Pope John's baseball team has been finding ways to win big games all season. The trend continued on Tuesday as the Lions posted a 4-3 win over Seton Hall Prep to capture their first Non-Public North A sectional title at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls.
All-State catcher Alex DeBellis delivered the eventual game-winning run with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth after Seton Hall Prep had tied the game. Winning pitcher Brendan Mayers (9-0) gave another solid effort on the mound, as the Rutgers-bound righty tossed a complete game.
Those two players have been the catalysts all season and they came through once again with the spotlight on them. Team of destiny?
One interesting note, is that Seton Hall outfielder John Norwood was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays (No. 379 overall) in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft during the game. Seton Hall Prep beat Pope John, 9-8 in eight innings in the 2009 semifinals.
Pope John (24-4-1) will face St. Augustine for the Non-Public state A championship 11 a.m. on Saturday at Toms River South High School.
Ake selected by Mets on Day 3
Hunterdon Central shortstop Josh Ake was the first player from West Jersey to be selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday. Ake was chosen by the New York Mets (No. 882 overall).
Ake batted .337 with four homers and 19 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and a .432 on-base percentage this season for the 20-10 Red Devils. Ake, an outstanding defensive player, has committed to play at the University of North Carolina next season.
Watchung claims division crown
Watchung Hills wrapped up the Skyland Conference Delaware Division title with Monday's 4-1 win over Hunterdon Central.
Senior Richard Hunt tossed a complete game with five strikeouts and sophomore catcher Cody Hinds drove in two runs for the Warriors (18-8 overall, 11-4 division).
Montville wins NJAC American title
Montville apparently has been declared the NJAC American Division champion by virtue of a points system. The Mustangs finished 12-2 in divisional play, one win better than Pope John (11-2-1), which played Sparta to a tie back in April in a game that was suspended due to darkness.
Apparently, the Pope John-Sparta game could not be replayed and it goes in the books as a draw. Had Pope John won that game, it would have shared the title with Montville. The Lions and Mustangs split a pair of meetings this season, 13-8 and 13-4, with Pope John winning the latter on May 24.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
West Jersey Baseball standings
| As of June 4 | |||
| Skyland Conference | |||
| Delaware Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| Watchung Hills | (17-8) | (10-4) | |
| Hillsborough | (18-9) | (10-6) | |
| Hunterdon Central | (20-9) | (9-6) | |
| Immaculata | (10-12) | (8-6) | |
| North Hunterdon | (12-13) | (9-7) | |
| Montgomery | (10-14) | (7-8) | |
| Ridge | (15-13) | (7-9) | |
| Phillipsburg | (13-14) | (6-10) | |
| Bridgewater | (8-17) | (3-13) | |
| Raritan Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| x-Voorhees | (18-4) | (10-2) | |
| Somerville | (17-10) | (8-4) | |
| North Plainfield | (13-10) | (7-5) | |
| Warren Hills | (12-12) | (7-5) | |
| Franklin | (8-13) | (4-7) | |
| Pingry | (7-13) | (3-8) | |
| Delaware Valley | (2-18) | (2-10) | |
| Valley Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| x-North Warren | (15-8) | (11-1) | |
| Gill St. Bernard's | (17-10) | (10-2) | |
| Bound Brook | (8-11) | (7-5) | |
| Bernards | (8-12) | (6-6) | |
| South Hunterdon | (6-11) | (4-7) | |
| Belvidere | (5-16) | (3-8) | |
| Manville | (1-17) | (0-12) | |
| Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference | |||
| Freedom Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| x-Hackettstown | (21-2) | (10-0) | |
| Hopatcong | (13-7) | (7-3) | |
| Lenape Valley | (11-11) | (7-3) | |
| Wallkill Valley | (7-17) | (3-7) | |
| Newton | (3-17) | (2-8) | |
| Kittatinny | (5-16) | (1-9) | |
| American Division | |||
| Overall | Division | ||
| Montville | (22-5) | (12-2) | |
| Pope John | (23-4-1) | (11-2-1) | |
| Sparta | (14-10-1) | (6-7-1) | |
| High Point | (13-10) | (6-7) | |
| Mount Olive | (9-15) | (6-8) | |
| Vernon | (7-11) | (5-9) | |
| Jefferson | (6-14) | (4-9) | |
| Morris Hills | (8-17) | (4-10) | |
| x-division champion | |||
Lions may be team of destiny in North A playoffs
Pope John's baseball team needed a certain amount of luck to navigate through the state's toughest tournament bracket in the Non-Public North A playoffs.
The Lions caught a big break when top-seeded and nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep, which beat PJ 11-8 this season, saw its 25-game win streak and unbeaten season end with a first-round loss to Bergen Catholic.
However, coach Vin Bello's team is also making its own luck this postseason.
In Friday's semifinals, Pope John trailed 5-1 to Delbarton heading into the bottom of the seventh. What happened next at Diamond Nation was a series of championship moments. The Lions battled back to tie it at 5 before Ryan McNally launched a solo homer for a 6-5 walk-off win that sent PJ into Tuesday's final against Seton Hall Prep.
McNally's homer capped an improbable rally that started with Nick D'Alessio's one-out homer to right. Nick Salazzo's RBI single made it 5-3 and Matt Ackerman's two-run shot tied the game, setting the stage for McNally's heroics. Three homers in all and a berth into the title game. Amazing.
PJ's ability to swing the bats is a big plus heading into the biggest game of the season. As the Lions have showed, they are never out of a game.
Connor McGlynn (7-1) gave a gutsy effort on the mound, following his eight-strikeout performance in PJ's 13-4 win over Montville on May 24. Ace Brendan Mayers (8-0) is set to throw in the final.
Pope John (23-4-1) has now won four straight against Delbarton. The Lions won, 5-2, in the regular season on April 27 and twice in 2010 -- 4-3 and 6-3, the latter in the North A playoffs. PJ's run a year ago ended with an 8-6 loss to Immaculata in the semifinals.
Now, Pope John sets its sights on a rematch with Seton Hall Prep, which bounced the Lions, 9-8 in eight innings, in the 2009 quarterfinals. The North A final will be played 4 p.m. Tuesday at Yogi Berra Stadium on the Montclair State University campus.
Tigers caught again at home
Hackettstown's terrific season ended on Friday as it did a year ago with a 9-1 loss to West Essex in the North 2, Group 2 final at Dimiceli Field. Coach Gary Poyer's Tigers, who lost 5-0 to the Knights in last year's title game, finish at 21-2.
The loss also ended a fine career for senior ace Matt Reynolds, who struck out nine in the loss. Reynolds (6-2) took two of his three career losses against West Essex, while also losing to Hunterdon Central this season in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals.
Hackettstown scored a total of four runs in its two losses this season after averaging 10 runs per game in its victories. The Tigers entered Friday's game on a six-game win streak during which they scored a total of 75 runs.
The Lions caught a big break when top-seeded and nationally-ranked Don Bosco Prep, which beat PJ 11-8 this season, saw its 25-game win streak and unbeaten season end with a first-round loss to Bergen Catholic.
However, coach Vin Bello's team is also making its own luck this postseason.
In Friday's semifinals, Pope John trailed 5-1 to Delbarton heading into the bottom of the seventh. What happened next at Diamond Nation was a series of championship moments. The Lions battled back to tie it at 5 before Ryan McNally launched a solo homer for a 6-5 walk-off win that sent PJ into Tuesday's final against Seton Hall Prep.
McNally's homer capped an improbable rally that started with Nick D'Alessio's one-out homer to right. Nick Salazzo's RBI single made it 5-3 and Matt Ackerman's two-run shot tied the game, setting the stage for McNally's heroics. Three homers in all and a berth into the title game. Amazing.
PJ's ability to swing the bats is a big plus heading into the biggest game of the season. As the Lions have showed, they are never out of a game.
Connor McGlynn (7-1) gave a gutsy effort on the mound, following his eight-strikeout performance in PJ's 13-4 win over Montville on May 24. Ace Brendan Mayers (8-0) is set to throw in the final.
Pope John (23-4-1) has now won four straight against Delbarton. The Lions won, 5-2, in the regular season on April 27 and twice in 2010 -- 4-3 and 6-3, the latter in the North A playoffs. PJ's run a year ago ended with an 8-6 loss to Immaculata in the semifinals.
Now, Pope John sets its sights on a rematch with Seton Hall Prep, which bounced the Lions, 9-8 in eight innings, in the 2009 quarterfinals. The North A final will be played 4 p.m. Tuesday at Yogi Berra Stadium on the Montclair State University campus.
Tigers caught again at home
Hackettstown's terrific season ended on Friday as it did a year ago with a 9-1 loss to West Essex in the North 2, Group 2 final at Dimiceli Field. Coach Gary Poyer's Tigers, who lost 5-0 to the Knights in last year's title game, finish at 21-2.
The loss also ended a fine career for senior ace Matt Reynolds, who struck out nine in the loss. Reynolds (6-2) took two of his three career losses against West Essex, while also losing to Hunterdon Central this season in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals.
Hackettstown scored a total of four runs in its two losses this season after averaging 10 runs per game in its victories. The Tigers entered Friday's game on a six-game win streak during which they scored a total of 75 runs.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Snare joins 500 club; Vikes, Pats crowned champs
The baseball season is winding down in the West Jersey area, but there is still plenty to talk about as the spring season comes to a close.
On Thursday, longtime North Hunterdon coach Parker Snare joined an exclusive club by winning his 500th game in the Lions' 11-9 win over Montgomery in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division tilt in Annandale. Andrew Westlin paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs and helped North (12-13) rally from an 8-1 deficit.
“I am proud of coach Snare’s perseverance in achieving this momentous goal in his career. Mr. Snare has spent many untold hours during his coaching tenure with our student athletes and providing a positive experience for all of them. Coach Snare has had a great group of kids in the Hunterdon Community every year. Coach Snare falls under a small elite group of New Jersey coaches to obtain 500 wins and this is truly a historic day in North history.” said North Hunterdon athletic director John Deutschm in a school-issued press release.
Snare owns a 500-284-2 overall mark in 32 seasons and it was, perhaps, his final season at the helm as rumors swirl that he will not back in 2012. The retired teacher is no longer in the building and someone in-house may be after the baseball job.
The Lions didn't have the season they hoped for after a 3-8 stretch from April 16 to May 11 essentially took them out of conference contention. North started 4-0 in the division and finished 9-7.
Vikings claim Raritan championship
Voorhees officially wrapped up the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title with Thursday's 1-0 win over Somerville. Lefty ace Sean Keselica struck out a career-high 16 batters and Tyler Duplaga drove in the winning run with a double.
It was a nice ending for coach Spark Mattson's team after a disappointing 6-1 loss to Middlesex in Tuesday's Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals. Voorhees finishes 18-4 overall and 10-2 in the division after an 8-15 campaign in 2010.
The Virginia Tech-bound Keselica capped a tremendous season and career with a school record seven homers and going 10-1 on the mound with 121 strikeouts. He struck out no fewer than nine in any of his starts this season.
Patriots repeat as Valley champions
North Warren claimed the Skyland Conference Valley Division title with Thursday's 4-3 win in eight innings against Bernards in Blairstown. Ryan McCarthy delivered the win and a title with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Coach Jim Haupt's team finishes 15-8 overall and 11-1 in the division.
NJAC American update
Pope John did what it had to do last week to keep its American Division title hopes alive in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference with wins over Montville and High Point. The Lions (11-2-1 in the division) are tied with Montville (12-2) in the loss column.
Pope John's suspended game, a 2-2 tie on the books with Sparta, was supposed to be replayed in its entirety since the outcome affects the standings. However, it has been learned that the conference may instead use a points system rather than play that game to declare a champion, awarding the title to Montville.
Stay tuned on this one. My guess is that Lions coach Vin Bello won't raise a fuss at this time with his club still alive for a bigger title in the Non-Public North A playoffs.
On Thursday, longtime North Hunterdon coach Parker Snare joined an exclusive club by winning his 500th game in the Lions' 11-9 win over Montgomery in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division tilt in Annandale. Andrew Westlin paced the offense, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs and helped North (12-13) rally from an 8-1 deficit.
“I am proud of coach Snare’s perseverance in achieving this momentous goal in his career. Mr. Snare has spent many untold hours during his coaching tenure with our student athletes and providing a positive experience for all of them. Coach Snare has had a great group of kids in the Hunterdon Community every year. Coach Snare falls under a small elite group of New Jersey coaches to obtain 500 wins and this is truly a historic day in North history.” said North Hunterdon athletic director John Deutschm in a school-issued press release.
Snare owns a 500-284-2 overall mark in 32 seasons and it was, perhaps, his final season at the helm as rumors swirl that he will not back in 2012. The retired teacher is no longer in the building and someone in-house may be after the baseball job.
The Lions didn't have the season they hoped for after a 3-8 stretch from April 16 to May 11 essentially took them out of conference contention. North started 4-0 in the division and finished 9-7.
Vikings claim Raritan championship
Voorhees officially wrapped up the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title with Thursday's 1-0 win over Somerville. Lefty ace Sean Keselica struck out a career-high 16 batters and Tyler Duplaga drove in the winning run with a double.
It was a nice ending for coach Spark Mattson's team after a disappointing 6-1 loss to Middlesex in Tuesday's Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals. Voorhees finishes 18-4 overall and 10-2 in the division after an 8-15 campaign in 2010.
The Virginia Tech-bound Keselica capped a tremendous season and career with a school record seven homers and going 10-1 on the mound with 121 strikeouts. He struck out no fewer than nine in any of his starts this season.
Patriots repeat as Valley champions
North Warren claimed the Skyland Conference Valley Division title with Thursday's 4-3 win in eight innings against Bernards in Blairstown. Ryan McCarthy delivered the win and a title with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Coach Jim Haupt's team finishes 15-8 overall and 11-1 in the division.
NJAC American update
Pope John did what it had to do last week to keep its American Division title hopes alive in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference with wins over Montville and High Point. The Lions (11-2-1 in the division) are tied with Montville (12-2) in the loss column.
Pope John's suspended game, a 2-2 tie on the books with Sparta, was supposed to be replayed in its entirety since the outcome affects the standings. However, it has been learned that the conference may instead use a points system rather than play that game to declare a champion, awarding the title to Montville.
Stay tuned on this one. My guess is that Lions coach Vin Bello won't raise a fuss at this time with his club still alive for a bigger title in the Non-Public North A playoffs.
Monday, May 30, 2011
West Jersey Baseball rankings
1. Pope John (21-4-1) -- Lions went 3-1 last week, including a 13-4 win over Montville on Tuesday in the battle for for the NJAC American Division title. PJ followed that up with a 5-3 win at No. 10 High Point in another division showdown as winning pitcher Mike Liegel (5-1) struck out eight. Coach Vin Bello's team must replay a suspended game against No. 5 Sparta and win to capture at least a share of the American title. Montville travels to High Point on Wednesday. But first, PJ gets underway in state playoff action this week.
Up next: Tuesday at home against St. Peter's Prep in North A playoffs.
2. Voorhees (17-3) -- Vikings went 3-1 last week, including wins over Shore (13-3 on Monday) and North Plainfield (5-3 on Friday) in the Central Jersey, Group 2 playoffs. Ace pitcher Sean Keselica (9-1) struck out 11 in the win over North Plainfield and went 4-for-6 with a double, homer and six RBIs at the plate in the two state victories. The Virginia Tech-bound lefty also homered in the Vikes' surprising 12-5 loss to Pingry. Trey Conroy (4-1) earned the win against Shore. Coach Spark Mattson's club, which also beat No. 6 Warren Hills, 3-2, on Tuesday in a key Skyland Conference Raritan Division matchup, can clinch the title with a Somerville loss to Pingry on Wednesday or a win over Somerville on Thursday .
Up next: Tuesday at home against Middlesex in Central, Group 2 semifinals; Thursday at Somerville.
3. Hunterdon Central (20-7) -- Red Devils enjoyed a 4-1 week with wins over Bridgewater-Raritan (4-3 on Monday) and Ridge (5-3 on Friday) in the North 2, Group 4 playoffs after going one-and-done last year following back-to-back Group 4 titles. Pitcher Greg Scassera (7-1) picked up victories in both state games. Coach Mike Raymond's club also split with those teams, beating Bridgewater-Raritan and losing to Ridge, in regular season matchups last week.
Up next: Tuesday at Westfield in North 2, Group 4 semifinals; Wednesday at Ridge.
4. Hackettstown (19-1) -- Tigers posted a pair of wins in the North 2, Group 2 playoffs -- 9-1 over Cliffside Park on Monday and 12-2 over Garfield on Friday. Justin Knight (6-0) struck out seven and got the win against Cliffside Park and ace Matt Reynolds (6-1) fanned six to beat Garfield. Catcher Mark Feci was a combined 6-for-8 with two doubles, a homer and seven RBIs in those wins. The Tigers also beat Hopatcong, 18-8, on Thursday for the third time this season and sixth in a row dating to 2010.
Up next: Tuesday at home against Madison in North 2, Group 2 quarterfinals; Wednesday at Warren Hills.
5. Sparta (14-10-1) -- Spartans went 1-2 last week, beating Old Tappan, 10-5, in the North 1, Group 3 opener and falling 5-4 to Montville in the quarterfinals. Coach Sam Slobodzian's team also fell, 2-1, to Morris Hills in an NJAC American Division contest. Devon Livingston had a double, homer and three RBIs in the win on Monday. Spartans must complete their suspended game against No. 1 Pope John at a date to be determined and there's nothing the crosstown rivals would like more than to spoil the Lions' division title hopes.
Up next: at home against Pope John, TBA.
6. Warren Hills (12-11) -- Blue Streaks had a rough week, going 0-3, including a 5-1 loss to Belleville in the North 2, Group 3 playoff opener. Coach Mike Quinto's team closed the week, and possibly the season, with losses to No. 2 Voorhees (3-2 on Tuesday) and North Plainfield (4-2 on Thursday). Mark Apgar struck out eight, but took the loss against Voorhees and had a double and an RBI in the loss to North Plainfield.
Up next: Wednesday at home against Hackettstown.
7. North Hunterdon (10-12) -- Lions went 2-1 last week, beating Bayonne, 4-2, in Monday's North 2, Group 4 playoff opener and Bridgewater-Raritan, 14-3, on Tuesday, before ending on a sour note with Friday's 6-3 loss at Woodbridge in the state quarterfinals. Steve Bloodworth (6-1) got the complete-game win over Bayonne, while Derek Jenkins went 2-for-3 with a grand slam and five RBIs against Bridgewater-Raritan. Lions coach Parker Snare, who stands at 498 career wins, has three shots this week to reach the coveted 500 mark.
Up next: Tuesday at Phillipsburg; Wednesday at West Morris; Thursday at home against Montgomery.
8. Phillipsburg (11-12) -- Stateliners went 1-2 last week, beating East Orange, 15-0, in the North 2, Group 4 playoffs before losses to Immaculata (6-3 on Thursday) and Westfield (5-4 in the state quarterfinals). Coach Dave Hinkle's team, the No. 10 seed, nearly pulled off the upset of No. 2 seeded Westfield, which scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to win. .
Up next: Tuesday at home against North Hunterdon; at home against Bridgewater-Raritan; Thursday at Hillsborough.
9. North Warren (14-8) – Patriots went .500 last week, beating River Dell, 11-10, in the North 1, Group 2 playoffs, as winning pitcher Nick Macaione (6-1) struck out eight and belted a pair of doubles. Kevin Kelly added a three-run homer for the Patriots, who lost to Dumont, 8-2, in the quarterfinals on Friday. In between, coach Jim Haupt's club lost to Bound Brook, 5-4, and beat Manville, 15-0, to gain at least a share of the Skyland Conference Valley Division title with one game remaining against Bernards.
Up next: at home against Bernards, TBA.
10. High Point (13-9) – Wildcats went 1-2 last week, beating Indian Hills, 4-3, on Monday in the North 1, Group 3 playoffs, before an 8-2 loss to Paramus ended their state run in Friday's quarterfinals. Coach Mickey Thomas' club can help Sussex County rival Pope John with a second win over Montville this week.
Up next: Wednesday at home against Montville.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Conference races, playoff chases
Hello everybody, I've been away too long, but other duty called and rendered me unable to find spare time to blog. But I'm back, if only briefly, to update you on what's going down in the world of West Jersey baseball.
First, with only a few regular-season games remaining, none of the three divisional races in the Skyland Conference have been decided. And only one local race in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference is over, as Hackettstown claimed the Freedom Division title weeks ago. That leaves the American Division title up for grabs.
Let's take a closer look at the Skyland:
Watchung Hills is still on top in the rugged nine-team Delaware Division. The Warriors, at 9-4, still have three division games to play: at Bridgewater-Raritan (May 31), at Hunterdon Central (June 6) and home against Immaculata (June 7).
Hunterdon Central (8-5 division) and Immaculata (7-5) are also in play here.
Central was in good shape until recent losses to Hillsborough (6-1 on May 20) and Ridge (7-2 on Wednesday). Coach Mike Raymond's team has two games left with Montgomery (Thursday, May 26 and May 31), at Ridge on June 1 and Watchung Hills home on June 6.
The Raritan Division race is much more simple. Voorhees (9-2 division) can claim the title with a win over Somerville on June 2. But, if coach Spark Mattson's Vikes stumble, as they did in Wednesday's 12-5 loss to Pingry (where did that come from?), Somerville (7-3) could earn a share of the title with wins over Pingry on June 1 and the Vikes the following day.
A Somerville loss to Pingry, automatically gives the title to Voorhees.
Over in the Valley Division, North Warren was in firm control needing two wins this week to claim the championship. But coach Jim Haupt's team went 1-1, losing 5-4 to Bound Brook on Tuesday before a 15-0 win over Manville on Wednesday.
At 10-1 in the division, North Warren can still wrap up the title with a win over Bernards. A date for that game has not been determined as the Patriots are still involved in state playoff action. A North Warren loss and it would share the title with Gill St. Bernards's (10-2), whose two losses are to the Patriots.
In the NJAC, Pope John posted a big 13-4 win over Montville on Tuesday. Both teams now have two losses in the American Division and both still have a division game left with High Point.
The Lions play High Point on May 26 and may have to replay a game with Sparta that was suspended by darkness in April. Montville faces High Point on June 1. Both PJ and Montville are also alive in state playoff action.
If the Lions lose to High Point and Montville beats High Point, then the Mustangs will be the champs and PJ will not have to replay that game with Sparta.
Playoff fever
The local contingent took a hit in the opening round of the state tournament on Tuesday -- Warren Hills, South Hunterdon, Lenape Valley, Hopatcong and Sussex Tech all made quick exits.
The most surprising and disappointing was Warren Hills' 5-1 loss to Belleville in the North 2, Group 3 draw. The Blue Streaks had been playing well and were hosting a state game for the first time since 2008. But coach Mike Quinto's team ran into a tough pitcher and didn't help themselves either by accounts, so that makes for a tough go during state time.
You have to feel for Hopatcong and coach Chris Buglovsky, who suffered a 17-3 loss to Pequannock in a game moved to Wednesday because Hopactong's field, the notorious Homer Dome, has been under water most of this season. "My field is like an extension of Lake Hopatcong," Buglovsky said in an e-mail this week when asked why his team hadn't played since May 11.
The Chiefs close out the slate on May 26 against Hackettstown, looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Tigers dating to last season. Hopatcong's last win in the series was, 6-5, on April 9, 2009.
Speaking of Hackettstown, coach Gary Poyer's club was among eight winners in the opening round of states, as the Tigers rolled Cliffside Park, 9-1, in the North 2, Group 2 bracket.
Voorhees, Phillipsburg, North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central, Sparta, High Point and North Warren were all victorious.
Voorhees, the top seed in Central Jersey, Group 2, will host North Plainfield in Friday's quarterfinals. It will be the rubber match for these Skyland Conference Raritan Division rivals. The Vikes lost their first meeting, 4-3 on April 26, and won the rematch, 6-0, on May 21.
Pope John, the No. 2 seed in Non-Public North A, will begin state play on Tuesday. The Lions get the winner of the Paramus Catholic-Delbarton first-rounder on Friday, May 27.
Here's Friday's schedule:
North 2, Group 4
Phillipsburg at Westfield
Ridge at Hunterdon Central
North Hunterdon at Woodbridge
North 2, Group 2
Garfield at Hackettstown
North 1, Group 3
Sparta at Montville
High Point at Paramus
North 1, Group 2
North Warren at Dumont
Central, Group 2
North Plainfield at Voorhees
First, with only a few regular-season games remaining, none of the three divisional races in the Skyland Conference have been decided. And only one local race in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference is over, as Hackettstown claimed the Freedom Division title weeks ago. That leaves the American Division title up for grabs.
Let's take a closer look at the Skyland:
Watchung Hills is still on top in the rugged nine-team Delaware Division. The Warriors, at 9-4, still have three division games to play: at Bridgewater-Raritan (May 31), at Hunterdon Central (June 6) and home against Immaculata (June 7).
Hunterdon Central (8-5 division) and Immaculata (7-5) are also in play here.
Central was in good shape until recent losses to Hillsborough (6-1 on May 20) and Ridge (7-2 on Wednesday). Coach Mike Raymond's team has two games left with Montgomery (Thursday, May 26 and May 31), at Ridge on June 1 and Watchung Hills home on June 6.
The Raritan Division race is much more simple. Voorhees (9-2 division) can claim the title with a win over Somerville on June 2. But, if coach Spark Mattson's Vikes stumble, as they did in Wednesday's 12-5 loss to Pingry (where did that come from?), Somerville (7-3) could earn a share of the title with wins over Pingry on June 1 and the Vikes the following day.
A Somerville loss to Pingry, automatically gives the title to Voorhees.
Over in the Valley Division, North Warren was in firm control needing two wins this week to claim the championship. But coach Jim Haupt's team went 1-1, losing 5-4 to Bound Brook on Tuesday before a 15-0 win over Manville on Wednesday.
At 10-1 in the division, North Warren can still wrap up the title with a win over Bernards. A date for that game has not been determined as the Patriots are still involved in state playoff action. A North Warren loss and it would share the title with Gill St. Bernards's (10-2), whose two losses are to the Patriots.
In the NJAC, Pope John posted a big 13-4 win over Montville on Tuesday. Both teams now have two losses in the American Division and both still have a division game left with High Point.
The Lions play High Point on May 26 and may have to replay a game with Sparta that was suspended by darkness in April. Montville faces High Point on June 1. Both PJ and Montville are also alive in state playoff action.
If the Lions lose to High Point and Montville beats High Point, then the Mustangs will be the champs and PJ will not have to replay that game with Sparta.
Playoff fever
The local contingent took a hit in the opening round of the state tournament on Tuesday -- Warren Hills, South Hunterdon, Lenape Valley, Hopatcong and Sussex Tech all made quick exits.
The most surprising and disappointing was Warren Hills' 5-1 loss to Belleville in the North 2, Group 3 draw. The Blue Streaks had been playing well and were hosting a state game for the first time since 2008. But coach Mike Quinto's team ran into a tough pitcher and didn't help themselves either by accounts, so that makes for a tough go during state time.
You have to feel for Hopatcong and coach Chris Buglovsky, who suffered a 17-3 loss to Pequannock in a game moved to Wednesday because Hopactong's field, the notorious Homer Dome, has been under water most of this season. "My field is like an extension of Lake Hopatcong," Buglovsky said in an e-mail this week when asked why his team hadn't played since May 11.
The Chiefs close out the slate on May 26 against Hackettstown, looking to snap a five-game losing streak against the Tigers dating to last season. Hopatcong's last win in the series was, 6-5, on April 9, 2009.
Speaking of Hackettstown, coach Gary Poyer's club was among eight winners in the opening round of states, as the Tigers rolled Cliffside Park, 9-1, in the North 2, Group 2 bracket.
Voorhees, Phillipsburg, North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central, Sparta, High Point and North Warren were all victorious.
Voorhees, the top seed in Central Jersey, Group 2, will host North Plainfield in Friday's quarterfinals. It will be the rubber match for these Skyland Conference Raritan Division rivals. The Vikes lost their first meeting, 4-3 on April 26, and won the rematch, 6-0, on May 21.
Pope John, the No. 2 seed in Non-Public North A, will begin state play on Tuesday. The Lions get the winner of the Paramus Catholic-Delbarton first-rounder on Friday, May 27.
Here's Friday's schedule:
North 2, Group 4
Phillipsburg at Westfield
Ridge at Hunterdon Central
North Hunterdon at Woodbridge
North 2, Group 2
Garfield at Hackettstown
North 1, Group 3
Sparta at Montville
High Point at Paramus
North 1, Group 2
North Warren at Dumont
Central, Group 2
North Plainfield at Voorhees
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