Monday, May 9, 2011

West Jersey Baseball rankings

1. Pope John (13-2) -- Lions saw their seven-game winning streak snapped with Friday’s 11-8 loss to Don Bosco Prep, then rebounded with a 5-2 win over North Hunterdon on Saturday in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex quarters. Ace Brendan Mayers had a season-high 14 strikeouts in the victory. Big week on tap against heavy hitters.

Up next: Monday at home against Sparta, Wednesday at home against Montville, Saturday at home against Voorhees in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

2. Hackettstown (13-0) -- Tigers still rolling after big wins over Lenape Valley on Friday and North Warren on Saturday in HWS quarterfinals. Ace right-hander Matt Reynolds, improved to 5-0 this season and 18-1 for his career in 11-4 win over Lenape Valley. Justin Knight tossed a five-inning no-hitter against North Warren. Coach Gary Poyer’s club can clinch second NJAC Freedom Division title on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday at Newton, Friday at home against North Warren, Saturday at Hunterdon Central in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

3. Voorhees (11-1) -- Vikings went 3-0 last week, including a big 8-2 win over Sparta in Saturday’s HWS quarterfinals. Ace Sean Keselica matched his season high with 14 strikeouts and improved to 7-0 and will face Pope John, a team he two-hit last year, on Saturday. Third baseman Tyler Duplaga is 9-for-13 with four doubles and seven RBIs in his last four games.

Up next: Tuesday at Pingry, Thursday at home against Delaware Valley, Saturday at Pope John in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

4. Hunterdon Central (12-4) -- Red Devils are red-hot following a 4-0 week that ran their winning streak to seven straight. Greg Scassera improved to 4-1 with eight strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Phillipsburg in HWS quarterfinals – Central’s second win over the Stateliners in three days. Chris Suseck is batting a team-high .500 and shortstop Josh Ake became school’s all-time hits and runs leader.

Up next: Monday at Warren Hills, Tuesday at home against North Hunterdon, Thursday at home against Robbinsville, Saturday at home against Hackettstown in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

5. Sparta (12-4) -- Spartans are climbing the ladder after reeling off a seven-game streak before Saturday’s 8-2 loss to Voorhees. Center fielder Brendan Monahan is 5-for-8 with two homers and four RBIs in his last three contests and is 4-1 on the mound. Next up is crosstown rivalry game against Pope John.

Up next: Monday at Pope John, Wednesday at home against Jefferson, Friday at Montville, Saturday at home against Hoboken.

6. Warren Hills (7-7) -- Blue Streaks went 3-1 last week following a four-game skid that included tough losses to Voorhees and Sparta. Coach Mike Quinto’s team blanked Phillipsburg 9-0 and dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Somerville to close the week. Kyle Allen had seven RBIs in the team’s three victories and earned a complete game win over Pingry.

Up next: Monday at home against Hunterdon Central, Tuesday at home against Belvidere, Thursday at Franklin, Friday at home against North Warren.

7. Phillipsburg (9-8) -- Stateliners have fallen on hard times, losing four straight and outscored 36-6 during that stretch. Pitcher Sean Corman suffered his first loss in five decisions against Hunterdon Central on Friday. Coach Dave Hinkle’s team may be weary after playing five games in seven days.

Up next: Tuesday at Notre Dame (Pa.), Thursday at Watchung Hills, Friday at home against Ridge.

8. North Hunterdon (6-8) -- Lions have been up-and-down the last two weeks, winning two of their last six. Coach Parker Snare’s team stayed tough on Immaculata with an 11-7 win on Thursday to sweep the regular season series with the Spartans before a 5-2 loss to Pope John. Derek Jenkins capped a big week with a homer against PJ.

Up next: Tuesday at Hunterdon Central, Wednesday at Hillsborough, Thursday at home against Ridge, Friday at Watchung Hills.

9. North Warren (10-4) – Patriots ran their winning streak to eight with wins over Belvidere and Gill St. Bernard’s before Saturday’s 10-0 loss to Warren County rival Hackettstown in the HWS quarterfinals. Shortstop Pat Dolan is locked in at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs against Belvidere.

Up next: Monday at home against Hanover Park, Tuesday at home against Manville, Thursday at Bound Brook, Friday at Warren Hills.

10. High Point (10-4) – Wildcats climb back into the rankings after a rolling off four wins last week. Ryan Conklin led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs in a win over Wallkill Valley and belting the game-winning homer against Boonton on Saturday where he also got the win on the mound, his fourth of the season.

Up next: Monday at Montville, Thursday at home against Vernon, Friday at home against Mount Olive.

On the bubble: Lenape Valley (10-4); Hopatcong (10-4).

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