The GMC Top 10 after Week 7

 Andy MendlowitzMyCentralJersey.com

The NJSIAA sectional playoffs begin this week with the non-public tournament starting on Wednesday followed by the public schools’ first round on Thursday.

The tournament continues with the non-public quarterfinals on May 28, the semifinals May 30 and the sectional final June 1.

For the publics, the quarterfinals are May 29, the semifinals May 31 and the sectional final June 3.

Both sectional finals are at the higher seeds. The non-public sectional winners advance to the state finals on June 6 at Veterans Park in Hamilton. The public schools’ sectional champions meet in the group semifinals on June 5 with the finals June 8 in Hamilton.  

This is our final Greater Middlesex Conference Top 10 during the season and the final rankings will be posted with our All-Area package in late June.

This Week's GMC Top 10

(records through Sat., May 18)

1. Old Bridge (18-7) – last week No. 2: There’s no dispute here. Not after the Knights captured the GMC Tournament title as the No. 3 seed capped by Saturday’s win over South Plainfield. Each of the four GMCT victories showed how versatile a team Old Bridge puts out. Twice they held early leads and then held off rallies. The Knights also had their own comeback from a 5-1 deficit to win in the quarterfinals and then prevailed 10-0 in the semifinals. All those experiences should help come the playoffs.

2. South Plainfield (19-5-1) – last week No. 1: They had to lose at some point. Just, the Tigers side certainly didn’t want the Loss to come in the GMCT final. Actually, South Plainfield’s 14-game unbeaten streak was snapped in a non-conference loss to Notre Dame on Friday. Still, South Plainfield remains a dangerous threat in the sectionals with its balanced lineup. As a bonus, star centerfielder Dom Massaro is back leading off after a leg injury sidelined him for over two weeks.

3. Woodbridge (17-8) – last week No. 3: You win some close games, you lose some close games. The Barrons have lost five of their last seven, which includes four defeats by a run and a two-run loss. That’s the nature of baseball. Woodbridge should be just fine entering the postseason.

4. Edison (14-11) – last week No. 4: The Eagles may seem to be on a mini-slide after losing five of their last six. But that includes the loss in the GMCT semifinals and they’re playing all quality teams. Edison does have a nice 3-0 win over East Brunswick in that stretch as Jaxon Appelman threw a three-hitter with seven strikeouts.

5. Sayreville (11-10) – last week No. 5: The Bombers got revenge with a win over Old Bridge after falling to the Knights in the GMCT semifinals. Granted, Old Bridge rested its top pitchers and some hitters for the GMCT final three days later. Nonetheless, Sayreville gets those good vibes back after reaching the semis as the No. 10 seed.

6.North Brunswick (9-11) – last week No. 6: To win in baseball, you need to outscore the other team, right? Well, the Raiders have laced 37 hits and outscored opponents a combined 36-21 in a 3-0 week. They hope to carry that heavy-hitting into the playoffs. They also have had good pitching, so it’s about putting it all together for the Raiders in the postseason.

7. Colonia (17-5) – last week No. 7: Gaining momentum and staying sharp. The Patriots rebounded from their 1-0 loss to Sayreville in the GMCT first round with six-straight wins, including going 4-0 last week. Another good sign for Colonia fans — near unhittable pitching. The Patriots have allowed a total of two runs and 10 hits in those six games, while scoring a combined 45 runs. If those trends continue, watch out.

8. Spotswood (18-3-2) – last week No. 8: Is that a soccer team’s record? The Chargers had their second tie of the season after a 6-6 game with South Plainfield was called for darkness. Spotswood’s eventful week continued with a 10-0 win over Gold Division champions South Amboy and a loss to Shore Conference power Brick Memorial. Seeing these good teams before the playoffs seems like a good scheduling move for the Chargers.

9. Monroe (12-9) – last week No. 9: Monroe rebounded from the GMCT first round loss with three-straight wins fueled by spectacular pitching last week. The Falcons earned non-conference victories over Toms River (1-0) South and Manasquan (2-0). Zack Wallace twirled a three-hitter with 14 strikeouts and Lucas White also tossed a three-hitter with nine strikeouts. That kind of pitching is a very good thing to have in the playoffs.

10. South Brunswick (13-12) – last week No. 10: The Vikings are excelling in the second half with a 7-2 record. That quality play continued last week with wins over Hillsborough and Middlesex and a loss to Skyland Conference power Ridge. South Brunswick looks to be a pesky out in the sectionals.

Consideration: St. Thomas Aquinas (15-7) – Starting with the 3-2, near-upset loss to South Brunswick in the GMCT first round, the Trojans have played sharp baseball. They beat Edison, Sayreville and Raritan last week.

NJ Baseball: GMC Top 10 and notes after Week 7 (mycentraljersey.com)