroney said. “They gave me a lot of confidence going into the next inning. That’s huge insurance right there.”
Eggert’s perfectly executed hit-and-run single with two away through the left side of the infield, which shortstop Anthony Parente vacated to cover second base, gave South Plainfield a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh.

South Plainfield's Kyle Moroney tossed a two-hitter on Tuesday. / MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Moroney’s fastball, according to the radar gun of a college scout positioned behind the backstop, topped out at 88 mph and averaged 85 throughout the game. His curveball and circle change were sharp enough to keep Monroe hitters off-balance.
“I told the guys I was impressed with his knowledge of pitching,” Monroe head coach Pat Geroni said of a conversation with his players after scouting Moroney against Colonia earlier this season. “He definitely added about three or four miles today from that start. He just had a little extra than what I saw. He threw absolutely great.”
Moroney allowed just six balls to leave the infield – including Kyle Daly’s opposite-field double in the third – but his ability to not let the one that left the ballpark trouble him was the key to his success.
“After a big hit like that you are going to be a little bit startled, but what I always like to do, as soon as the ball is hit, if I think it’s gone, I just turn around,” Moroney said. “I never watch it because that’s going to sit in your head watching that thing land. The key is to be mad about it for a minute. Shake it off. Go back out there and do what you’ve got to do.”
Moroney’s visceral reaction – including a fist pump and a shout – after blowing a 2-2 fastball at the numbers past Tagliaferro in the seventh suggested he didn’t completely forget about the homer. His team’s two-run rally simply made it easier to deal with.
“He wanted that strikeout in the last inning,” Guida said. “For him to yell out like that, he was pretty upset. I think he knew that that was his first earned run (after 22 consecutive scoreless innings).”
Freshman left-hander Eric Heatter will start the second game of the home-and-home series against South Plainfield today. Over 15 and a third innings, the Monroe rookie has fanned 18, allowed six hits, four walks and one run.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140422/NJSPORTS0130/304220048/Moroney-South-Plainfield-top-Monroe

This weeks Star-Ledger MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 22, 2014 7:30 a.m.

Another week has passed and there has already been a shakeup in the "Top 10." Below you will find the Top 10 teams in the county for the second week of the season.

THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

1-St. Joseph (8-1)
Last week, St. Joes was No.2. This week, it moves up to No. 1. Between the top four teams in the county, expect all to make frequent stops at the top spot. When Old Bridge fell to South Brunswick, then St. Joes beat South Brunswick, it warranted a move to No. 1.
2-Old Bridge (7-1)
It's simple: As outlined above, Old Bridge lost to South Brunswick, St. Joes beat South Brunswick, thus, the swap. Both of these two teams are so evenly matched and comparable, expect this ranking to go back-and-forth throughout the season.
3-East Brunswick (8-2)
East Brunswick had a nice week and jumps up a spot in the Top 10. There has been a lot of talk between players and fans that East Brunswick is as good, if not better, than St. Joes. The two teams square off at the end of this week in a two-game series. The winner will get a clear-cut advantage in the argument.
4-South Plainfield (7-3)
As said above, each of the top four teams in the county can all make arguments at the No. 1 spot, and expect these rankings to change on a week-to-week basis. The great thing about Middlesex County is that on any given day, the No. 10 team can top the No. 1 team (as was the case last week.) South Plainfield drops down a spot after falling to North Brunswick.
5-Monroe (6-1)
Monroe won two more games and remains steady with where it was ranked last week. Its matchup today versus South Plainfield will be a very good test.
6-Edison (4-5)
Edison and Woodbridge, very similar to Old Bridge and St. Joes, are very...very comparable. Edison had a tough start to the year, but have bounced back well.
7-Woodbridge (4-5)
As outlined above, Woodbridge and Edison are both very similar teams and the argument can be made for both to be No. 6 in the county. At the end of the day, it's going to come down to who has the better week. Just keeping with the comparisons: both team's lost games last week...both were to teams outside of The Top 10...both by just one run.
8-South Brunswick (5-4)
South Brunswick gets the jump to No. 8 from 10 last week following its victory over Old Bridge. It has a very nice chance to keep climbing if it pulls out a victory over Edison today.
9-Spotswood (6-3)
After being unranked last week, Spotswood climbs into the Top 10 after a solid couple victories. Wins over Plainfield and Bishop Ahr, along with a few tough losses for Middlesex and Metuchen, warrant the jump.
10-Middlesex (7-3)
It was a very, very difficult week for Middlesex last week. After winning its first seven games of the year, Middlesex dropped three straight (two to Colonia, one to Monroe). Having a day or two off may be just what Middlesex needed as the players get a quick break and a chance to regroup.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-2015776387793204384/middlesex-baseball-the-countys-top-10-teams/

In Memory of Coach Mosca

A Letter From Anthony Guida:

 The South Plainfield High School Baseball Program will be installing a flagpole in memory of Coach Mosca. Coach always held a high regard for our country and its most famous symbol. When our athletic booster club donated a new scoreboard to our facility, the grounds crew removed the flagpole that was directly next to the old scoreboard. I can remember Coach Mosca taking the time to teach the players on how to properly fold an American flag after home games when I was the freshman coach. When I became Head Coach at South Plainfied, Coach Mosca would periodically mention that we didn't have our own flagpole. I just felt the flag on the football field would be fine. Coach Mosca, as humble as he was, just left it as that.
I'm posting to ask if you would like to make a donation towards purchasing the material needed to install a flagpole, shrubs and a plaque to remember Coach's countless time spent coaching the game of baseball to the student-athletes of South Plainfield High School.
If interested please send a check made out to:
 

South Plainfield Baseball
Anthony Guida
Baseball Mailbox
200 Lake Street
South Plainfield, NJ 07080

or see me, Coach Guida, or any baseball coach from the South Plainfield High School coaching staff.

We will have a dedication game on Friday, May 9th, at 4:00pm against Metuchen High School. I hope to see at the field soon and at our dedication game.

Thank you,
Anthony Guida

GAME #10 South Plainfield 8, Rutgers Prep 0

By Star-Ledger
on April 19, 2014 7:32 p.m.

South Plainfield recorded 14 hits and six different players drove in runs when it defeated Rutgers Prep, 8-0, in South Plainfield.
Rob Eggert went 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. Bryan Gillen went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles. Vincent Pellegrino earned the victory, fanning four in six innings. He scattered three hits without allowing an earned run or walk.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7796997293652230899/rutgers-prep-0-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #9 South Plainfield 5, North Brunswick 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 17, 2014 8:52 p.m.

Kyle Moroney struck out eight, scattered three hits, didn't allow an earned run and walked one in South Plainfield's 5-1 victory over North Brunswick in the second game of a doubleheader in North Brunswick.
Justin Marks went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Chris Graves went 1-for-3 with a run and one RBI. Joe Manley went 2-for-3 to lead North Brunswick.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5649727780004320698/north-brunswick-1-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/

GAME #8 North Brunswick 7, South Plainfield 5

By Star-Ledger
on April 17, 2014 8:54 p.m.

Dominick Scialabba hit a two-run single in extra innings to lead North Brunswick past South Plainfield, 7-5, in South Plainfield.
North Brunswick scored five runs in the first inning when Eric Reardon, who started the day on the mound, hit a grand slam. South Plainfield came back in the home half of the inning when Justin Marks hit a two-run home run. He hit two on the day.
Steven Bloyed earned the win pitching 3 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit and one un-earned run. Reardon struck out five in 4 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed four earned runs, scattered nine hits and walked two.
Aidan McDermott stole home in the sixth inning for South Plainfield.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5649727780004320694/north-brunswick-7-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/

MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 15, 2014 7:30 a.m.

While rain bombarded, delayed and postponed the early portions of the season, two weeks in, the top teams in the county are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

Below you will find the Top 10 teams in the county. Agree, disagree? Voice YOUR opinion in the comment section below.
Please note, these rankings do not take into consideration any of the games that took place on Monday, April 14

MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

1-Old Bridge (5-0)
Expected to be the top team in the county entering the season, Old Bridge has done nothing but back up the preseason hype. The team is averaging 7.8 runs per game and have held opponents to one run or fewer in four of five.

2-St. Joseph (Met.) (6-1)
After dropping a surprising one to J.P. Stevens, 4-3, in the second game of the season, St. Joes has returned to its dominating form. In seven games, it has allowed just five runs. Pitcher Brandon Bielak is off to a 3-0 start having allowed nine hits and one earned in 20 innings pitched. The senior has struck out 32 to lead the rotation.

3-South Plainfield (5-2)
South Plainfield split its two series versus Woodbridge (No. 6) and Colonia, but each of the two losses were decided by a combined two runs. South Plainfield has a very deep lineup as 1-9 can hit. Through seven, six players have four or more RBI.

4-East Brunswick (3-2)
After starting the season with two victories over South Brunswick, East Brunswick raised some alarms when Edison handed it a 13-3 defeat. Four days later, it defeated Edison, 13-1. Victor Dudka , Chris Cap and Cody Burnham represent one of the better rotations in the county.

5-Monroe (4-1)
Monroe suffered a disappointing loss to Johnson over the weekend, 2-1, but it doesn't overshadow the successful start to the year. In the previous four games, Monroe allowed three combined runs while scoring an average of 5.75 per game.

6-Woodbridge (3-4)
A difficult team to read early, Woodbridge has showed signs it's both a pretender and a contender. There's the 2-1 victory over No. 3 South Plainfield, then the 5-3 loss to Perth Amboy. Talent wise, Woodbridge is one of the best in the county, just needs to display it consistently.

7-Edison (3-4)
Few teams have had a more difficult of a schedule to start the year than Edison. Of it's first seven games: two were versus No. 1 Old Bridge, and two versus No. 4 East Brunswick. The early games against some of the best are a good test and show Edison what it needs to work on.

8-Middlesex (7-0)
The perfect start to the year is nice, as have been the individual performances of Anthony Keri and Dominic Lampasona, but Middlesex has yet to truly be tested.

9-Metuchen (5-1)
Similar to Middlesex, Metuchen hasn't been tested much through the first couple weeks of the season.

10-South Brunswick (3-2)
After losing its first two games to East Brunswick, both close contests, South Brunswick has won three straight.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-8745668222338712812/middlesex-baseball-the-countys-top-10-teams/

GAME #7 South Plainfield 3, Paramus 1

Baseball: South Plainfield defeats Paramus, 3-1

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 12, 2014 6:36 p.m.

Aidan McDermott stood at second base and stared over at coach Anthony Guida, waiting for the call.
With the score tied at one in the bottom of the sixth and Chris Graves digging in at the plate, the South Plainfield center fielder knew it would take just one play to break the tie versus Paramus.
“Coach gave the bunt sign,” McDermott said. “No one was holding me on, so when (Graves) squared up I went.”
Graves laid down a textbook bunt and McDermott took off. After Paramus third baseman Garrett Wiedemann threw to first to retire Graves, McDermott rounded third and headed home.
The senior sneaked in his foot at the plate just before being tagged to score the go-ahead run in South Plainfield’s 3-1 victory yesterday in South Plainfield.
“No feeling like it in the world,” McDermott said. “I know what kind of athlete I am and when I rounded third I knew I had to get it done for my teammates.”
While South Plainfield would add an insurance run in the sixth on a Rob Eggert sacrifice fly, the majority of the contest featured South Plainfield’s Jake Alba and Paramus’ J.R. Chinchar going toe-to-toe in a pitchers' duel.
For nearly every out Alba recorded, Chinchar matched. Through four innings, neither team had scored and Chinchar had not allowed a hit. Alba, a sophomore, pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking one while scattering seven hits. Chinchar, a senior, struck out two while allowing just four hits.
“Anytime you go against a good pitcher it’s rough,” Alba said. “It’s tough to get a hit and it’s constantly going back and forth.”
The scoreless tie was finally broken when Wiedemann grounded out to score Kevin Lanigan. South Plainfield answered the very next inning on an RBI single from L.J. Scarpitto that drove in Bryan Gillen.
After South Plainfield’s two-run sixth, it looked as if Paramus was going to answer back in a similar fashion. The Bergen County team loaded the bases with two down in the top of the seventh and, with lead-off hitter Alex Castro coming to the plate, Guida made a pitching change.
“It was the top of the order and the fourth time they were seeing him,” Guida said. “Had it been the bottom we may have stuck with him, but with it being their fourth time up I thought we had to change.
“It was tough to pull him, he was upset. But he turned around and gave all his teammates high fives even though he wanted to stay in.”
Eggert, the senior closer, replaced Alba and retired Castro on three pitches.
“It’s a great overall victory,” Alba said. “This is a big win for us. I felt good pitching the whole day and when Rob came in I had all the confidence in the world.”
It marked South Plainfield's third straight victory in the annual meeting, dubbed the Golden Helmet Classic. The coaches, Guida and Paramus' Jonathan Morrisette, were college roommates at Rowan.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649726780123321006/paramus-1-at-south-plainfield-3-baseball/

GAME #6 South Plainfield 10, Westfield 6

By Star-Ledger
on April 11, 2014 9:34 p.m.

Kyle Dickerson smacked a two-RBI triple to help lead South Plainfield past Westfield, 10-6, in South Plainfield.
Aidan McDermott went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Bryan Gillen went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Vincent Pellegrino earned the victory, scattering five hits over five innings. He didn't allow an earned run.
Anthony Perconte went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for Westfield.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649723780001320696/westfield-6-at-south-plainfield-10-baseball/

Home News Tribune baseball notebook: Moroney has South Plainfield winning

Written by

Greg Tufaro

@MyCJ_Sports

Senior right-hander Kyle Moroney’s seamless transformation from reliever to staff ace is a big part of the South Plainfield High School baseball team’s early-season success.
The Tigers, ranked No. 2 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, are off to a 3-1 start after winning 23 of 30 games a year ago while reaching the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament semifinals and North 2 Group III final.
South Plainfield graduated five position players and 151 innings pitched. Moroney, Kyle Dickerson and Vincent Pellegrino form the new rotation.
Moroney has two of the team’s wins with complete-game shutouts of Colonia and Woodbridge. Teammates have provided incredible run support when he is on the mound, outscoring foes 24-0.
“He’s been a surprise, only because primarily he was a reliever last season,” South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said, noting Moroney made just one start a year ago. “Coming in as the only senior returning (on staff), we told him he’s going to be our ace, and so far he has been.”
Moroney locates his fastball well and uses it to set up his breaking ball, which he can throw on any count.
South Plainfield star Aidan McDermott, an incumbent All-Area selection at centerfield who batted .417 last season and will attend St. John’s University in the fall on a partial baseball scholarship, ended a relatively slow start with three solid hits in Wednesday’s 19-0 drubbing of Woodbridge.
McDermott had just two infield singles over the first three games, which had more to do with being pitched around than ability.
“(Wednesday) he broke out and hit the ball hard,” Guida said. “Everything (hurlers are throwing at McDermott) is offspeed. He’s starting to adjust. He understands that’s what he’s going to get, and he’s earned that.”
The rest of the lineup has been productive with the Polizzano brothers, Nick, a sophomore right fielder, and Mike, a senior shortstop/designated hitter, inflicting damage.
“Both had fantastic games (against Colonia) right off the bat,” Guida said. “They’ve had some timely hits.”
Catcher Justin Marks continues South Plainfield’s tradition of outstanding backstops. He will play next year at Rutgers-Newark.
Predecessor Brandon Downes, who converted to center field, batted .318 as the University of Virginia’s cleanup hitter a year ago, while Stephen Petriello, another former South Plainfield catcher now playing at Rowan University, was named the NJAC’s Rookie of the Year last season.
“We’ve been blessed with our catchers over the past few years,” Guida said, noting Marks has all the tools of those who played before him. “He’s enjoying the role (of co-captain) and is really taking over behind the plate.”

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140411/NJSPORTS0130/304110016/Home-News-Tribune-baseball-notebook-Moroney-has-South-Plainfield-winning

GAME #5 Woodbridge 2, South Plainfield 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 10, 2014 9:14 p.m.

A late rally led Woodbridge past South Plainfield, 2-1, in South Plainfield.
Entering the sixth inning tied at 1, Woodbridge scored the game's winning run when an errant pick-off attempt allowed Juan Penas to score from third.
Nick Bradshaw earned the victory, scattering three hits and striking out three. He allowed one earned run. Jonathan Kreusch drove in Woodbridge's other run.
Kyle Dickerson went 2-for-4 for South Plainfield with an RBI.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649728780132321003/woodbridge-2-at-south-plainfield-1-baseball/

GMC STANDINGS APRIL 10, 2014

 

GMC Standings

RED DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Old Bridge (3-0)	3	0
St. Joseph (4-1)	3	1
East Brunswick (3-1)	3	1
Sayreville (2-0)	2	0
J.P. Stevens (1-2)	1	2
South Brunswick (1-2)	1	2
Edison (1-3)	1	3
Perth Amboy (0-1)	0	1
Piscataway (0-4)	0	4

WHITE DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Monroe (3-0)	3	0
South Plainfield (3-1)	2	1
Woodbridge (2-2)	2	1
Colonia (1-3)	1	2
J.F. Kennedy (1-2)	1	2
North Brunswick (0-4)	0	3

BLUE DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Middlesex (4-0)	4	0
Metuchen (3-0)	3	0
Spotswood (2-0)	2	0
Bishop Ahr (0-1)	0	1
South River (1-2)	0	2
Carteret (1-3)	0	2
New Brunswick (0-4)	0	4

GOLD DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
South Amboy (4-0)	4	0
Cardinal McCarrick (3-1)	3	1
Highland Park (2-1)	2	1
Piscataway Tech (3-1)	2	1
East Brunswick Tech (2-1)	2	1
Dunellen (1-2)	1	2
Wardlaw-Hartridge (1-2)	1	2
Timothy Christian (0-3)	0	3
Perth Amboy Tech (0-4)	0	4

Posted by Greg Tufaro on April 10, 2014.

GAME #4 South Plainfield 19, Woodbridge 0

No media coverage to be found on this game.

GAME #3 - South Plainfield 1, North Hunterdon 0

South Plainfield's Jake Alba pitched seven shutout innings against North Hunterdon for his first career varsity victory on Saturday. (Keith A. Muccilli/For The Star-Ledger)

 

South Plainfield edges North Hunterdon, 1-0, in extra innings

By James Kratch/For The Star-Ledger
on April 05, 2014 7 p.m.

 

As the strong winds gusted and the zeroes continued to pile up on the scoreboard, the endgame for Saturday's contest between North Hunterdon and South Plainfield became clear.
One team was going to make a mistake, and the other would take advantage to score the day's first run and then parlay it into a victory.
South Plainfield ended up being the team that caught the break, as Justin Marks scored from third base on an infield error in the eighth inning to lift the Tigers to a 1-0 triumph over North Hunterdon in Annandale.
"We walked on the field saying, 'Let's make them make the mistake,'" South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said. "I think they made one mistake, and that mistake helped us."
With the game scoreless in the eighth, Marks singled with two outs and stole second. South Plainfield's Aidan McDermott, a St. John's signee, then hit a slow ground ball to the right side that was mishandled, allowing Marks to score the decisive run.
"It was an absolutely brutal day to hit the baseball," North Hunterdon coach Mike Kane said. "And unfortunately, it was the kind of day that comes down to who is going to make a mistake. We made one, and they capitalized. That's pretty much what it came down to."
Both teams received sensational pitching. South Plainfield sophomore Jake Alba threw seven scoreless innings to earn his first career varsity victory, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts, two walks and a hit batter. RobEggert threw a perfect eighth inning for the save.
North Hunterdon received five strong innings from starter Kurt Thompson, who struck out three and walked two while yielding two hits. Reliever Griffin Hatton was the hard-luck losing pitcher after allowing an unearned run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk over the final three innings.
South Plainfield (2-1) had chances to score in the third and sixth innings, loading the bases in both frames. But each time, North Hunterdon (1-2) found a way to escape unscathed. Thompson got two outs to close out the third and Hatton got a 1-2-3 double play, plus a flyout, to end the sixth after coming on in relief of Thompson.
"We had a lot of guys on," Alba said, "but we just couldn't get them in."
North Hunterdon left four runners on and nearly took the lead in the sixth. With runners on first and third and two outs, North Hunterdon opted to send the runner toward second prior to Alba beginning his motion in order to try and get the runner on third home. But Alba stepped off and threw out the runner trying to get back to first for the final out, much to the chagrin of North Hunterdon, which felt the runner had safely returned to the bag.
Andrew Meiners was 2-for-3 for North Hunterdon. Jon Scott had a hit and a stolen base for the Lions in the loss. Kyle Dickerson, Sean Erhardt and Bryan Gillen each had a hit for South Plainfield.
"Our pitching kept us in the game and our defense kept us in the game," Guida said. "This was a great win for us."

(Keith A. Muccilli/For The Star-Ledger)

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/7649722779920320464/south-plainfield-1-at-north-hunterdon-0-baseball/

 

South Plainfield 1, North Hunterdon 0 (8): Senior catcher Justin Marks singled to left with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, stole second, then scored all the way from second on Aidan McDermott’s slow roller to second base for the only run of the game in Clinton. The game pitted two teams - South Plainfield and North Hunterdon -- which made the North 2 Group III and North 2 Group IV finals respectively last season.
Sophomore righty Jake Alba, making his first varsity start, pitched seven innings for the victory. He struck out eight and allowed four hits – two by catcher Andrew Meiners. Senior righty Rob Eggerts got the save with a 1-2-3 eighth.
South Plainfield is 2-1; North Hunterdon 1-2.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140405/NJSPORTS0130/304050012/Baseball-roundup