Thursday, May 9, 2013

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

  (Through games on May 8)

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
Overall
Division
Montgomery
(14-2)
(9-2)
Watchung Hills
(16-4)
(7-4)
Bridgewater-Raritan
(15-8)
(6-5)
North Hunterdon
(12-8)
(6-5)
Immaculata
(9-7)
(6-5)
Hunterdon Central
(12-8)
(5-6)
Hillsborough
(9-9)
(4-7)
Phillipsburg
(6-15)
(1-10)
Raritan Division
Overall
Division
Somerville
(12-6)
(9-1)
Ridge
(11-6)
(8-1)
Warren Hills
(8-12)
(4-5)
Delaware Valley
(6-11)
(4-6)
Voorhees
(4-12)
(3-7)
Franklin
(2-14)
(1-9)
Valley Division
Overall
Division
x-Bernards
(15-3)
(11-1)
Pingry
(12-6)
(8-3)
Gill St. Bernard's
(11-9)
(8-3)
North Plainfield
(6-10)
(5-5)
Belvidere
(9-10)
(5-7)
South Hunterdon
(6-10)
(5-7)
Bound Brook
(5-12)
(3-9)
Manville
(2-13)
(1-11)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
Overall
Division
Newton
(12-5)
(10-1)
Jefferson
(15-7)
(8-3)
North Warren
(8-8)
(7-4)
Wallkill Valley
(7-8)
(6-4)
Hackettstown
(7-10)
(5-6)
Lenape Valley
(9-8)
(4-6)
Kittatinny
(4-12)
(2-9)
Hopatcong
(2-18)
(1-10)
American Division
Overall
Division
Sparta
(12-6-1)
(8-2-1)
Montville
(12-6)
(8-3)
Morris Knolls
(7-11-2)
(5-4-2)
Mount Olive
(11-9-1)
(4-5-1)
Morris Hills
(12-9-2)
(3-5-2)
Vernon
(9-8)
(5-6)
Pope John
(10-10)
(5-6)
High Point
(5-11)
(2-9)
x-clinched share of division title

Monday, May 6, 2013

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

We're down to the Final Four in the fourth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

No surprise that North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central are still standing, along with Sparta. However, Vernon stunned everyone with its second win in six days over Newton, 6-2, in Saturday's quarterfinals to give Sussex County two representatives in the semis for the first time in tournament history.

The Vikings are shaking things up on the field and in the Open Mike rankings, which continue to realign with each parity-filled week.

We will take a closer look at both semifinal games later in the week. Meanwhile, both Newton and Sparta are looking to claim at least shares of NJAC division titles in the coming days.

Newton (9-1 division) owns a two-game lead over Jefferson (7-3) and North Warren (7-3) in the Freedom, so the Braves can win the title outright with wins over both, starting with the Patriots today. Newton hosts Jefferson on Wednesday at Memory Park.

Sparta (8-1-1 division), which has American Division games with Pope John today and at High Point on Wednesday, is two games up on Montville (7-3) in the loss column with four to league games to play entering this week.

Now onto the rankings:

1. Sparta (12-5-1) -- Spartans rise to the top spot for the first time this season after a 3-0 week, including a 10-4 win over Wallkill Valley in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex quarterfinals on Friday. Coach Sam Slobodzian's club also beat Morris Hills (4-0 on Tuesday) and Morris Catholic (7-1 on Wednesday). Outfielders Thomas Ruddy and Jon-Karl Widuch doubled to help junior pitcher Nick Shlala get the win over Wallkill Valley. Ruddy went 3-for-5 , while second baseman Austin Unglaub finished 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs against Morris Catholic. Spartans will look to earn their first finals appearance in the HWS Tournament against 2010 champion Hunterdon Central, which beat Sparta, 10-0, for the title that year.

Up next: at Pope John on Monday; at High Point on Wednesday; Mendham at home on Friday; Hunterdon Central at home on Saturday in HWS semifinals.

2. Hunterdon Central (10-8) -- Red Devils keep rolling along and are very much in play for their second HWS title in four years. Coach Mike Raymond's team advanced to its fourth straight semifinal with Saturday's 4-2 win over Pope John in the quarterfinals. Sophomore infielder Brett McManus stayed red-hot at the plate -- going 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win. Freshman Matt Toke was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while ace Billy Maier (3-2) struck out five for the win. Central opened the week with a 7-5 win over previous No. 1 North Hunterdon, avenging a 12-6 loss when the teams met on April 4. McManus went 4-for-4 with an RBI in the rematch, while Toke homered. McManus also drove in the lone run in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Immaculata in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division showdown.

Up next: at Voorhees on Monday; Montgomery at home on Tuesday; Phillipsburg at home on Thursday; at Sparta on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

3. North Hunterdon (11-7) -- Lions dropped out of the top spot for the first time this season following a 7-5 loss to Hunterdon Central last Tuesday. Coach Mike Kane's club has stumbled, losing three of its last four coming into this week. The good news is that the Lions advanced to the HWS semifinals with Saturday's 6-5 come-from-behind win over Delaware Valley. A four-run bottom of the fifth tied it, before senior second baseman Robbie Young doubled for the go-ahead run in the sixth. Junior shortstop Marc Monks belted a two-run homer, while junior Quentin Klein (3-0) got the win on the mound. Against Central, senior first baseman Mike Ragozine went 2-for-3 with a double.

Up next: South Plainfield at home on Monday; Hillsborough at home on Tuesday; at Watchung Hills on Thursday; Vernon at home on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

4. Vernon (8-8) -- Vikings on the rise following two wins over previous No. 2 Newton last week, including a 6-2 win in the HWS quarterfinals on Saturday. Coach Scott Berge's team, which won in its first quarterfinal appearance, travels to No. 3 North Hunterdon for Saturday's semifinals. The week started with a 6-5 win at home against Newton last Monday, followed by a 3-0 win over High Point on Tuesday. In Monday's game, senior Ryan Duvall went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while junior Mike Harboy finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Michael Franklin got the win on the mound.

Up next: at Mount Olive on Monday; Pope John at home on Wednesday; at Snyder on Friday; at North Hunterdon on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

5. Newton (11-5) -- Braves' 9-1 start seems so long ago after a pair of losses to Vernon last week, including a 6-2 defeat in the HWS quarterfinals on Saturday at venerable Memory Park, which has crisp new bleachers. Coach John Selitto's team, which also lost to 10-5 to Blair Academy on Friday, is lacking the quality pitching it was getting in the first half of the season. Selitto elected to save lefty Nick Grant for today's conference game at North Warren, as the Braves can clinch the NJAC Freedom Division title with wins over the Patriots and Jefferson (Wednesday). Center fielder Ben Cramer continues to rake -- going 2-for-4 with a double and triple against Blair and 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in an 8-6 win over Lenape Valley. Shortstop Jon Bernotas is 5-for-6 in his last two games.

Up next: at North Warren on Monday; Jefferson at home on Wednesday.

6. Pope John (9-10) -- Lions' roller-coaster ride continued last week with three straight losses -- 7-1 to Montville, 4-3 to Delbarton and 4-2 at Hunterdon Central on Saturday in the HWS quarterfinals. Coach Vin Bello's team, amazingly, drops under .500 for the first time since 2006. Senior first baseman Rob Sanders collected three RBIs last week, two in the Delbarton loss. Axel D'Addario went 2-for-4 in that one and doubled against Hunterdon Central. Center fielder Mike Young went 3-for-4 with an RBI against Central. Dan Cunico (2-2) and Ethan Collins (3-2) took the losses against Delby and Central, respectively.

Up next: Sparta at home on Monday; at Vernon on Wednesday.

7. Delaware Valley (6-10) -- Terriers went 1-2 last week, dropping a 6-5 heartbreaker to North Hunterdon on Saturday in the HWS quarterfinals. Coach Marty White's team squandered a 5-1 lead after 4 1/2 innings in the school's first quarterfinals appearance. It was the fifth one-run loss for the Terriers, who opened the week with a 10-0 win over Warren Hills in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash. Senior third baseman Ryan Hann went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and belted a walk-off homer against the Blue Streaks, while going 3-for-4 with a double and a homer against North. Senior first baseman Scott Skripko blasted two homers in the week.

Up next: at Blair Academy on Monday; at Lenape Valley on Thursday; Phillipsburg at Riegel Ridge Park on Saturday night.

8. Warren Hills (8-11) -- Blue Streaks are suddenly surging after a big 3-1 week, capped by a 6-5 win over North Warren on Saturday at Joseph Steinhardt Field. Coach Mike Quinto's team also beat Hackettstown (6-4 on Wednesday) and Franklin (5-4 in 10 innings on Thursday) following a 10-0 loss to Delaware Valley last Tuesday. Ace Nathaniel Capone (3-2) went 1-1, losing to Del Val in a four-strikeout effort and fanning six to beat North Warren. Center fielder Cody Crowley went 3-for-4 with an RBI against the Patriots, while leadoff man Craig Lawson went 2-for-4 with a double. Catcher Ronnie Legreide had two doubles, a homer and four RBIs total in the wins over Hackettstown and Franklin, while outfielder Matt Cummings, promoted from JV last Tuesday, went 2-for-3 with an RBI on Saturday.

Up next: Watchung Hills at home on Monday; at Pius X (Pa.) on Wednesday; Belvidere at home on Friday.

9. High Point (5-10) -- Wildcats went 1-2 last week, capping it off with a 19-3 thumping of Wallkill Valley in an independent clash on Thursday. Last Wednesday, senior outfielder Mike Ragnetti had an RBI triple in a 9-2 loss to Kittatinny. Coach Mickey Thomas' club has been tough to figure out with a win over Pope John and that loss to the 4-11 Cougars. Two wins over previously-ranked Wallkill Valley keep the 'Cats ranked for at least another week.

Up next: at Montville on Monday; Sparta at home on Wednesday.

10. Phillipsburg (5-15) -- Stateliners re-enter the rankings following an 8-3 win over previously-ranked North Warren on Friday. Coach Dave Hinkle's team has played one of the toughest conference and independent schedules around this season, with 10 of its losses -- six by two or fewer runs -- coming in Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchups. Junior second baseman Matt McAnally doubled in an 11-7 loss to Watchung Hills on Thursday and had an RBI double against North Warren. Senior third baseman Tyler Widitz had a big week at the plate -- going 2-for-3 with an RBI against North Warren and knocking in two runs against Watchung. He also belted a double and home run with RBIs in a loss to Hillsborough last Tuesday.

Up next: Immaculata at home on Tuesday; at Hunterdon Central on Thursday; Delaware Valley at Riegel Ridge Park on Saturday night.

On the bubble: North Warren (8-7); Lenape Valley (8-8); Wallkill Valley (6-8); Hackettstown (7-9).

Friday, May 3, 2013

Baseball: Braves, Red Devils picks in HWS quarters

Delaware Valley's baseball team, despite a 6-9 record, is playing with a lot of confidence heading into this weekend's quarterfinal round of the fourth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

And why not? The Terriers have won three of their last four -- coach Marty White's team saw its three-game win streak snapped on Thursday with a 6-2 loss at Somerville -- and by all accounts, the offense appears to be clicking at the right time.

On Saturday, fifth-seeded Del Val travels to No. 1 North Hunterdon in one of three quarterfinals.

Vernon, a No. 6 seed, visits No. 2 Newton, while No. 3 Pope John makes the trek to Flemington for a showdown with No. 2 Hunterdon Central, a three-time finalist. No. 5 seed Wallkill Valley travels to No. 1 Sparta on Friday, due to SATs being conducted on Saturday.

"We really we want to play North," said Del Val's senior third baseman Ryan Hann, who was batting a team-high .385 through the first 14 games this season. "We didn't get to play them in the preseason. Hopefully, we'll have a nice game with them. We've got a lot of momentum right now."

Hann was one of the offensive heroes in Tuesday's 10-0 win over Warren Hills -- going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a solo walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth. Senior first baseman Scott Skripko also homered and is second on the team with a .367 average. Skripko also has a team-high three homers and 17 RBIs.

Junior right-hander Chris Fiaschetti and Skripko are the aces of Del Val's pitching staff. Fiaschetti (3-2, 0.81 ERA) fired a four-hit shutout on Tuesday, and will be available to throw on Saturday. White is likely to start Skripko (1-1, 1.00 ERA), who has 20 strikeouts in 14 innings.

"It should be a fun game," Fiaschetti said. "From what I hear, [North] is a very good team. We'll try to keep the momentum up."

North Hunterdon (10-6) is coming off back-to-back losses to Hunterdon Central (7-5 on Tuesday) and Montgomery (8-5 on Thursday) following a four-game win streak. Coach Mike Kane's Lions are paced offensively by senior first baseman Mike Ragozine and senior outfielder Shane Brown. Second baseman Robbie Young also has been hot lately at the dish. On the mound, senior Justin Trinity (3-2) leads the Lions in wins.

Here's a closer look at the quarterfinal matchups (seeds precede teams). Records through Thursday:

5A-Delaware Valley (6-9) at 1A-North Hunterdon (10-6), 2 p.m. -- Del Val is making its first appearance in the quarterfinals. Shortstop Reed Williams is a slick defender, while catcher Chris Pilone is solid behind the plate. The key for Del Val will be to get an early lead and ride the wave of their recent success. For some reason, the Terriers have played up to their competition with close losses to Skyland Conference Raritan Division frontrunners Ridge and Somerville, yet they have two losses to Voorhees (4-10). North is coming off back-to-back semifinals appearances and has never been to the championship game. Trinity started on Tuesday against Central, so Tyler Smith (2-2) should get the ball for this one. Ragozine is on fire at the plate, with two doubles and six RBIs in the three games prior to Thursday's loss. Sophomore catcher Andrew Meiners logged two doubles and five RBIs during that same stretch.

Coaches: Marty White (94-109, 10th season); Mike Kane (22-22, second season).

All-time HWS records: Delaware Valley 1-3; North Hunterdon 6-3.

How they got here: Delaware Valley beat Lenape Valley, 9-6. North Hunterdon defeated Kittatinny, 14-4.

The Pick: North Hunterdon, 6-3.

6B-Vernon (7-8) at 2B-Newton (11-3), 2:30 p.m. -- Rematch of Monday's independent clash -- won by Vernon, 6-5. Hopatcong is the only other Sussex County team to beat the Braves this season. Newton center fielder Ben Cramer is one of the top players around, batting .440 with seven doubles coming into this week. He added to his totals by going 2-for-3 with an RBI against Vernon and 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in Tuesday's 8-6 win over Lenape Valley. First baseman Anthony Morro (.333, 16 RBIs) and catcher Charlie Grotyohann (.353, 13 RBIs) are the other offensive leaders. Lefty Nick Grant (3-0, 1.47 ERA) went 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday, so he could see action on Saturday. Look for right-hander Chris Branham (2-0, 2.52 ERA) to get the start. Vernon will likely counter with Ryan Duvall (3-2, 4.38 ERA) on the hill. Duvall (.405, 11 RBIs) and junior Mike Harboy (.294, 10 RBIs) pace the offense.

Coaches: Scott Berge (35-65, fifth season); John Selitto (59-114, eighth season).

All-time HWS records: Vernon 2-3; Newton 2-3.

How they got here: Vernon beat North Warren, 7-3. Newton defeated Warren Hills, 11-1.

The Pick: Newton, 6-2.

3B-Pope John (9-9) at 2A-Hunterdon Central (9-8), 3 p.m. -- Rematch of the 2011 championship game won by Pope John, 8-1. That's the last time these schools met on the diamond. Lions aren't having one of their typical strong seasons, but they have good arms -- Dan Cunico and Ethan Collins -- and both junior infielder Axel D'Addario (.417, 19 RBIs) and center fielder Mike Young (.359) are leading the offense. PJ played Delbarton tough in a 4-3 loss on Wednesday. Central has been the team to beat in the previous three tournaments, but is also having an uncharacteristic season. Coach Mike Raymond's Red Devils had won three in a row, including a 7-5 win over North Hunterdon on Tuesday, until Thursday's 3-1 loss to Immaculata. Sophomore second baseman Brett McManus (.381) is red-hot, going 7-for-7 with a double and four RBIs in wins over High Point and North Hunterdon, while adding an RBI on Thursday. Freshman third baseman Matt Toke homered and had six RBIs during the recent win streak. Ace Billy Maier (2-1, 2.86 ERA) will start this one.

Coaches: Vin Bello (224-143-1, 14th season); Mike Raymond (256-97, 13th season).

All-time HWS records: Pope John 6-2; Hunterdon Central 11-2.

How they got here: Pope John beat Phillipsburg, 11-3. Hunterdon Central defeated High Point, 5-4.

The Pick: Hunterdon Central, 4-2.

5B-Wallkill Valley (6-7) at 1B-Sparta (11-5-1), 3:45 p.m. -- Rangers are playing in their first quarterfinal, knocking off NJAC Freedom Division rival Hackettstown, a semifinalist in 2010 and '11, in the first round last weekend. Junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski is having a phenomenal season -- batting .600 (21-for-35) with six doubles entering the week. Senior shortstop Casey Jervis (.375) doubles as one of the Sussex County school's offensive stars and its ace on the mound. Jervis (2-2, 5.47 ERA) should get the ball for this one. Senior Rob Stecher (3-1. 2.95 ERA) could also see action. Spartans reached the final in 2010, losing to Hunterdon Central, and have not advanced past the quarterfinals since that run. This group is loaded with talent, including junior outfielder Thomas Ruddy (.475, 14 stolen bases), junior second baseman Austin Unglaub (.397, 19 RBIs) and senior outfielder Jon-Karl Widuch (.315, nine RBIs). On the mound, Kevin Foulds (5-0, 1.20 ERA, 44 K's, 41 IP) and Dillon Mendel (4-1, 1.27 ERA) have been outstanding.

Coaches: Kevin Lukich (53-64, fifth season); Sam Slobodzian (262-167-3, 17th season).

All-time HWS records: Wallkill Valley 4-3; Sparta 6-3.

How they got here: Wallkill Valley beat Hackettstown, 4-3. Sparta defeated Voorhees, 10-3.

The Pick: Sparta, 5-2.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

Through Wednesday's games

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
Overall
Division
Montgomery
(12-1)
(8-1)
Watchung Hills
(12-3)
(6-3)
North Hunterdon
(10-5)
(5-4)
Immaculata
(6-6)
(5-4)
Bridgewater-Raritan
(12-6)
(4-5)
Hillsborough
(9-6)
(4-5)
Hunterdon Central
(9-7)
(4-5)
Phillipsburg
(4-14)
(0-9)
Raritan Division
Overall
Division
Somerville
(11-3)
(8-1)
Ridge
(10-5)
(7-1)
Delaware Valley
(6-8)
(4-5)
Warren Hills
(6-11)
(3-5)
Voorhees
(4-9)
(3-6)
Franklin
(1-12)
(1-8)
Valley Division
Overall
Division
Bernards
(11-2)
(8-1)
Pingry
(9-5)
(7-3)
Gill St. Bernard's
(9-8)
(7-3)
Belvidere
(8-7)
(5-5)
North Plainfield
(6-8)
(5-5)
South Hunterdon
(5-8)
(4-5)
Bound Brook
(4-10)
(3-7)
Manville
(1-12)
(0-10)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
Overall
Division
Newton
(11-3)
(9-1)
Jefferson
(14-6)
(7-3)
North Warren
(8-5)
(7-3)
Wallkill Valley
(6-6)
(5-4)
Hackettstown
(7-8)
(5-5)
Lenape Valley
(5-8)
(3-6)
Kittatinny
(4-11)
(2-8)
Hopatcong
(2-16)
(1-9)
American Division
Overall
Division
Sparta
(11-5-1)
(8-1-1)
Montville
(11-4)
(7-3)
Mount Olive
(8-8-1)
(4-4-1)
Morris Knolls
(6-9-2)
(4-4-2)
Morris Hills
(11-7-2)
(3-4-2)
Pope John
(9-9)
(4-6)
Vernon
(7-7)
(4-6)
High Point
(4-10)
(2-8)

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Baseball: Fiaschetti, Terriers put bite on Blue Streaks

Delaware Valley's baseball team has been a tough bunch to figure out this season.

But there was no mistaking the formula for success in Tuesday's 10-0 win over Warren Hills in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash on a sun-splashed afternoon in Alexandria Township.

Coach Marty White's Terriers (6-8 overall, 4-5 division), who also beat Warren Hills, 7-3, on April 11, got excellent pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. Right-hander Chris Fiaschetti fired a four-hit shutout, while the offense logged a pair of five-run innings in the fifth and sixth to close it out.

Senior first baseman Scott Skripko belted a three-run shot in the sixth to put Del Val up, 9-0, and senior third baseman Ryan Hann ended it with a walk-off solo shot over the left-center-field fence to enforce the 10-run mercy rule.

"This was a good win," said White, whose team has won three in a row for the first time this season. "Some days we are really good and some days we are average. When you play clean baseball, I believe, you always have a chance to win."

Del Val was as clean as it gets. Fiaschetti retired the first 11 batters he faced before giving up a single through the left side past a diving Hann to Warren Hills second baseman Shea Kohler, who had two of the Streaks' four hits. 

Fiaschetti (3-2) retired seven of the final 10 batters -- he faced 22 total -- and worked out of a first-and-third jam in the sixth by getting cleanup hitter Michael Lascu on a ground ball to second. Despite falling behind in the count on eight of the first 10 hitters he faced, Fiaschetti was extremely economical with his pitches -- throwing 36 through four frames. He struck out two and walked none.

"I felt good today. My fastball and changeup were mostly working," said Fiaschetti, who has earned victories in his last two appearances. "[Catcher Chris Pilone and I] kept going with that combo. When I needed an out pitch, I threw a cutter or a curveball."

Fiaschetti admitted he started thinking about the possibility of his first no-hitter after sending down the first 11 in order. With zero runs on the board, it was imperative that he just focus on recording outs. 

"It was in the back of my mind, but my goal is to throw strikes and get outs," he said. "Let the offense take care of itself."

Defensively, Del Val shortstop Reed Williams made a nice leaping grab of Cody Crowley's liner in the fourth, while Pilone made a nice play on a slow dribbler in front of home to get Anthony Veneziano at first for the last out in the fifth.

Warren Hills (5-11, 3-5), which had won three of its last four coming in, struggled at the plate and didn't help itself in the field. Coach Mike Quinto's club committed three errors, including one in the fifth that extended the inning.

Starter Nathaniel Capone was effective early on, as the right-hander retired 11 of the first 14 batters he faced and threw a total of 36 pitches in four innings. 

In the second inning, Del Val cleanup hitter Joe Chiarino led off with a single, but was erased trying to steal second base. Pilone reached on an error, but Capone retired Adam Novotny on a fly ball to center to end the inning. In the third, Frank McHugh, just called up from the JV, singled and reached second on a wild pitch but was stranded there.

"I figured this would be a 1-0, 2-0 ballgame," Quinto said. "Nathaniel was throwing well and hitting his spots. Then, his pitches were flat and he was leaving stuff over the plate. And we didn't make plays behind him."

Things unraveled for the visitors in the fifth. After a leadoff strikeout by Pilone, singles by Novotny and designated hitter Joe Egidio and an error, loaded the bases for Del Val. Chris Innocenti plated the first run with a single to left. With the bases still loaded, Reed Williams lined out for the second out, but the Terriers weren't finished as cleanup man Skripko's infield single made it 2-0.

The bases were still juiced when another error allowed the third run to score before Hann's single down the left-field line plated two more for a 5-0 lead. In all, Del Val sent 11 men to the plate, as Pilone, the 10th Terrier to hit, singled to chase Capone. Reliever Alex Racano retired Novtony on a flyout to center to end the inning.

Del Val picked it up again in the sixth as the first five batters reached base. McHugh, who reached base in all three of his at-bats, and Egidio singled back-to-back and scored on Skripko's jack over the left-field fence. In two games against Warren Hills, Skripko is 4-for-8 with seven RBIs.

Hann's first blast of the year and Del Val's third -- Skripko has the other two -- sent everyone home early.

"It's nice. Lately, I've been seeing the ball well," said Hann, who went 2-for-4. "I was just trying to get a base hit. Fiaschetti was throwing a great game and we wanted to help with some run support. We've got a lot of momentum right now."

WARREN HILLS (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Lawson ss 3-0-0-0, Crowley cf 3-0-1-0, Kohler 2b 3-0-2-0, Lascu 1b 3-0-0-0, Julian 3b 2-0-0-0, Legreide dh/Capone p 2-0-1-0, Stagaard c 2-0-0-0, Veneziano rf 2-0-0-0, Cummings lf 2-0-0-0. Totals: 22-0-4-0.

DELAWARE VALLEY (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Innocenti lf 4-1-1-1, Williams ss 4-1-0-1, Skripko 1b 4-2-2-4, Chiarino 2b 4-0-1-0, Hann 3b 4-1-2-3, Pilone c 3-0-1-0, Novotny ss 3-1-1-0, McHugh rf 3-2-2-0, Egidio dh/Fiaschetti p 3-2-2-0. Totals: 28-3-9-3.

Warren Hills (5-11, 3-5)               000     000    --  0      4   3
Delaware Valley (6-8, 4-5)          000     055    --  10   12   0

E -- Lawson, Julian, Kohler. LOB -- Warren Hills 4; Delaware Valley 5. HR -- Skripko (2, 6th inning off Racano, 2 on, 1 out), Hann (1, sixth inning off Racano, 0 on, 2 outs). CS -- Chiarino.

Capone, Racano (5) and Stagaard. Fiaschetti and Pilone. W -- Fiaschetti (3-2). L -- Capone (2-2). SO-BB -- Capone 4-0, Racano 0-0; Fiaschetti 2-0. WP -- Capone.