The 2022 baseball season comes to a thrilling close with four public state finals at Veterans Park in Mercer County. JSZ has all of the highlights and reaction!


Middletown North 5 Cranford 4 (8 innings) | Group 3 State Final

The Lions captured the first state title in program history with a thrilling win over the Cougars. Midd North scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice and an error to walk it off. Andrew Lombardi sparked the Lions (21-10) offense, going 2-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Seton Hall commit Colin Dowlen earned the win on the mound, going seven and a third innings. Shane Van Dam hit a home run for Cranford (25-5) in the loss.

JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story:

JSZ’s coverage of Middletown North is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center.

JSZ’s coverage of Cranford is brought to you by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.


Howell 9 Hunterdon Central 8 | Group 4 State Final

With two of their top pitchers unavailable on the injury list, the Rebels were still able to out-slug and out-duel the Red Devils en route to their first state championship. Howell (25-6) batted against Hunterdon Central (25-5) and came out on top of a seesaw battle for the Group 4 title. Howell got to Hunterdon Central ace Kyle McCoy right after Thomas Strauch clobbered a two-run home run as part of a four-run first inning. Russell Halvorsen put the Rebels in front for good in the fifth inning with a two-run single.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights and reaction:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Howell is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center southern campus in Lakewood. 

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Hunterdon Central is brought to you by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Somerville. 


Woodstown 6 New Providence 2 | Group 1 State Final

The Wolverines complete a historic journey by defeating the Pioneers to bring home its first state title since 1991. Jack Knorr led the way offensively for Woodstown (19-9), going 2-4 with a two-RBI double. Rowan commit Chase Rieger scattered three hits over five innings and allowed one run to pick up the win on the mound. Dean Licari homered in the loss from New Providence (20-9).

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction:


Ramsey vs. Haddon Heights | Group 2 State Final

Ramsey defeated Haddon Heights in a 5-2 comeback victory for the Group 2 Championship. After giving up a solo home run to Coastal Carolina commit Caden Bodine in the first, The Rams trailed 2-0 in the third. A throwing error would tie the game in the bottom of the third, Connor O’Hara would drive in two more runs on a double to give Ramsey the lead. Sophomore pitcher Will Kirk recorded a four hit, two-run complete game with 13 strike outs for  Ramsey’s first ever Group 2 Title. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and postgame reaction: