One down, one to go.
Pope John's baseball team crossed one preseason goal off the list with Saturday's 8-1 thrashing of Hunterdon Central to capture its first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex title at Diamond Nation -- knocking off last year's inaugural champion.
The Lions were in good position for their first Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference American Division title until Friday's stunning 5-3 loss at Mount Olive that snapped their five-game win streak.
The scenario is now this: Pope John (18-3-1 overall, 9-2-1 division) hosts first-place Montville (18-3, 11-1) on Tuesday in a must-win game. Should it win, coach Vin Bello's team must also beat High Point on Thursday and then would need to beat rival Sparta in order to at least share the crown. The game with Sparta, a 9-9 tie in 11 innings due to darkness back on April 15, would likely have to be replayed in its entirety, but only if Pope John wins twice beforehand.
Montville can clinch the title outright with a win over Pope John and only Wednesday's game at High Point remaining on its division slate. Ironically, High Point may also be able to help its Sussex County neighbors with a second win over the Mustangs, should PJ win on Tuesday.
If Montville loses both and Pope John wins out, the Lions win the championship.
On Saturday, it was catcher Alex DeBellis and pitcher Brendan Mayers paving the way to a county championship.
DeBellis, the UConn recruit, belted a three-run homer and Mayers (8-0) did the rest on the mound for his third win of the tournament. The Rutgers-bound right-hander threw a four-hitter with seven strikeouts, giving him a total of 28 K's in three tri-county starts.
Overall, Mayers, the tourney's well-deserved MVP, allowed five earned runs on 18 hits with seven walks in three tourney starts for a 1.67 ERA. Even more impressive was that he pitched with a cramp in his left calf from the second inning on against Central.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
West Jersey baseball state schedule
Here are the matchups for Monday's action in the NJSIAA state baseball tournament involving teams in West Jersey. All games are 4 p.m., unless noted.
North 1, Group 3
Old Tappan at Sparta
Indian Hills at High Point
North 1, Group 2
Mahwah at Lenape Valley
Pequannock at Hopatcong
River Dell at North Warren
North 1, Group 1
Sussex Tech at Ridgefield
North 2, Group 4
Phillipsburg at East Orange
North Hunterdon at Bayonne
Bridgewater-Raritan at Hunterdon Central
North 2, Group 3
Belleville at Warren Hills
North 2, Group 2
Cliffside Park at Hackettstown
Central, Group 2
Shore at Voorhees
Central, Group 1
South Hunterdon at Metuchen
North 1, Group 3
Old Tappan at Sparta
Indian Hills at High Point
North 1, Group 2
Mahwah at Lenape Valley
Pequannock at Hopatcong
River Dell at North Warren
North 1, Group 1
Sussex Tech at Ridgefield
North 2, Group 4
Phillipsburg at East Orange
North Hunterdon at Bayonne
Bridgewater-Raritan at Hunterdon Central
North 2, Group 3
Belleville at Warren Hills
North 2, Group 2
Cliffside Park at Hackettstown
Central, Group 2
Shore at Voorhees
Central, Group 1
South Hunterdon at Metuchen
Thursday, May 19, 2011
NJSIAA state baseball pairings
The official pairings and seeds for the 2011 state baseball tournament that begins on Monday. Games will be played at the sites of the higher-seeded teams.
Preliminary games in the public school sectional brackets will be played on Monday with quartefinal action slated for Friday, May 27. Semifinals will be played on Tuesday, May 31 with the championship games set for Friday, June 3.
State semifinals will be contested on Tuesday, June 7 and the state championships will be played on Saturday, June 11.
Action in the non-public tournaments begins with first-round action on Friday, May 27. Quarterfinal games will be Tuesday, May 31 and semifinals will be played on Friday, June 3. Sectional finals are set for Tuesday, June 7 with the state finals slated for Saturday, June 11.
West Jersey teams are bolded:
NORTH 1
GROUP 4
16-Paterson Eastside at 1-Randolph. 9-North Bergen at 8-Livingston. 12-Bergen Tech at 5-Union City. 13-Fair Lawn at 4-Roxbury. 14-Clifton at 3-Ridgewood. 11-Bloomfield at 6-West Orange. 10-Montclair at 7-Memorial. 15-Passaic at 2-Morris Knolls.
GROUP 4
16-Paterson Eastside at 1-Randolph. 9-North Bergen at 8-Livingston. 12-Bergen Tech at 5-Union City. 13-Fair Lawn at 4-Roxbury. 14-Clifton at 3-Ridgewood. 11-Bloomfield at 6-West Orange. 10-Montclair at 7-Memorial. 15-Passaic at 2-Morris Knolls.
GROUP 3
16-Pascack Valley at 1-Montville. 9-Old Tappan at 8-Sparta. 12-Tenafly at 5-Wayne Valley. 13-Northern Highlands at 4-Wayne Hills. 14-Passaic Valley at 3-Ramapo. 11-Lakeland at 6-Bergenfield. 10-Indian Hills at 7-High Point. 15-West Milford at 2-Paramus.
16-Pascack Valley at 1-Montville. 9-Old Tappan at 8-Sparta. 12-Tenafly at 5-Wayne Valley. 13-Northern Highlands at 4-Wayne Hills. 14-Passaic Valley at 3-Ramapo. 11-Lakeland at 6-Bergenfield. 10-Indian Hills at 7-High Point. 15-West Milford at 2-Paramus.
GROUP 2
16-New Milford at 1-Glen Rock. 9-Mahwah at 8-Lenape Valley. 12-Westwood at 5-Ramsey. 13-Hawthorne at 4-Pompton Lakes. 14-Pequannock at 3-Hopatcong. 11-Pascack Hills at 6-Kinnelon. 10-River Dell at 7-North Warren. 15-Elmwood Park at 2-Dumont.
16-New Milford at 1-Glen Rock. 9-Mahwah at 8-Lenape Valley. 12-Westwood at 5-Ramsey. 13-Hawthorne at 4-Pompton Lakes. 14-Pequannock at 3-Hopatcong. 11-Pascack Hills at 6-Kinnelon. 10-River Dell at 7-North Warren. 15-Elmwood Park at 2-Dumont.
GROUP 1
16-Becton at 1-Emerson Boro. 9-Cedar Grove at 8-Boonton. 12-Cresskill at 5-Midland Park. 13-Hasbrouck Heights at 4-Park Ridge. 14-Leonia at 3-Wallington. 11-Wood-Ridge at 6-Butler. 10-Sussex Tech at 7-Ridgefield. 15-Saddle Brook at 2-Waldwick.
NORTH 2
GROUP 4
16-J.P. Stevens at 1-Perth Amboy. 9-Edison at 8-Kearny. 12-North Hunterdon at 5-Bayonne. 13-Elizabeth at 4-Woodbridge. 14-Bridgewater-Raritan at 3-Hunterdon Central. 11-Ridge at 6-Watchung Hills. 10-Phillipsburg at 7-East Orange Campus. 15-Franklin at 2-Westfield.
GROUP 3
16-Newark East Side at 1-Millburn. 9-Nutley at 8-West Morris. 12-Colonia at 5-Somerville. 13-Iselin Kennedy at 4-Chatham. 14-Ferris at 3-South Plainfield. 11-Belleville at 6-Warren Hills. 10-Mendham at 7-Scotch Plains-Fanwood. 15-Parsippany Hills at 2-Cranford.
GROUP 2
16-Cliffside Park at 1-Hackettstown. 9-Garfield at 8-Science Park. 12-Bernards at 5-Rutherford. 13-Newark Tech at 4-Madison. 14-Orange at 3-Lyndhurst. 11-Parsippany at 6-Ridgefield Park. 10-Caldwell at 7-Hanover Park. 15-Fort Lee at 2-West Essex.
GROUP 1
16-Whippany Park at 1-Technology. 9-New Providence at 8-Weequahic. 12-Weehawken at 5-Dunellen. 13-Harrison at 4-Roselle Park. 14-Brearley at 3-Bloomfield Tech. 11-Hoboken at 6-University. 10-University Charter at 7-Dayton. 15-Glen Ridge at 2-Secaucus.
16-Becton at 1-Emerson Boro. 9-Cedar Grove at 8-Boonton. 12-Cresskill at 5-Midland Park. 13-Hasbrouck Heights at 4-Park Ridge. 14-Leonia at 3-Wallington. 11-Wood-Ridge at 6-Butler. 10-Sussex Tech at 7-Ridgefield. 15-Saddle Brook at 2-Waldwick.
NORTH 2
GROUP 4
16-J.P. Stevens at 1-Perth Amboy. 9-Edison at 8-Kearny. 12-North Hunterdon at 5-Bayonne. 13-Elizabeth at 4-Woodbridge. 14-Bridgewater-Raritan at 3-Hunterdon Central. 11-Ridge at 6-Watchung Hills. 10-Phillipsburg at 7-East Orange Campus. 15-Franklin at 2-Westfield.
GROUP 3
16-Newark East Side at 1-Millburn. 9-Nutley at 8-West Morris. 12-Colonia at 5-Somerville. 13-Iselin Kennedy at 4-Chatham. 14-Ferris at 3-South Plainfield. 11-Belleville at 6-Warren Hills. 10-Mendham at 7-Scotch Plains-Fanwood. 15-Parsippany Hills at 2-Cranford.
GROUP 2
16-Cliffside Park at 1-Hackettstown. 9-Garfield at 8-Science Park. 12-Bernards at 5-Rutherford. 13-Newark Tech at 4-Madison. 14-Orange at 3-Lyndhurst. 11-Parsippany at 6-Ridgefield Park. 10-Caldwell at 7-Hanover Park. 15-Fort Lee at 2-West Essex.
GROUP 1
16-Whippany Park at 1-Technology. 9-New Providence at 8-Weequahic. 12-Weehawken at 5-Dunellen. 13-Harrison at 4-Roselle Park. 14-Brearley at 3-Bloomfield Tech. 11-Hoboken at 6-University. 10-University Charter at 7-Dayton. 15-Glen Ridge at 2-Secaucus.
CENTRAL JERSEY
GROUP 4
16-West Windsor-Plainsboro South at 1-Steinert. 9-Old Bridge at 8-Hillsborough. 12-Montgomery at 5-Monroe. 13-North Brunswick at 4-Rancocas Valley. 14-Brick Memorial at 3-Jackson. 11-Sayreville at 6-Marlboro. 10-Pennsauken at 7-South Brunswick. 15-Middletown North at 2-Manalapan.
GROUP 3
16-Lawrence at 1-Wall. 9-Middletown South at 8-Red Bank. 12-Burlington Township at 5-Hamilton. 13-Hightstown at 4-Jackson Liberty. 14-Holmdel at 3-Hopewell Valley. 11-Freehold Borough at 6-Ocean Township. 10-Monmouth Regional at 7-Allentown. 15-Neptune at 2-Brick.
GROUP 2
16-Shore Regional at 1-Voorhees. 9-North Plainfield at 8-Johnson. 12-Summit at 5-Bordentown. 13-Spotswood at 4-Middlesex. 14-Hillside at 3-Gov. Livingston. 11-Rumson at 6-Matawan. 10-Snyder at 7-Raritan. 15-Long Branch at 2-Robbinsville
GROUP 1
9-South Amboy at 8-New Egypt; winner at 1-Florence. 12-Riverside at 5-Point Pleasant Beach. 13-South Hunterdon at 4-Metuchen. 14-Keyport at 3-Highland Park. 11-Henry Hudson at 6-Burlington City. 10-Bound Brook at 7-South River. 15-Manville at 2-Somerset Tech.
SOUTH JERSEY
GROUP 4
16-Cherry Hill East at 1-Washington Township. 9-Toms River North at 8-Lenape. 12-Williamstown at 5-Shawnee. 13-Oakcrest at 4-Eastern Regional. 14-Clearview at 3-Toms River South. 11-Winslow at 6-Absegami. 10-Vineland at 7-Cherokee. 15-Toms River East at 2-Millville.
GROUP 3
9-Ocean City at 8-Seneca; winner at 1-Highland Regional. 12-Lacey Township at 5-Delsea. 13-Timber Creek at 4-Central Regional. 14-Hammonton at 3-Kingsway. 11-Deptford at 6-Manchester Township. 10-Gloucester Tech at 7-Cherry Hill West. 15-Cumberland at 2-Moorestown.
GROUP 2
16-Manasquan at 1-Haddon Heights. 9-Sterling at 8-Haddonfield. 12-Pennsauken Tech at 5-Cinnaminson. 13-Collingswood at 4-Lower Cape May. 14-Medford Tech at 3-Buena. 11-Point Pleasant Borough at 6-Woodstown. 10-West Deptford at 7-Middle Township. 15-Overbrook at 2-Delran.
GROUP 1
9-Salem at 8-Penns Grove; winner at 1-Pitman. 12-Clayton at 5-Pennsville. 13-Woodbury at 4-Gloucester City. 14-Paulsboro at 3-Haddon Township. 11-Wildwood at 6-Gateway. 10-LEAP Academy at 7-Maple Shade. 16-Schalick at 2-Audubon.
16-West Windsor-Plainsboro South at 1-Steinert. 9-Old Bridge at 8-Hillsborough. 12-Montgomery at 5-Monroe. 13-North Brunswick at 4-Rancocas Valley. 14-Brick Memorial at 3-Jackson. 11-Sayreville at 6-Marlboro. 10-Pennsauken at 7-South Brunswick. 15-Middletown North at 2-Manalapan.
GROUP 3
16-Lawrence at 1-Wall. 9-Middletown South at 8-Red Bank. 12-Burlington Township at 5-Hamilton. 13-Hightstown at 4-Jackson Liberty. 14-Holmdel at 3-Hopewell Valley. 11-Freehold Borough at 6-Ocean Township. 10-Monmouth Regional at 7-Allentown. 15-Neptune at 2-Brick.
GROUP 2
16-Shore Regional at 1-Voorhees. 9-North Plainfield at 8-Johnson. 12-Summit at 5-Bordentown. 13-Spotswood at 4-Middlesex. 14-Hillside at 3-Gov. Livingston. 11-Rumson at 6-Matawan. 10-Snyder at 7-Raritan. 15-Long Branch at 2-Robbinsville
GROUP 1
9-South Amboy at 8-New Egypt; winner at 1-Florence. 12-Riverside at 5-Point Pleasant Beach. 13-South Hunterdon at 4-Metuchen. 14-Keyport at 3-Highland Park. 11-Henry Hudson at 6-Burlington City. 10-Bound Brook at 7-South River. 15-Manville at 2-Somerset Tech.
SOUTH JERSEY
GROUP 4
16-Cherry Hill East at 1-Washington Township. 9-Toms River North at 8-Lenape. 12-Williamstown at 5-Shawnee. 13-Oakcrest at 4-Eastern Regional. 14-Clearview at 3-Toms River South. 11-Winslow at 6-Absegami. 10-Vineland at 7-Cherokee. 15-Toms River East at 2-Millville.
GROUP 3
9-Ocean City at 8-Seneca; winner at 1-Highland Regional. 12-Lacey Township at 5-Delsea. 13-Timber Creek at 4-Central Regional. 14-Hammonton at 3-Kingsway. 11-Deptford at 6-Manchester Township. 10-Gloucester Tech at 7-Cherry Hill West. 15-Cumberland at 2-Moorestown.
GROUP 2
16-Manasquan at 1-Haddon Heights. 9-Sterling at 8-Haddonfield. 12-Pennsauken Tech at 5-Cinnaminson. 13-Collingswood at 4-Lower Cape May. 14-Medford Tech at 3-Buena. 11-Point Pleasant Borough at 6-Woodstown. 10-West Deptford at 7-Middle Township. 15-Overbrook at 2-Delran.
GROUP 1
9-Salem at 8-Penns Grove; winner at 1-Pitman. 12-Clayton at 5-Pennsville. 13-Woodbury at 4-Gloucester City. 14-Paulsboro at 3-Haddon Township. 11-Wildwood at 6-Gateway. 10-LEAP Academy at 7-Maple Shade. 16-Schalick at 2-Audubon.
NON-PUBLIC A
NORTH JERSEY
9-Roselle Catholic at 8-Bergen Catholic; winner at 1-Don Bosco Prep. 12-DePaul at 5-Union Catholic. 13-Pingry at 4-Seton Hall Prep. 11-Immaculata at 6-St. Peter's Prep; winner at 3-St. Joseph (Mont.). 10-Paramus Catholic at 7-Delbarton; winner at 2-Pope John.
SOUTH JERSEY
9-St. John Vianney at 8-Bishop Eustace; winner at 1-Holy Spirit. 12-Camden Catholic at 5-Paul VI; winner at 4-Bishop Ahr. 11-Msgr. Donovan at 6-St. Joseph (Met.); winner at 3-St. Augustine. 10-Christian Brothers at 7-Notre Dame; winner at 2-Red Bank Catholic.
NON-PUBLIC B
NORTH JERSEY
9-Dwight-Englewood at 8-St. Mary (J.C.); winner at 1-St. Mary (Ruth.). 12-St. Mary (Eliz.) at 5-Eastern Christian. 13-St. Anthony at 4-Oratory. 14-Morris Catholic at 3-Morristown-Beard. 11-Newark Academy at 6-Marist. 10-Hudson Catholic at 7-Montclair Kimberly; winner at 2-Gill St. Bernard's.
NORTH JERSEY
9-Roselle Catholic at 8-Bergen Catholic; winner at 1-Don Bosco Prep. 12-DePaul at 5-Union Catholic. 13-Pingry at 4-Seton Hall Prep. 11-Immaculata at 6-St. Peter's Prep; winner at 3-St. Joseph (Mont.). 10-Paramus Catholic at 7-Delbarton; winner at 2-Pope John.
SOUTH JERSEY
9-St. John Vianney at 8-Bishop Eustace; winner at 1-Holy Spirit. 12-Camden Catholic at 5-Paul VI; winner at 4-Bishop Ahr. 11-Msgr. Donovan at 6-St. Joseph (Met.); winner at 3-St. Augustine. 10-Christian Brothers at 7-Notre Dame; winner at 2-Red Bank Catholic.
NON-PUBLIC B
NORTH JERSEY
9-Dwight-Englewood at 8-St. Mary (J.C.); winner at 1-St. Mary (Ruth.). 12-St. Mary (Eliz.) at 5-Eastern Christian. 13-St. Anthony at 4-Oratory. 14-Morris Catholic at 3-Morristown-Beard. 11-Newark Academy at 6-Marist. 10-Hudson Catholic at 7-Montclair Kimberly; winner at 2-Gill St. Bernard's.
SOUTH JERSEY
9-Wildwood Catholic at 8-Wardlaw-Hartridge, winner at 1-Gloucester Catholic. 5-Sacred Heart at 4-Timothy Christian. 6-Moorestown Friends at 3-Holy Cross. 10-St. Joseph (Hamm.) at 7-Mater Dei; winner at 2-St. Rose.
9-Wildwood Catholic at 8-Wardlaw-Hartridge, winner at 1-Gloucester Catholic. 5-Sacred Heart at 4-Timothy Christian. 6-Moorestown Friends at 3-Holy Cross. 10-St. Joseph (Hamm.) at 7-Mater Dei; winner at 2-St. Rose.
UPDATE -- Rainy days and West Jersey baseball
OK, I believe we all have had enough of this lousy wet weather, which has once again wrecked havoc with the local baseball schedule. This is the worst rainy season I can remember, including two years ago when it seemed like the rain would never end.
Here's what I have for the remaining regular season schedule. Coaches, please inform me of any additions or corrections to this information. See you on the fields, hopefully sooner than later.
NOTE: Updated: Friday, May 20.
Friday, May 20
Independent
Lenape Valley at Sparta
North Hunterdon at Spotswood
Wallkill Valley at Boonton
Bernards at Newton
Skyland Conference
Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg
Hillsborough at Hunterdon Central
Belvidere at Bound Brook
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Pope John at Mount Olive
Vernon at Montville
Saturday, May 21
Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final
Pope John vs. Hunterdon Central at Diamond Nation
Independent
Belvidere at Delaware Valley
Sparta at Wallkill Valley
Mount Olive at Hackettstown
Skyland Conference
Delaware Valley at Warren Hills
Phillipsburg at Hillsborough
Montgomery at North Hunterdon
North Plainfield at Voorhees
Monday, May 23
Independent
Pope John at St. Joseph's-Metuchen
Skyland Conference
Bound Brook at South Hunterdon
Tuesday, May 24
Independent
Kittatinny at Wayne Valley
North Hunterdon at West Morris
Hackettstown at Warren Hills
Newton at Vernon
Skyland Conference
Phillipsburg at Ridge
Hunterdon Central at Bridgewater-Raritan
Bound Brook at North Warren
Warren Hills at Voorhees
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Montville at Pope John
Jefferson at High Point
Sparta at Morris Hills
Wednesday, May 25
Independent
Morristown at Pope John
Mount Olive at Lenape Valley
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Montville at High Point
Hopatcong at Hackettstown
Skyland Conference
Ridge at Hunterdon Central
Pingry at Voorhees
North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan
Somerville at Delaware Valley
North Warren at Manville
North Plainfield at Warren Hills
Thursday, May 26
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Pope John at High Point
Skyland Conference
Hunterdon Central at Montgomery
Phillipsburg at Immaculata
Tuesday, May 31
Skyland Conference
Montgomery at Hunterdon Central
Wednesday, June 1
Skyland Conference
Hunterdon Central at Ridge
Monday, June 6
Skyland Conference
Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central
Here's what I have for the remaining regular season schedule. Coaches, please inform me of any additions or corrections to this information. See you on the fields, hopefully sooner than later.
NOTE: Updated: Friday, May 20.
Friday, May 20
Independent
Lenape Valley at Sparta
North Hunterdon at Spotswood
Wallkill Valley at Boonton
Bernards at Newton
Skyland Conference
Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg
Hillsborough at Hunterdon Central
Belvidere at Bound Brook
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Pope John at Mount Olive
Vernon at Montville
Saturday, May 21
Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final
Pope John vs. Hunterdon Central at Diamond Nation
Independent
Belvidere at Delaware Valley
Sparta at Wallkill Valley
Mount Olive at Hackettstown
Skyland Conference
Delaware Valley at Warren Hills
Phillipsburg at Hillsborough
Montgomery at North Hunterdon
North Plainfield at Voorhees
Monday, May 23
Independent
Pope John at St. Joseph's-Metuchen
Skyland Conference
Bound Brook at South Hunterdon
Tuesday, May 24
Independent
Kittatinny at Wayne Valley
North Hunterdon at West Morris
Hackettstown at Warren Hills
Newton at Vernon
Skyland Conference
Phillipsburg at Ridge
Hunterdon Central at Bridgewater-Raritan
Bound Brook at North Warren
Warren Hills at Voorhees
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Montville at Pope John
Jefferson at High Point
Sparta at Morris Hills
Wednesday, May 25
Independent
Morristown at Pope John
Mount Olive at Lenape Valley
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Montville at High Point
Hopatcong at Hackettstown
Skyland Conference
Ridge at Hunterdon Central
Pingry at Voorhees
North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan
Somerville at Delaware Valley
North Warren at Manville
North Plainfield at Warren Hills
Thursday, May 26
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Pope John at High Point
Skyland Conference
Hunterdon Central at Montgomery
Phillipsburg at Immaculata
Tuesday, May 31
Skyland Conference
Montgomery at Hunterdon Central
Wednesday, June 1
Skyland Conference
Hunterdon Central at Ridge
Monday, June 6
Skyland Conference
Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
West Jersey Baseball standings
| As of May 16 | |||
| Skyland Conference | |||
| Delaware Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| Watchung Hills | (12-6) | (9-3) | |
| Hunterdon Central | (16-4) | (7-3) | |
| North Hunterdon | (8-10) | (7-5) | |
| Montgomery | (8-8) | (5-4) | |
| Hillsborough | (11-6) | (5-5) | |
| Immaculata | (6-8) | (5-5) | |
| Phillipsburg | (10-10) | (4-7) | |
| Ridge | (10-10) | (3-8) | |
| Bridgewater | (8-12) | (3-8) | |
| Raritan Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| Voorhees | (13-2) | (7-1) | |
| Somerville | (12-8) | (6-3) | |
| Warren Hills | (11-8) | (6-3) | |
| North Plainfield | (9-8) | (5-4) | |
| Franklin | (7-10) | (4-7) | |
| Pingry | (4-10) | (2-6) | |
| Delaware Valley | (2-15) | (2-8) | |
| Valley Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| North Warren | (12-6) | (9-0) | |
| Gill St. Bernard's | (13-7) | (10-2) | |
| Bernards | (8-7) | (6-3) | |
| Bound Brook | (6-8) | (5-4) | |
| South Hunterdon | (4-11) | (2-7) | |
| Belvidere | (3-15) | (2-7) | |
| Manville | (1-14) | (0-11) | |
| Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference | |||
| Freedom Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| x-Hackettstown | (15-1) | (9-0) | |
| Lenape Valley | (11-6) | (7-2) | |
| Hopatcong | (12-4) | (6-2) | |
| Wallkill Valley | (7-15) | (3-7) | |
| Newton | (3-14) | (2-8) | |
| Kittatinny | (4-15) | (1-9) | |
| American Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| Montville | (17-2) | (10-1) | |
| Pope John | (15-2-1) | (8-1-1) | |
| High Point | (12-7) | (6-5) | |
| Sparta | (12-7-1) | (6-6-1) | |
| Mount Olive | (7-14) | (5-8) | |
| Vernon | (6-10) | (5-8) | |
| Jefferson | (6-14) | (4-9) | |
| Morris Hills | (7-14) | (3-9) | |
| x-division champion | |||
Monday, May 16, 2011
West Jersey Baseball rankings
1. Pope John (15-2-1) -- Lions went 2-0 last week with a pair of big wins, beating Sparta 6-5 on Monday and besting Voorhees 4-2 on Saturday in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals to reach their first-ever title game. Ace Brendan Mayers fanned seven and catcher Alex DeBellis belted a triple and a homer against Voorhees. DeBellis also went 2-for-3 with a triple against crosstown rival Sparta. Weather permitting, coach Vin Bello's team has five games in six days, creating a rotation dilemma as the Lions are still chasing the NJAC American Division title.
Up next: Monday at High Point; Tuesday at Morris Hills; Wednesday at Roxbury; Friday at Mount Olive; Saturday vs. Hunterdon Central in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament final at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
2. Voorhees (13-2) -- Vikings went 2-1 last week, suffering their second loss in a 4-2 defeat to Pope John in Saturday’s HWS semifinals. Ace Sean Keselica (7-1) also took his first loss against the Lions, fanning 11 in a six-inning complete game. The leadoff hitter also had the game-winning two-run homer in a 5-4 win over Delaware Valley. Vikings control their own destiny in Skyland Conference Raritan Division race.
Up next: Monday at home against North Plainfield; Wednesday at home against Warren Hills; Thursday at Somerville.
3. Hunterdon Central (16-4) -- West Jersey's hottest team ran its winning streak to 11 with an impressive 14-3 thumping of Hackettstown in Saturday's HWS semifinals. Outfielder Kenny Wilson led the charge for the Red Devils' offense going 3-for-4 with a double and a grand slam. Greg Scassera improved to 5-1 in the win that sets up a showdown with No. 1 Pope John in the final. Wilson and Sean Thomas share the team lead in RBIs with 24. Central has outscored its opponents 97-29 during its current streak.
Up next: Monday at Ridge; Tuesday at home against Watchung Hills; Thursday at home against Hillsborough, Saturday vs. Pope John in Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament final at Diamond Nation in Flemington.
4. Hackettstown (15-1) -- Tigers slide down a couple spots following Saturday's 14-3 loss to Hunterdon Central in HWS semifinals. Ace right-hander Matt Reynolds fell to 5-1 this season and 18-2 for his career after being tagged for 13 runs (seven earned) in 2 2/3 innings. Reynolds also took a no-decision after going five innings in Tuesday's 8-7 win over Mountain Lakes. No. 2 Justin Knight (6-0) got the win in relief. Adam Young and Kirby Neuner each got their 100th career hit and coach Gary Poyer’s club clinched its second NJAC Freedom Division title with a 21-0 pounding of Newton on Wednesday.
Up next: Monday at Warren Hills; Wednesday at Hanover Park.
5. Sparta (12-7-1) -- Spartans have hit a rough patch of late, dropping their last four games following a seven-game winning streak. Coach Sam Slobodzian's team went 0-3 last week, including shutout losses to Jefferson (8-0 on Wednesday) and Montville (6-0 on Friday). Center fielder Brendan Monahan entered the week 5-for-8 with two homers and four RBIs in his last three contests and went 3-for-4 with a triple in Monday's 6-5 loss to rival Pope John. He took the loss on the mound in that one.
Up next: Monday at Lenape Valley; Wednesday at home against Hopatcong; Thursday at Morris Hills; Friday at home against Lenape Valley; Saturday at home against Warwick (N.Y.).
6. Warren Hills (11-8) -- Blue Streaks are on a little roll after a 4-0 week that included mercy-rule wins over Belvidere (10-0) and Pingry (13-0) and a thrilling 9-8 walk-off victory over North Warren that gave classy coach Mike Quinto his 100th coaching win. Ryan Curto went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and drove in the game-winning run. Kyle Allen went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI a 10-9 win against Franklin and Mark Apgar belted a three-run homer against Pingry.
Up next: Monday at home against Hackettstown; Wednesday at Voorhees; Thursday at home against Delaware Valley.
7. Phillipsburg (10-10) -- Stateliners snapped a four-game skid with Wednesday's 15-0 pasting of Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.) and dropped their next two against Watchung Hills (5-4 in 8 innings) and Ridge (6-5). Coach Dave Hinkle’s team, the 15 runs aside, have been outscored 47-15 in its last six losses. Mike Murray, Justin Scuorzo and Robert Howell all homered against NDGP.
Up next: Tuesday at Immaculata; Thursday at home against North Hunterdon; Friday at home against Bridgewater-Raritan; Saturday at Hillsborough.
8. North Hunterdon (8-10) -- Lions suffered two tough one-run losses to rival Hunterdon Central (5-4 on Tuesday) and Hillsborough (6-5 on Wednesday) before closing out the week with wins over Ridge (8-1 on Thursday) and Watchung Hills (11-10 on Friday). Coach Parker Snare's club was under .500 as of Friday's cutoff but will enter the upcoming state tournament. Derek Jenkins continued his monster May, going 7-for-17 with a double and three RBIs in his last four games.
Up next: Monday at home against Hillsborough; Tuesday at home against Montgomery; Wednesday at Somerville; Thursday at Phillipsburg; Friday at Spotswood.
9. North Warren (12-6) – Patriots bounced back from back-to-back losses with mercy-rule wins over Manville (13-0 on Tuesday) and Bound Brook (14-0 on Thursday) before a tough 9-8 loss at Warren Hills on Friday. Coach Jim Haupt's team is a perfect 9-0 in the Skyland Conference Valley Division. Lefty ace Nick Macaione fanned a season-high 14 and went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs against Bound Brook.
Up next: Monday at home against Kittatinny; Tuesday at home against Bernards; Wednesday at Manville.
10. High Point (12-7) – Wildcats scored the upset of the week with Monday's 7-2 win over Montville and did a huge favor for their friends from Sussex, the Pope John Lions in their battle for the NJAC American Division crown. After a 19-12 win over Vernon on Thursday, coach Mickey Thomas' troops lost 9-3 to Mount Olive on Friday to snap a six-game winning streak. Brett Fundell went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs and picked up the win in relief against Vernon.
Up next: Monday at home against Pope John; Tuesday at home against Montville; Thursday at home against Jefferson.
On the bubble: Lenape Valley (11-6); Hopatcong (12-4).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)