2017 All-GMC and All-Division baseball as selected by coaches

Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro
Published 9:26 p.m. ET May 31, 2017

Following are the All-Greater Middlesex Conference and All-Division baseball teams as selected during a vote of the league's head coaches at Monroe High School on Wednesday night.

The coaches also voted on Coach of the Year and Sportsmanship Award winners for each division and for the entire conference.

ALL-CONFERENCE

P – Harry Rutkowski, Woodbridge
P – Kyle Angel, St. Joseph
P – Eric Heatter, Monroe
1B – Matt Volpe, Metuchen
INF – Carlos Marte, Woodbridge
INF – Chris Brito, Perth Amboy
INF – Mike Lapczynski, Metuchen
OF – Ross Maertz, St. Joseph
OF – Ryan Flynn, East Brunswick
OF – Nick Vincelli, Spotswood
C – Kyle Harry, Metuchen
AL – Ryan O’Shea, Highland Park
AL – Nick Payero, Monroe
AL – JT Vento, Spotswood
AL – Connor Adams, South Plainfield
AL – Tyler Burnham, East Brunswick
AL – Darius Diaz, Perth Amboy

Sportsmanship – Edison

Coach of Year – Lou Urbano, Woodbridge

ALL-WHITE DIVISION

P – Harry Rutkowski, Woodbridge
P – Jean Sapini, South Plainfield
P – Chris Michael, Colonia
1B – Jason Hilenski, Colonia
INF – Carlos Marte, Woodbridge
INF – Trevor Cykowski, Woodbridge
INF – Mike Stanczak, South Plainifeld
OF – Jayson DeMild, Sayreville
OF – Connor Adams, South Plainfield
OF – Zach Joe, Woodbridge
C – James Ingram, Piscataway
AL – Zach Delvalle, Woodbridge
AL – Kyle Richards, Sayreville
AL – Jared Marks, South Plainfield
AL – Michael Matusz, J.F. Kennedy
AL – Andrew Tan, North Brunswick
AL – Billy Keane, South Plainfield

Sportsmanship – North Brunswick

Coach of the Year – Lou Urbano, Woodbridge

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/31/2017-all-gmc-and-all-division-baseball-selected-coaches/102369184/

Game # 29 South Plainfield 2, Voorhees 1 (9 Innings) NJSIAA Tournament, Semifinal Round, Central Jersey, Group 2

 

By The Star Ledger
on May 30, 2017 8:13 PM  

 

Rob Gonzalez had an RBI single, scoring Dylan O'Connor, in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift second-seeded South Plainfield to a 2-1 victory over sixth-seeded Voorhees in the semifinals of the Central Jersey, Group 2 tournament in South Plainfield.

O'Connor had two hits with an RBI and Jean Sapini recorded the no-decision, allowing four hits over eight innings with an earned run, three walks, and 12 strikeouts for South Plainfield, which will play Wednesday's winner between fifth-seeded Bernards and top-seeded Gov. Livingston.

Chris Shine picked up the win, pitching an inning of relief.
Kyle Kokoskie had a run scored for Voorhees.

 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4333142695023146524/voorhees-1-at-south-plainfield-2-njsiaa-tournament-semifinal-round-central-jersey-group-2-baseball/ 

 



https://twitter.com/voorheesbasebal/status/869865043147591680

 

https://twitter.com/danny_logiudice/status/869689863230164996

 

South Plainfield advances to sectional final on Gonzalez's walk-off single 

Daniel LoGiudice ,
@danny_logiudice 
Published 7:59 p.m. ET May 30, 2017

SOUTH PLAINFIELD – Right-handed ace Jean Sapini kept the South Plainfield High School baseball team in the game with his right arm, and second baseman Rob Gonzalez punched the Tigers’ ticket to the sectional finals with his bat.

Sapini utterly dominated, allowing one unearned run on four hits, three walks while tallying 12 strikeouts in eight innings of work. He would have been sent out for the ninth inning if he wasn’t for the newly-implemented NJSIAA pitching rules.

With Sapini setting the table, Gonzalez broke through against Voorhees ace Ethan Osgood with a walk-off, RBI single to right center in the bottom of ninth as the second-seeded Tigers defeated the sixth-seeded Vikings 2-1 in the Central Group II semifinals on Tuesday.

“My team was depending on me for the win, so I was doing it for the seniors because I didn’t want the season to end,” Gonzalez said. “I was thinking what (center fielder Dylan O’Connor) was saying, he told me to do it for the boys, and that’s all I was thinking about during that at-bat.”

Osgood shut down the Tigers (19-11) through the first seven innings, allowing one run in the first inning and only four total baserunners. Back-to-back singles by O’Connor and first baseman Billy Keane set Gonzalez up, and the young second baseman delivered.

But before Gonzalez battled Osgood, South Plainfield left fielder Connor Adams made the play of the day, and perhaps of the year. With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Adams dove headfirst and got completely horizontal to the ground, looking like a super hero flying through the air, as the outfielder saved the day made an incredible catch to end the inning.

“I was looking at our center fielder as he was running, and I just see this man flying in the air and catching the ball,” Sapini said. “That really got us going especially because it was the third out and everybody was coming in after that play. It definitely shifted the momentum.”

Sapini settled down nicely after allowing one unearned run in the top of the first inning. The senior’s fastball was humming all day and his pinpoint accuracy allowed him to only get better as the game went on.

“It’s unfortunate he couldn’t get the win there because there’s no doubt that without a pitch count rule he was going back out there,” South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said. “That kids is a gamer, he’s a three-sport athlete, he’s a captain of ours, and I can’t speak enough about the way he pitched today. It was unbelievable.”

Sapini’s track record is well documented. As a sophomore, Sapini was an integral part of the Tigers’ pitching rotation during their Group III championship run in 2015. That experience allowed Sapini to make the proper adjustments during the game and keep his cool when Osgood matched his play every inning.

“I approached them differently as I went through the lineup and made sure I didn’t start with the same pitch, mixing up my pitches and looks, but it was all about my location,” Sapini said. “I wasn’t worried because I’ve been in that situation before. I’ve pitched in big games, and I think that really helped me today.

One year removed from finishing the year a disappointing 11-17, the Tigers are back in the sectional finals for the first time since 2015 when they won a state title. South Plainfield will take on the winner of top-seeded Gov. Livingston and fifth-seeded Bernards in the final on Friday.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/30/gl-baseball/354952001/

Game # 28 Red Bank Catholic 9, South Plainfield 0

 

By The Star Ledger
on May 30, 2017 5:44 PM

Connor Ciazza had three hits with a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored and Anthony DeRosa had a two-run triple with a run scored to lead Red Bank Catholic, No. 18 in the NJ.com Top 20, to a 9-0 victory over South Plainfield in Red Bank.

Steve Turk had three singles with an RBI and a run scored and Brian Sheehy added two singles with an RBI for Red Bank Catholic, which led 5-0 after two innings.

John Nimeth gave up three hits over three innings with one walk and three strikeouts to get the win.

 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4333141695020146514/south-plainfield-0-at-red-bank-catholic-9-baseball/

Game # 27 South Plainfield 2, Matawan 1 NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, Central Jersey, Group 2

 

By The Star Ledger
on May 24, 2017 8:25 PM

Billy Keane allowed five hits and an unearned run with three strikeouts and a walk while adding a double and an RBI to lead second-seeded South Plainfield over 10th-seeded Matawan, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round of the Central Jersey, Group 2 tournament, in South Plainfield.

Connor Adams doubled while TJ Massaro added an RBI for South Plainfield, which scored both of its runs in the bottom of the sixth after allowing one in the top of the inning.

Mike Marrero singled while Dylan O'Connor and Ricky Pellegrino scored a run apiece for South Plainfield, which improved its record in games decided by one run to 4-3 on the season.

South Plainfield will face the winner of Thursday's matchup between third-seeded Spotswood and sixth-seeded Voorhees in the semifinal round on Tuesday.

 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5333140695014146496/matawan-1-at-south-plainfield-2-njsiaa-tournament-quarterfinal-round-central-jersey-group-2-baseball/

 



 

 

Lauren Knego ,
@laurenknego 
8:41 p.m. ET May 24, 2017      
  
CENTRAL GROUP II

South Plainfield 2, Matawan 1

Billy Keane earned the win for second-seeded South Plainfield (18-9) after he pitched a complete game and allowed one run on five hits and struck out three. He also doubled and had one RBI. TJ Massaro had one RBI. Dylan O'Connor and Ricky Pellegrino each scored a run. Connor Adams doubled.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/24/gmc-baseball-roundup-wednesday-may-24/102123470/

Game # 26 South Plainfield 8, New Providence 1, NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, Central Jersey, Group 2 - Baseball

 
By The Star Ledger
on May 23, 2017 8:56 PM

Jean Sapini pitched a five-hitter with one walk and 10 strikeouts to help second-seeded South Plainfield earn an 8-1 victory over 15th-seeded New Providence in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 2 tournament in South Plainfield.

South Plainfield scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, adding two more runs in the bottom of the third to take a 5-0 lead. After New Providence scored a run in the top of the fourth, 5-1, South Plainfield scored a run in the fifth, and two runs in the sixth.

Chris Shine went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Rob Gonzalez went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Mike Marrero went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Jared Marks went 1-for-5 with an RBI. Mike Stanczak went 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while TJ Massaro went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Connor Adams went 3-for-4 with a run, while Dylan O'Connor went 1-for-3. Billy Keane went 2-for-4 with a run, while Donald Grabinsky and Chris Born each scored a run for South Plainfield.

Ryan Sherman allowed six hits over two innings with one walk and two strikeouts, while Dylan Bedder allowed 10 hits over four innings with one walk and one strikeout, also going 1-for-2. Tyler DeGeorge went 2-for-3, while Joseph Nave went 1-for-3. William Faucher went 1-for-3 with a run for New Providence.

South Plainfield faces 10th-seeded Matawan in the quarterfinal round on Thursday.
 
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5333142695033146596/new-providence-1-at-south-plainfield-8-njsiaa-tournament-first-round-central-jersey-group-2-baseball/

Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro
Published 7:23 p.m. ET May 23, 2017

South Plainfield 8, New Providence 1

The second-seeded Tigers advanced to the Central Group II quarterfinals, where they will face 10th-seeded Matawan.

Victorious hurler Jean Sapini fanned 10 and allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk. Batterymate Jared Marks provided support with a single and an RBI.

Connor Adams and Mike Marrero each went 3-for-4 for South Plainfield, which outhit the 15th-seeded Pioneers (9-17) 16-5. Billy Keane, Rob Gonzalez and Chris Shine had two hits apiece for the Tigers.

South Planfield scored three times in the first inning. The Tigers scored two runs in t he third, one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to produce the final margin.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/23/tuesdays-njsiaa-first-round-state-tournament-results-gmc-baseball-teams/102078648/

NJSIAA baseball tournament schedule for GMC teams

Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro
Published 10:33 a.m. ET May 19, 2017

Following are the dates and times for first-round NJSIAA baseball tournament games involving GMC teams. This schedule will be updated as soon as possible following the conclusion of the first-round games to include quarterfinal pairings with dates, times and locations for public schools. The non-public school schedule will be updated, accordingly, following the conclusion of those opening-round games.

MONDAY, MAY 22

NORTH 2 GROUP IV

11. Piscataway at 6. Westfield, 4 p.m.
15. Dickinson at 2. Woodbridge, 6 p.m.

NORTH 2 GROUP III

10. Colonia at 7. Middletown North, 4 p.m.
14. J.F. Kennedy at 3. Cranford, 4 p.m.

NORTH 2 GROUP I

14. North Arlington at 3. Dunellen, 4 p.m.

CENTRAL GROUP IV

10. Colts Neck at 7. South Brunswick, 4 p.m.
11. Marlboro at 6. East Brunswick, 4 p.m.
12. Old Bridge at 5. Freehold Township, 4 p.m.
15. New Brunswick at 2. Manalapan, 4 p.m.
16. North Brunswick at 1. Montgomery, 4 p.m.
9. Monroe vs. 8. Sayreville at Waterfront Park, 7 p.m.

CENTRAL GROUP II

10. Matawan at 7. East Brunswick Tech, 4 p.m.
14. Newark Tech at 3. Spotswood, 4 p.m.
15.  New Providence at 2. South Plainfield, 4 p.m.

CENTRAL GROUP I

9. South River at 8. Point Pleasant Beach, 4 p.m.
10. Shore at 7. Perth Amboy Tech, 4 p.m.
11. Keyport at 6. South Amboy, 4 p.m.
12. Keansburg at 5. Highland Park, 4 p.m.
15. LEAP Academy at 2. Metuchen, 4 p.m.
16. Palmyra at 1. Middlesex, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

NON-PUBLIC B SOUTH

12. Timothy Christian at 5. St. Joseph (Hammonton), 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 25

NON-PUBLIC A SOUTH

9. Paul VI at 8. Bishop Ahr, 4 p.m.

NON-PUBLIC B SOUTH

13. Wardlaw-Hartridge at 4. Holy Spirit, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 30

NON-PUBLIC A SOUTH

5. St. Joseph (Metuchen) at 4. Christian Brothers Academy, 4 p.m.


http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/19/njsiaa-baseball-tournament-schedule-gmc-teams/101869780/

Game # 25 Scotch Plains 4 South Plainfield 1

By The Star Ledger
on May 19, 2017 8:46 PM  

Peter Yarem had two hits and knocked in one to lead Scotch Plains-Fanwood to a 4-1 victory over South Plainfield in South Plainfield.

Colin McAlindin had a hit, scored a run and knocked in one and Spencer Vaughn chipped in a hit and an RBI for Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Danny Wilkinson pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed one run and four hits while striking out seven and walking two.

Connor Adams had two hits and added a run for South Plainfield.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5333147695031146524/scotch-plains-fanwood-4-at-south-plainfield-1-baseball/

Lauren Knego ,
@laurenknego 
Published 7:49 p.m. ET May 19, 2017

Scotch Plains-Fanwood 4, South Plainfield 1

Danny Wilkinson earned the win for Scotch Plains-Fanwood (16-9) after he allowed one run on four hits and struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings. Matt Kipp allowed two hits and struck out one in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Peter Yarem doubled and had one RBI. Colin McAlindin finished with one RBI and one run scored. Spencer Vaughn had one RBI. Jake Canavan and Matt Fox each scored a run. For South Plainfield (16-9), Connor Adams scored a run.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/19/cn-baseball-roundup-friday-may-19/101898306/

Lauren Knego ,
@laurenknego
9:06 p.m. ET May 19, 2017  
Scotch Plains-Fanwood 4, South Plainfield 1

Connor Adams went 2-for-4 with one run scored for South Plainfield (16-9). TJ Massaro and Dylan O'Connor singled.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/19/gmc-baseball-roundup-friday-may-19/101902102/

Game # 24 Old Bridge 3 South Plainfield 2

 

By The Star Ledger
on May 17, 2017 11:03 PM

Joe Papeo allowed two earned runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and four walks over 7 1/3 innings for 12th-seeded Old Bridge in its 3-2 extra-inning victory over fourth-seeded South Plainfield in the quarterfinal round of the Greater Middlesex Tournament in North Brunswick.

Jalen Hernandez hit a solo home run for Old Bridge, which led 2-0 after six innings. Rob Laconti added a hit and a run scored in the victory.

Mike Stanczak drove in two runs for South Plainfield. Billy Keane had two hits and allowed two earned runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over seven innings. Old Bridge will play the winner of top-seeded St. Joseph (Met.)and ninth-seeded Colonia in the semifinals Saturday at TD Bank Park. 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-8113588378776405255/old-bridge-3-at-south-plainfield-2-greater-middlesex-conference-tournament-quarterfinal-round-baseball/

 

Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro
Published 6:23 p.m. ET May 17, 2017
 
Old Bridge 3, South Plainfield 2

Winning pitcher Joe Papeo snapped a 2-2 deadlock with a two-out RBI single in the top of the eighth and Connor Freel recorded the final two outs for a save as the 12th-seeded Knights advanced to the semifinals with a quarterfinal round victory over the fourth-seeded Tigers.

Papeo's game-winning hit came off South Plainfield reliever Roberto Gonzalez.

South Plainfield’s Mike Stanczak belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. His blast scored Connor Adams, who led off the inning with a single. Papeo bounced back to fan the next two batters.

In the top of the eighth, TJ Angstadt legged out an infield single. He was forced at second on a failed sacrifice attempt. After Ryan Perez popped out to first, Rob Dacunto was hit by a pitch. Papeo followed with his clutch RBI single.

After Jean Sapini doubled with two away in the home eighth, Freel retired the No. 9 batter to preserve the victory.

Old Bridge took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on Jalen Hernandez’s leadoff home run. The Knights built a 2-0 advantage in the top of the sixth when Perez, who reached on an error, scored from first on Rob Dacunto’s single, which the outfielder misplayed.

Papeo scattered eight hits, walked four, fanned nine and allowed two earned runs over seven and a third innings.

South Plainfield’s Billy Keane pitched seven innings. He allowed four hits and three runs (two earned). He fanned seven and walked one.

Old Bridge will play top-seeded St. Joseph in the semifinals.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/17/gmc-baseball-tournament-quarterfinals-coverage/101792004/

Fundamentally sound South Plainfield rolls into GMC baseball tournament quarterfinals

Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro
6:38 p.m. ET May 16, 2017    
    
With just three seniors in the starting lineup a year ago, the South Plainfield High School baseball team, which won a state title in 2015, had some growing pains.

“We had a bunch of losses, but that gave us the experience we lacked,” said South Plainfield head coach Anthony Guida, whose Tigers finished 11-17 last season. “As young as we were last year, we are still young this year.”

The fourth-seeded Tigers, who enter Wednesday’s Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament quarterfinal against 12th-seeded Old Bridge, have started as many as four sophomores at times this spring.

The quartet of sophomores includes pitcher/third baseman Chris Shine, second baseman/pitcher Roberto Gonzalez, right fielder TJ Massaro and third baseman Mike Marrero.

Shine has emerged as the fourth sophomore to impress on the mound in consecutive seasons, following in the cleats of Billy Keane (2016), Jean Sapini (2015) and Jake Alba (2014). He has started several of South Plainfield’s key nonconference Saturday games including a victory over perennial state power Millburn.

Sapini, with five wins on the mound, remains the team’s ace with Keane and Gonzalez also figuring prominently in the rotation.

South Plainfield’s staff throws to a catcher Guida feels is among the conference’s best in senior Jared Marks.

“He’s been our leader on the field and excels in the classroom,” Guida said of Marks, who along with Sapini is a co-captain. “He blocks the ball well and is, if not the best, one of the best catchers in the county. He blocks balls in the dirt. He’s been a guy who is able to call his own game and has been able to throw runners out. He’s been a huge key to our success.”

Marks, who bats second in the order, epitomizes South Plainfield’s lineup in that he can bunt and is an excellent baserunner (even though the Tigers sometimes courtesy run for him).

South Plainfield, which has won five of its last six, plays solid defense, runs the bases exceptionally well, possesses team speed and has received solid pitching. The Tigers have parlayed those elements of the game into a 16-7 record.

Four of the team’s losses have featured an uncharacteristic and seemingly inexplicable complete collapse for one inning in which South Plainfield pitchers have been unable to retire batters and in which the defense has failed.

Among the most painful of those setbacks was a 13-10 loss to Piscataway in which the Chiefs rallied for nine runs in the fourth to erase an 8-0 deficit and a 7-6 loss to North Brunswick in which the Raiders rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

“We’ve made our share of mistakes (in those games), but the key to our success has been our defense,” Guida said. “We’ve (usually) been able to follow an error with getting the next guy out. Defensively, we’ve been able to make the routine play and when we need a big play we’ve been able to make it.”

Guida said South Plainfield has also been doing the little things right on offense, which has enabled the Tigers to perform well in close contests. South Plainfield owns a 7-3 record in games decided by two runs or less.

“We’ve been able to put balls in play, put balls on the ground and make things happen and put a lot of pressure on the defense,” Guida said. “Another huge key has been our base running. (South Plainfield batters) just hustle and run as hard as you can out of the box. We’ve been having success with guys on base.”

Left fielder Connor Adams, a left-handed hitter, who has been able to leg out routine groundballs for infield hits, is quick out of the box. A singles hitter, Adams epitomizes Guida’s philosophy of putting the ball in play to make things happen.

Most of South Plainfield’s team speed can be found in the outfield with Dylan O’Connor, a defensive standout and the team’s cleanup hitter, in center and with Massaro splitting time with Ricky Pellegrino in right.

O’Connor, who went 3-for-4 and finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in a GMCT first-round win over Metuchen, has a strong arm. With Massaro’s bat hot, he has received the starting nod in right of late. A senior who understands his role, Pellegrino is sometimes used as a courtesy runner, where he is a threat to steal.

Marrero, who is similarly hitting well of late, has earned the starting spot at third. He is batting around .400 and is also playing solid defense. Shine has played the hot corner, as well.

Junior Mike Stanczak has been a fixture at shortstop after playing third base last season. He has shown flashes of power at the plate and is among the smartest baserunners Guida has ever coached.

Gonzalez, who transferred from Dickinson before the start of the academic year, is a strong-armed second baseman with a solid glove.

“The kids are playing well,” Guida said. “We’ve been winning a couple in a row, and this is the time when you want to do that. We hope to go far in the counties and hopefully continue that when the states come up.”

Despite its rich tradition, South Plainfield has never won a conference tournament championship. The Tigers reached the final in 2011 against Old Bridge and in 2014 against St. Joseph, losing both games by one run.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/16/fundamentally-sound-south-plainfield-rolls-into-gmc-baseball-tournament-quarterfinals/101766468/

Game # 23 South Plainfield 11 Metuchen 3

Metuchen (3) at South Plainfield (11), Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, First Round - Baseball

By The Star Ledger
on May 15, 2017 10:50 PM

Dylan O'Connor went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored to help fuel fourth-seeded South Plainfield to an 11-3 victory over 13th-seeded Metuchen in the first round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament in South Plainfield.

Mike Marrero was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI for South Plainfield, which scored five times in the bottom of the fifth to break the game open and advance to play 12th-seeded Old Bridge in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Billy Keane was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run, while Chris Shine scored two runs. Jean Sapini (5-2) struck out five over six innings, allowing two runs (one earned), three hits and three walks.

Mike Lapczynski was 2-for-4, while Brenden Smith scored two runs.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7113598378767405137/metuchen-3-at-south-plainfield-11-greater-middlesex-conference-tournament-first-round-baseball/

 Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro 
Published 6:20 p.m. ET May 15, 2017

No. 4 South Plainfield 11, No. 13 Metuchen 3

The Tigers outhit the Bulldogs 10-3 and benefited from six errors while advancing to Wednesday's GMCT quarterfinals against 12th-seeded Old Bridge at 4 p.m.

South Plainfield, which led 3-2 entering the home fifth, scored five times in that half of the frame to build an insurmountable 8-2 lead. The Tigers (16-7) tacked on three more runs in the sixth.

Dylan O'Connor went 3-for-4 and fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. He scored twice and belted a solo homer. Chris Shine, Mike Marrero and Rob Gonzalez had two hits apiece and combined to score three runs. TJ Massaro, Kevin Soper, Billy Keane and Mike Stanczak each scored for South Plainfield.

Winning pitcher Jean Sapini allowed one earned run over six innings. He fanned five, walked two and scattered three hits. Rob Gonzalez yielded one run in relief.

Mike Lapczynski went 2-for-4 for Metuchen. Teammates Kyle Harry (1-for-4) and Will Hronich (1-for-2) each had a hit. Brenden Smith scored twice for the Bulldogs.

Metuchen, which entered the tournament having won 12 of its last 13 games, fell to 13-7.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/15/gmc-baseball-tournament-may-15-first-round-game-coverage/101726764/

Game # 22 South Plainfield 5 Bernardsville 0

 

 

By The Star Ledger
on May 11, 2017 9:27 PM  

T.J. Massaro went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead South Plainfield to a 5-0 win over Bernards in South Plainfield.

Dave Tavarez singled and drove in two runs for South Plainfield. Chris Shine, Billy Keane, and Dylan O'Connor each combined for six shutout innings in the win.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7113606378901405454/bernards-0-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/






Greg Tufaro ,
@GregTufaro 
Published 8:42 p.m. ET May 11, 2017

South Plainfield 5, Bernards 0

 A day after defeating Hillsborough 6-5, the Tigers (15-7), who have won four of their last five, blanked the Mountaineers.

Winning pitcher Chris Shine (3-1) allowed no runs on two hits and two walks through four innings. Billy Keane (two innings) and Dylan O'Connor (one inning) relieved.

Connor Adams, TJ Massaro and O'Connor had two hits apiece. Massaro and Dave Tavarez each had two RBI.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/high-school/baseball/2017/05/11/may-11-gmc-baseball-roundup/101575090/

Game # 21 South Plainfield 6 Hillsborough 5

 

 

 By The Star Ledger
on May 10, 2017 10:12 PM

 

Mike Marrero hit a walk-off single to left to give South Plainfield the victory over Hillsborough, 6-5, in South Plainfield.

Rob Gonzalez drove in the game-tying run with the bases loaded while Mike Stanczak, Dylan O'Connor and Connor Adams drove in a run and scored one apiece for South Plainfield, which trailed by two after six innings.

Jared Marks and Dave Tavarez doubled and scored a run apiece while Ricky Pellegrino and Jared Marks scored a run apiece for South Plainfield, which had eight hits as a team.

Brandon Beck went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored while Derek VonHorn singled and scored two runs for Hillsborough.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/8333135694910146305/hillsborough-5-at-south-plainfield-6-baseball/

 



 

Daniel LoGiudice ,
@danny_logiudice 
Published 6:19 p.m. ET May 10, 2017

South Plainfield 6, Hillsborough 5: Brandon Beck went 2-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored for Hillsborough (4-13).

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/sports/baseball/2017/05/10/courier-news-baseball-roundup-wednesday-may-10/101528772/

GMC baseball rankings for May 10

By Joe Zedalis
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on May 10, 2017 7:11 AM

GMC RANKINGS
(Records through Monday)

1-Woodbridge (16-3)
2-East Brunswick (14-4)
3-St. Joseph (Met.) (13-8)
4-South Plainfield (13-7)
5-Spotswood (16-3)
6-Monroe (10-6)
7-Middlesex (17-4)
8-Colonia (10-9)
9-South Brunswick (10-9)
10-Sayreville (7-9)

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2465489795192497936/gmc-baseball-rankings-for-may-10/