It’s time to crown public school sectional champions! JSZ has a five-pack of games from all over the state as titles are handed out to the best teams remaining in the state playoffs.
Millburn 7 North Hunterdon 0 | North 2 Group 3 Final
Just hours before first pitch, Steven Echavarria was notified he had won the 2023 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year. He didn’t let it get to his head and pitched another gem for the Millers as they captured a one-sided win. Echavarria tossed 6.1 scoreless inning with eight strikeouts to lead top-seeded Millburn (27-3) to their second sectional title in the last three seasons. Matthew Weiner’s two-run triple and Alex Wilson RBI double powered the offense. Sixth-seeded North Hunterdon (18-7) earned a spot in the sectional final by defeating Cranford earlier this week – however, they were held to only three hits in the loss.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights and reaction from Millburn:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Millburn is brought to you by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Mainland 6 Delsea 4 | South Group 3 Final
Jack Haines hit a bases-clearing double to give the Mustangs the lead in the fifth inning, as Mainland captured its first sectional title since 2015. Cohen Cook went the distance on the mound, earning his second win of the playoffs. The ninth-seeded Stangs (13-13) entered the postseason four games under .500, but are catching fire when it counts. Austin Buchanan had an RBI single for the second-seeded Crusaders (20-7) in the loss.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and interviews:
Buena 8 Audubon 4 | South Group 1 Final
There were plenty of early fireworks to open the game until the Chiefs exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to propel them to their first South Jersey Group 1 title since 2014. Ryley Betts, Tre Carano, and Vinny Dalponte drove in runs during the momentum-shifting fourth inning. Goldey-Beacom commit Joey Kurtz picked up the win, striking out eight over six innings for top-seeded Buena (26-3). Sacred Heart football commit Scott Lynch drove in a pair of runs in the loss for second-seeded Audubon (20-8).
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and post-game reaction from Buena:
Bayonne 9 Bridgewater-Raritan 2 | North 2 Group 4 Final
(5) Bayonne defeated (2) Bridgewater-Raritan 9-2 to capture their first North 2, Group 4 Championship since 2002. A solo home run from Justin Hoffman in the second inning would get the afternoon started for Bayonne offensively as the Bees would add six runs in the fourth to lead 7-0. Senior Braylin Terrero bashed his second home run of the day in the fifth inning as Terrero finished with three RBI’s. Bayonne will take on Ridgewood in the next round.
JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and postgame reaction from Bridgewater:
Thank you to Princeton Orthopedic Associates for sponsoring our Bridgewater-Raritan coverage.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Bayonne is brought to you by Jersey City Medical Center.
Rumson-Fair Haven 8 Spotswood 3 | Central Group 2 Final
The Bulldogs scored three runs in the first inning and scored single runs in every other frame to make it back to back Central Jersey Group 2 titles. Parker Shenman led the 12-hit attack going 4 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Jackson Hinchliffe came on in relief of starter John Goodes and pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Owen O’Toole and Matt Bruno followed Hinchliffe to wrap up the win. RFH will host Seneca on Monday in the state semifinals.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Rumson:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Rumson-Fair Haven is brought to you by Mario Venancio of Berkshire Hathaway, Fox&Roach Realtors
