West Jersey Baseball roundup for April 18, 2011

Monday's action brought the season's first real upset, as Pope John dropped its first game, 13-8, to Montville in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference American Division matchup.

Pope John (5-1) hadn't played an official game in a week since a 9-3 win over a very good High Point team last Monday. The Lions allowed a season-high 13 runs to Montville after giving up a combined 12 runs in their previous five games.

Speedy center fielder Matt Ackerman continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs in the loss for Pope John.

Elsewhere in the NJAC, High Point posted a 10-6 win over a very hot Vernon club, which had won four straight coming into the contest.

Here's a rundown of the rest of Monday's action:

Sparta 1, Jefferson 0 -- Brendan Monahan's solo homer in the fifth was the difference. Gaveric Bach was the winning pitcher.

Lenape Valley 9, Kittatinny 7 -- Anthony D'Aiuto homered and was 15-of-19 coming into the contest. Catcher Bob Pregno also homered. Kittatinny has lost seven straight since a win on opening day.

Hopatcong 8, Wallkill Valley 1 -- Chiefs (3-2-1) are putting it together after an 0-2-1 start. Jake Winch, a transfer from Newton, has two homers this season.

Hackettstown 10, Newton 0 -- Kirby Neuner and Justin Knight each went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Mark Feci and Matt Reynolds both homered. Knight also picked up his second win on the mound. Tigers are 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the NJAC Freedom Division.

North Warren 2, South Hunterdon 0 -- Patriots now 2-0 in Skyland Conference Valley Division.

Bound Brook 7, Belvidere 5 -- Crusaders have now won three straight over the County Seaters dating to last year. Steven Mottola had a pair of hits for Belvidere, which has allowed a total of 20 runs in its last two games, both losses.

Montgomery 21, Phillipsburg 9 -- Stateliners now 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division.

Butler 9, Sussex Tech 1 -- Robert Wilson (1-2) took the loss for the Mustangs (3-3).

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