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