MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 15, 2014 7:30 a.m.

While rain bombarded, delayed and postponed the early portions of the season, two weeks in, the top teams in the county are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

Below you will find the Top 10 teams in the county. Agree, disagree? Voice YOUR opinion in the comment section below.
Please note, these rankings do not take into consideration any of the games that took place on Monday, April 14

MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

1-Old Bridge (5-0)
Expected to be the top team in the county entering the season, Old Bridge has done nothing but back up the preseason hype. The team is averaging 7.8 runs per game and have held opponents to one run or fewer in four of five.

2-St. Joseph (Met.) (6-1)
After dropping a surprising one to J.P. Stevens, 4-3, in the second game of the season, St. Joes has returned to its dominating form. In seven games, it has allowed just five runs. Pitcher Brandon Bielak is off to a 3-0 start having allowed nine hits and one earned in 20 innings pitched. The senior has struck out 32 to lead the rotation.

3-South Plainfield (5-2)
South Plainfield split its two series versus Woodbridge (No. 6) and Colonia, but each of the two losses were decided by a combined two runs. South Plainfield has a very deep lineup as 1-9 can hit. Through seven, six players have four or more RBI.

4-East Brunswick (3-2)
After starting the season with two victories over South Brunswick, East Brunswick raised some alarms when Edison handed it a 13-3 defeat. Four days later, it defeated Edison, 13-1. Victor Dudka , Chris Cap and Cody Burnham represent one of the better rotations in the county.

5-Monroe (4-1)
Monroe suffered a disappointing loss to Johnson over the weekend, 2-1, but it doesn't overshadow the successful start to the year. In the previous four games, Monroe allowed three combined runs while scoring an average of 5.75 per game.

6-Woodbridge (3-4)
A difficult team to read early, Woodbridge has showed signs it's both a pretender and a contender. There's the 2-1 victory over No. 3 South Plainfield, then the 5-3 loss to Perth Amboy. Talent wise, Woodbridge is one of the best in the county, just needs to display it consistently.

7-Edison (3-4)
Few teams have had a more difficult of a schedule to start the year than Edison. Of it's first seven games: two were versus No. 1 Old Bridge, and two versus No. 4 East Brunswick. The early games against some of the best are a good test and show Edison what it needs to work on.

8-Middlesex (7-0)
The perfect start to the year is nice, as have been the individual performances of Anthony Keri and Dominic Lampasona, but Middlesex has yet to truly be tested.

9-Metuchen (5-1)
Similar to Middlesex, Metuchen hasn't been tested much through the first couple weeks of the season.

10-South Brunswick (3-2)
After losing its first two games to East Brunswick, both close contests, South Brunswick has won three straight.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-8745668222338712812/middlesex-baseball-the-countys-top-10-teams/

GAME #7 South Plainfield 3, Paramus 1

Baseball: South Plainfield defeats Paramus, 3-1

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 12, 2014 6:36 p.m.

Aidan McDermott stood at second base and stared over at coach Anthony Guida, waiting for the call.
With the score tied at one in the bottom of the sixth and Chris Graves digging in at the plate, the South Plainfield center fielder knew it would take just one play to break the tie versus Paramus.
“Coach gave the bunt sign,” McDermott said. “No one was holding me on, so when (Graves) squared up I went.”
Graves laid down a textbook bunt and McDermott took off. After Paramus third baseman Garrett Wiedemann threw to first to retire Graves, McDermott rounded third and headed home.
The senior sneaked in his foot at the plate just before being tagged to score the go-ahead run in South Plainfield’s 3-1 victory yesterday in South Plainfield.
“No feeling like it in the world,” McDermott said. “I know what kind of athlete I am and when I rounded third I knew I had to get it done for my teammates.”
While South Plainfield would add an insurance run in the sixth on a Rob Eggert sacrifice fly, the majority of the contest featured South Plainfield’s Jake Alba and Paramus’ J.R. Chinchar going toe-to-toe in a pitchers' duel.
For nearly every out Alba recorded, Chinchar matched. Through four innings, neither team had scored and Chinchar had not allowed a hit. Alba, a sophomore, pitched 6 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking one while scattering seven hits. Chinchar, a senior, struck out two while allowing just four hits.
“Anytime you go against a good pitcher it’s rough,” Alba said. “It’s tough to get a hit and it’s constantly going back and forth.”
The scoreless tie was finally broken when Wiedemann grounded out to score Kevin Lanigan. South Plainfield answered the very next inning on an RBI single from L.J. Scarpitto that drove in Bryan Gillen.
After South Plainfield’s two-run sixth, it looked as if Paramus was going to answer back in a similar fashion. The Bergen County team loaded the bases with two down in the top of the seventh and, with lead-off hitter Alex Castro coming to the plate, Guida made a pitching change.
“It was the top of the order and the fourth time they were seeing him,” Guida said. “Had it been the bottom we may have stuck with him, but with it being their fourth time up I thought we had to change.
“It was tough to pull him, he was upset. But he turned around and gave all his teammates high fives even though he wanted to stay in.”
Eggert, the senior closer, replaced Alba and retired Castro on three pitches.
“It’s a great overall victory,” Alba said. “This is a big win for us. I felt good pitching the whole day and when Rob came in I had all the confidence in the world.”
It marked South Plainfield's third straight victory in the annual meeting, dubbed the Golden Helmet Classic. The coaches, Guida and Paramus' Jonathan Morrisette, were college roommates at Rowan.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649726780123321006/paramus-1-at-south-plainfield-3-baseball/

GAME #6 South Plainfield 10, Westfield 6

By Star-Ledger
on April 11, 2014 9:34 p.m.

Kyle Dickerson smacked a two-RBI triple to help lead South Plainfield past Westfield, 10-6, in South Plainfield.
Aidan McDermott went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Bryan Gillen went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI. Vincent Pellegrino earned the victory, scattering five hits over five innings. He didn't allow an earned run.
Anthony Perconte went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI for Westfield.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649723780001320696/westfield-6-at-south-plainfield-10-baseball/

Home News Tribune baseball notebook: Moroney has South Plainfield winning

Written by

Greg Tufaro

@MyCJ_Sports

Senior right-hander Kyle Moroney’s seamless transformation from reliever to staff ace is a big part of the South Plainfield High School baseball team’s early-season success.
The Tigers, ranked No. 2 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, are off to a 3-1 start after winning 23 of 30 games a year ago while reaching the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament semifinals and North 2 Group III final.
South Plainfield graduated five position players and 151 innings pitched. Moroney, Kyle Dickerson and Vincent Pellegrino form the new rotation.
Moroney has two of the team’s wins with complete-game shutouts of Colonia and Woodbridge. Teammates have provided incredible run support when he is on the mound, outscoring foes 24-0.
“He’s been a surprise, only because primarily he was a reliever last season,” South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said, noting Moroney made just one start a year ago. “Coming in as the only senior returning (on staff), we told him he’s going to be our ace, and so far he has been.”
Moroney locates his fastball well and uses it to set up his breaking ball, which he can throw on any count.
South Plainfield star Aidan McDermott, an incumbent All-Area selection at centerfield who batted .417 last season and will attend St. John’s University in the fall on a partial baseball scholarship, ended a relatively slow start with three solid hits in Wednesday’s 19-0 drubbing of Woodbridge.
McDermott had just two infield singles over the first three games, which had more to do with being pitched around than ability.
“(Wednesday) he broke out and hit the ball hard,” Guida said. “Everything (hurlers are throwing at McDermott) is offspeed. He’s starting to adjust. He understands that’s what he’s going to get, and he’s earned that.”
The rest of the lineup has been productive with the Polizzano brothers, Nick, a sophomore right fielder, and Mike, a senior shortstop/designated hitter, inflicting damage.
“Both had fantastic games (against Colonia) right off the bat,” Guida said. “They’ve had some timely hits.”
Catcher Justin Marks continues South Plainfield’s tradition of outstanding backstops. He will play next year at Rutgers-Newark.
Predecessor Brandon Downes, who converted to center field, batted .318 as the University of Virginia’s cleanup hitter a year ago, while Stephen Petriello, another former South Plainfield catcher now playing at Rowan University, was named the NJAC’s Rookie of the Year last season.
“We’ve been blessed with our catchers over the past few years,” Guida said, noting Marks has all the tools of those who played before him. “He’s enjoying the role (of co-captain) and is really taking over behind the plate.”

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140411/NJSPORTS0130/304110016/Home-News-Tribune-baseball-notebook-Moroney-has-South-Plainfield-winning

GAME #5 Woodbridge 2, South Plainfield 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 10, 2014 9:14 p.m.

A late rally led Woodbridge past South Plainfield, 2-1, in South Plainfield.
Entering the sixth inning tied at 1, Woodbridge scored the game's winning run when an errant pick-off attempt allowed Juan Penas to score from third.
Nick Bradshaw earned the victory, scattering three hits and striking out three. He allowed one earned run. Jonathan Kreusch drove in Woodbridge's other run.
Kyle Dickerson went 2-for-4 for South Plainfield with an RBI.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/4649728780132321003/woodbridge-2-at-south-plainfield-1-baseball/

GMC STANDINGS APRIL 10, 2014

 

GMC Standings

RED DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Old Bridge (3-0)	3	0
St. Joseph (4-1)	3	1
East Brunswick (3-1)	3	1
Sayreville (2-0)	2	0
J.P. Stevens (1-2)	1	2
South Brunswick (1-2)	1	2
Edison (1-3)	1	3
Perth Amboy (0-1)	0	1
Piscataway (0-4)	0	4

WHITE DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Monroe (3-0)	3	0
South Plainfield (3-1)	2	1
Woodbridge (2-2)	2	1
Colonia (1-3)	1	2
J.F. Kennedy (1-2)	1	2
North Brunswick (0-4)	0	3

BLUE DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
Middlesex (4-0)	4	0
Metuchen (3-0)	3	0
Spotswood (2-0)	2	0
Bishop Ahr (0-1)	0	1
South River (1-2)	0	2
Carteret (1-3)	0	2
New Brunswick (0-4)	0	4

GOLD DIVISION
TEAM	W	L
South Amboy (4-0)	4	0
Cardinal McCarrick (3-1)	3	1
Highland Park (2-1)	2	1
Piscataway Tech (3-1)	2	1
East Brunswick Tech (2-1)	2	1
Dunellen (1-2)	1	2
Wardlaw-Hartridge (1-2)	1	2
Timothy Christian (0-3)	0	3
Perth Amboy Tech (0-4)	0	4

Posted by Greg Tufaro on April 10, 2014.

GAME #4 South Plainfield 19, Woodbridge 0

No media coverage to be found on this game.

GAME #3 - South Plainfield 1, North Hunterdon 0

South Plainfield's Jake Alba pitched seven shutout innings against North Hunterdon for his first career varsity victory on Saturday. (Keith A. Muccilli/For The Star-Ledger)

 

South Plainfield edges North Hunterdon, 1-0, in extra innings

By James Kratch/For The Star-Ledger
on April 05, 2014 7 p.m.

 

As the strong winds gusted and the zeroes continued to pile up on the scoreboard, the endgame for Saturday's contest between North Hunterdon and South Plainfield became clear.
One team was going to make a mistake, and the other would take advantage to score the day's first run and then parlay it into a victory.
South Plainfield ended up being the team that caught the break, as Justin Marks scored from third base on an infield error in the eighth inning to lift the Tigers to a 1-0 triumph over North Hunterdon in Annandale.
"We walked on the field saying, 'Let's make them make the mistake,'" South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said. "I think they made one mistake, and that mistake helped us."
With the game scoreless in the eighth, Marks singled with two outs and stole second. South Plainfield's Aidan McDermott, a St. John's signee, then hit a slow ground ball to the right side that was mishandled, allowing Marks to score the decisive run.
"It was an absolutely brutal day to hit the baseball," North Hunterdon coach Mike Kane said. "And unfortunately, it was the kind of day that comes down to who is going to make a mistake. We made one, and they capitalized. That's pretty much what it came down to."
Both teams received sensational pitching. South Plainfield sophomore Jake Alba threw seven scoreless innings to earn his first career varsity victory, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts, two walks and a hit batter. RobEggert threw a perfect eighth inning for the save.
North Hunterdon received five strong innings from starter Kurt Thompson, who struck out three and walked two while yielding two hits. Reliever Griffin Hatton was the hard-luck losing pitcher after allowing an unearned run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk over the final three innings.
South Plainfield (2-1) had chances to score in the third and sixth innings, loading the bases in both frames. But each time, North Hunterdon (1-2) found a way to escape unscathed. Thompson got two outs to close out the third and Hatton got a 1-2-3 double play, plus a flyout, to end the sixth after coming on in relief of Thompson.
"We had a lot of guys on," Alba said, "but we just couldn't get them in."
North Hunterdon left four runners on and nearly took the lead in the sixth. With runners on first and third and two outs, North Hunterdon opted to send the runner toward second prior to Alba beginning his motion in order to try and get the runner on third home. But Alba stepped off and threw out the runner trying to get back to first for the final out, much to the chagrin of North Hunterdon, which felt the runner had safely returned to the bag.
Andrew Meiners was 2-for-3 for North Hunterdon. Jon Scott had a hit and a stolen base for the Lions in the loss. Kyle Dickerson, Sean Erhardt and Bryan Gillen each had a hit for South Plainfield.
"Our pitching kept us in the game and our defense kept us in the game," Guida said. "This was a great win for us."

(Keith A. Muccilli/For The Star-Ledger)

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/7649722779920320464/south-plainfield-1-at-north-hunterdon-0-baseball/

 

South Plainfield 1, North Hunterdon 0 (8): Senior catcher Justin Marks singled to left with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, stole second, then scored all the way from second on Aidan McDermott’s slow roller to second base for the only run of the game in Clinton. The game pitted two teams - South Plainfield and North Hunterdon -- which made the North 2 Group III and North 2 Group IV finals respectively last season.
Sophomore righty Jake Alba, making his first varsity start, pitched seven innings for the victory. He struck out eight and allowed four hits – two by catcher Andrew Meiners. Senior righty Rob Eggerts got the save with a 1-2-3 eighth.
South Plainfield is 2-1; North Hunterdon 1-2.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140405/NJSPORTS0130/304050012/Baseball-roundup





Schedule Star Game Change Alert

The Boys Varsity Baseball event of South Plainfield High School vs. Middlesex High School on 04/04/2014 has been Cancelled
Get details at http://www.schedulestar.com or call your school directly if you have any questions about this game change.

GAME #2 Colonia 5, South Plainfield 4

Colonia 5, South Plainfield 4: Brian Kopko pitched a complete game, striking out five and collected three hits, including the game winning single for the Patriots. Michael Wilson and Kyle Pietrapertosa set the table for Kopko in the bottom of the seventh, both hitting singles.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140403/NJSPORTS0130/304030067/Baseball-roundup

GAME #1 - South Plainfield 5, Colonia 0

Winning run crosses the plate in the bottom of the 6th.

 

And the 2nd run on the next play.

 

Annnnd....another on the next play!

 

 

Run #4

And run #5 seals the win!

 

Colonia (0) at South Plainfield (5) - Baseball

By Star-Ledger
on April 02, 2014 9:09 p.m.
 

Kyle Moroney struck out eight in South Plainfield's 5-0 victory over Colonia in South Plainfield.

Moroney went the distance scattering five hits, none earned and walked two. On offense, South Plainfield scored all five of its runnings in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Polizzano hit a two-RBI single. Chris Graves, Rob Eggert and Nick Polizzano all drove in runs as well.

 

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6649712779886320506/colonia-0-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/

 

 

South Plainfield 5, Colonia 0: Senior righty Kyle Moroney threw a complete-game five-hitter, striking out eight to lead the Tigers in their season opener. The Tigers broke open a scoreless game in the bottom of the sixth with five runs. Mike Polizzano drove in two runs and Nick Polizzano, Rob Eggert and Chris Graves had RBI. Sophomore J.T. Desordi had two hits for Colonia (0-1).

 

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140402/NJSPORTS0130/304020069/Baseball-roundup-South-Amboy-snaps-Dunellen-streak-no-hitter







Home News Tribune High School Baseball Teams at a Glance

 

 

Mar. 29, 2014 4:54 PM

MyCentralJersey.com

South Plainfield

Coach: Anthony Guida.

Last year: 23-7overall, 12-2 division.

Probable lineup: Aidan McDermott (Sr., OF); Justin Marks (Sr., C); Rob Eggert (Sr., INF); Mike Polizzano (Sr., NF); Bryan Gillen (INF); Kyle Dickerson (Jr., INF); Nick Polizzano (So., 1B); Chris Graves (INF); L.J. Scarpitto (1B); Brandon Rickert (Jr., 1B); Vin Pellegrino (Jr., OF); Sean Erhardt (Jr., OF); Xavier Wilson (Jr., OF); Chris Marrero (Jr., C-OF); Jake Alba (So., OF).

Pitchers: Kyle Moroney (Sr., RH); Kyle Dickerson (Jr., RH); Joel Curran (Sr., RH); Sean Cullen (Sr., LH); Rob Eggert (Sr., RH); Brandon Rickert (Jr., LH); Vincent Pellegrino (Jr., RH); Jake Alba (So., RH).

Outlook: South Plainfield graduated five starters from a team that reached last year’s GMC Tournament semifinals and North 2 Group III finals. McDermott, headed to St. John’s University on a partial baseball scholarship, is one of the state’s best outfielders. The pitching staff returns 58 out of 209 innings. Moroney (4-2, 2.19 ERA, 22 IP) and Dickerson (1-0, 1.06 ERA, 20 IP) anchor the rotation. The Tigers will rely heavily on co-captain Justin Marks, arguably the league’s top returning catcher. Eggert is the lone returning infield starter. Scarpitto is an excellent glove at first base. Nick Polizzano and Rickert are also competing for time at that spot.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140329/NJSPORTS0130/303290011/Home-News-Tribune-H-S-baseball-teams-glance?nclick_check=1

Middlesex baseball: 2014 season previews, South Plainfield

St. Johns-bound Aidan McDermott leads a talented South Plainfield team in 2014 (Steve Hockstein/For the Star-Ledger)

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on March 28, 2014 7:30 p.m.

Our Middlesex baseball previews continue tonight as we take a look at two more teams within the county. Below you will find what's to come when South Plainfield takes the field for the 2014 season.

MISS ANY OF OUR PREVIEWS TO DATE? FIND THEM ALL HERE

Record last year: 23-7overall, 12-2 division
How the season ended:
South Plainfield fell in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 championship to Cranford, 5-1.
Returning players:
Six players come back from last year's team for South Plainfield, including St. John's-bound Aidan McDermott. The senior batted .417 with 15 extra-base hits and 20 RBI's. He could have his name called in the upcoming MLB Draft.
Keep an eye on:
South Plainfield graduated 73 percent of its varsity innings pitched from last year's team. Look for pitchers such as Sean Cullen and Joel Curran to step up.
Coach's expectations:
Anthony Guida: "We're going to rely heavily on senior co-captains Aidan McDermott and Justin Marks, both enjoyed All-Division honors last year."

Sean outlook:
If the younger players on South Plainfield's team step up, it could be a serious threat in the state playoffs and GMC Tournament once again this year. While some lack experience, they certainly don't lack talent. South Plainfield will be one of the better teams in the conference this year.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE MIDDLESEX BASEBALL ACTION
Connor Hughes: chughes@njschoolsports.com Twitter:@92Hughes92

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-9040774329306556027/middlesex-baseball-2014-season-previews-south-plainfield/

2014 SOUTH PLAINFIELD TIGERS

Salute to the SPHS Alumni

As we hope to clear the snow from the fields and prepare for the
2014 High School season.
We give our annual shout out to the SPHS Alumni playing college ball starting this week. Good luck and continue to show them all where you came from!

Please let us know if anyone is missing from this list.

We are proud of our alumni and wish them all the BEST!

Wake Up The Tiger When Baseball Season Starts

Funeral Arrangements for Coach Mosca

http://www.mccriskinfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1757184/Mosca-Bill/service-details.php

Viewing:

Sunday, December 29th, 2013, 3:00-8:00 at:

McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals

2425 Plainfield Avenue

South Plainfield, NJ.

Church Service:

Monday at 11:00 a.m. at:

Neshanic Reform Church

715 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ

 

Interment:

Hillside Cemetary

1400 Woodland Avenue

Scotch Plains, NJ

 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Pray-for-Mosca/1443512979210525

Branchburg - Bill Mosca, beloved husband, father and well-known South Plainfield educator and coach passed away on Sunday evening, December 22, 2013 at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville surrounded by those who loved him. He was a bright light in the lives he touched. He had a heart of gold and cherished every moment with his wife, children, and friends.

Born in Brooklyn, NY., Bill was a 40 year resident of North Plainfield prior to settling to Branchburg in 1991.

Bill is predeceased by his parents, George and Marie (Capillo). Surviving are his heartbroken wife, Maryann (Bazsika), three children, Lily, 18 and twins Jojo and Katie, 15, sister, Jeanne Mosca-Woods, 3 nephews, 1 niece, as well as a host of extended family and numerous friends.

He began his teaching tenure after completing his education at Montclair State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education. He found his home in South Plainfield where he taught Middle School Mechanical Drawing. He also worked with special education students in Woodshop, a class he truly treasured. Bill worked and coached for the Board of Education for 32 years prior to retiring in 2010. He had earned the respect of many students and colleagues and will be fondly remembered as a teacher and coach.

As a coach, Bill led the SPHS Junior Varsity Basketball Team for 10 years, and was the Assistant Head Coach for the SPHS Baseball Team for over 30 years. Bill loved his years in the district and later continued coaching youth sports with his children. He volunteered with the Branchburg Travel Baseball Team and is most proud of their 2012 Babe Ruth World Series title and the team's third place finish in the Cal Ripken League World Series in 2008. Additionally, he coached basketball for Branchburg Rec and found time to volunteer for the Middlesex Hand and Hand as well as yearly church missions to assist with various construction projects.

After retirement and during the summer months, Bill got to spend time doing what he loved, helping people with carpentry jobs. He was a true carpenter at heart and enjoyed making various furniture and doing woodworking projects.

Family and friends may attend the visitation on Sunday, December 29, 2013 from 3-8 PM in the McCriskin -Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield, NJ 07080 and additional visitation will be Monday, Dec., 30 2013 from 10:15AM-10:45AM in the Neshanic Reformed Church.

Funeral Services will begin at 11 AM on Monday in the Neshanic Reformed Church, 715 Amwell Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844. Interment will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mosca Children's Fund at any TD Bank for the future educational needs of their children.

http://www.mccriskinfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1757184/Mosca-Bill/obituary.php

 

 

Abbott and Costello should see this..........

Hu's on first.

Cranford squeezes out win over South Plainfield in North 2 Group III baseball

Written by
Brian Hartnett
Editorial Intern
Jun. 1, 2013 2:34 PM

CRANFORD - A pitcher’s duel turned into a game of small ball in the sixth inning of Friday’s NJSIAA North 2 Group III baseball finals, as top-seeded Cranford used a suicide squeeze play to break a 1-1 tie and emerge with a 5-1 victory over second-seeded South Plainfield.
Cranford (23-1) began the bottom of the sixth with two consecutive singles. Cranford senior pitcher Ryan Williamson then bunted down the third base line, and South Plainfield (23-7) failed to get the forceout at third, which loaded the bases.

Two batters later, Cranford senior catcher Chris Folinusz broke for home, and Cougars senior first baseman Alex Plick put down a bunt, scoring both Folinusz and pinch runner Bobby Bruns after an errant throw to first base.

“I think the book on Cranford is that they’re an excellent small ball team, and they’re going to do a lot of things right, which they proved again today,” South Plainfield coach Anthony Giuda said. “We prided ourselves on our defense all season and unfortunately, when you give a team like Cranford a couple of extra outs, they’re going to capitalize on it.”

The suicide squeeze play put Cranford up 3-1, and the Cougars extended their lead later that inning when junior left fielder Matt Ravitier lined a single to right field to plate two more runners.

South Plainfield went down in four batters in the top of the seventh, and Cranford, the defending Group III champion, earned its third sectional title in four years.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been here, and we like the fact that we’re playing the best in the section,” Giuda said. “In order to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and we hung with them.”

The Tigers scored the game’s first run in the top of the second, as junior catcher Justin Marks lined a single up the middle to score senior left fielder Jeff Pellegrino.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130601/NJSPORTS0130/306010028/Cranford-squeezes-out-win-over-South-Plainfield-North-2-Group-III-baseball?nclick_check=1

Baseball - 2013 NJSIAA Tournament - North 2, Group 3 - Round 4 - South Plainfield (1) at Cranford (5) - Baseball

South Plainfield (1) at Cranford (5) - Baseball

Star-Ledger, May 31, 2013 9:56 p.m.

By Chris Ryan

With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, Cranford coach Dennis McCaffery decided to take a chance. Thanks to the execution of Alex Plick, the gamble paid off in a big way.
Plick dropped down a perfect bunt to pull off a suicide squeeze which scored Robert Bruns from third base, and, following a dropped throw at first, Albert Garguilo scored all the way from second.
The suicide squeeze highlighted a four-run rally to lift top seed Cranford, No. 2 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 5-1 victory against second seed South Plainfield in the final of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament in Cranford.
Matt Ravitier followed the bunt with a two-run single to cap the rally and give Cranford (23-1) a four-run lead after the game was tied for the majority of the afternoon. The scoring was facilitated by the bunt, which Plick said he was prepared to do when he stepped to the plate.
"I was just happy. It's good to get it down, and it's good that everything worked out," the senior first baseman said. "Because (the pitcher) went from the windup, so the guy from second got a really good jump, and he went from third and scored."
The rally gave support to senior left-hander Ryan Williamson, who finished a complete-game victory. He surrendered one run on seven hits while striking out four and walking one.
South Plainfield (23-7) struck first, as Justin Marks capitalized on a single and a balk to hit an RBI single in the second inning. Cranford's offense responded quickly, with Williamson hitting a triple in the third, and Ravitier later tying the game on an RBI single.
"I love these guys, we're a team, and we're playing team ball," Williamson said. "We're getting timely hitting, and we're just putting it in play, and making them make plays."
The left-hander allowed three hits the rest of the way, and only one runner reached third base, which came after a throwing error in the fifth inning.
Ravitier finished 2-for-2 with three RBI, while Garguilo scored two runs. For South Plainfield, Taylor Born and Aidan McDermott each finished with two hits.
Cranford clinched its second straight sectional championship and its third in four seasons. It will play Paramus in the Group 3 semifinals on Tuesday as Cranford continues its defense of the Group 3 title.
For a program in which postseason success has become a theme, Ravitier said the confidence each player has in each other has played a key role in this season's success.
"Being a part of this team is a blessing," Ravitier said. "It's such a tight group of guys. We're so close together, and we know we're going to get the job done every single time we go out there."

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2304148373713504233/south-plainfield-1-at-cranford-5-baseball/

Celentano, South Plainfield blank J.F. Kennedy

SOUTH PLAINFIELD — While ‘small ball’ is not usually how the South Plainfield High School baseball team operates, coach Anthony Guida says it is something he preaches at every practice.
The Tigers finally bought into the small ball approach on Wednesday against rival John F. Kennedy, as they used a sacrifice fly in the first inning and an RBI groundout in the third to build a lead for starting pitcher AJ Celentano.
Celentano took it from there, compiling a five-hit shutout and leading South Plainfield to a 3-0 victory and a berth in the NJSIAA North 2 Group III sectional final.
“There were missed opportunities earlier in the season that we did not capitalize on, and we lost a few games that way,” Guida said. “The sacrifice fly was hit hard, the little groundout was not. But it’s small ball and it gets the job done. Luckily, we did that and got a couple runs early in the game. And then our defense took the game over.”
John F. Kennedy, which beat South Plainfield a week ago in the GMC Tournament, snapped an eight-game winning streak with the loss, and an offense that had been very much alive recently just could not get the big hit when they needed it most. JFK stranded two baserunners in the second, fourth, and fifth innings.
“They’re a great hitting team,” Celentano said of JFK. “The last time I pitched here against them, they were rocking fly balls all over the place. I just kept them on the ground today, kept the ball low. I let the defense work and they all made some nice plays out there.”
Celentano, who will be pitching at Division I St. Peter’s next season, stayed calm and collective while working his way out of jams. In a performance that his coach deemed “gutsy,” the Tigers ace threw 88 pitches and saved his best for last in a 1-2-3 seventh.
“(AJ) was talking about this start for two days, he couldn’t wait for it,” Guida said. “He had a good game plan in his mind. We knew defense and pitching were going to have to be our strong points, and today they were.”
Right fielder Quinn Cochrane wasted no time getting South Plainfield on the board, hitting a screamer to right field that was deep enough to plate the first run. In the third, centerfielder Aidan McDermott drove in Taylor Born with an RBI-grounder after Born hit a double to left-center and moved to third base on a wild pitch. Nick Muglia provided some insurance two innings later with a looping single to left field.
Although outshined by his counterpart, John F. Kennedy starting pitcher Joseph Stone threw well enough to win. Stone was unable to help his own cause with two outs in the fifth, however, grounding out to shortstop with runners on first and third.
South Plainfield, the second seed in the North 2 Group III bracket, will move on to play either No. 1 Cranford or No. 4 Mendham on Friday in the championship.
“Definitely Cranford,” Celentano said when asked for his preferred opponent. “We wanted Cranford. That’s the top seed.”

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130529/NJSPORTS0130/305290065/Celentano-South-Plainfield-blank-J-F-Kennedy

Iselin Kennedy (0) at South Plainfield (3), NJSIAA Tournament, Semifinal Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 - Baseball

Star-Ledger, May 29, 2013 9:22 p.m.

AJ Celentano struck out four and walked two in a five-hit shutout to lead second seed South Plainfield to a 3-0 victory against 11th seed Iselin Kennedy in the semifinals of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament in South Plainfield.
Taylor Born went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs for South Plainfield, which will play top seed Cranford in the sectional final. Nick Muglia finished 2-for-2 with two RBI, and Quinn Cochrane drove in one run.

South Plainfield to face JFK again

Written by Harry Frezza
@thefrez56
May 26, 2013

NORTH PLAINFIELD — After South Plainfield High School’s baseball team lost to John F. Kennedy in the Greater Middlesex Tournament semifinals May 18, coach Anthony Guida reminded the Tigers they might not have seen the last of the Mustangs.
The No. 2-seeded Tigers’ 12-7 victory Sunday over seventh-seeded Governor Livingston in the North 2 Group III quarterfinals at North Plainfield’s Krausche Field and Kennedy’s 5-2 victory at Roxbury has made Guida’s message reality.
South Plainfield (21-7) will play 11th-seed John F. Kennedy for the fourth time this season, but this time in a sectional semifinal, Tuesday at South Plainfield. The Tigers won both regular-season games 7-2 and 6-3 April 30 and May 1, but dropped a 6-2 county semifinal decision. South Plainfield has won three straight since.
“It’s a big incentive,” Guida said of playing John F. Kennedy, whose team hosted the quarterfinal round on the turf at Krausche because of poor conditions at home left by the rain. “I told the kids when I saw the bracket I said, ‘Guys don’t be surprised if we play them a fourth time.’ It’s very rare. They are a darn good ball club with a long winning streak, they were our last loss, so there’s more of a reason for us to go out there and win a ball game.’’
South Plainfield will see their GMC White rivals once more in large part because of senior lefty Pat Boyle’s stubbornness and 20 hits. Four came from leadoff batter and left-handed hitting catcher Justin Marks and three by Taylor Born, Quinn Cochrane, A.J. Celentano and Jeff Pellegrino. Most of those hits were needed; especially after junior first baseman Barron Natelli cracked a three-run homer to left off Boyle in the fourth to cut the Tigers’ lead to 7-6.
“I didn’t have my best stuff, that was obvious,” Boyle said. “I just kept going out there, throwing strikes, letting them put it in play and let my defense do all the work.”
South Plainfield scored five runs in the first off sophomore lefty Ethan Frohman (5-2), but the biggest hit of the game may have been in the fourth. After Natelli’s homer, Cochrane led off the bottom of the inning with an opposite-field triple to right. Lefty-swinging Celentano followed with an opposite-field RBI single and Rob Eggert made it a 9-6 lead with another RBI single. Celentano drove in five runs.

“Since we scored those two extra runs to give us a (three-run lead), he was a batter-by-batter basis and I told Pat that it was going to be one batter at a time and if one guy got one that he was coming out and he understood that,” said Guida.
Boyle (6-1) persevered, going five innings before being relieved by junior righty Kyle Dickerson after Boyle walked junior shortstop Steven Duda to start the sixth. Boyle has six complete games, and the one he lost was April 10 to Woodbridge
“He usually completes the game,” said Guida. “His arm is very durable; he proved that last year, he’s a gusty performer. I knew that he’s got a lot of innings in him, but since we were scoring runs I wanted to show confidence in him because we have been successful with him on the mound this year.”
The one concern was a defense that at some points sparkled with two especially fine plays by Born in the third and sixth innings. The Tigers made four errors – all in the infield, two coming in the sixth. The errors resulted in just one run, but it was a lesson.
“I told the kids 20 hits wins a game, but four errors against a good program usually loses a game, but when you get 20 hits it’s easier to win a game in that situation,’’ Guida said.
Governor Livinsgton took a 1-0 lead in the first on Duda’s RBI triple. But South Plainfield answered with its big inning in the bottom half, and never let it get away.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130526/NJSPORTS0130/305260057/South-Plainfield-face-JFK-again

Baseball - 2013 NJSIAA Tournament - North 2, Group 3 - Round 2 - Gov. Livingston (7) at South Plainfield (12), NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 - Baseball

Gov. Livingston (7) at South Plainfield (12), NJSIAA Tournament, Quarterfinal Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 - Baseball

Star-Ledger, May 26, 2013 6:50 p.m.

 

AJ Celentano went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI, and two runs to help South Plainfield defeat Gov. Livingston, 12-7, in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament in North Plainfield.
Jeff Pellegrino finished 3-for-4 with a triple, a double, one RBI, and two runs for South Plainfield, which scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Justin Marks went 4-for-5 with a double, one RBI, and two runs, while Taylor Born and Quinn Cochrane each finished with three hits.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2304140373729504368/gov-livingston-7-at-south-plainfield-12-njsiaa-tournament-quarterfinal-round-north-jersey-section-2-group-3-baseball/

Colonia (2) at South Plainfield (10), NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 - Baseball

Quinn Cochrane had a triple, home run and two RBI to lead South Plainfield to a 10-2 victory over Colonia in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament in South Plainfield.
A.J. Celentano had three hits, and Nick Muglia added two hits and two RBI to pace South Plainfield. Celentano notched the victory for South Plainfield, allowing seven hits and one earned run over six innings.
Joe Coutinho, Chris Czapik and Scott Durkin each had two hits to pace Colonia.


http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3304149373717504205/colonia-2-at-south-plainfield-10-njsiaa-tournament-first-round-north-jersey-section-2-group-3-baseball/