JSZ hits the diamond for the first time this spring! We have a pair of top-20 matchups as #5 DePaul Catholic takes on #12 Passaic Tech, while #7 Cherokee starts its Group 4 state title defense against #13 Bishop Eustace. Plus, we saw a wild finish as Allentown and Ramapo needed extra innings to find a winner. Check back as the highlights are posted throughout the night!
Allentown 5 Ramapo 4 (8 innings)
Anthony O’Rourke delivered in extra innings with a clutch walk-off single, giving Allentown (1-0) an Opening Day win over Ramapo (0-1). In a back-and-forth matchup, Damian Porras led the Redbirds with two RBIs, while the trio of RJ Davis, John Ryel, and JJ Biuso combined for five scoreless innings in relief.
JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights + post-game reaction from Allentown:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Allentown is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Ramapo is made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
DePaul Catholic 9 Passaic Tech 5
The rivalry on the diamond between DePaul Catholic and Passaic Tech rarely disappoints and Monday’s clash was no different! The No. 5 Spartans defeated the No. 12 Bulldogs 9-5 on opening day after answering a late Tech surge with one of their own.
Down 4-1 with two outs in the top of the 6th, Tech 2B Melvin Genao unleashed an RBI triple to score Justin Brown and make it 4-2. Then, Rutgers commit Mickey Gilligan hit a two-run home run to tie it, followed by a Randis Rosario solo shot to make it 5-4.
Facing two of their batters down in the bottom half, Oklahoma commit Jason Amalbert hit an RBI single to score Mason Hinton and tie things up. Tech reliever Jack Gilligan then hit Aiden Ogando with a pitch with the bases loaded to give the Spartans the 6-5 lead. After hitting a two-run homer in the 1st, sophomore Frank Morano then hit a two-RBI single to make it 8-5. Jayden Marte added another RBI on the next at-bat.
JSZ’s Ryan Sudol has the highlights from Wayne:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of DePaul Catholic is made possible by JAG Physical Therapy.
Bishop Eustace 7 Cherokee 1
The Crusaders belted three of their four home runs in the seventh to blow things open and knock off the defending Group 4 state champions. LaSalle commit Dante Bell delivered a leadoff home run, while Richmond commit Dante Matarese, Roman Faiola, and Mason Rosenberg went yard in the victory. Chris Romeo scattered two hits while allowing one run over six strong innings for Bishop Eustace (2-0). Drew Gable hit his first career home run in the loss for Cherokee (0-1).
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights from Marlton:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Cherokee is brought to you by Kwartler Manus Personal Injury Attorneys.
