GAME #21 South Plainfield 8, Colonia 0

 

Written byGreg Tufaro
@MyCJ_Sports

SOUTH PLAINFIELD — As Kyle Moroney continues to impress on the mound, an increasing number of observers are telling the senior right-hander he should consider playing college baseball.
Moroney, a Home News Tribune first-team All-Area selection at quarterback, has already made a nonbinding commitment to continue his football career at Rowan University.
But after raising his record to 6-0 and lowering his White Division-leading ERA to 0.38 in an 8-0 Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament third-round victory over Colonia on Tuesday, Moroney is contemplating becoming a two-sport athlete at the next level.
“I always knew I had something with baseball but I never thought I would be this good,” said Moroney, who was used sparingly in relief last season.
“I was originally (committed for) just football. I didn’t think I was going to do this well this season. But seeing the people that are looking at me right now and seeing my talent unfold in front of me, I’m definitely going to have to weigh my options.”
Moroney, who hurled a complete-game three-hit shutout of Colonia in the season opener, blanked the Patriots over six innings on Tuesday, striking out seven and allowing just one hit – an infield single to Vinnie Ferrentino to lead off the game.
He faced just three batters over the minimum. C.J. Lehman walked as the only batter to whom Moroney pitched more than two balls and Mike Wilson reached on an infield error.
Pinch hitter Xavier Wilson’s clutch two-run single with two away in the seventh off reliever Lehman produced the final margin and helped the sixth-seeded Tigers advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals against third-seeded South Brunswick.
South Plainfield (15-6) parlayed a hit batsman, three infield hits and Aidan McDermott’s RBI single into a three-run rally in the second inning. The Tigers also scored runs in the game on a balk, a wild pitch and a swinging third strike in the dirt that would have been the third out of an inning.
Leadoff batter Kyle Dickerson went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while catcher Justin Marks singled, doubled, walked and scored a run. Reliever Rob Eggert struck out the side in the seventh to preserve the victory.
Moroney, whose fastball a college scout clocked at 88 mph earlier this season, threw 68 pitches, only 21 of which were out of the strike zone. Excluding a couple of 59-foot curveballs, he had excellent command of three pitches including his fastball and changeup.
At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Moroney, who just turned 17 in December, has tremendous upside due to his athletic build and youth.
“Every time he’s out there, we’ve got people who are noticing what he’s doing,” South Plainfield coach Anthony Guida said. “You would have to not know baseball to not understand what he doing out there. There hasn’t been much (discussion about pitching at the next level) because the word has been that he’s playing football, but his success now is making them think that maybe he’s going to play some baseball in college.
“He’s only going to get better. He’s got everything you need to pitch at the next level.”
Colonia coach Vinny Esposito, a former Rutgers University star who the Toronto Blue Jays drafted, said he believes Moroney could develop in college.
“I think he’s a big, strong kid, which from the college level, and more important, for the next level, they really look for,” Esposito said. “So he projects high. At this level (high school), the reason he’s so successful is he can throw two pretty good pitches for strikes (fastball and curve) on any count. He throws with a downward plane. As a high school hitter, it’s tough to get any plan against him.
“I definitely think he has potential. I was wondering where he is going. I think he’s got a shot. If I was his dad or I was his brother, I’d tell him to do both – go play football and baseball at a place like Rowan. Why make a decision now.”
 
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140513/NJSPORTS0130/305130054/Moroney-pitches-South-Plainfield-GMCT-baseball-win-over-Colonia?nclick_check=1


 

 

 

Kyle Moroney of South Plainfield pitched the Tigers to a third-round win over Colonia in the GMC baseball Tournament on Tuesday. 

By Star-Ledger
on May 13, 2014 8:23 p.m.

Kyle Moroney pitched six innings, allowing one hit, no runs and one walk with seven strikeouts to lead South Plainfield to an 8-0 victory over Colonia in the first round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament in South Plainfield.
Kyle Dickerson was 2-for-3 with two runs for South Plainfield and Adam McDermott and L.J. Scarpitto both had a hit and an RBI.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-2674561985737268823/colonia-0-at-south-plainfield-8-greater-middlesex-conference-tournament-first-round-baseball/

GAME #20 South Plainfield 7, Metuchen 0

By Star-Ledger
on May 09, 2014 7:43 p.m.

Bryan Gillen came up with a triple, two RBI and run while Brandon Rickert allowed just four hits in South Plainfield's 7-0 victory over Metuchen in South Plainfield.
Rickert struck out three and walked two in a complete game. Aidan McDermott had a double and an RBI while Chris Graves had an extra base hit and a run scored. Mike Polizzano went 2-for-2 with a triple and a double and two runs.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-674568985826269054/metuchen-0-at-south-plainfield-7-baseball/

Winning pitcher Brandon Rickert went the distance, scattering four hits and fanning three. Mike Polizzano went 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Bryan Gillen went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140509/NJSPORTS0130/305090039/Baseball-roundup

Middlesex baseball: Overall records And Tournament Seeds (Through May 7)

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on May 08, 2014 7:30 a.m.

The season is another week older as we take a look at where each team stands within the county. Below you will find each teams respective record.
Please note, records are updated through May 7

RED DIVISION
South Brunswick (14-5)
East Brunswick (14-6)
Old Bridge (15-3)
J.P. Stevens (10-11)
Piscataway (3-15-1)
Edison (7-13)
Perth Amboy (2-14)
Sayreville (9-9)
St. Joseph (Met) (14-6)

WHITE DIVISION
South Plainfield (13-6)
North Brunswick (11-7)
Monroe (11-4)
Woodbridge (7-9)
Colonia (8-7)
JFK (2-15)

BLUE DIVISION
Spotswood (13-6)
Bishop Ahr (6-6)
New Brunswick (2-12)
Metuchen (8-6)
Middlesex (12-6)
South River (7-10-1)
Carteret (9-11)

GOLD DIVISION
South Amboy (12-1)
Cardinal McCarrick (11-4)
Highland Park (9-6)
East Brunswick Tech (10-6)
Dunellen (8-11)
Timothy Christian (3-12)
Piscataway Tech (4-12)
Wardlaw-Hartridge (9-5)
Perth Amboy Tech (1-16)

GMCT SEEDS:

1- East Brunswick
2- Old Bridge
3- South Brunswick
4- St. Joseph (Met.)
5- Monroe
6- South Plainfield
7- Middlesex
8- South Amboy
9- Spotswood
10- Edison
11-Colonia
12- Sayreville
13- Woodbridge
14- North Brunswick
15- J.P Stevens
16- Metuchen
17- Carteret
18- Bishop Ahr
19- South River
20- Cardinal McCarrick
21- Perth Amboy
22- Piscataway
23- East Brunswick Tech
24- Iselin Kennedy
25- Wardlaw-Hartridge
26- Highland Park
27- Dunellen
28- New Brunswick
29- Timothy Christian
30- Piscataway Tech
31- Perth Amboy Tech

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

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-5537943914895994150/middlesex-baseball-overall-records-through-may-7/

Coach Bill Mosca Flagpole Dedication

 

 

Bob Pasternak Doing the Finishing Touches

 

 

 

The Mosca Family is Introduced

 

 2014 SP Tigers Look On During The Dedication

Pre-Game Flag Raising

Coach Anthony Guida

Tom McCreesh - Master of Ceremonies



Bill Mosca Flag Pole Dedication

 Reminder........Friday, May 9th will be the formal dedication of the Bill Mosca Flagpole at the South Plainfield Varsity Baseball field prior to the 4:00 p.m. game against Metuchen.  Come on out and show your support and share memories of the coach.

GAME #19 Spotswood 8, South Plainfield 5

Nick LoGatto went 3-for-4 with two runs and two doubles as Spotswood defeated South Plainfield, 8-5, in Spotswood.
Chase Fee scored two runs and Ryan Walker went 1-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Tom Hagerty earned the win, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He scattered six hits with two earned runs, one walk and one strikeout.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-674571985948269360/south-plainfield-5-at-spotswood-8-baseball/

 

Ryan Walker went 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Nick LoGatto, Jeremy Corrente, Matt Krause and Jake Ryan each drove in a run to lead Spotswood (13-6). Nick Polizzano and Rob Eggert each had two RBI for South Plainfield (13-6) in the loss.

 

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140507/NJSPORTS0130/305070047/Baseball-roundup-games-from-Wednesday-May-7

 

GAME #18 South Plainfield 15, Perth Amboy 1

Vincent Pellegrino threw five one-hit innings, striking out two and walking one for South Plainfield. Aidan McDermott went 3-for-3 and Justin Marks went 4-for-4 for the Tigers.  Rob Eggert went 2-for-3

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140506/NJSPORTS0130/305060042/Baseball-roundup

GAME #17 South Plainfield 11, JFK Iselin 1

By Star-Ledger
on May 05, 2014 8:22 p.m.

Rob Eggert scored two runs while going 3-for-3 and Justin Marks scored three runs to lead South Plainfield past Iselin Kennedy, 11-1, in Iselin.
Kyle Moroney gave up one run on two hits while walking one and striking out five for South Plainfield. Ryan Kelly scored a run while Sam Stolz had an RBI for Iselin Kennedy.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/325436014177730957/south-plainfield-11-at-iselin-kennedy-1-baseball/

GAME #16 South Plainfield 14, Linden 3

No media coverage available

GAME #15 South Plainfield 8, JFK Iselin 7.

By Star-Ledger
on April 29, 2014 8:58 p.m.

Justin Marks beat out a throw home as South Plainfield defeated Iselin Kennedy in walk-off fashion, 8-7, in South Plainfield.
In the home half of the eighth inning, Marks hit a single into left field. Nick Polizzano and Rob Eggert then each put down bunt singles to load the bases. Sean Erhardt then stepped to the plate and hit an infield single to drive home Marks.
Bryan Gillen finished 2-for-2 with a run, three RBI and a triple for South Plainfield. Chris Graves earned the win striking out three in four innings. He allowed two earned runs and walked three.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2325443014058730686/iselin-kennedy-7-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #15 South Plainfield 8, JFK Iselin 7.

By Star-Ledger
on April 29, 2014 8:58 p.m.

Justin Marks beat out a throw home as South Plainfield defeated Iselin Kennedy in walk-off fashion, 8-7, in South Plainfield.
In the home half of the eighth inning, Marks hit a single into left field. Nick Polizzano and Rob Eggert then each put down bunt singles to load the bases. Sean Erhardt then stepped to the plate and hit an infield single to drive home Marks.
Bryan Gillen finished 2-for-2 with a run, three RBI and a triple for South Plainfield. Chris Graves earned the win striking out three in four innings. He allowed two earned runs and walked three.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2325443014058730686/iselin-kennedy-7-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #14 Jackson 2, South Plainfield 0

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger

Standing in left field with Jackson nursing a two-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, Joe Demaio played every possible scenario over in his mind. No matter what happened, if the ball came his way, he’d be prepared.
“I just wanted someone to hit me the ball so I could make a play,” Demaio said.
So when South Plainfield’s Kyle Dickerson swung and lifted one high to right field, Demaio knew exactly what to do.
The Jackson outfielder camped underneath it for one out, then fired home to catch a tagging Rob Eggert. The 7-2 double play secured a 2-0 Jackson victory in the Autism Awareness Challenge in North Brunswick.
“When it left the bat I ended up going back because I thought it was gonna be deeper than it was,” Demaio said. “I ended up having to run in on it. That gave me a running start when I let it go.”
The double play ended South Plainfield’s best chance for a run on the day. Throughout the majority of the contest, Jackson, No. 16 in The Star-Ledger 20, watched as starting pitcher Ryan Takacs took over.
Through 6 1/3 innings, the righty allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four.
“I was feeling it,” Takacs said. “I was a little around the strike zone, but I was getting the job done. Then I just lost it a little in the seventh."
Eggert led off the game’s final frame with a single before stealing second. Takacs then hit the next two batters to load the bases. The situation pulled coach Frank Malta out of the dugout for a pitching change.
Out came Takacs and in came Chris Hawryluk.
“Ryan really battled to get us to that point,” Malta said. “Bringing Chris in wasn’t something we anticipated in that situation. Chris is a sophomore and Ryan is a junior. We know those two can be very effective.”
Hawryluk threw just one pitch before Demaio’s double play.
“That last play was pretty nice,” Takacs said. “I thought it was actually going to drop, but (Demaio) came running in, he got momentum and he got the out.”
On the other side, South Plainfield starter Vincent Pellegrino matched Takacs in a pitching duel. The right-hander went the distance, allowing four hits, one earned run and no walks while striking out one.
A passed ball in the third and sacrifice fly in the seventh were the lone runs that came across under his watch.
“He did a great job on the mound,” Malta said. “They’re a very good team. It was a great test for us today. You can see with the way they all play the game they do a great job.”
It was Jackson's first year at the Autism Awareness Challenge. For the last seven years, teams across the state have come together to raise autism awareness. The tournament is run and organized by Colorado Rockies scout Mike Garlatti.
“I’ve known Mike for a while and I was very honored when he asked us to play,” Malta said. “To be able to explain to our guys what these games and showcases are all about is a great thing.
“Mike had a dinner for us and we got to bring a few kids up and they heard him speak and they got a little more respect when it comes to people dealing with autism.”
Eggert finished 2-for-3 for South Plainfield. Mike Petrizzo and Brandon Janofsky scored the lone runs for Jackson.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3325451014080730658/south-plainfield-0-at-jackson-2-baseball/

GAME #13 South Plainfield 12, Immaculata 5

By Star-Ledger
on April 25, 2014 9:15 p.m.

Aidan McDermott had three hits including one double and three RBI to lead South Plainfield past Immaculata, 12-5, in Flemington. Rob Eggert had three runs for South Plainfield. Brandon Rickert pitched for five innings and had two strikeouts for South Plainfield. Derek Walker had two runs for Immaculata.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/3325457014216730948/south-plainfield-12-at-immaculata-5-baseball/

Baseball: Autism Awareness Challenge preview

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 25, 2014 8:42 a.m.                   

Seven years ago, 16 Greater Middlesex County teams got together to play eight game with one common goal. For one afternoon, all put aside the "win at all costs" mentality for the sole purpose of bringing awareness to the illness Autism.

"It was just about getting the word out, getting people some information," Colorado Rockies scout Mike Garlatti said. "And we wanted to use baseball as the avenue to do that."
This coming Saturday, 26 teams across seven counties will play 13 games at three different locations with that same common goal. The afternoon, which has earned the name "The Autism Awareness Challenge," has ballooned to something even Garlatti didn't imagine when he began it so many years ago.
"I really never thought it was going to get this big," Garlatti, who has a son who suffers with autism, said. "Not that it has to be that big, but we've added some things to it. We've got some bigger named and ranked schools, it's intriguing to fans."
Garlatti's baseball career began as a former catcher at both the University of Tampa and Ramapo College. Later, he worked underneath Fred Hill on Rutgers University's coaching staff before he created the "Baseball Warehouse," a baseball school helping kids of all ages.
It was during this time that Garlatti wanted to create something to bring attention to Autism.
"You see how in the majors they do the pink bats for breast cancer and the NFL makes everything pink," Garlatti said. "I wanted to bring awareness and I got a lot of help from the local high school coaches. It's really grown."
One of the teams that has been involved for the last five years is North Brunswick High School.
"The whole point of it isn't even really baseball," North Brunswick coach Ryan Lillis said. "It's a fun day where everyone is at one spot. There's some good competition, everyone is talking about it and Mike usually sets up a table. It's designed to spread the word."
This year, all athletes will be taking an additional step in spreading the word. For the first time, each team will go to school on Friday in a different, extravagant colored jersey with the hope fans, parents, teachers and fellow students ask what it's for.
"All of the kids have been versed on how to explain it to them," Lillis said. "After they do, the hope is it will reach thousands and thousands of kids during the day. Those kids go home and explain it to their parents and it spreads."
While in the past games have been played at one location, this year they will be played at three: North Brunswick Community Park, East Brunswick High School and Myrtle Field in Metuchen. Below you will find the complete schedule for The Autism Awareness Challenge.

NORTH BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY PARK: 

Field One:
North Brunswick vs Montgomery, 10am
Steinert vs St. Joseph (Met), 1 pm
Edison vs Elizabeth, 4pm
Millburn vs Red Bank Catholic, 7pm

Field Two: South Plainfield vs Jackson Memorial, 10:30am
Spotswood vs New Brunswick, 1:30pm
Somerville vs Sayreville, 4:30pm
CBA vs Pope John, 7:30pm

MYRTLE FIELD Plainfield vs Dunellen, 2pm
Bernards vs Middlesex, 4:30pm
Metuchen vs Barnegat, 7:30pm

EAST BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL Ridge vs East Brunswick, 1:30pm
Weehawken vs South River, 4:30pm

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7839117519703551037/baseball-autism-awareness-challenge-and-preview/

Middlesex baseball: Updated team records

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 24, 2014 7:30 a.m.

The season is another week older as we take a look at where each team stands within the county. Below you will find each teams respective record.
Please note, records are updated through April 23

RED DIVISION
South Brunswick (6-5)
East Brunswick (8-3)
Old Bridge (10-1)
J.P. Stevens (5-7)
Piscataway (3-7)
Edison (4-6)
Perth Amboy (1-7)
Sayreville (5-5)
St. Joseph (Met) (9-2)

WHITE DIVISION
South Plainfield (8-4)
North Brunswick (7-5)
Monroe (8-2)
Woodbridge (4-7)
Colonia (4-7)
JFK (2-9)

BLUE DIVISION
Spotswood (8-4)
Bishop Ahr (4-3)
New Brunswick (1-9)
Metuchen (5-2)
Middlesex (8-4)
South River (7-5)
Carteret (5-8)

GOLD DIVISION
South Amboy (9-0)
Cardinal McCarrick (7-3)
Highland Park (5-3)
East Brunswick Tech (5-5)
Dunellen (4-7)
Timothy Christian (2-7)
Piscataway Tech (3-6)
Wardlaw-Hartridge (3-4)
Perth Amboy Tech (1-8)

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

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/2184288917451185910/middlesex-baseball-updated-team-records/

GAME #12 Monroe 9, South Plainfield 5

Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger

 

 

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 23, 2014 8:20 p.m.

 



As Monroe coach Pat Geroni glanced over his team’s roster prior to the start of the season, he prepared himself for a year that would be filled with questions -- and, he hoped, answers.
After watching five senior players graduate, leaving just as many holes in the field, Geroni knew the replacements were talented, but unproven. One of the biggest questions on his mind was how they would bounce back after a difficult loss.
Just 24 hours after watching a game slip away versus South Plainfield, Geroni got his answer. Monroe won the second of a two-game series, 9-5, yesterday in South Plainfield, to improve to 8-2 on the season.
“This is a huge step,” Geroni said. “We wanted to see what we had today, we wanted to see how we’d come out and we really answered the bell. The energy in the dugout was unbelievable from the start.”
Eric Heatter got the start for Monroe and pitched a complete game. The freshman scattered 10 hits, allowed three earned runs, walked two and struck out six.
“To get this win feels great,” Heatter said. “It was a good way to stay composed and the team gave me a lot of run support, which is good.”
After managing just one run and two hits in its 4-1 loss to South Plainfield, Monroe jumped on top early. In the second inning, the team brought 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs, highlighted by Chris Hernandez’s RBI single.
“Coach has been working with us all in the cage,” said Hernandez, who finished 3-for-4 with a run and two RBI. “We’ve been hitting pretty well lately, just trying to keep it up.”
Monroe would add three more runs in the third off an RBI from Kyle Daly, an error and a wild pitch. Despite the 9-1 deficit, South Plainfield worked to mount a comeback.
In the home half of the third, Aidan McDermott hit a two-run home run that sailed well over the 320-foot sign in left field. Four batters later, Sean Erhardt hit an RBI double to cut the lead to 9-4.
With South Plainfield beginning to gain momentum, Heatter simply took a deep breath and brought the game back to his pace.
“I just needed to stay composed, stay within myself and throw strikes,” Heatter said. “That’s all I gotta do.”
Heatter would allow just one run the remainder of the game.
“I remember his first scrimmage, I said, 'he’s a freshman,' ” Geroni said. “Then he struck out three guys in 10 pitches. This wasn’t his best day, the wind in his face was killing his fastball. He’s been striking out two-plus an inning.”
Geroni admitted that when the season began, he wasn’t entirely sure what he’d have. During his three-year tenure with Monroe, seniors, with an underclassman or two sprinkled in, had always dominated the team.
But what the team lacks in experience, it makes up for in something else, he said.
“This whole year the kids have been real gritty, and grit isn’t something we have had at Monroe in the recent past,” Geroni said. “”We’ve had good teams, great players and kids that work hard, but this team tends to get those little jam-shot singles, they lay out in big situations.
“This team is an outstanding ballclub.”
McDermott finished 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI for South Plainfield. Ryan Jendrus went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI for Monroe.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6797012293772231096/south-plainfield-5-at-monroe-9-baseball/

 

 

Middlesex County Baseball Stat Leaders

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 23, 2014 7:30 a.m.

As we do every Wednesday, let's take a look at the top statistical leaders throughout Middlesex County. See something you think we're missing? Contact Connor Hughes. (Chughes@Njschoolsports.com)
Please note: Stats are submitted and compiled via coach or reporter at games. If games are not reported, complete with stats, that player's stats will not be represented below.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY STAT LEADERS
OFFENSE
HITS
1- Orville Vazquez, South Amboy- 16
2- Nick Smutko, East Brunswick- 15
T3- Nick LaVecchia, Old Bridge- 14
T3- Chris Hernandez, Monroe- 14
T3- Joseph Siecinski, J.P. Stevens- 14
T3- Mike Ng, East Brunswick, 14
DOUBLES
1- Jefferson Bonialla, Piscataway Tech- 5
T1- Tristan O'Connor, Middlesex- 5
3- 11 tied at 4
TRIPLES
1- Zach Attianese, Old Bridge- 3
2- Victor Konstantinovsky, North Brunswick- 2
T2- Dom Lampasona, Middlesex- 2
T2- Orville Vazquez, South Amboy- 2
5- 20+ tied at 1
HOME RUNS
1- Cliff O'Brien, Wardlaw-Hartridge- 2
T1- Nick LaVecchia, Old Bridge- 2
T1- David Johnson, Dunellen- 2
T1- Will Johnson, Spotswood- 2
T1- Justin Marks, South Plainfield- 2 
 T1- Tim Kales, South Amboy- 2
RBI
1- Tim Kales, South Amboy, 20
T2- Eric Reardon, North Brunswick, 12
T2- Jeremy Corrente, Spotswood, 12
T2- Will Johnson, Spotswood, 12
T2- Frank LoGuidice, J.P. Stevens, 12
PITCHING
WINS
1- Victor Dudka, East Brunswick, 4
T1- Brandon Abdul, Old Bridge, 4
T1- Kyle Moroney, South Plainfield, 4
4- 9 tied at 3
STRIKEOUTS
1- Anthony Keri, Middlesex, 43
2- Dan Murphy, South Amboy, 37
3- Brandon Abdul, Old Bridge, 35
4- Brandon Bielak, St. Joseph (Met.), 33
5- John DiNoia, East Brunswick Tech, 32

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

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7764416860463368002/middlesex-baseball-countys-stat-leaders-updated-through-april-22/
 

GAME #11 South Plainfield 4, Monroe 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 22, 2014 9:16 p.m.

Kyle Moroney struck out 11, allowed just two hits, one earned run and no walks as South Plainfield defeated Monroe, 4-1, in Monroe.
After Monroe tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fourth, South Plainfield scored two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to pull away. Aidan McDermott went 2-for-4 with an RBI and one run.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6797016293774230993/south-plainfield-4-at-monroe-1-baseball/

MONROE — As soon as the opponent’s bat greeted the ill-advised changeup, Kyle Moroney knew the ball, his shutout, his scoreless innings streak and – most importantly to the senior right-hander – his team’s lead were gone.
After cleanup hitter Anthony Tagliaferro’s solo blast over the left-centerfield fence enabled Monroe to forge a short-lived 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth, Moroney’s South Plainfield High School baseball teammates responded with two runs in the ensuing frame.
Moroney made the second lead stand, retiring the game’s final 11 batters while propelling the Tigers to Tuesday’s 4-1 victory as the Falcons endured their first Greater Middlesex Conference White Division loss.
Monroe, which entered the game with a phenomenal 0.60 team ERA, having allowed just 20 hits and six earned runs, fell to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the division. South Plainfield (8-3, 4-3) and Woodbridge trail the Falcons by one game in the wins column.
Despite returning just six of its innings pitched and with six starters from the team that reached last year’s GMC Tournament final currently playing in college, Monroe boasts the league’s fourth best overall record. Monroe’s pitching staff has been aided by solid defense as the middle infield has turned 11 double plays including one against the Tigers. Outfielders Chris Henrandez (.500) and Danny Gregor (.428) entered Tuesday’s game as the leading hitters on a solid lineup, which Moroney (4-0, 0.38 ERA) quelled.
“We’ve had some darn good pitchers come through here and that’s the best performance I’ve ever seen,” veteran South Plainfield head coach Anthony Guida said of Moroney’s two-hit, 11 strikeout effort.
South Plainfield took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on Rob Eggert’s perfectly executed safety squeeze down the first-base line that scored senior centerfielder Aidan McDermott with runners on the corners. McDermott, who will attend St. John’s University on a partial baseball scholarship, singled, stole second and advanced to third on a catcher’s throwing error.The Tigers took a 3-1 lead in the fifth on McDermott’s RBI single off losing pitcher Mario Danza’s glove and cleanup batter Justin Marks’ run-scoring single to center.
“I needed a boost right there and that’s exactly what they did,” Moroney said. “They gave me a lot of confidence going into the next inning. That’s huge insurance right there.”
Eggert’s perfectly executed hit-and-run single with two away through the left side of the infield, which shortstop Anthony Parente vacated to cover second base, gave South Plainfield a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh.

South Plainfield's Kyle Moroney tossed a two-hitter on Tuesday. / MARK R. SULLIVAN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Moroney’s fastball, according to the radar gun of a college scout positioned behind the backstop, topped out at 88 mph and averaged 85 throughout the game. His curveball and circle change were sharp enough to keep Monroe hitters off-balance.
“I told the guys I was impressed with his knowledge of pitching,” Monroe head coach Pat Geroni said of a conversation with his players after scouting Moroney against Colonia earlier this season. “He definitely added about three or four miles today from that start. He just had a little extra than what I saw. He threw absolutely great.”
Moroney allowed just six balls to leave the infield – including Kyle Daly’s opposite-field double in the third – but his ability to not let the one that left the ballpark trouble him was the key to his success.
“After a big hit like that you are going to be a little bit startled, but what I always like to do, as soon as the ball is hit, if I think it’s gone, I just turn around,” Moroney said. “I never watch it because that’s going to sit in your head watching that thing land. The key is to be mad about it for a minute. Shake it off. Go back out there and do what you’ve got to do.”
Moroney’s visceral reaction – including a fist pump and a shout – after blowing a 2-2 fastball at the numbers past Tagliaferro in the seventh suggested he didn’t completely forget about the homer. His team’s two-run rally simply made it easier to deal with.
“He wanted that strikeout in the last inning,” Guida said. “For him to yell out like that, he was pretty upset. I think he knew that that was his first earned run (after 22 consecutive scoreless innings).”
Freshman left-hander Eric Heatter will start the second game of the home-and-home series against South Plainfield today. Over 15 and a third innings, the Monroe rookie has fanned 18, allowed six hits, four walks and one run.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20140422/NJSPORTS0130/304220048/Moroney-South-Plainfield-top-Monroe

This weeks Star-Ledger MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

By Connor Hughes/For The Star-Ledger
on April 22, 2014 7:30 a.m.

Another week has passed and there has already been a shakeup in the "Top 10." Below you will find the Top 10 teams in the county for the second week of the season.

THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOP 10

1-St. Joseph (8-1)
Last week, St. Joes was No.2. This week, it moves up to No. 1. Between the top four teams in the county, expect all to make frequent stops at the top spot. When Old Bridge fell to South Brunswick, then St. Joes beat South Brunswick, it warranted a move to No. 1.
2-Old Bridge (7-1)
It's simple: As outlined above, Old Bridge lost to South Brunswick, St. Joes beat South Brunswick, thus, the swap. Both of these two teams are so evenly matched and comparable, expect this ranking to go back-and-forth throughout the season.
3-East Brunswick (8-2)
East Brunswick had a nice week and jumps up a spot in the Top 10. There has been a lot of talk between players and fans that East Brunswick is as good, if not better, than St. Joes. The two teams square off at the end of this week in a two-game series. The winner will get a clear-cut advantage in the argument.
4-South Plainfield (7-3)
As said above, each of the top four teams in the county can all make arguments at the No. 1 spot, and expect these rankings to change on a week-to-week basis. The great thing about Middlesex County is that on any given day, the No. 10 team can top the No. 1 team (as was the case last week.) South Plainfield drops down a spot after falling to North Brunswick.
5-Monroe (6-1)
Monroe won two more games and remains steady with where it was ranked last week. Its matchup today versus South Plainfield will be a very good test.
6-Edison (4-5)
Edison and Woodbridge, very similar to Old Bridge and St. Joes, are very...very comparable. Edison had a tough start to the year, but have bounced back well.
7-Woodbridge (4-5)
As outlined above, Woodbridge and Edison are both very similar teams and the argument can be made for both to be No. 6 in the county. At the end of the day, it's going to come down to who has the better week. Just keeping with the comparisons: both team's lost games last week...both were to teams outside of The Top 10...both by just one run.
8-South Brunswick (5-4)
South Brunswick gets the jump to No. 8 from 10 last week following its victory over Old Bridge. It has a very nice chance to keep climbing if it pulls out a victory over Edison today.
9-Spotswood (6-3)
After being unranked last week, Spotswood climbs into the Top 10 after a solid couple victories. Wins over Plainfield and Bishop Ahr, along with a few tough losses for Middlesex and Metuchen, warrant the jump.
10-Middlesex (7-3)
It was a very, very difficult week for Middlesex last week. After winning its first seven games of the year, Middlesex dropped three straight (two to Colonia, one to Monroe). Having a day or two off may be just what Middlesex needed as the players get a quick break and a chance to regroup.

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

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-2015776387793204384/middlesex-baseball-the-countys-top-10-teams/

In Memory of Coach Mosca

A Letter From Anthony Guida:

 The South Plainfield High School Baseball Program will be installing a flagpole in memory of Coach Mosca. Coach always held a high regard for our country and its most famous symbol. When our athletic booster club donated a new scoreboard to our facility, the grounds crew removed the flagpole that was directly next to the old scoreboard. I can remember Coach Mosca taking the time to teach the players on how to properly fold an American flag after home games when I was the freshman coach. When I became Head Coach at South Plainfied, Coach Mosca would periodically mention that we didn't have our own flagpole. I just felt the flag on the football field would be fine. Coach Mosca, as humble as he was, just left it as that.
I'm posting to ask if you would like to make a donation towards purchasing the material needed to install a flagpole, shrubs and a plaque to remember Coach's countless time spent coaching the game of baseball to the student-athletes of South Plainfield High School.
If interested please send a check made out to:
 

South Plainfield Baseball
Anthony Guida
Baseball Mailbox
200 Lake Street
South Plainfield, NJ 07080

or see me, Coach Guida, or any baseball coach from the South Plainfield High School coaching staff.

We will have a dedication game on Friday, May 9th, at 4:00pm against Metuchen High School. I hope to see at the field soon and at our dedication game.

Thank you,
Anthony Guida

GAME #10 South Plainfield 8, Rutgers Prep 0

By Star-Ledger
on April 19, 2014 7:32 p.m.

South Plainfield recorded 14 hits and six different players drove in runs when it defeated Rutgers Prep, 8-0, in South Plainfield.
Rob Eggert went 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. Bryan Gillen went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles. Vincent Pellegrino earned the victory, fanning four in six innings. He scattered three hits without allowing an earned run or walk.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-7796997293652230899/rutgers-prep-0-at-south-plainfield-8-baseball/

GAME #9 South Plainfield 5, North Brunswick 1

By Star-Ledger
on April 17, 2014 8:52 p.m.

Kyle Moroney struck out eight, scattered three hits, didn't allow an earned run and walked one in South Plainfield's 5-1 victory over North Brunswick in the second game of a doubleheader in North Brunswick.
Justin Marks went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Chris Graves went 1-for-3 with a run and one RBI. Joe Manley went 2-for-3 to lead North Brunswick.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5649727780004320698/north-brunswick-1-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/

GAME #8 North Brunswick 7, South Plainfield 5

By Star-Ledger
on April 17, 2014 8:54 p.m.

Dominick Scialabba hit a two-run single in extra innings to lead North Brunswick past South Plainfield, 7-5, in South Plainfield.
North Brunswick scored five runs in the first inning when Eric Reardon, who started the day on the mound, hit a grand slam. South Plainfield came back in the home half of the inning when Justin Marks hit a two-run home run. He hit two on the day.
Steven Bloyed earned the win pitching 3 1/3 innings. He allowed one hit and one un-earned run. Reardon struck out five in 4 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed four earned runs, scattered nine hits and walked two.
Aidan McDermott stole home in the sixth inning for South Plainfield.

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/5649727780004320694/north-brunswick-7-at-south-plainfield-5-baseball/