Matt Tietz and his Pope John teammates have a little something to prove in this year's Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. The Lions lost most of the key pieces from last year's county championship team, but the Sussex County school feels it has still has the talent to be the first to repeat.
"After losing all those kids [from last year], I think it would pretty big to come back and win it," said the Rutgers-bound Tietz, a senior shortstop and four-year starter. "Phillipsburg is pretty good. A lot of the teams we have to beat are good."
Pope John hosts Phillipsburg in one of four quarterfinals matchups on Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m. in Sparta.
Elsewhere, Hunterdon Central, a two-time finalist and 2010 champion in the tourney's inaugural season, hosts fellow Hunterdon County school Voorhees. The winner of that one will face either Warren Hills or High Point in the semifinals on May 12.
In the bottom bracket, Sparta travels to North Hunterdon, with the winner to face either Pope John or P'burg in next weekend's semifinals.
Pope John (10-5), which had won four of five before Wednesday's 4-0 loss to Jefferson, figures to have Dan Cunico (4-0) on the mound on Saturday. P'burg will counter with Anthony Ciavarella (2-2), who has 27 strikeouts in his last two starts -- 14 in last Saturday's 6-1 win over Hopatcong in the opening round.
Coach Vin Bello likes what he's seen from his team this season.
"They're a scrappy bunch and I enjoy being around these guys," said Bello after Tuesday's 4-0 win over High Point in an NJAC American Division clash.
Bello said a second county championship would be sweet considering the heavy graduation losses from a year ago, including Division I players Alex DeBellis (UConn) and Brendan Mayers (Rutgers).
"Sure. Absolutely," Bello said. "We know [Ciavarella] is pretty good. We're excited."
Tietz, a solid all-around player, entered the week batting .465 with five homers and 14 RBIs to go with a .540 on-base percentage and 10 stolen bases. Center fielder Ryan McNally, the Lions' cleanup hitter, entered the week hitting .511 with four homers and 17 RBIs.
Phillipsburg (8-7), which dropped a 4-3 decision to Montgomery on Thursday, has lost three of its last five and has been up-and-down this spring. Coach Dave Hinkle's team is trying to be the first at the Warren County school to reach the semifinals.
Here's a closer look at the quarterfinal matchups (seeds precede teams). Records through Thursday:
5A-Voorhees (8-6) at 1A-Hunterdon Central (12-3), 2:30 p.m.-- Central, which is a tournament-best 8-1 all-time in county games, posted an 11-7 when the teams met earlier this season on April 23. Jeremy Ake, Kenny Wilson and Geggie Russomagno are absolutely on fire at the plate now, as all three played key roles in Thursday's 8-5 win over Immaculata. All three hit homers and combined for seven RBIs. Vikings have gotten back on track, winning four straight since the loss to Central. Tyler Duplaga, a feared hitter, will get the ball for this one. He's 3-1 on the mound.
How they got here: Voorhees beat Lenape Valley, 13-8. Central defeated Hackettstown, 7-1.
The Pick: Hunterdon Central, 6-3.
3A-Warren Hills (8-8) at 2B-High Point (7-7), 4 p.m. -- Blue Streaks traveled to Wantage two years ago and left with a 15-10 victory. This one doesn't figure to be as high scoring, though both teams have a penchant for scoring plenty of runs. The Wildcats feature first baseman/third baseman Brett Fundell, the team's cleanup hitter who has three homers, along with second baseman Ryan Conklin, who figures to get the ball for this one. Conklin struck out five in the team's first-round win over North Warren, the school's first in HWS play. Streaks are led by the pitching duo of Kyle Allen and Mark Apgar, who are also among the team's leading hitters. Allen (4-2) will get the start on the mound. Red-hot Ryan Curto was 10-for-14 with two doubles and eight RBIs in his last four games entering Thursday's contest against Pingry.
How they got here: Warren Hills beat Kittatinny, 6-1. High Point defeated North Warren, 5-3.
The Pick: Warren Hills, 5-4.
3B-Sparta (10-6) at 2A-North Hunterdon (8-11), 2:30 p.m. -- Spartans, who reached the title game in 2010, have won five of seven, including a tough 7-6 loss to High Point on Monday -- a game they let slip away in a four-run bottom of the seventh. Wagner-bound catcher Devon Livingston paces an offense that has produced 43 runs in its last seven contests. Codie Aromando (4-0) has been a rock on the mound and will get the ball for this one. Lions at one time were playing as well as anyone in the HWS area, but first-year coach Mike Kane's team has lost six of its last eight, including back-to-back one-run losses to Watchung Hills and Bridgewater this week. Speedy outfielder Derek Jenkins and ace pitcher Ben Stine (3-3) lead North.
How they got here: Sparta beat Delaware Valley, 8-7. North Hunterdon defeated Wallkill Valley, 4-1.
The Pick: North Hunterdon, 4-3.
4A-Phillipsburg (8-7) at 1B-Pope John (10-5), 2 p.m. -- Stateliners make the long trek to Sparta to face the defending champs. Ace Anthony Ciavarella, who has 27 K's in his last two outings, could be the key to a potential victory. Other than Central, no team left has that kind of shut-down pitcher. The 'Liners will need to come through with the bats, something they've struggled to do at times. They've been shut out twice this season and held to three runs or fewer in four others. Lions can hit and pitch. PJ also has the advantage of being at home. Shortstop Matt Tietz and third baseman Glenn Gavan form a tough left side of the infield, while center fielder Ryan McNally and right fielder Sam Redwood help anchor the lineup.
How they got here: Phillipsburg beat Hopatcong, 6-1. Pope John defeated Vernon, 5-3.
The Pick: Pope John 3-2.
No comments:
Post a Comment