Highlights, pictures and post-game reaction of Jersey Shore’s 2-0 win over Burlington at the Phillies Citizens Bank Park

PHILADELPHIA – Tom River South’s Russell Messler was responsible for both runs and four hurlers combined on a complete game shutout to give the Jersey Shore a 2-0 win over Burlington in the Carpenter Cup championship game at Citizens Bank Park.  The 16 team tournament hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies saw the Shore outscore their opponents 31-4 on their way to the title coached by Ocean Township’s Cip Apicelli.

Messler smashed a double to left to lead off the fourth inning and would score on a passed ball.  In the 5th, he drove in the game’s final run with a deep line drive to centerfield that scored Colts Neck first baseman Tyler Kapuscinski.

The Jersey Shore pitching staff had a sparkling 0.77 ERA in 35 innings of work, striking out 41 batters and walking only 9.  In the title game, Brick Township’s Evan Lobato started off with three shutout innings striking out 5, followed by Howell’s Ryan Wares who had three goose eggs of his own.  Jason Groome, the Barnegat sophomore who pitched three shutout frames in the Jersey Shore’s semifinal win over Delaware County, came on to get Burlington out in the 7th and 8th innings.  Jackson Liberty’s Dan Serreino allowed two base runners before getting a strikeout to end the game.

This is the fourth time the Jersey Shore has won the Carpenter Cup, their first since 2010.  Groome had an ERA of 0.00 in the tournament and led the way with 13 strikeouts.  Wares also had a perfect 0.00 ERA.  Serreino picked up saves in the semifinal and finals.  RBC’s Matt Kurdewan led the tournament with 5 RIB