Highlights and post-game reaction of Shore Regional’s 7-1 win over Ridgefield in the Group 1 state championship in Toms River

Matt Cosentino went the distance on three days rest and belted a two run home run in his final high school at-bat to help Shore Regional score a 7-1 win over Ridgefield in the Group 1 high school baseball state championship at Toms River South High School.  Cosentino, who pitched a complete game shutout against Pennsville on Tuesday at Monmouth University, gave up one run and struck out nine over seven innings.

The Blue Devils got on the board in the top of the 3rd with James Kelly delivering a 2-out double to right center field scoring Clayton Coffey.  In the bottom of the frame, Cosentino made a diving catch between the pitchers mound and second base on a shallow pop up that resulted in a double play.  Cosentino also helped himself with a pickoff earlier in the game.

In the 4th, Shore made it 2-0 after Sam Parrino won a long at bat with an RBi single.  The Blue Devils added one more run on a fielders choice to end the 4th inning.  Ridgefield’s only run came on a Jordan Neira RBi single in the fourth.  Shore catcher Nick Blaney added a sacrifice fly and then Cosentino put the game away with a two run homer that went off the top of the building at Ken Frank Stadium in right centerfield.

Cosentino, who will play college baseball at George Washington University, closed out his career in grand style – a home run in his last high school at-bat and his final pitch in a Blue Devils uniform a strikeout to give the Blue Devils a Group 1 state championship.

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