We finally got some nice weather earlier this week, until the rains came again on Thursday. At least we got a good smattering of baseball games in before then, including the preliminary round games in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament on Wednesday.
Kittatinny was the only lower seed to win, snapping an eight-game skid with a 10-0 blowout of Belvidere. Winning pitcher Rory McArdle had seven strikeouts and Jordan Murch belted a homer and had three RBIs.
In other HWS action:
Wallkill Valley 10, Delaware Valley 7 -- Ian Endres went 3-for-3 with a double and four RBIs to lead Wallkill Valley.
North Warren 20, Sussex Tech 5 -- Pat Dolan was 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBIs to lead North Warren.
Newton 6, South Hunterdon 2 -- Winning pitcher Eric Dillard was backed by Derek Smith going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Saturday's first-round matchups are set. Here's a closer look at all eight games:
9-Kittatinny (2-8) at 1-Pope John (9-1) -- Cougars' reward is a date with the once-beaten Lions, who have won four straight and outscored their opponents 42-8 during that stretch.
5-Lenape Valley (6-2) at 4-North Hunterdon (4-5) -- Patriots can certainly score as they average just over 12 runs per game. However, they also surrender just over seven per game. Lions will provide a stiff test with red-hot outfielder Andrew Westlin and ace pitcher Asa Whitaker.
6-Warren Hills (4-5) at 3-Sparta (7-3) -- Probably the most intriguing matchup of the weekend. Blue Streaks have lost three straight, but all to quality opponents. Spartans, who are very tough at home, are rolling having won six of seven, including a 10-0 win over Roxbury on Wednesday.
7-Wallkill Valley (5-9) at 2-Voorhees (7-0) -- Rangers feature first baseman Ian Endres who had a big game against Del Val. But the Vikings feature one of the top arms around in Virgina Tech recruit Sean Keselica, a power lefty who is 4-0 with 45 K's in those wins. He will be on the hill on Saturday.
7-North Warren (7-3) at 2-High Point (6-3) -- Patriots are hitting their stride having won five straight and scoring 46 runs in their last three. But they haven't faced many quality teams this season, like the Wildcats. Shortstop Jared Musilli (10 hits in last three games) and pitcher Brett Fundell are having outstanding seasons for the Sussex County squad.
6-Hopatcong (6-2) at 3-Hackettstown (7-0) -- Chiefs have pulled it together after an 0-2 start and have scored a ridiculous 41 runs in their last three contests. Catcher DJ Ross is outstanding and is 4-for-6 with three homers and six RBIs in his last two games. Tigers have won four straight in this series dating to last season, including a 6-2 win on April 4. Ace Matt Reynolds (4-0) beat Perth Amboy on Tuesday and he may throw in this one. If not, Justin Knight (2-0) is solid as well.
5-Phillipsburg (7-4) at 4-Vernon (4-4) -- Long bus ride for the Stateliners, who have won two straight including a 15-6 win over North Hunterdon on Tuesday. Third baseman Mike Murray is heating up, going 6-for-8 with two doubles, two triples, a homer and six RBIs in that stretch. Vikings have yet to play this week.
8-Newton (2-5) at 1-Hunterdon Central (6-4) -- Braves also have a long ride to Flemington and will face a Central squad that has been uncharacteristically up-and-down. Red Devils shortstop Josh Ake is a solid all-around player and pitcher Greg Scassera (2-0) is capable of shutting down the opposing bats.
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