RFH Hopeful as It Wins Over Holmdel, 4-1

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By Jim Hintelmann
HOLMDEL – It has been a somewhat inconsistent baseball season for Rumson-Fair Haven Regional this season, but coach Kevin James is hopeful the Bulldogs (7-5) have finally put everything together.
“Some of our kids have come out late due to injuries and we really didn’t have an off-season,” James said after Monday’s 4-1 A Division Central win over Holmdel.
“We’re trying to get better every day. We’re finally putting the pieces together and are moving toward our peak. The kids are working hard, but we haven’t got there yet.”
The pitching of senior Shane McCarthy, coupled with some timely hitting by junior Morgan Maguire, who went 3 for 3 and scored two runs, and Max Goione, who knocked in two more runs set the pace for Rumson.

Winning pitcher Shane McCarthy winds up as he is about to deliver a fastball. He ended the game with a two hitter, striking out six batters and walking two.
Winning pitcher Shane McCarthy winds up as he is about to deliver a fastball. He ended the game with a two hitter, striking out six batters and walking two.

McCarthy, who will be pitching for Seton Hall University next season, tossed a two-hitter, struck out six and walked just two batters.
“McCarthy is a tremendous competitor and is one of the best that I have ever had,” James said. “When he gets the ball, he wants to go all seven innings. He didn’t have his best stuff today, but he still pitched a two-hitter and got the job done. He is a pleasure to coach.”
Rumson took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Goione’s sacrifice fly, but Holmdel tied it in its half of the first when Ashwin Jain walked, stole second and scored on an infield out.
McCarthy, however, settled down and had only one bad inning. That came in the sixth when Jain walked and Will Van Name singled with one out. Then McCarthy retired D.J. Goins on a pop to third and Joe Sadler on a grounder to first.
Rumson broke the tie in the fifth when McGuire singled, stole second and came home on Goione’s double.
Chase Caruso’s RBI single made it 3-1 in the sixth, and the Bulldogs added another insurance run in the seventh when Maguire doubled and John Culligan singled him in.
“The fastball was my best pitch early,” McCarthy said. “Later in the game, I came back with the curve, but the two-seam fastball has been my best pitch this season.
“I chose Seton Hall because they have a great coaching staff and they play in the Big East. I’m going to enjoy it there,” he said.