N.J. Baseball Group 3 sectional finals preview: Rivals & rematches headline strong group
By
- Brian Bobal | NJ.com
The state tournament is about to enter the home stretch.
There has been plenty of thrilling action throughout New Jersey and it’s only going to become more intense with sectional finals for public schools set for Friday.Winners will advance to Monday’s state semifinals, with all four public school championships scheduled for Sunday, June 14 at Bainton Field on the campus of Rutgers University.
But before we get there, take a look as the NJ.com baseball staff breaks down all four Group 3 sectional finals matchups.
North 2 - Bracket
4-South Plainfield (17-11) at 3-Cranford (20-9)
When: Friday, 3 p.m.
Coaches: Scott Gleichenhaus, South Plainfield; Ryan Matlosz, Cranford
Sectional titles
South Plainfield (3): 1975, 2015, 2025
Cranford (15): 1971, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022
Road to final:
South Plainfield: 13-Iselin Kennedy, 5-0; 5-North Plainfield, 7-0; 1-Chatham, 4-2
Cranford: 14-Rahway, 14-2; 11-Summit, 17-7; 2-North Hunterdon, 9-3
South Plainfield players to watch:
- Andrew Bena, So., DH/P
- Ed Budzinski, Sr., OF
- Anthony Cicenia, So., SS
- Gabriel Garcia, Fr., 2B
- Chris Loniewski, Jr., 3B
- Dom Massaro, Sr., OF
- Aiden McCarthy, Sr., 1B
Cranford players to watch:
- Gabe Arato, Sr., P
- Patrick Bendert, Jr.
- Brayden Fry, Sr., SS
- Evan Ketschke, Jr.
- Adam Kielczynski, Sr.
- Jackson Schoening, So.
- Michael Tripodi, Sr.
Semifinal recap:
South Plainfield: Another gem from Aiden McCarthy helped lead the charge for South Plainfield in its 4-2 win over Chatham. He went the distance and allowed one earned run on six hits and a hit batter to go with five strikeouts. He also had two hits and scored twice. It was his seventh win in his last eight starts. Andrew Bena doubled and scored twi runs and Dom Massaro also doubled and scored twice. The top of South Plainfield’s lineup, which includes Chris Loniewski, had all five of the team’s hits and all four of its runs. Two of them came home in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie.Cranford: Cranford put up eight runs in the final three innings of its 9-3 win over North Hunterdon on the road. The big four of Patrick Bendert, Michael Tripodi, Brayden Fry and Adam Kielczynski combined for four hits, three RBIs and three runs. Evan Ketschke joined the fun with a hit, an RBI, a run and three walks. It was as complete a team effort as a team could hope for at this time of year. Eight different players had hits, including Quinn Smith, who homered, tripled, plated two runs and scored two more. Gabe Arato was great on the mound, going the distance and allowing just two runs on three hits.
The pick:
Brian Bobal: South Plainfield (in extra innings)
Kevin Minnick: Cranford
PJ Potter: Cranford
N.J. Baseball Group 3 sectional finals preview: Rivals & rematches headline strong group - nj.com
Preview: South Plainfield Tigers vs. Cranford CougarsBy Team ReportsThe South Plainfield Tigers will face off against the Cranford Cougars on Friday. Both teams are coming into the contest red-hot, with South Plainfield sitting on three straight victories and Cranford on four.
South Plainfield is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Wednesday. They had just enough and edged out Chatham 4-2.
Meanwhile, it was a proper cat-fight when Cranford duked it out with North Hunterdon on Wednesday. The Cougars put the hurt on the Lions with a sharp 9-3 win. The result was nothing new for the Cougars, who have now won 13 matchups by six runs or more so far this season.
South Plainfield's victory bumped their record up to 17-11. As for Cranford, their win bumped their record up to 20-9.
South Plainfield suffered a grim 9-2 defeat to Cranford in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Tigers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough
Baseball Game Preview: South Plainfield Tigers vs. Cranford Cougars
