Greg Tufaro, @GregTufaro
2:16 p.m. EDT June 5, 2015
The return of Kyle Dickerson from an injury and the ability of sophomore pitcher Jean Sapini to register significant victories has helped the South Plainfield High School baseball team reach a state final for the first time in the program’s storied history.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A detailed scouting report can be found at the end of this story.
The Tigers (23-8), who claimed their first sectional title since 1975, dethroning three-time North 2 Group III champion Cranford, will face Central champion Northern Burlington (27-4) Saturday at Toms River North High School. First pitch is 11 a.m.
“These kids are one of the loosest bunch of kids that I’ve ever coached,” South Plainfield mentor Anthony Guida said, noting he does not expect the championship atmosphere to daunt his club. “They are very confident. They welcome any challenge.”
Northern Burlington, widely regarded as one of the best hitting teams in the state, will send ace Ryan Shinn, a Florida Gulf Coast University signee with a 9-0 record and a 1.96 ERA, to the mound.
“South Plainfield, well, they better be ready to go,” Shinn told the Burlington County Times on Thursday. “I’m so excited. To get there my last year, my senior year, this is the best feeling I could ever have.”
The Tigers will counter with Jake Alba (6-2, 2.64 ERA) or Vincent Pellegrino (5-2, 2.93 ERA).
“They both are crafty,” Guida said. “They both rely on offspeed stuff that makes their fastball look a little faster. They are able to throw pitches for strikes, and smart enough to know when not to throw them for strikes. Jake might have a couple more MPH on Vinnie. Both understand the count, understand the situation and are going to pitch to contact and rely on our defense (.960 fielding percentage).”
The Greyhounds, who also feature University of Delaware signees Adam Rapp (.435) and Tyler O’Dell (.381), have won two sectional titles in the past three years.
“I know they are a very solid program,” Guida said of Northern Burlington. “They hit 1 through 9. They are an offensive-minded team. They are a tough foe for us to try to compete against.”
Guida said NJSIAA Tournament victories over Cranford and Roxbury let the Tigers know they can hang with most teams in the state.”
Sapini, who began the season as the No. 4 starter in the rotation, has regular-season victories over state powers Millburn (3-1) and St. Peter’s Prep (4-0) to his credit, as well as wins over Roxbury in the sectional semifinal and Mount Olive in the state semifinal.
Dickerson, who returned in late April from a shoulder injury, has provided a much-needed spark at the top of the order, where he is batting .406 with 26 hits.
The designated hitter, who bats leadoff, brings an element of speed to the lineup, ideal for South Plainfield’s small-ball execution (the Tigers have sacrificed 26 times).
“He is the best baserunner I’ve ever had,” Guida said. “He runs with his head on a swivel. He reads (situations) well.”
Second baseman Bryan Gillen, who paces the club with a .495 average and 46 hits, leads a South Plainfield team that is batting .330.
Gillen has blended well with new double-play partner Nick Polizanno, who succeeded Dickerson at shortstop.
Outfielder Jack Gillis, who is hitting .366, has been a pleasant surprise at the bottom of the order. He earned a starting spot largely because of his defensive ability, but has provided some pop and is an excellent bunter.
NJSIAA Group III baseball championship
Who: South Plainfield (23-8) vs. Northern Burlington (27-4).
When/Where: Saturday, 11 a.m. at Toms River North High School.
How they reached the state final: South Plainfield defeated Warren Hills 7-1, Ferris 8-0, Roxbury 4-2, Cranford 4-2 and Mount Olive 3-1. Northern Burlington defeated Red Bank Regional 8-0, Ocen 2-1, Middletown South 5-1, Somerville 7-4 and Mainland 6-4.
About Northern Burlington: Senior cleanup batter Bret Parlante (.353, 36 H, 14 R, 29 RBI, 11 2B, 1 HR) anchors one of the state’s most potent lineups. Northern Burlington is batting .346 as a team with a .425 on-base percentage. The team is selective at the plate (121 walks) and makes contact (140 strikeouts in 1,027 plate appearances). Third baseman Tyler O'Dell (.381, 37 H, 31 R, 14 RBI, 7 2B, 2 HR) and catcher Adam Rapp (.435, 40 H, 15 R, 36 RBI, 9 2B, 3 HR) have both signed with the University of Delaware. Shortstop Kevin Welsh (.281, 25 H, 21 R, 10 RBI, 4 2B, 1 3B) has the lowest batting average among the regulars but more than compensates with outstanding range and a cannon arm. Northern Burlington boasts one of the state’s best all-around players in outfielder/pitcher Ryan Shinn (.484, 44 H, 35 R, 28 RBI, 12 2B, 2 HR). A Florida Gulf Coast University signee, staff ace Shinn (9-0, 64.1 IP, 56 H, 18 ER, 79 K, 15 BB, 1.96 ERA) will start the state final. The senior lefthander has appeared in 13 games. He hurled two and two thirds innings of relief against Mainland on Wednesday and is eligible to throw just seven innings against South Plainfield under NJSIAA pitching rules, so should the contest extend to extra innings, the Greyhounds will have to go to the bullpen. Opponents are batting .226 against Shinn, who has already thrown 1,003 pitches this season. The Greyhounds boast a 2.47 team ERA. Northern Burlington has provided plenty of offense for the staff, scoring 214 runs (6.9 per game). The team has stolen 17 bases and belted 10 homers. Seventy of its 300 hits have gone for extra bases, accounting for a .452 slugging percentage. Zack Wright (.451, 46 H, 37 R, 16 RBI, 5 2B, 1 3B), Mike Wainwright (.355, 33 H, 11 R, 28 RBI, 6 2B, 2 HR) and Michael Cottrell (.318, 21 H, 6 R, 9 RBI, 1 2B) are the team’s other top hitters. According to former Dunellen and current Somerville coach Chris Banos, whose team lost this year’s Central Group III final to Northern Burlington, Shinn throws a fastball and a curve. He uses both sides of the plate and is a fierce competitor. Shinn has an excellent pickoff move and does not give in to hitters. He is capable of making big pitches to escape jams. Shinn keeps batters honest, working his deuce in and out of the zone. He has above average velocity. Banos said Northern Burlington gets good at-bats throughout the order and every hitter is capable of fouling off two-strike pitches until his opponent makes a mistake. Leadoff batter O’Dell and Shinn have the best speed on a club that can execute small ball when necessary under 15-year head coach Rick Doppler. Banos described the senior-laden Greyhounds, who feature eight upperclassmen on their roster, as a team that is “locked in” and won’t be fazed by a championship setting. Northern Burlington has won two sectional titles in the past three years. The Greyhounds also won the Burlington County Scholastic League Tournament (first such crown in school history) and BCSL Liberty Division titles this season.
About South Plainfield: After winning its first sectional title since 1975, South Plainfield is making its first state final appearance. The Tigers have won 13 of their last 14 with the lone setback being an 8-7 loss to St. Joseph in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament quarterfinals. South Plainfield shared the White Division crown with reigning league tournament champion Monroe. South Plainfield is batting .330 as a team with 186 runs scored. The Tigers have 54 extra-bases hits for a .407 slugging percentage. South Plainfield has 52 base thefts in 61 attempts. They have sacrificed 26 times. South Plainfield has drawn 102 walks, contributing to its .418 on-base percentage. The Tigers have fanned 134 times in 1,017 plate appearances. The Tigers feature a balanced lineup that leadoff batter and designated hitter Kyle Dickerson (.406, 26 H, 21 R, 3 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR) bolstered with his return from an injury during the team’s recent run. Bryan Gillen (46 H, 8 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 28 R) paces the club with a .495 batting average. Chris Graves (9 2B, 30 RBI) is batting .370 with 37 hits. First baseman LJ Scarpitto, who was a defensive standout a year ago, has vastly improved at the plate, batting .333 with 33 hits and 29 runs. Jack Gillis (.366, 30 H, 17 R, 3 2B, 9 RBI) also hits for average. With Jean Sapini (4-0, 2.21 ERA) pitching a complete game in the state semifinals, Jake Alba (6-2, 2.64 ERA, 50.3 IP, 56 H, 19 ER, 16 BB, 49 K) and Vincent Pellegrino (5-2, 2.93 ERA, 55 IP, 52 H, 23 ER, 19 BB, 30 K) are both eligible to take the mound. Opponents are batting .271 against Alba and .249 against Pellegrino. An excellent defensive club, South Plainfield boasts a .960 fielding percentage. The Tigers have jumped on opponents early, outscoring the opposition 37-8 in the first inning.
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