Saturday featured a ton of big games all over the state. We have highlights from two extra-inning conference tournament championships, the semifinals from the Diamond Classic and one of NJ’s aces slinging in the Shore Conference. Catch all the action now with your JSZ All-Access Pass!
Millburn 6 Seton Hall Prep 5 (11 Innings) | Greater Newark Tournament Final
Copeland Culp’s clutch gene shined through at the right time in the bottom of the 11th inning. Staring down a 3-2 count with two outs, Culp blasted one down the third baseline for what would become a walk-off RBI double to win the GNT final. Millburn, the tournament’s top-seed, won their first conference championship since all the way back in 1984. The three-plus hour long game featured a hot start from the Pirates, a five-run fifth inning courtesy of the Millers and tons of great pitching in between.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has every twist, turn and interview from Yogi Berra Stadium at Montclair State University:
Hopewell Valley 6 Steinert 3 (8 Innings) | Colonial Valley Conference Final
(5) Hopewell Valley (10-8) defeated (2) Steinert (13-5) 6-3 in an extra innings thriller for the CVC Tournament title. Dylan Eng drove in a run for Hopewell in the second as the Bulldogs would eventually take a 3-0 lead. However Steinert, rallying late, would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Joe Glori. In the eighth inning while still knotted, Dylan Eng belted a three-run home run for the eventual game winning score.
JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and postgame reaction from Hamilton:
Thank you to Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for sponsoring both our Hopewell Valley and Steinert coverage.
Bishop Eustace 9 Gloucester Catholic 1 | Diamond Classic Semifinal
The Crusaders broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning, exploding for eight runs in the frame to punch a ticket to the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic title game. Rutgers commit Danny Kerr went the distance on the mound for Eustace, striking out eight in the win. Sebastian Pisacreta hit a home run, while Christian Ovecka and Raff Rogers each drove in a pair of runs for the Crusaders (18-0). Eustace advances to face Williamstown in the final on Wednesday night. Jeremy Wolf drove in the only run of the game for the Rams (17-2)
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and reaction from Pennsauken:
Coverage of Gloucester Catholic is made possible by NJM Insurance.
Williamstown 5 Cherokee 3 | Diamond Classic Semifinal
The Braves are on fire at the right time, knocking off the Chiefs to reach the finals of the Diamond Classic. Williamstown (16-2) got off to another hot start, plating three in the first inning with RBIs from Chris Montone, Bobby DiDonato, and Matt McIntire. Montone also got the win on the mound, scattering six hits over six solid innings. Williamstown advances to face top-seed Bishop Eustace in the finals on Wednesday night in Pitman. Dylan Cruice and Zach Weiner each knocked in a run in the loss for Cherokee (13-5).
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Marlton:
Coverage of Williamstown is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.
Red Bank Catholic 12 Wall 2 (5 innings) | Shore Conference Tournament Quarterfinal
The Caseys erupted for 10 runs in the first three innings to back ace Shane Panzini and earn a spot in the SCT semis. Alex Stanyek had 4 RBI’s, Nico Gonzalez went 3-3 and Sean Ettore had back to back RBI singles in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Panzini struck out seven over five innings giving up 2 runs. His ERA stands at 1.38 on the season. The defending champions travel to #2 seed Manalapan this Wednesday looking to return to the title game. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from Red Bank:
