We're down to the final weeks of the high school season, hopefully we go beyond this week for our teams in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area.
In all, 13 of 19 teams from the Open Mike area qualified in their respective sections. Great to see teams like Sussex Tech get a shot as the Mustangs, under first-year coach Brad Szatkiewicz, travel to Hasbrouck Heights on Monday for a North 1, Group 1 clash.
Hunterdon Central claimed the HWS title on Saturday with a 10-0 thumping of Vernon -- the same score Central defeated Sparta by in the first championship contest in 2010. Coach Mike Raymond's team is red-hot entering the Central Jersey, Group 4 playoffs and will be a tough out.
Here is the state playoff schedule in its entirety:
Monday, May 20 -- First round for public schools.
Friday, May 24 -- Second round for public schools; first round for Non-Public schools.
Tuesday, May 28 -- Semifinals for public schools; second round for Non-Public schools.
Friday, May 31 -- Sectional finals for public schools; semifinals for Non-Public schools.
Tuesday, June 4 -- State semifinals for public schools; Non-Public sectional finals.
Saturday, June 8 -- Public and Non-Public state championships at Toms River.
Enjoy the games. Now, onto this week's rankings:
1. Hunterdon Central (17-8) -- Red Devils rolled to their eight straight win and a second Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title with Saturday's 10-0 win over Vernon at Diamond Nation. Senior Jeremy Ake went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI, while Paul Cucco had two hits and an RBI. Winning pitcher Billy Maier (5-2) tossed his second straight tournament shutout, allowing two hits with six strikeouts. During its win streak, Central has outscored its opponents, 49-14.
Up next: at Howell on Monday in the Central Jersey, Group 4 playoffs.
2. Sparta (15-8-1) -- Spartans had the fate of the NJAC American Division title in their hands, until a 5-2 loss to Montville on Tuesday derailed coach Sam Slobodzian's club. Sparta must now hope for a Montville loss to Morris Knolls on Wednesday in order to win the title, despite two losses to Montville this season. The Sussex County school rebounded with back-to-back wins over Morris Knolls (14-2 last Wednesday) and Lenape Valley (6-4 on Friday). Next up is the state playoffs.
Up next: at Teaneck on Monday in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs; at Newton on Tuesday.
3. Vernon (11-11) -- Vikings were stonewalled in their first trip to the HWS final, dropping a 10-0 decision to Hunterdon Central. Coach Scott Berge's club, a No. 6 seed, has dropped three in a row since its thrilling extra-innings win over North Hunterdon in the semifinals. Freshman outfielder Zac Moen and junior shortstop Mike Harboy had two hits in a 3-2 loss at home to Morris Hills on Tuesday, while senior right-hander Kevin Berge took the loss on Saturday. Vernon will try to knock off Pope John this week for the first time since 2008.
Up next: at Paramus on Monday in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs; Pope John at home on Tuesday.
4. North Hunterdon (14-10) -- Lions rebounded from a tough loss to Vernon in the HWS semifinals with wins over Immaculata (6-0 on Tuesday) and Phillipsburg (14-3 on Thursday), before an 11-1 loss to West Morris in an independent clash on Friday. Sophomore utility man Tom Schumacher had a double and two RBIs against 'Lata and two doubles with six RBIs against the 'Liners. Senior outfielder Shane Brown had two RBIs in each of those wins.
Up next: Union at home on Monday in the North 2, Group 4 playoffs; Ridge at home on Tuesday; at Edison on Wednesday.
5. Pope John (12-12) -- Sussex County's Lions started last week with wins over Morris Knolls (7-2 on Monday) and Mount Olive (3-2 on Wednesday) before closing it out with losses to Wayne Hills (5-4 on Thursday) and Marist (10-1 on Saturday). Sophomore Matt Piwko went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the loss to Wayne Hills and took the loss on the mound against Marist. Sophomore catcher Zach Leach was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs against Knolls. Piwko was 2-for-3 with a triple in that one. Sophomore pitcher Ethan Collins leads the PJ staff with a 2.81 ERA.
Up next: Don Bosco at home on Monday; at Vernon on Tuesday; DePaul at home on Friday in the Non-Public North A playoffs.
6. Newton (16-6) -- Braves appear to be back on track having won five of their last six entering the week. Coach John Selitto's club posted back-to-back wins over Hopatcong (12-1 on Wednesday) and Kinnelon (4-3 on Friday) after a 6-5 loss to Boonton last Tuesday. Junior Luke Leifken earned two wins on the mound against Kinnelon and Kittatinny last Monday. Center fielder Ben Cramer, who had a pair of two-hit games last week and leads the team with 10 multihit games, is batting .423 with 30 hits and 13 RBIs to go with a .500 OBP. Catcher Charlie Grotyohann is also having a fine season, leading the team with a .424 average and 20 RBIs, second only to first baseman Anthony Morro's 24.
Up next: Elmwood Park at home on Monday in the North 1, Group 2 playoffs; Sparta at home on Tuesday.
7. Delaware Valley (8-12) -- Terriers enter the week riding a modest two-game win streak, beating Pius X (Pa.), 7-1, on Tuesday and Belvidere, 6-3, on Friday. Senior first baseman Scott Skripko went 2-for-3 with an RBI and third baseman Ryan Hann was 2-for-3 with two RBIs against the Royals, while ace right-hander Chris Fiaschetti (4-3) got the win. Hann was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while catcher Chris Pilone went 3-for-4 with an RBI against the County Seaters. Pilone also had two hits and an RBI against Pius X.
Up next: at Matawan on Monday in the Central Jersey, Group 2 playoffs.
8. Warren Hills (10-13) -- Light week for the Blue Streaks, as they went 1-1. Coach Mike Quinto's team dropped a 14-9 decision to Iselin Kennedy on Monday before a 3-2 win over Gill St. Bernard's on Wednesday in independent showdowns. Despite winning five of seven, the Streaks missed the cut for the North 2, Group 3 playoffs. Senior second baseman Shea Kohler had two RBIs against JFK and an RBI double against GSB. Catcher Ronnie Legreide went a combined 4-for-7 with a double and an RBI in the two games.
Up next: Ridge on Wednesday at TD Bank Park in Somerset.
9. Phillipsburg (7-18) -- Stateliners wrapped up their season with back-to-back losses against Bridgewater-Raritan (2-1 on Tuesday) and North Hunterdon (14-3 on Thursday). Coach Dave Hinkle's club went 1-13 in the rugged Skyland Conference Delaware Division, which qualified seven of its eight teams for the state playoffs. Tyler Widitz, Bryan Gardner and Alex Martin all had RBIs against North Hunterdon, while Widitz (2-4), who led the 'Liners with 16 RBIs, took the loss on the mound. Outfielder Chris Trent led the team with a .391 average.
Up next: Season over.
10. High Point (5-14) -- Wildcats concluded their campaign with four straight losses, including a 13-5 defeat against Morris Hills in the season and NJAC American Division finale on Wednesday. Coach Mickey Thomas' team missed the cut in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs. Shortstop Kyle Adams went 3-for-3 in Monday's 9-3 loss to Mount Olive. Despite their record, the 'Cats posted wins over Wallkill Valley (twice) and Pope John this season.
Up next: Season over.
On the bubble: North Warren (11-9, at Wood-Ridge on Monday in North 1, Group 1); Hackettstown (9-12, Shabazz at home on Monday in North 2, Group 2); Lenape Valley (12-10, at Hawthorne on Monday in North 1, Group 2); Wallkill Valley (8-12, at Glen Rock on Monday in North 1, Group 2).
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