It’s sectional final Friday in New Jersey high school baseball world. JSZ takes you around the state with some incredible finishes and memorable performances from the sectional finals.


Millburn 1 Cranford 0 | North 2 Group 3 Final

This was a game neither Millburn or Cranford will forget for some time. Cranford trailed by one run in the seventh inning when, with one out, Shane VanDam flied out to shallow right field. Speedster Marcus Johnson went to tag up from third to score the tying run, but he seemingly left the base without returning his foot to the bag. After a challenge on the field, Johnson was called out and a double play ended the game. Millburn ace Daniel Cifu pitched incredibly in the victory, throwing 106 pitches and eight strikeouts in seven shutout innings against one of the state’s top offensive teams.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights and reaction from Millburn:


Middlesex 2 Point Beach 1 | Central Group 1 Final

Middlesex (20-4) captured its fourth straight Central Jersey, Group 1 Championship with a 2-1 victory over Point Beach (15-9). Locked into a tied 1-1 game in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, Anthony Long drove in the game winning run on a fielder’s choice RBI. On the mound Raiden Yost finished with five hits allowed, one earned run and five strikeouts for the Blue Jays.

JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and postgame reaction: 

Thank you to Ocean First Bank for sponsoring our Point Beach coverage. 


Middletown South 2 Marlboro 0 | Central Group 4 Final

Matt Pontari pitched a complete game six-hitter with nine strikeouts to outduel Mark Capell and give the Eagles their first sectional championship since 2011. Thomas DeMarco had an RBI single to right in the second and Will Doyle scored on an error following a double steal in the 3rd to account for all of Middletown South’s runs.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from an all Shore Conference championship game:


Clearview 3 Williamstown 1 (8 Innings) | South Group 4 Final

The Pioneers knocked off the Braves in a dramatic extra inning affair to capture its first South Jersey title since 2016. Senior Jared McKinney cleared the bases with a two RBI double in the eighth inning to give Clearview the lead. Senior Derek Boerner turned in a lights-out performance on the mound, scattering three hits over eight innings in the win for Clearview (17-6). Senior Greg Zerbe fought valiantly on the mound, striking out eight over eight innings in the loss for Williamstown (21-4).

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and interviews from Williamstown:

Coverage of Williamstown is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.


Manchester 7 Delran 5 | South Group 2 Final

With the Hawks trailing 5-4 and down to their final out, Sean McAllister blasted a three-run homer to lift 12th-seeded Manchester to an improbable sectional title. McAllister finished the day with four RBIs, while Michael Damato, Brandon Sogness and Blake Warren added RBIs as well. Kris Giangreco finished with three RBIs for the Bears (18-6) in the loss. Manchester (13-10) advances to face Voorhees in the Group 2 state semifinals.

JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and reaction from a thriller: