By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on June 22, 2014 1:20 a.m.
Kyle Moroney was the best pitcher in the GMC this year (Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)
Pitcher of the year: Entering the 2014 season, South Plainfield's Kyle Moroney was a little known talent that had been promoted to the top his team's rotation. The long time reliever was now an ace, and few knew what to expect.
Would Moroney be below average? Average? Great? Turns out, he was near unhittable.
The Rowan commit finished 2014 with a 7-1 record and 0.42 ERA. Through the entire season, he allowed just three earned runs in 50 1/3 innings pitched.
He said what?!: South Plainfield's Aidan McDermott was no stranger to boasts, brags and claims throughout the 2014 season. Versus South Brunswick in the GMC quarterfinals, he made sure his walk matched his talk. With South Plainfield trailing by one, McDermott turned to reporters and said 'Watch this,' before stepping to the plate.
The senior proceeded to hit an RBI single to tie the game.
Game of the year: In what will go down as one of the best pitching matchups in GMCT history, Brandon Bielak and Kyle Moroney (SP) went toe-to-toe for seven innings. St. Joseph escaped with a 1-0 victory.
Each pitcher went the distance. Moroney allowed four hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two. Bielak pitched a one-hitter, striking out nine and walking one.
ALL-MIDDLESEX COUNTY
FIRST TEAM
Justin Marks, South Plainfield, 6-0, 175, Sr.
Paired with fellow First Teamer Aidan McDermott, Marks batted cleanup and finished the season with a .407 batting average. The catcher drove in 22 runs and hit six doubles, one triple and two home runs.
Aidan McDermott, South Plainfield, 6-2, 195, Sr.
Not many pitchers enjoyed facing the St. John’s-bound McDermott, who batted .441 with 23 runs, 21 RBI and eight extra-base hits. The center fielder also possessed a cannon for an arm and did not commit an error.
Kyle Moroney, South Plainfield, 6-4, 195, Sr.
After working in the bullpen last year, he established himself as one of the county's better starters. Moroney, who will play football at Rowan, finished 7-1 with a 0.42 ERA and allowed three earned runs in 50 1/3 innings.
ALL-MIDDLESEX COUNTY
SECOND TEAM
Rob Eggert, South Plainfield
ALL-STATE
THIRD TEAM
Kyle Moroney, South Plainfield
ALL-GROUP 3
FIRST TEAM
Kyle Moroney, South Plainfield
ALL-GROUP 3
SECOND TEAM
Aidan McDermott, South Plainfeld
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Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@Connor_J_Hughes
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/1628908380018020205/baseball-middlesex-county-2014-year-in-review/
