Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

There's a new-found sense of excitement surrounding Newton's baseball program that's been absent far too long.

Off to their best start in 12 years, the Braves (6-0) enter the week sitting atop the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division standings. Coach John Selitto's team punctuated last week's action with Thursday's 10-4 win over Jefferson, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the top of the first.

It was Newton's first win over its former Sussex County Interscholastic League rival since 2009, when it thwarted the Falcons' bid for the final SCIL title with a 4-2 win in 12 innings on the same field at Jefferson. It also snapped a three-game skid against Jefferson, which beat Newton, 17-5, last season.

This year's Newton club isn't yet drawing comparisons to the 2001 team, which won its first 19 games en route to a 25-3 mark and an appearance in the Group 2 final, and featured such studs as catcher/pitcher Josh Noviskey (drafted by the Cleveland Indians) and ace lefty Charlie Munroe. The 8-1 loss to Audubon in that title game was the last for veteran coach Bob Melillo, whose teams compiled an overall mark of 353-207-2.

But the current Braves feature a balanced lineup, anchored by center fielder and No. 3 hitter Ben Cramer, along with cleanup man Anthony Morro, the starting first baseman. Leadoff batter Justin Smith is always a threat to steal on the bases.

"We're off to a great start and it feels great," said Cramer, one of five underclassmen in the starting lineup.

Pitching-wise, sophomore lefty Nick Grant and senior right-hander Chris Branham are off to good starts, along with righty Casey Thomas (2-0). Grant opened some eyes with his no-hitter against North Warren on Wednesday, striking out seven and allowing one walk. It was the Braves' first no-no since Munroe tossed a five-inning perfect game against Lenape Valley in 10-0 win on May 17, 2000.

"Pitching has been great for us," said Cramer, following his two-hit, three RBI day against Jefferson. "We're putting up runs and not giving up too many."

However, Selitto cautions that his team can not overlook anyone, especially this week in games against winless Kittatinny and Hopatcong. Over the previous two seasons, the Braves won a total of nine games. In fact, only the 2009 team (12-14) has reached double digits in victories since the program's last winning campaign in '02.

"This group has been together on the varsity for three years, but they're still learning how to win," Selitto said. "We targeted this year. The kids have done a nice job."

Now onto this week's rankings:

1. North Hunterdon (4-1) – Lions still on top following road wins over Montgomery (8-0) on Tuesday and Hillsborough (15-2) on Thursday in two big Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchups. It's no secret as to the Hunterdon County school's success. Coach Mike Kane's team is scoring runs at an alarming rate -- 57 in five games for an average of just over 11 per contest -- and is getting quality starting pitching. Senior Justin Trinity picked up his second win against Hillsborough, while senior second baseman Robbie Young went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs against Montgomery.

Up next: at Warren Hills on Monday; Watchung Hills at home on Tuesday; at Immaculata on Thursday.

2. Sparta (4-1-1) – Spartans enter the week fresh off their big 5-3 win over crosstown rival Pope John last Wednesday, as sophomore Dillon Mendel earned his second win with a five-hitter, while senior first baseman Sean Dilger belted his first home run. The victory snapped Sparta's four-game skid in the series and was its first over the Lions since May 19, 2009 (4-3 in 10 innings). In fact, the Spartans won three meetings against their rivals that year, including a 6-3 win in eight innings in the former Sussex County Tournament. Ace Kevin Foulds (2-0) struck out nine in a 4-2 win over Goshen (N.Y.) on Saturday.

Up next: Kinnelon at home on Monday; at Montville on Tuesday; Morris Knolls at home on Thursday; High Point at home on Friday; Warwick (N.Y.) at home on Saturday.

3. Pope John (6-3) – Coach Vin Bello's Lions went 2-1 last week, including an 8-7 win over nemesis Montville in an NJAC American Division clash on the turf in Sparta. Junior second baseman Axel D'Addario continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Dan Cunico finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the win. In his last six games, D'Addario has seven RBIs with a triple and a homer. D'Addario was 2-for-4 with an RBI in a loss to crosstown rival Sparta. Senior pitcher Ken Mott logged his first win on Friday in the team's 3-1 win over Vernon. The Lions closed the week with a nice 7-4 win at Bergen Catholic.

Up next: at Morris Knolls on Tuesday; Mount Olive at home on Thursday; Moorestown at Millburn Tournament on Saturday.

4. Newton (6-0) – Braves keep merrily rolling along, picking up three more wins this past week. Coach John Selitto's club outscored its opponents, 24-6, in the process, including Thursday's 10-4 win over Jefferson in which Newton scored nine runs in the top of the first inning. The Braves also beat No. 8 Lenape Valley, 10-2, and No. 7 North Warren, 4-0, in their other NJAC Freedom Division showdowns. Catcher Charlie Grotyohann continues to rake, with a double and an RBI against North Warren and an RBI in the win over Jefferson.

Up next: at Kittatinny on Tuesday; Hopatcong at home on Thursday; Whippany Park at home on Saturday.

5. Hunterdon Central (2-5) – Red Devils are off to one of their worst starts in recent memory, dropping their fourth straight with Saturday's 10-1 loss at home. Coach Mike Raymond's team hasn't won since a 12-1 drubbing of Nottingham on April 6. Life in the Delaware Division is tough, as Central dropped tough ones to Immaculata (11-8) and Montgomery (7-6) this past week. Sensational senior second baseman Jeremy Ake homered in the loss to 'Lata. He's hitting .300 with two homers and team-leading nine RBIs entering the week. Sophomore outfielder Henry Hawkins leads the team with a .400 average. Central's pitchers have allowed 35 runs in the last four games, and 51 (37 earned) overall this season.

Up next: at Phillipsburg on Tuesday; at Hillsborough on Thursday; Red Devil Classic at home on Saturday.

6. Wallkill Valley (3-1) – Rangers went 2-0 last week, including a 5-0 win over Hopatcong last Monday in an NJAC Freedom Division showdown at Harold Sisco Field. Junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. He leads the team with a .538 average (7-for-13). Right-hander Casey Jervis (1-0), who owns a 2.10 ERA, picked up the win with nine strikeouts. Senior Rob Stecher improved to 2-0 on the mound in Wallkill's 5-3 win over Hackettstown on Wednesday. He has seven K's in 12 innings this season.

Up next: at High Point on Monday; at Jefferson on Tuesday; at North Warren on Thursday; Pequannock at home on Saturday.

7. North Warren (4-2) – Coach Jim Haupt's Patriots went 2-1 this past week -- including a 2-1 win over Hackettstown on Thursday in a key NJAC Freedom Division showdown in Blairstown. Senior outfielder Mike Clothier went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while sophomore pitcher Lance Kernoschak improved to 2-0. Senior Hunter Stevens ran his record to 2-0 with six K's in the team's 6-5 win over Kittatinny last Monday.

Up next: at Blair Academy on Monday; at Hopatcong on Tuesday; Wallkill Valley at home on Thursday.

8. Lenape Valley (3-2) – Patriots went 1-1 this past week, falling, 10-2, to No. 4 Newton on Monday before rebounding with Wednesday's 8-0 victory over rival Hopatcong for their second shutout this season. Senior Ken Costa went 2-for-3, while ace right-hander Drew Burke (1-1), who blanked Kittatinny on Opening Day, took his first loss against Newton. Coach Bob Klinck's team gears for a big week in the wild NJAC Freedom Division.

Up next: Morristown-Beard at home on Monday; Hackettstown at home on Tuesday; Jefferson at home on Thursday; Sussex Tech at home on Friday.

9. Delaware Valley (3-4) – Terriers enter the rankings for the first time coming off back-to-back wins over Franklin on Tuesday and (10-4) Warren Hills on Thursday (7-3) in a pair of Raritan Division showdowns. Coach Marty White's club received solid pitching efforts from Chris Fiaschetti (four K's against Franklin) and Logan Brown (four K's vs. Warren Hills). Senior first baseman Scott Skripko went a combined 5-for-8 with five RBIs in the two wins. He also got the final three outs on the mound against the Blue Streaks.

Up next: Somerville at home on Tuesday; at Voorhees on Thursday; South Hunterdon at home on Saturday.

10. Hackettstown (3-3) – Tigers creep into the rankings, thanks largely to a big 1-0 win at Jefferson in an NJAC Freedom Division clash last Monday. Coach Gary Poyer's team also dropped a couple of close decisions to Wallkill Valley (5-3 on Wednesday) and North Warren (2-1 on Thursday). Senior Owen Gavin (2-0) got the win on the mound against Jefferson.

Up next: at Belvidere on Monday; at Lenape Valley on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Thursday; Morris Catholic at home on Friday.

On the bubble: Phillipsburg (2-7), Vernon (2-4), Warren Hills (1-5), Voorhees (1-4).