It’s time to hand out sectional titles as hardware is coming home to numerous teams around the state. We’ve got highlights from the much-anticipated Battle of Toms River, Brearley’s ace throwing another gem and Cherokee continuing a great season. Stay tuned as it all comes in!
Toms River East 6 Toms River South 1 | South Group 3 Final
Dan Nafziger went the distance on a 5-hitter walking just one and striking out 13 and the Raiders had two home runs and a spectacular catch by Lucas Melton to take away a grand slam in the sixth inning to earn the school’s first baseball sectional title since 2006. Matt Ferrara hit a solo homer in the first and Mike Vaccarino hit a two run blast in the fourth. Toms River East will take on Northern Burlington in a Group 3 semifinal.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Toms River:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Toms River East and Toms River South is made possible by Community Medical Center in Toms River.
Brearley 8 Verona 0 | North 2 Group 1 Final
The Bears finally got over the hump to score the program’s second-ever sectional championship and the first since 2019 thanks to their southpaw ace. After throwing a perfect game last week, Boston College commit Sean Budis followed it up with a complete game one-hit shutout with 13 K’s and just two walks for fourth-seeded Brearley (15-9). Budis picked up his 100th strikeout this season and 300th career strikeout in the win. Jon Breunig and Anthony Orlando each went 3-4 and combined to knock in four RBI in the win. Second-seeded Verona (19-7) got a leadoff hit and only got on base twice after that all game long in the loss. Brearley will go on the road to face Midland Park in the Group 1 semifinals next week.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from Essex County:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Verona is brought to you by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Cherokee 5 Eastern 4 | South Jersey Group 4 Final
The top-seeded Chiefs fended off a late rally from the two-time defending champion Vikings to bring home its first sectional title since 2022. Cooper Burti had a lead-off home run and picked up a save in the victory. Harvard commit Brett Gable struck out 11 over six strong innings, while Steve Barbagiovanni’s RBI single in the third proved to be the difference for Cherokee (25-3). Anthony Cataldo and Vinny Milillo each hit a two-run home run in the loss for Eastern (20-7). Cherokee wins its sixth sectional title overall, and will face Central champion Hillsborough in the Group 4 state semifinals on Monday.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights + reaction from Marlton:
