By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIPÂ – Middletown North and Mater Dei Prep captured first round Baseball Tournament Saturday.
Middletown North, which has been on a roll since dropping a tough 1-0 decision to Christian Brothers Academy and ace pitcher Luca Dalatri several weeks ago, topped Red Bank Regional 4-1, to run its win streak to seven. The streak was snapped Monday with a loss to Brick Township but the Lions rebounded Tuesday with a 6-2 victory over CBA.
Mater Dei, meanwhile, seeded 21st in the tournament, rallied with eight runs in the final two innings to upset No. 12 St. John Vianney, 8-4.
Winning pitcher Mike Mercier worked the first five inning in impressive fashion for North, allowing just three hits, fanning out seven and walking three one for the lions (7-4). He also had the game’s big hit, a two-run single in the second inning.
“The slider was my best pitch today,” said Mercier. “It’s been my out pitch all season.”
“Mercier did a great job, ” said North coach Justine Nathanson. ” He was throwing strikes and had a good command. I’m proud of him. He also had that big hit for us.
“The team has been playing very well,” he said. “The pitchers are doing well, the defense has been making the plays and the hitters are putting the ball in play, which is all we want.”
North’s biggest inning was the third when it scored three runs off losing pitcher Nick Massa, who otherwise pitched a solid game.
One-out infield hit by Seth Ziegler, Garrett French and Brendan Doherty loaded the bases. Massa got a strikeout, but Mercier lined a two-run single to right-center to get all the runs he would need.
“It was a fastball on the outside corner,” said Mercier. “I was looking for it and got my bat on it. I’ve been hitting pretty well this season.”
“Doherty and Kevin Capo have been hitting very well.” said Nathanson. “Tyler Ras (who lost the 1-0 game to CBA) has been our best pitcher.”
North scored its other run in the third when catcher Walt Schopf walked and later scored on a RBI single by French.
Red Bank tallied its lone run in the fourth inning. A walk to Aiden Kelly and Singles by Matt Santos and Massa loaded the bases with nobody out.
John Juco hit a fly to Ras in center field and his throw home had Kelly beat, but Kelly knocked the ball out of Schopf’s glove and scored. Following a strikeout, Red Bank’s Dan Wagner hit a liner to left field, but Cody Sharkey made a diving catch to prevent a bigger inning.
Red Bank has been experiencing a tough season with a 3-9 record, but coach Nick Tucker is hopeful.
“We’ve had some tough losses this season, ” Tucker admitted. “The kids are fighting and playing hard, however, that is all I can ask for.”
North will play top-seeded and defending champion CBA in the next round Friday.
Trailing SJV 4-0 and being held hitless until the fifth inning, Mater Dei scored three runs in the sixth inning and then won the game with a five-run seventh.
Cole Hardy provided the big hits for the Seraphs with a two-run single in the sixth and a three-run homer in the seventh. Joe Ruth added a two-run double.
Winning pitcher Matt Paciulli struck out two and walked four for Mater Dei, who will play the next round at Middletown South Saturday
