Union/GMC Autism Awareness Challenge Game 6: Cranford 5, South Plainfield 4

Mark Tomei scores on an RBI single by AJ Celentano in the third inning.

South Plainfield (4) at Cranford (5), Union/GMC Autism Awareness Challenge

The Star Ledger, April 10, 2011 8:51 p.m.

By Josh Rosenfeld

Cranford got to South Plainfield's Dan Hansen early yesterday and felt fortunate to do so.
Cranford, No. 11 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, touched Middlesex County's most celebrated hurler for five runs in the first two innings and made them stand up for a 5-4 victory at the Union/GMC Autism Awareness Challenge yesterday at Williams Field in Elizabeth.
"We knew they have an outstanding pitcher and an outstanding lineup, so we knew we had our hands full today and were fortunate to get a win," Cranford coach Dennis McCaffrey said. "We were fortunate because we had guys in scoring position and were able to have guys get good, productive at-bats."
Hansen yielded a single to Eric Garguilo leading off the third and did not allow another hit or run thereafter.
But Cranford already had done all of the damage it needed as Kurt Rutmayer (2-0) made the lead stand up.
South Plainfield (4-2) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Mark Tomei laced Rutmayer's first pitch into right center for a triple and A.J. Celentano drove him in with Rutmayer's second offering on a ground ball to second. Brandon Downes followed with a single, took second on a base hit by Hansen and scored on another single by Steve Petriello.
Cranford (5-0) answered with two runs in the first and three more in the second, with Mike Osofsky keying the rallies with an RBI single in the first and a two-run double in the second.
"I'm glad my team gave me the run support, I just tried to limit the runs for the other team," Rutkowski said. "I always know that my team will come through."
Tomei spearheaded South Plainfield's comeback bid by doubling and scoring on a Celentano single in the third and added a solo home run to right center with one out in the fifth. Tomei's bid to hit for the cycle ended on the game's final at-bat as he bounced into a game-ending force as South Plainfield failed to put a runner in scoring position after the third inning.

Shane O'Connor gets back safely during a pick-off attempt by Cranford. 

Shane O'Connor is called out for the final out of the game on a force play at second.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-1615099150417335015/south-plainfield-4-at-cranford-5-uniongmc-autism-awareness-challenge/