Another wild week across the tri-county area, making it even more difficult to peg the top 10 teams in any reasonable order. But I'll give it another shot, so here goes.
Note: Jefferson was included in last week's rankings, but the Falcons, of course, are from Morris County. That's why they're not here this week.
(Records through April 15)
1. Hunterdon Central (5-0) -- The Red Devils enter the week as the area's lone unbeaten tea, following wins over Phillipsburg (15-3 on Tuesday) and North Hunterdon (6-5 on Thursday). The wins also pushed Central to 4-0 in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division. Evan Klimchak was 3-for-3 against North Hunterdon and Billy Maier (2-0) fanned six to earn the win. Geggie Russomagno had a double, homer and four RBIs against the Stateliners.
Up next for the Red Devils -- at Randolph on Tuesday; at Ridge on Thursday; Hunterdon Central Tournament on Saturday.
2. Warren Hills (5-2) -- Blue Streaks keep piling up runs at an alarming rate, scoring a total of 43 in four wins this past week. After a 15-1 pasting of Hackettstown on Monday, coach Mike Quinto's club tallied 13 against Pingry and 12 in a win at Delaware Valley, coached by Warren Hills grad Marty White. The week closed with a 3-2 win over Moorestown at the annual Millburn Tournament on Saturday. Kyle Allen has wielded one of the may hot bats, with a double and three RBIs against Pingry. Allen improved to 3-0 on the mound with five K's in the win over Moorestown. Shea Kohler, who missed last season with an injury, went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs combined in the wins over Hackettstown and Pingry.
Up next for the Blue Streaks -- at North Hunterdon on Monday; at Franklin on Thursday; at Millburn Tournament on Saturday.
3. Pope John (4-2) -- Lions suffered their first losses on Saturday at the Pennsville Tournament -- a long way down the line from Sparta. Sam Redwood had a double and one RBI in a 12-11 loss to Holy Spirit, while Eder Rivera knocked in three runs in a 15-5 defeat against Seneca. Earlier last week, Pope John picked up a pair of NJAC American Division wins over Jefferson (9-7 on Wednesday) and High Point (14-9) on Friday. Shortstop Matt Tietz belted two homers against the Falcons, while Redwood plated four runs against the Wildcats.
Up next for the Lions -- at Sparta on Wednesday; Montville at home on Friday.
4. North Hunterdon (2-5) -- Lions make a major leap -- up six spots from last week after a 10-8 win over previous No. 3 Voorhees on Saturday. North was bolstered by the return of outfielder Derek Jenkins, who had two RBIs in the win. Tim Howard (1-1) earned the win on the mound and had a double and a triple at the plate. Earlier in the week, North gave a good account in a 6-5 loss to No. 1 Hunterdon Central. Alex Noboa went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the loss. We said it from the start, this team has too much talent and has rebounded nicely after an 0-3 start. North also beat Randolph (17-6 on Monday) and lost to Steinert (3-2 on Wednesday).
Up next for the Lions -- Warren Hills at home on Monday; Ridge at home on Tuesday; at Hillsborough on Thursday; Edison at home on Saturday.
5. Voorhees (3-3) -- Tough week for the Vikings. After a 13-3 waxing of Franklin on Tuesday, coach Spark Mattson's club dropped back-to-back games against Somerville (16-10 in eight innings) and North Hunterdon (10-8 on Saturday). Third baseman Tyler Duplaga certainly isn't slowing down -- going 4-for-10 with a double and an RBI in the last two games. He also doubled in a run against Franklin. Nick Marini went 7-for-9 with a double, triple and four RBIs in the Franklin and Somerville games. Matt Bonavita went 4-for-4 with two RBIs against Franklin.
Up next for the Vikings -- at Pingry on Tuesday; Delaware Valley at home on Thursday; North Warren at home on Saturday.
6. Phillipsburg (3-4) -- Stateliners took a tour of the Keystone State last week, with three games against Pennsylvania foes, starting with a 23-2 drubbing of Wilson on Monday. Anthony Ciavarella had a big week, including a double and an RBI against the Warriors. On Tuesday, he took the loss, despite 10 K's, in the 'Liners' 15-3 setback against Hunterdon Central. Mike Ciesla (1-1) got his first victory on the mound in a 5-1 victory over Pius X. Robert Howell had a triple and two RBIs in Saturday's 12-9 loss to Stroudsburg.
Up next for the Stateliners -- Notre Dame of Green Pond (Pa.) at home on Monday; at Watchung Hills on Tuesday; Bridgewater-Raritan at home on Thursday; at Easton (Pa.) on Saturday.
7. High Point (3-2) -- Wildcats had a short week with a 9-6 win over Morris Hills on Wednesday and a 14-9 loss to Pope John on Friday. Brett Fundell continues to rake, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs against Morris Hills, before a double and an RBI against PJ. Kevin Pettenger also was hot at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI against the Knights before belting a homer against the Lions. Kyle Adams, who transferred from Pope John, got his second win on the mound against Morris Hills.
Up next for the Wildcats -- Kittatinny at home on Monday; at Montville on Wednesday; at Vernon on Friday; at Wallkill Valley on Saturday.
8. Delaware Valley (4-3) -- Terriers capped a 3-1 week with wins over Delran (9-4 on Friday) and South Hunterdon (8-4 on Saturday). The week began with a 6-5 win over Hopatcong. Tom Chiswick is on fire at the plate, going 2-for-4 against South and belting an RBI double in Friday's win. He was also 2-for-4 against Hopatcong. Chiswick also got the win on the mound with five K's against South. Dennis Martell was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs on Saturday. Ace Scott Scripko got the win and was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI against Delran.
Up next for the Terriers -- North Plainfield at home on Tuesday; at Voorhees on Thursday.
9. Sparta (5-3) -- Spartans have really turned things around after a 1-3 start. Coach Sam Slobodzian's club picked up its fourth straight win, 15-4, over Park Ridge on Saturday, following a 14-2 pounding of Mount Olive in an NJAC American Division clash on Friday. Devon Livingston went 4-for-5 with two RBIs on Friday, while Codie Aromando went the distance with five K's to pick up his second win on Saturday. Big showdown with crosstown-rival Pope John this week.
Up next for the Spartans -- Pope John at home on Wednesday; Newton at home on Thursday; Jefferson at home on Friday.
10. Wallkill Valley (5-5) -- Rangers enter here for the first time this season, following an impressive 11-5 win over Lenape Valley on Friday. Coach Kevin Lukich's team went 3-1 last week, with wins over Morris Hills (8-6 on Monday) and Hackettstown (6-2 on Wednesday). Tommy Sweller had a huge week, going 2-for-3 with an RBI on Monday, followed by 2-for-3 games against Hackettstown and Lenape. Jake Konopka also stayed hot at the plate, going 5-for-9 in the wins over Hackettstown and Lenape. The win over Hackettstown snapped a six-game skid against the Tigers, in which Wallkill was 10-runned in five of those defeats.
Up next for the Rangers -- Newton at home on Wednesday; at Hopatcong on Friday; High Point at home on Saturday.
On the bubble -- Lenape Valley (4-3); Hopatcong (4-3); Kittatinny (4-2-1); North Warren (2-2).
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