The state playoffs got underway in high school baseball as JSZ brings you a trio of first round matchups. Check back as the highlights are posted throughout the night!

Rutherford 7 Becton 1 | North 2 Group 2 First Round

Chris Gioia’s monster day at the plate and on the base paths led the Bulldogs to a win against their Bergen County neighbors. Gioia went 2-2 with a triple, two RBI, two walks, three runs and four stolen bases to power fifth-seeded Rutherford (18-7) into the sectional quarterfinals. Andrew Erickson pitched a complete game two-hitter with no earned runs and eight strikeouts on the mound. Twelfth-seeded Becton (13-13) has their season come to an end. Rutherford will go on the road Thursday to face West Morris in the next round.

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

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Rutherford is made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

Bordentown 13 Delran 0 (5 Innings) | Central Jersey Group 2 First Round

The fourteenth-seeded Scotties seized control with an eight-run first inning as they rolled past the third-seeded Bears for a decisive first round victory. Delaware commit Luke Guire finished with a home run, two doubles, and 4 RBIs, while Andrew Forster drove in a pair of runs to lead the way offensively. La Salle commit Connor Collora tossed a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for Bordentown (14-11). The Scotties will face eleventh-seeded Allentown in the Central Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals on Thursday.

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights from Delran:

Robbinsville 2 Holmdel 0 | Central Jersey Group 2 First Round

Pitt commit Tyler Bunnell started on the mound for the Ravens and delivered another dominant performance—until he simply couldn’t go any longer. The junior right-hander pitched 6.1 innings, allowing just three hits and striking out 11 in the Ravens 2–0 first-round win. Bunnell has now struck out eight or more batters in eight consecutive starts and lowered his season ERA to an impressive 1.19 Second-seeded Robbinsville (16-5-1) shut out fifteenth-seeded Holmdel (14-9) and will face seventh-seeded Manasquan in the quarterfinals.

JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights from Robbinsville: