Who’s headed to Veteran’s Park in Hamilton to compete for state championships? We take a tour around the state and have highlights from four games to see which teams are making it to the final game. Stay tuned as all of our coverage comes in!

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Westfield 4 Passaic Tech 1 | Group 4 State Semifinal

Grant Como’s incredible day on the mound sends the Blue Devils to Mercer County as they eye their first-ever baseball state championship. Como hurled a complete game on 109 pitches – one below the state-mandated limit – and piled up 10 strikeouts along the way as Westfield (20-6) stifled a dangerous Bulldog lineup. Westfield carried a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning when first baseman Braedan Trajkovski clobbered a two-run home run, giving the Blue Devils some late insurance. Como retired the final 10 batters to finish the job. Passaic Tech (24-7) had one of the best seasons in program history come to a close in the loss – the Bulldogs won a Passaic County championship and also won their first-ever sectional title last week. Westfield will face Cherokee in the Group 4 state final at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14th at Veteran’s Park in Hamilton.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Wayne:

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Northern Burlington 11 Toms River East 0 (5 Innings) | Group 3 State Semifinal

Rowan commit Luca Mannino tossed a five inning no-hitter with ten strikeouts as the Greyhounds reached the Group 3 state final for the first time since 2015. Rutgers commit Cole Marchetti, Liam Velit, and Brent Walulak homered in the victory for Central champion Northern Burlington (27-2). Toms River East (20-7) has a great season end on the road and was seeking its first state final appearance since 2001. Northern Burlington will face Morris Knolls for the Group 3 state title on Saturday at 7 pm at Veteran’s Park.

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Columbus:

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Middlesex 4 Schalick 3 (8 Innings) | Group 1 Semifinal

Dalton Michael’s pinch hit single to left field plated Marcus Lavornia with the game winning run to give the Blue Jays a spot in the Group 1 state championship.  Schalick traveled 96 miles and brought along a bus load of fans.  The Cougars (22-3) took a 3-1 lead in the third with pitcher Jamari Whitley breaking the tie with a two run double.  Middlesex (22-5) answered back with two runs in the bottom of the third setting up the late innings drama.  In the 8th, Lavornia hit a 2-out double setting the stage for Michael, who got his second walk off of the season. Chris Kozak pitched 7.1 innings turning things over to Dominic Long who got two strikeouts in the top of the eigth inning.   Middlesex will face Midland Park for the Group 1 state championship on Saturday.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Middlesex:

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Cherokee 11 Hillsborough 0 (5 Innings) | Group 4 State Semifinal

It’s been a long 40-year wait for Cherokee to make it back to a state final in baseball. The Chiefs are having their best season in recent memory and have reached the state championship game for the first time since 1985. Mason Kelleher launched two home runs, accounting for five runs, while Brett Jackson clobbered his eighth long-ball of the season. Rutgers commit Henry Radbill started the day and finished the game on the bump, throwing five innings of one-hit ball while striking out eight. Hillsborough’s (14-11) season ends after winning a sectional title as the nine-seed. Cherokee (26-3) will clash with Westfield for the Group 4 State Championship on Saturday.

JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights from Hillsborough: 

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