Open Mike

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

2013-05-16T01:05:00.000-04:00

(Through games on May 15)

Skyland Conference

Delaware Division
	Overall	Division
Montgomery	(17-4)	(10-3)
Watchung Hills	(17-5)	(8-4)
Bridgewater-Raritan	(17-8)	(7-5)
North Hunterdon	(13-9)	(7-5)
Hunterdon Central	(15-8)	(7-6)
Immaculata	(12-9)	(6-6)
Hillsborough	(9-11)	(4-9)
Phillipsburg	(7-17)	(1-12)

Raritan Division
	Overall	Division
y-Somerville	(12-8)	(9-1)
Ridge	(13-7)	(8-1)
Warren Hills	(10-13)	(4-5)
Delaware Valley	(7-12)	(4-6)
Voorhees	(5-14)	(3-7)
Franklin	(3-14)	(1-9)

Valley Division
	Overall	Division
xz-Bernards	(18-4)	(12-1)
Pingry	(15-7)	(9-3)
Gill St. Bernard's	(12-12)	(10-4)
North Plainfield	(7-11)	(6-6)
Belvidere	(9-12)	(5-8)
South Hunterdon	(6-12)	(5-9)
Bound Brook	(6-13)	(4-9)
Manville	(3-14)	(1-12)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Freedom Division
	Overall		Division
x-Newton	(15-6)		(13-1)
Jefferson	(18-8)		(10-4)
North Warren	(10-9)		(8-5)
Lenape Valley	(12-9)		(7-7)
Wallkill Valley	(8-11)		(7-7)
Hackettstown	(8-12)		(5-8)
Kittatinny	(6-13)		(4-10)
Hopatcong	(2-22)		(1-13)

American Division
	Overall		Division
Sparta	(14-8-1)		(10-3-1)
Montville	(16-6)		(10-3)
Pope John	(12-10)		(7-6)
Morris Hills	(14-9-2)		(5-5-2)
Morris Knolls	(7-14-2)		(5-6-2)
Mount Olive	(13-10-1)		(5-6-1)
Vernon	(11-10)		(5-8)
High Point	(5-14)		(2-12)

x-division champion
y-clinched share of division title
z-county champion

Baseball: Despite loss, Vernon enjoying turnaround

2013-05-14T23:40:00.000-04:00

Vernon's baseball team was in a tough spot on Tuesday.

Approximately 24 hours after earning one of the biggest wins in program history, the Vikings were back on the field facing a good opponent with its ace on the mound.

Undaunted, Vernon regrouped from a shaky start and had the go-ahead runs on base in the seventh, but came up short in a 3-2 loss to Morris Hills in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference American Division clash at Vernon Township High School.

Vernon (11-9 overall, 5-7 division) saw its four-game win streak snapped with the loss, which by all accounts was relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Coach Scott Berge's Vikings were still riding high from Monday's 3-1 win in eight innings against North Hunterdon in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals -- vaulting them into the county championship game for the first time in school history.

"We knew what we were up against today," said Berge, whose team is just the third Sussex County program to play for the HWS title in the tourney's four-year history. "We got down early, but we didn't panic. I'll put my nine guys against anyone else's nine guys."

After a 2-6 start, the Vikings have won nine of 12 seven of their last nine. As a No. 6 seed in the county tournament, not many figured Vernon to make a championship run.

"Our bats really came around and we started to string hits together," said senior catcher/pitcher Kevin Berge, who is nursing an injured right knee and did not play on Tuesday. "We have a lot of confidence. We started to believe we can beat any team."

Morris Hills (13-9-2, 4-5-2) sent its No. 1 pitcher, Colton Fergus, to the hill and the right-hander didn't disappoint. Fergus worked seven strong innings, scattering eight hits and allowing two runs with two walks and seven strikeouts. Not a hard thrower by any means, but Fergus had all four of his pitches working and retired seven in a row until running into a jam in the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman right fielder Zac Moen and junior shortstop Mike Harboy delivered back-to-back singles with one out to put the Vikings in business. That brought No. 3 hitter Kevin Ufferfilge to the plate with Moen representing the potential tying run at second. Ufferfilge, who had struck out twice in three previous at-bats, hit a screaming liner to second, but it landed right into the glove of Morris Hills' Bryan Healy, who alertly tagged second base to double off Moen and end the game.

"Two feet to the left and we score a run there," Scott Berge said.

Right-hander Anthony Germinario gave Vernon a solid effort in the loss. After being tagged for three runs on four hits in the first two innings, Germinario, the Vikes' No. 3 starter, settled down nicely and allowed only four hits -- one in each of the next four innings -- the rest of the way. He struck out seven and walked two.

With games against Montville (Wednesday) and Newark Tech (Friday) on tap, saving available arms was a plus for the Vikes.

Morris Hills struck for two runs in the first, thanks in part to a Vernon error. A leadoff walk to Fergus and a double by Adam Katz put runners on second and third. Fergus scored on the error, while Katz crossed as Vernon turned a 6-4-3 double play. Two more singles for the Knights went for naught, as Germinario got left fielder Bryan Mulligan to line out to second for the final out.

In the second, Fergus crushed a fastball over the left-field fence for a solo homer and a 3-0 lead.

After managing just two hits through three innings, Vernon broke through for its runs in the fourth. Ryan Duvall led off with a single, followed by a groundout and strikeout. That left Germinario to help himself, as he singled through the left side to plate Duvall. An error on the throw home allowed Germinario to move up 90 feet, and he came around on Keenan's single to the left-center-field gap.

Moen kept the rally going with a single -- the first of his two hits -- to put runners at first and second. But Fergus got Harboy to hit into a fielder's choice to end the threat. Vernon also squandered a leadoff walk in the third and had two runners on with two outs in the second. Harboy, who also had two hits for the Vikings, doubled with one out in the first and moved to third on a wild pitch, but was left stranded as Ufferfilge and Chris Pontus -- the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters -- struck out and grounded out.

"We had a bunch of scoring opportunities, but you tip your hat to [Fergus]," Scott Berge said. "He's a very good pitcher. He was throwing his fastball for strikes. He put his slider over and he had a 12 to 6 curveball. He's the total package."

Duvall, who went 1-for-3 with a run scored, agreed with his coach's assessment of Fergus.

"He's a really good pitcher," said Duvall, Vernon's No. 1 pitcher and starting second baseman. "We weren't stringing hits and he had a nice changeup behind in the count, too."

Vernon could help out a fellow Sussex County team with a win over Montville, which is battling Sparta for the American Division title. The Spartans dropped to 9-3-1 in the division with Tuesday's 5-2 loss at home to Montville, which is 9-3 in the division.

Sparta closes its league slate at Morris Knolls on Wednesday, while Montville finishes up against Vernon and Morris Knolls on May 22.

MORRIS HILLS (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Fergus p 2-1-1-1, Gaeb cr 0-1-0-0, Katz 1b 4-1-1-0, Deluccia dh/Hopkins rf 4-0-0-1, Walls ss 3-0-2-0, Valerio c 3-0-1-0, Trinidad cr 0-0-0-0, Healy 2b 3-0-1-0, Mulligan lf 3-0-1-0, Toohey cf 3-0-0-0, Gribbons 3b 3-0-1-0. Totals: 28-3-8-2.

VERNON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Moen rf 3-0-2-0, Harboy ss 4-0-2-0, Ufferfilge lf 4-0-0-0, Pontus cf 3-0-0-0, Duvall 2b 3-1-1-0, Lipari 3b 3-0-0-0, Baxter 1b 3-0-1-0, Germinario p 2-0-1-1, Vitellaro cr 0-1-0-0, Keenan c 3-0-1-1. Totals: 28-2-8-2.

Morris Hills (13-9-2, 4-5-2) 210 000 -- 3 8 1

Vernon (11-9, 5-7) 000 200 -- 2 8 2

E -- Fergus; Lipari 2. DP -- Morris Hills 1 (Healy, 7th inning); Vernon 1 (Harboy-Duvall-Baxter, 1st inning). LOB -- Morris Hills 6; Vernon 7. 2B -- Katz, Walls; Harboy. 3B -- Walls. HR -- Fergus (2nd inning off Germinario, none on, 2 out). SB -- Mulligan, Valerio. CS -- Walls, Gribbons.

Fergus and Valerio. Germinario and Keenan. W -- Fergus (4-3). L -- Germinario (2-2). SO-BB -- Fergus 7-2; Germinario 7-2. WP -- Fergus.

Baseball: Devils Red-hot entering HWS semifinals

2013-05-10T00:02:00.001-04:00

In the brief four-year history of the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament, the latter third of this event has been pretty much a non-factor when the field is down to the Final Four.

This year, it's markedly different with two Sussex County schools representing for the first time, as underdog Vernon and No. 1 seed Sparta are among Saturday's semifinalists.

Sparta (12-6-1), which had won four straight before Monday's 5-2 loss to Pope John, is making its second semis appearance -- reaching the title game in 2010. Coach Sam Slobodzian's team gets a rematch against Hunterdon Central, which won its only title that first tournament with a 10-0 thumping of the Spartans.

The Red Devils (13-8) are making their fourth straight appearance in the semifinals, and despite being a No. 2 seed, coach Mike Raymond's club is the hottest team in three counties coming into this weekend's action. Central has won four in a row (beating Phillipsburg, 5-3, on Thursday) and seven of its last eight.

Vernon (9-8) is also on a major roll of late, winning five of six and seven of its last nine since a forgettable 2-6 start. As a No. 6 seed, coach Scott Berge's Vikings are a dangerous opponent and playing with house money. They'll travel to No. 1 North Hunterdon (12-8) in the other semifinal showdown.

Both games are slated for 2 p.m. starts.

Here's a closer look at the semifinal matchups (seeds precede teams).

6B-Vernon (9-8) at 1A-North Hunterdon (12-8) -- Vernon is the hottest team in Sussex County, beating Newton twice last week, including last Saturday's 6-2 win in the quarters. Junior Mike Harboy is on a tear at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in Monday's win over Mount Olive. Right-hander Kevin Berge struck out 10 in that one, but senior Ryan Duvall, who Scott Berge says has great stuff, will make the start against the Lions. On the other side, North Hunterdon is making its third straight semifinals appearance, but has never been to the championship game. Seniors Justin Trinity (3-2) and Tyler Smith (3-2) have been an effective 1-2 punch on the mound, while senior first baseman Mike Ragozine continues to rake, belting a homer in Tuesday's win over Hillsborough. Sophomore Tom Schumacher also went deep in that one.

Coaches: Scott Berge (37-65, fifth season); Mike Kane (24-24, second season).

All-time HWS records: Vernon 2-3; North Hunterdon 7-3.

How they got here: Vernon beat North Warren, 7-3, in first round and Newton, 6-2, in quarterfinals. North Hunterdon defeated Kittatinny, 14-4, in first round and Delaware Valley, 6-5 in quarterfinals.

The Pick: North Hunterdon, 5-3.

2A-Hunterdon Central (13-8) at 1B-Sparta (12-6-1) -- After a rare shaky start to its season, Central has righted the ship and once again looks like the team to beat. The Red Devils already have three wins this week, outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 25-5. Sophomore second baseman Brett McManus is absolutely unconscious at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two doubles and three RBIs on Monday at Voorhees and 2-for-3 with a solo homer in Thursday's win over Phillipsburg. He entered the P'burg game batting .436 (24-for-55) with 18 runs scored and 17 RBIs. Freshman third baseman Matt Toke has five RBIs this week, raising his season total to 14. Outfielder Geggie Russomagno (.351) hit his first homer on Thursday. Ace Billy Maier (3-2, 2.79 ERA) will start this one. He got the win in the quarterfinals against Pope John with five K's last Saturday. Sparta features a balanced lineup with outfielder Thomas Ruddy (.475), second baseman Austin Unglaub (.397) and outfielder Jon-Karl Widuch (.315) pacing the offense. On the mound, ace Kevin Foulds (6-0, 1.20 ERA) has been impressive, striking out 11 in a first-round win over Voorhees.

Coaches: Mike Raymond (260-97, 13th season); Sam Slobodzian (263-168-3, 17th season).

All-time HWS records: Hunterdon Central 12-2; Sparta 7-3.

How they got here: Hunterdon Central beat High Point, 5-4, in first round and Pope John, 4-2, in quarterfinals; Sparta defeated Voorhees, 10-3, in first round and Wallkill Valley, 10-4, in quarterfinals.

The Pick: Hunterdon Central, 4-2.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

2013-05-09T03:20:00.001-04:00

(Through games on May 8)

Skyland Conference

Delaware Division
	Overall	Division
Montgomery	(14-2)	(9-2)
Watchung Hills	(16-4)	(7-4)
Bridgewater-Raritan	(15-8)	(6-5)
North Hunterdon	(12-8)	(6-5)
Immaculata	(9-7)	(6-5)
Hunterdon Central	(12-8)	(5-6)
Hillsborough	(9-9)	(4-7)
Phillipsburg	(6-15)	(1-10)

Raritan Division
	Overall	Division
Somerville	(12-6)	(9-1)
Ridge	(11-6)	(8-1)
Warren Hills	(8-12)	(4-5)
Delaware Valley	(6-11)	(4-6)
Voorhees	(4-12)	(3-7)
Franklin	(2-14)	(1-9)

Valley Division
	Overall	Division
x-Bernards	(15-3)	(11-1)
Pingry	(12-6)	(8-3)
Gill St. Bernard's	(11-9)	(8-3)
North Plainfield	(6-10)	(5-5)
Belvidere	(9-10)	(5-7)
South Hunterdon	(6-10)	(5-7)
Bound Brook	(5-12)	(3-9)
Manville	(2-13)	(1-11)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Freedom Division
	Overall	Division
Newton	(12-5)	(10-1)
Jefferson	(15-7)	(8-3)
North Warren	(8-8)	(7-4)
Wallkill Valley	(7-8)	(6-4)
Hackettstown	(7-10)	(5-6)
Lenape Valley	(9-8)	(4-6)
Kittatinny	(4-12)	(2-9)
Hopatcong	(2-18)	(1-10)

American Division
	Overall	Division
Sparta	(12-6-1)	(8-2-1)
Montville	(12-6)	(8-3)
Morris Knolls	(7-11-2)	(5-4-2)
Mount Olive	(11-9-1)	(4-5-1)
Morris Hills	(12-9-2)	(3-5-2)
Vernon	(9-8)	(5-6)
Pope John	(10-10)	(5-6)
High Point	(5-11)	(2-9)

x-clinched share of division title

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

2013-05-06T17:18:00.000-04:00

We're down to the Final Four in the fourth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

No surprise that North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central are still standing, along with Sparta. However, Vernon stunned everyone with its second win in six days over Newton, 6-2, in Saturday's quarterfinals to give Sussex County two representatives in the semis for the first time in tournament history.

The Vikings are shaking things up on the field and in the Open Mike rankings, which continue to realign with each parity-filled week.

We will take a closer look at both semifinal games later in the week. Meanwhile, both Newton and Sparta are looking to claim at least shares of NJAC division titles in the coming days.

Newton (9-1 division) owns a two-game lead over Jefferson (7-3) and North Warren (7-3) in the Freedom, so the Braves can win the title outright with wins over both, starting with the Patriots today. Newton hosts Jefferson on Wednesday at Memory Park.

Sparta (8-1-1 division), which has American Division games with Pope John today and at High Point on Wednesday, is two games up on Montville (7-3) in the loss column with four to league games to play entering this week.

Now onto the rankings:

1. Sparta (12-5-1) -- Spartans rise to the top spot for the first time this season after a 3-0 week, including a 10-4 win over Wallkill Valley in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex quarterfinals on Friday. Coach Sam Slobodzian's club also beat Morris Hills (4-0 on Tuesday) and Morris Catholic (7-1 on Wednesday). Outfielders Thomas Ruddy and Jon-Karl Widuch doubled to help junior pitcher Nick Shlala get the win over Wallkill Valley. Ruddy went 3-for-5 , while second baseman Austin Unglaub finished 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs against Morris Catholic. Spartans will look to earn their first finals appearance in the HWS Tournament against 2010 champion Hunterdon Central, which beat Sparta, 10-0, for the title that year.

Up next: at Pope John on Monday; at High Point on Wednesday; Mendham at home on Friday; Hunterdon Central at home on Saturday in HWS semifinals.

2. Hunterdon Central (10-8) -- Red Devils keep rolling along and are very much in play for their second HWS title in four years. Coach Mike Raymond's team advanced to its fourth straight semifinal with Saturday's 4-2 win over Pope John in the quarterfinals. Sophomore infielder Brett McManus stayed red-hot at the plate -- going 2-for-3 with an RBI in the win. Freshman Matt Toke was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while ace Billy Maier (3-2) struck out five for the win. Central opened the week with a 7-5 win over previous No. 1 North Hunterdon, avenging a 12-6 loss when the teams met on April 4. McManus went 4-for-4 with an RBI in the rematch, while Toke homered. McManus also drove in the lone run in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Immaculata in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division showdown.

Up next: at Voorhees on Monday; Montgomery at home on Tuesday; Phillipsburg at home on Thursday; at Sparta on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

3. North Hunterdon (11-7) -- Lions dropped out of the top spot for the first time this season following a 7-5 loss to Hunterdon Central last Tuesday. Coach Mike Kane's club has stumbled, losing three of its last four coming into this week. The good news is that the Lions advanced to the HWS semifinals with Saturday's 6-5 come-from-behind win over Delaware Valley. A four-run bottom of the fifth tied it, before senior second baseman Robbie Young doubled for the go-ahead run in the sixth. Junior shortstop Marc Monks belted a two-run homer, while junior Quentin Klein (3-0) got the win on the mound. Against Central, senior first baseman Mike Ragozine went 2-for-3 with a double.

Up next: South Plainfield at home on Monday; Hillsborough at home on Tuesday; at Watchung Hills on Thursday; Vernon at home on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

4. Vernon (8-8) -- Vikings on the rise following two wins over previous No. 2 Newton last week, including a 6-2 win in the HWS quarterfinals on Saturday. Coach Scott Berge's team, which won in its first quarterfinal appearance, travels to No. 3 North Hunterdon for Saturday's semifinals. The week started with a 6-5 win at home against Newton last Monday, followed by a 3-0 win over High Point on Tuesday. In Monday's game, senior Ryan Duvall went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while junior Mike Harboy finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Senior Michael Franklin got the win on the mound.

Up next: at Mount Olive on Monday; Pope John at home on Wednesday; at Snyder on Friday; at North Hunterdon on Saturday in the HWS semifinals.

5. Newton (11-5) -- Braves' 9-1 start seems so long ago after a pair of losses to Vernon last week, including a 6-2 defeat in the HWS quarterfinals on Saturday at venerable Memory Park, which has crisp new bleachers. Coach John Selitto's team, which also lost to 10-5 to Blair Academy on Friday, is lacking the quality pitching it was getting in the first half of the season. Selitto elected to save lefty Nick Grant for today's conference game at North Warren, as the Braves can clinch the NJAC Freedom Division title with wins over the Patriots and Jefferson (Wednesday). Center fielder Ben Cramer continues to rake -- going 2-for-4 with a double and triple against Blair and 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in an 8-6 win over Lenape Valley. Shortstop Jon Bernotas is 5-for-6 in his last two games.

Up next: at North Warren on Monday; Jefferson at home on Wednesday.

6. Pope John (9-10) -- Lions' roller-coaster ride continued last week with three straight losses -- 7-1 to Montville, 4-3 to Delbarton and 4-2 at Hunterdon Central on Saturday in the HWS quarterfinals. Coach Vin Bello's team, amazingly, drops under .500 for the first time since 2006. Senior first baseman Rob Sanders collected three RBIs last week, two in the Delbarton loss. Axel D'Addario went 2-for-4 in that one and doubled against Hunterdon Central. Center fielder Mike Young went 3-for-4 with an RBI against Central. Dan Cunico (2-2) and Ethan Collins (3-2) took the losses against Delby and Central, respectively.

Up next: Sparta at home on Monday; at Vernon on Wednesday.

7. Delaware Valley (6-10) -- Terriers went 1-2 last week, dropping a 6-5 heartbreaker to North Hunterdon on Saturday in the HWS quarterfinals. Coach Marty White's team squandered a 5-1 lead after 4 1/2 innings in the school's first quarterfinals appearance. It was the fifth one-run loss for the Terriers, who opened the week with a 10-0 win over Warren Hills in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash. Senior third baseman Ryan Hann went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and belted a walk-off homer against the Blue Streaks, while going 3-for-4 with a double and a homer against North. Senior first baseman Scott Skripko blasted two homers in the week.

Up next: at Blair Academy on Monday; at Lenape Valley on Thursday; Phillipsburg at Riegel Ridge Park on Saturday night.

8. Warren Hills (8-11) -- Blue Streaks are suddenly surging after a big 3-1 week, capped by a 6-5 win over North Warren on Saturday at Joseph Steinhardt Field. Coach Mike Quinto's team also beat Hackettstown (6-4 on Wednesday) and Franklin (5-4 in 10 innings on Thursday) following a 10-0 loss to Delaware Valley last Tuesday. Ace Nathaniel Capone (3-2) went 1-1, losing to Del Val in a four-strikeout effort and fanning six to beat North Warren. Center fielder Cody Crowley went 3-for-4 with an RBI against the Patriots, while leadoff man Craig Lawson went 2-for-4 with a double. Catcher Ronnie Legreide had two doubles, a homer and four RBIs total in the wins over Hackettstown and Franklin, while outfielder Matt Cummings, promoted from JV last Tuesday, went 2-for-3 with an RBI on Saturday.

Up next: Watchung Hills at home on Monday; at Pius X (Pa.) on Wednesday; Belvidere at home on Friday.

9. High Point (5-10) -- Wildcats went 1-2 last week, capping it off with a 19-3 thumping of Wallkill Valley in an independent clash on Thursday. Last Wednesday, senior outfielder Mike Ragnetti had an RBI triple in a 9-2 loss to Kittatinny. Coach Mickey Thomas' club has been tough to figure out with a win over Pope John and that loss to the 4-11 Cougars. Two wins over previously-ranked Wallkill Valley keep the 'Cats ranked for at least another week.

Up next: at Montville on Monday; Sparta at home on Wednesday.

10. Phillipsburg (5-15) -- Stateliners re-enter the rankings following an 8-3 win over previously-ranked North Warren on Friday. Coach Dave Hinkle's team has played one of the toughest conference and independent schedules around this season, with 10 of its losses -- six by two or fewer runs -- coming in Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchups. Junior second baseman Matt McAnally doubled in an 11-7 loss to Watchung Hills on Thursday and had an RBI double against North Warren. Senior third baseman Tyler Widitz had a big week at the plate -- going 2-for-3 with an RBI against North Warren and knocking in two runs against Watchung. He also belted a double and home run with RBIs in a loss to Hillsborough last Tuesday.

Up next: Immaculata at home on Tuesday; at Hunterdon Central on Thursday; Delaware Valley at Riegel Ridge Park on Saturday night.

On the bubble: North Warren (8-7); Lenape Valley (8-8); Wallkill Valley (6-8); Hackettstown (7-9).

Baseball: Braves, Red Devils picks in HWS quarters

2013-05-03T00:33:00.001-04:00

Delaware Valley's baseball team, despite a 6-9 record, is playing with a lot of confidence heading into this weekend's quarterfinal round of the fourth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.

And why not? The Terriers have won three of their last four -- coach Marty White's team saw its three-game win streak snapped on Thursday with a 6-2 loss at Somerville -- and by all accounts, the offense appears to be clicking at the right time.

On Saturday, fifth-seeded Del Val travels to No. 1 North Hunterdon in one of three quarterfinals.

Vernon, a No. 6 seed, visits No. 2 Newton, while No. 3 Pope John makes the trek to Flemington for a showdown with No. 2 Hunterdon Central, a three-time finalist. No. 5 seed Wallkill Valley travels to No. 1 Sparta on Friday, due to SATs being conducted on Saturday.

"We really we want to play North," said Del Val's senior third baseman Ryan Hann, who was batting a team-high .385 through the first 14 games this season. "We didn't get to play them in the preseason. Hopefully, we'll have a nice game with them. We've got a lot of momentum right now."

Hann was one of the offensive heroes in Tuesday's 10-0 win over Warren Hills -- going 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a solo walk-off homer in the bottom of the sixth. Senior first baseman Scott Skripko also homered and is second on the team with a .367 average. Skripko also has a team-high three homers and 17 RBIs.

Junior right-hander Chris Fiaschetti and Skripko are the aces of Del Val's pitching staff. Fiaschetti (3-2, 0.81 ERA) fired a four-hit shutout on Tuesday, and will be available to throw on Saturday. White is likely to start Skripko (1-1, 1.00 ERA), who has 20 strikeouts in 14 innings.

"It should be a fun game," Fiaschetti said. "From what I hear, [North] is a very good team. We'll try to keep the momentum up."

North Hunterdon (10-6) is coming off back-to-back losses to Hunterdon Central (7-5 on Tuesday) and Montgomery (8-5 on Thursday) following a four-game win streak. Coach Mike Kane's Lions are paced offensively by senior first baseman Mike Ragozine and senior outfielder Shane Brown. Second baseman Robbie Young also has been hot lately at the dish. On the mound, senior Justin Trinity (3-2) leads the Lions in wins.

Here's a closer look at the quarterfinal matchups (seeds precede teams). Records through Thursday:

5A-Delaware Valley (6-9) at 1A-North Hunterdon (10-6), 2 p.m. -- Del Val is making its first appearance in the quarterfinals. Shortstop Reed Williams is a slick defender, while catcher Chris Pilone is solid behind the plate. The key for Del Val will be to get an early lead and ride the wave of their recent success. For some reason, the Terriers have played up to their competition with close losses to Skyland Conference Raritan Division frontrunners Ridge and Somerville, yet they have two losses to Voorhees (4-10). North is coming off back-to-back semifinals appearances and has never been to the championship game. Trinity started on Tuesday against Central, so Tyler Smith (2-2) should get the ball for this one. Ragozine is on fire at the plate, with two doubles and six RBIs in the three games prior to Thursday's loss. Sophomore catcher Andrew Meiners logged two doubles and five RBIs during that same stretch.

Coaches: Marty White (94-109, 10th season); Mike Kane (22-22, second season).

All-time HWS records: Delaware Valley 1-3; North Hunterdon 6-3.

How they got here: Delaware Valley beat Lenape Valley, 9-6. North Hunterdon defeated Kittatinny, 14-4.

The Pick: North Hunterdon, 6-3.

6B-Vernon (7-8) at 2B-Newton (11-3), 2:30 p.m. -- Rematch of Monday's independent clash -- won by Vernon, 6-5. Hopatcong is the only other Sussex County team to beat the Braves this season. Newton center fielder Ben Cramer is one of the top players around, batting .440 with seven doubles coming into this week. He added to his totals by going 2-for-3 with an RBI against Vernon and 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in Tuesday's 8-6 win over Lenape Valley. First baseman Anthony Morro (.333, 16 RBIs) and catcher Charlie Grotyohann (.353, 13 RBIs) are the other offensive leaders. Lefty Nick Grant (3-0, 1.47 ERA) went 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday, so he could see action on Saturday. Look for right-hander Chris Branham (2-0, 2.52 ERA) to get the start. Vernon will likely counter with Ryan Duvall (3-2, 4.38 ERA) on the hill. Duvall (.405, 11 RBIs) and junior Mike Harboy (.294, 10 RBIs) pace the offense.

Coaches: Scott Berge (35-65, fifth season); John Selitto (59-114, eighth season).

All-time HWS records: Vernon 2-3; Newton 2-3.

How they got here: Vernon beat North Warren, 7-3. Newton defeated Warren Hills, 11-1.

The Pick: Newton, 6-2.

3B-Pope John (9-9) at 2A-Hunterdon Central (9-8), 3 p.m. -- Rematch of the 2011 championship game won by Pope John, 8-1. That's the last time these schools met on the diamond. Lions aren't having one of their typical strong seasons, but they have good arms -- Dan Cunico and Ethan Collins -- and both junior infielder Axel D'Addario (.417, 19 RBIs) and center fielder Mike Young (.359) are leading the offense. PJ played Delbarton tough in a 4-3 loss on Wednesday. Central has been the team to beat in the previous three tournaments, but is also having an uncharacteristic season. Coach Mike Raymond's Red Devils had won three in a row, including a 7-5 win over North Hunterdon on Tuesday, until Thursday's 3-1 loss to Immaculata. Sophomore second baseman Brett McManus (.381) is red-hot, going 7-for-7 with a double and four RBIs in wins over High Point and North Hunterdon, while adding an RBI on Thursday. Freshman third baseman Matt Toke homered and had six RBIs during the recent win streak. Ace Billy Maier (2-1, 2.86 ERA) will start this one.

Coaches: Vin Bello (224-143-1, 14th season); Mike Raymond (256-97, 13th season).

All-time HWS records: Pope John 6-2; Hunterdon Central 11-2.

How they got here: Pope John beat Phillipsburg, 11-3. Hunterdon Central defeated High Point, 5-4.

The Pick: Hunterdon Central, 4-2.

5B-Wallkill Valley (6-7) at 1B-Sparta (11-5-1), 3:45 p.m. -- Rangers are playing in their first quarterfinal, knocking off NJAC Freedom Division rival Hackettstown, a semifinalist in 2010 and '11, in the first round last weekend. Junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski is having a phenomenal season -- batting .600 (21-for-35) with six doubles entering the week. Senior shortstop Casey Jervis (.375) doubles as one of the Sussex County school's offensive stars and its ace on the mound. Jervis (2-2, 5.47 ERA) should get the ball for this one. Senior Rob Stecher (3-1. 2.95 ERA) could also see action. Spartans reached the final in 2010, losing to Hunterdon Central, and have not advanced past the quarterfinals since that run. This group is loaded with talent, including junior outfielder Thomas Ruddy (.475, 14 stolen bases), junior second baseman Austin Unglaub (.397, 19 RBIs) and senior outfielder Jon-Karl Widuch (.315, nine RBIs). On the mound, Kevin Foulds (5-0, 1.20 ERA, 44 K's, 41 IP) and Dillon Mendel (4-1, 1.27 ERA) have been outstanding.

Coaches: Kevin Lukich (53-64, fifth season); Sam Slobodzian (262-167-3, 17th season).

All-time HWS records: Wallkill Valley 4-3; Sparta 6-3.

How they got here: Wallkill Valley beat Hackettstown, 4-3. Sparta defeated Voorhees, 10-3.

The Pick: Sparta, 5-2.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

2013-05-02T00:29:00.002-04:00

Through Wednesday's games

Skyland Conference

Delaware Division
	Overall	Division
Montgomery	(12-1)	(8-1)
Watchung Hills	(12-3)	(6-3)
North Hunterdon	(10-5)	(5-4)
Immaculata	(6-6)	(5-4)
Bridgewater-Raritan	(12-6)	(4-5)
Hillsborough	(9-6)	(4-5)
Hunterdon Central	(9-7)	(4-5)
Phillipsburg	(4-14)	(0-9)

Raritan Division
	Overall	Division
Somerville	(11-3)	(8-1)
Ridge	(10-5)	(7-1)
Delaware Valley	(6-8)	(4-5)
Warren Hills	(6-11)	(3-5)
Voorhees	(4-9)	(3-6)
Franklin	(1-12)	(1-8)

Valley Division
	Overall	Division
Bernards	(11-2)	(8-1)
Pingry	(9-5)	(7-3)
Gill St. Bernard's	(9-8)	(7-3)
Belvidere	(8-7)	(5-5)
North Plainfield	(6-8)	(5-5)
South Hunterdon	(5-8)	(4-5)
Bound Brook	(4-10)	(3-7)
Manville	(1-12)	(0-10)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Freedom Division
	Overall	Division
Newton	(11-3)	(9-1)
Jefferson	(14-6)	(7-3)
North Warren	(8-5)	(7-3)
Wallkill Valley	(6-6)	(5-4)
Hackettstown	(7-8)	(5-5)
Lenape Valley	(5-8)	(3-6)
Kittatinny	(4-11)	(2-8)
Hopatcong	(2-16)	(1-9)

American Division
	Overall	Division
Sparta	(11-5-1)	(8-1-1)
Montville	(11-4)	(7-3)
Mount Olive	(8-8-1)	(4-4-1)
Morris Knolls	(6-9-2)	(4-4-2)
Morris Hills	(11-7-2)	(3-4-2)
Pope John	(9-9)	(4-6)
Vernon	(7-7)	(4-6)
High Point	(4-10)	(2-8)

Baseball: Fiaschetti, Terriers put bite on Blue Streaks

2013-05-01T00:12:00.000-04:00

Delaware Valley's baseball team has been a tough bunch to figure out this season.

But there was no mistaking the formula for success in Tuesday's 10-0 win over Warren Hills in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash on a sun-splashed afternoon in Alexandria Township.

Coach Marty White's Terriers (6-8 overall, 4-5 division), who also beat Warren Hills, 7-3, on April 11, got excellent pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. Right-hander Chris Fiaschetti fired a four-hit shutout, while the offense logged a pair of five-run innings in the fifth and sixth to close it out.

Senior first baseman Scott Skripko belted a three-run shot in the sixth to put Del Val up, 9-0, and senior third baseman Ryan Hann ended it with a walk-off solo shot over the left-center-field fence to enforce the 10-run mercy rule.

"This was a good win," said White, whose team has won three in a row for the first time this season. "Some days we are really good and some days we are average. When you play clean baseball, I believe, you always have a chance to win."

Del Val was as clean as it gets. Fiaschetti retired the first 11 batters he faced before giving up a single through the left side past a diving Hann to Warren Hills second baseman Shea Kohler, who had two of the Streaks' four hits.

Fiaschetti (3-2) retired seven of the final 10 batters -- he faced 22 total -- and worked out of a first-and-third jam in the sixth by getting cleanup hitter Michael Lascu on a ground ball to second. Despite falling behind in the count on eight of the first 10 hitters he faced, Fiaschetti was extremely economical with his pitches -- throwing 36 through four frames. He struck out two and walked none.

"I felt good today. My fastball and changeup were mostly working," said Fiaschetti, who has earned victories in his last two appearances. "[Catcher Chris Pilone and I] kept going with that combo. When I needed an out pitch, I threw a cutter or a curveball."

Fiaschetti admitted he started thinking about the possibility of his first no-hitter after sending down the first 11 in order. With zero runs on the board, it was imperative that he just focus on recording outs.

"It was in the back of my mind, but my goal is to throw strikes and get outs," he said. "Let the offense take care of itself."

Defensively, Del Val shortstop Reed Williams made a nice leaping grab of Cody Crowley's liner in the fourth, while Pilone made a nice play on a slow dribbler in front of home to get Anthony Veneziano at first for the last out in the fifth.

Warren Hills (5-11, 3-5), which had won three of its last four coming in, struggled at the plate and didn't help itself in the field. Coach Mike Quinto's club committed three errors, including one in the fifth that extended the inning.

Starter Nathaniel Capone was effective early on, as the right-hander retired 11 of the first 14 batters he faced and threw a total of 36 pitches in four innings.

In the second inning, Del Val cleanup hitter Joe Chiarino led off with a single, but was erased trying to steal second base. Pilone reached on an error, but Capone retired Adam Novotny on a fly ball to center to end the inning. In the third, Frank McHugh, just called up from the JV, singled and reached second on a wild pitch but was stranded there.

"I figured this would be a 1-0, 2-0 ballgame," Quinto said. "Nathaniel was throwing well and hitting his spots. Then, his pitches were flat and he was leaving stuff over the plate. And we didn't make plays behind him."

Things unraveled for the visitors in the fifth. After a leadoff strikeout by Pilone, singles by Novotny and designated hitter Joe Egidio and an error, loaded the bases for Del Val. Chris Innocenti plated the first run with a single to left. With the bases still loaded, Reed Williams lined out for the second out, but the Terriers weren't finished as cleanup man Skripko's infield single made it 2-0.

The bases were still juiced when another error allowed the third run to score before Hann's single down the left-field line plated two more for a 5-0 lead. In all, Del Val sent 11 men to the plate, as Pilone, the 10th Terrier to hit, singled to chase Capone. Reliever Alex Racano retired Novtony on a flyout to center to end the inning.

Del Val picked it up again in the sixth as the first five batters reached base. McHugh, who reached base in all three of his at-bats, and Egidio singled back-to-back and scored on Skripko's jack over the left-field fence. In two games against Warren Hills, Skripko is 4-for-8 with seven RBIs.

Hann's first blast of the year and Del Val's third -- Skripko has the other two -- sent everyone home early.

"It's nice. Lately, I've been seeing the ball well," said Hann, who went 2-for-4. "I was just trying to get a base hit. Fiaschetti was throwing a great game and we wanted to help with some run support. We've got a lot of momentum right now."

WARREN HILLS (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Lawson ss 3-0-0-0, Crowley cf 3-0-1-0, Kohler 2b 3-0-2-0, Lascu 1b 3-0-0-0, Julian 3b 2-0-0-0, Legreide dh/Capone p 2-0-1-0, Stagaard c 2-0-0-0, Veneziano rf 2-0-0-0, Cummings lf 2-0-0-0. Totals: 22-0-4-0.

DELAWARE VALLEY (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Innocenti lf 4-1-1-1, Williams ss 4-1-0-1, Skripko 1b 4-2-2-4, Chiarino 2b 4-0-1-0, Hann 3b 4-1-2-3, Pilone c 3-0-1-0, Novotny ss 3-1-1-0, McHugh rf 3-2-2-0, Egidio dh/Fiaschetti p 3-2-2-0. Totals: 28-3-9-3.

Warren Hills (5-11, 3-5) 000 000 -- 0 4 3

Delaware Valley (6-8, 4-5) 000 055 -- 10 12 0

E -- Lawson, Julian, Kohler. LOB -- Warren Hills 4; Delaware Valley 5. HR -- Skripko (2, 6th inning off Racano, 2 on, 1 out), Hann (1, sixth inning off Racano, 0 on, 2 outs). CS -- Chiarino.

Capone, Racano (5) and Stagaard. Fiaschetti and Pilone. W -- Fiaschetti (3-2). L -- Capone (2-2). SO-BB -- Capone 4-0, Racano 0-0; Fiaschetti 2-0. WP -- Capone.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

2013-04-29T00:44:00.000-04:00

What promised to be a wide open and wild Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament has not disappointed through two rounds. The fourth annual event has the quarterfinals on tap for Saturday and we'll have a full preview and predictions for all four games later in the week.

The home teams have ruled so far, going 9-3 overall, with No. 3 North Warren and No. 4 seeds Hackettstown and Lenape Valley as the top four seeds on either side to be eliminated.

North Warren's 7-3 loss to No. 6 Vernon was the most stunning result from last Saturday's first-round slate of games. It was only the second HWS win in five attempts for the Vikings (5-7), who are suddenly a team to watch having won three of their last four entering this week. Starter Ryan Duvall struck out five to beat the Patriots. First baseman John Lipari is one of the area's best hitters.

Hunterdon Central squeaked by High Point, 5-4, to reach its fourth straight quarterfinal. The Red Devils have won a tournament-best 11 games and reached the title game in the three previous events -- winning the first HWS title in 2010.

Delaware Valley, the No. 5 seed in the Hunterdon-Warren bracket, defeated No. 4 Lenape Valley, 9-6, for the Hunterdon County school's first tournament win in four attempts. Coach Marty White's club has been tough to figure this season, but outstanding first baseman/pitcher Scott Skripko went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, while earning the win on the mound.

We're guaranteed to have at least two Sussex County semifinalists, as Newton hosts Vernon and Sparta hosts Wallkill Valley in the quarters. Del Val travels to North Hunterdon, while Pope John visits Hunterdon Central in the other matchups. Pope John beat Central, 8-1, for the 2011 championship.

On to this week's rankings:

1. North Hunterdon (10-4) -- Lions went 4-1 overall last week, reeling off four in a row after Monday's 5-1 independent loss to Manalapan. Coach Mike Kane's team defeated Phillipsburg (10-0 on Tuesday), Bridgewater-Raritan (8-1 on Thursday), Memorial (14-0 on Friday) and Kittatinny (14-4 on Saturday). Junior shortstop Marc Monks had a nice week, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI against P'burg and logging an RBI double against Manalapan. Sophomore catcher Andrew Meiners went a combined 4-for-7 with a double and four RBIs in the wins over P'burg and Kittatinny.

Up next: Hunterdon Central at home on Tuesday; Randolph at home on Wednesday; Montgomery at home on Thursday; Delaware Valley at home in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

2. Newton (10-2) -- Braves move up a spot in the rankings after a 3-1 week, coupled with No. 3 Sparta's loss to Jefferson last week. Coach John Selitto's squad beat Wallkill Valley (11-1 on Monday), Hackettstown (9-8 on Thursday) and Warren Hills (11-1 on Saturday). Newton lost its second game, 4-1, to a good West Orange team on Friday. Center fielder Ben Cramer, who leads the Sussex County school with a .400 batting average, went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and RBIs against Wallkill Valley. Catcher Charlie Grotyohann had a monster week with six RBIs and two-hit games against Wallkill Valley and Warren Hills. He has 12 RBIs for the season, second only to first baseman Anthony Morro (15). Lefty Nick Grant (3-0) got the win against Wallkill. He has 16 K's in 19 innings and a team-best 1.47 ERA.

Up next: at Vernon on Monday; at Lenape Valley on Tuesday; at Blair Academy on Friday; Vernon at home in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

3. Sparta (9-5-1) -- Spartans went 3-2 last week, starting with a 4-3 win over Mount Olive on Monday in an NJAC American Division showdown. Coach Sam Slobodzian's team, sitting in first place in the division, also beat Vernon, 6-3, on Thursday in a division game. Sparta, which lost to Jefferson (7-6 on Tuesday) and Columbia (8-0 on Friday) closed the week with a 10-3 thumping of Voorhees in an HWS first-round clash. Ace Kevin Foulds struck out 11 for the win. Sparta, the 2010 runner-up, is 6-3 all-time in HWS games and has reached the quarters in all four tournaments.

Up next: at Morris Hills on Tuesday; at Morris Catholic on Wednesday; Wallkill Valley at home in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

4. Hunterdon Central (8-7) -- Red Devils went 3-2 last week and have won six of their last eight since a 2-5 start. Coach Mike Raymond's club beat Rutgers Prep (4-2 on Monday), Edison (10-5 on Friday) and High Point (5-4 in the HWS on Saturday), while losing a pair of Skyland Conference Delaware Division games against Bridgewater-Raritan (1-0 on Tuesday) and Watchung Hills (5-1 on Thursday). Senior outfielder John Icaza went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Rutgers Prep victory, while sophomore infielder Brett McManus went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs against High Point. McManus is second on the team with a .381 batting average his 11 RBIs trail only Jeremy Ake (13) for first in that category

Up next: Peddie at home on Monday; at North Hunterdon on Tuesday; Immaculata at home on Thursday; Pope John at home in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

5. Pope John (9-7) -- Lions went 2-1 last week and have won three of their last four, including an 11-3 win over Phillipsburg on Saturday in an HWS first-round contest in Sparta. The victory avenged a 6-5 loss in 12 innings to the Stateliners in last year's quarterfinals. Interestingly, the schools have now taken turns eliminating each other back-to-back as the tourney's defending champion. P'burg won the 2012 championship, while Pope John captured the 2011 crown. Sophomore catcher Zach Leach went 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while senior first baseman Rob Sanders was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Sophomore Matt Piwko went a combined 5-for-8 with a double and four RBIs in the wins over Morris Hills (10-0 on Thursday) and P'burg. Pitcher Dan Cunico (2-1) struck out six to beat Morris Hills.

Up next: at Montville on Tuesday; Delbarton at home on Wednesday; at Hunterdon Central in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

6. Vernon (5-7) -- Here come the Vikings, who enter the rankings for the first time this season. Coach Scott Berge's team pulled off a stunner on Saturday with a 7-3 win over North Warren in the HWS Tournament. Winning pitcher Ryan Duvall struck out five, while junior Chris Pontus and Mike Harboy had RBIs to help the Sussex County school reach the quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The Vikes opened the week with a 5-4 win over Morris Knolls in an NJAC American Division showdown before a 6-3 loss to Sparta on Thursday.

Up next: Newton at home on Monday; High Point at home on Tuesday; West Milford at home on Thursday; at Newton in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

7. High Point (4-8) -- Wildcats are making strides having won three of their last four and taking No. 4 Hunterdon Central to the limit in a 5-4 loss on Saturday in the HWS Tournament. Coach Mickey Thomas' team, which started 0-4, ran off three straight wins before that defeat -- beating Pope John (4-3 on Monday), Belvidere (12-6 on Wednesday) and Morris Knolls (2-0 on Thursday). The win over Knolls was an NJAC American Division clash in Wantage, as senior outfielder Mike Ragnetti went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Shortstop Kyle Adams, who is having a fine season, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs against Belvidere, while Ragnetti was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Up next: at Vernon on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Wednesday; at Wallkill Valley on Thursday.

8. North Warren (7-5) -- Patriots stumbled to a 1-2 mark last week and fall two spots in the rankings as a result. After a 5-1 loss to Jefferson on Monday, coach Jim Haupt's team beat Lenape Valley, 11-10 in eight innings, on Thursday to keep its NJAC Freedom Division title hopes alive. Junior outfielder Cam Esposito doubled and had five RBIs, while junior first baseman Nick Meyer hit a solo homer in the win. Ace Alex Hladik (1-3) took his third loss on Saturday, as the Pats fell to Vernon, 7-3, in an HWS first-round clash.

Up next: at Warren Hills on Monday; at Kittatinny on Tuesday; Phillipsburg at home on Friday.

9. Wallkill Valley (5-5) -- Rangers are back on track following consecutive wins over Kittatinny (13-3 on Thursday) and Hackettstown (4-3 on Saturday). Coach Kevin Lukich's team snapped a four-game skid with the win over Kittatinny, as junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski continued one of the most prolific offensive seasons in school history by going 4-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. He finished the week with a 3-for-4 day against Hackettstown in an HWS first-round game to move the Rangers into their first-ever tri-county quarterfinal. Grabkowski enters the week batting .600 (21-for-35) with six doubles and a team-high nine RBIs. Senior ace Casey Jervis, who was 3-for-3 with an RBI against the Cougars, struck out seven Tigers on Saturday for his second win.

Up next: at Morris Hills on Monday; at Hopatcong on Tuesday; at Sparta in HWS quarterfinals on Saturday.

10. Hackettstown (6-7) -- Tigers went 1-2 last week, beating Hopatcong, 11-3 at home before a 9-8 loss to NJAC Freedom Division frontrunner Newton on Thursday. Coach Gary Poyer's team was eliminated from the HWS Tournament with a 4-3 loss to Wallkill Valley. Senior outfielder/pitcher Owen Gavin continued his torrid pace with the bat, going 3-for-4 with a double, triple and two RBIs against Hopatcong and logging two hits against Newton. He struck out five in the loss to Wallkill. Junior first baseman/pitcher Justin Nicholls went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI against Newton.

Up next: Mount Olive at home on Monday; Jefferson at home on Tuesday; at Warren Hills on Wednesday.

On the bubble: Delaware Valley (5-8); Lenape Valley (5-7); Warren Hills (5-10).

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

2013-04-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

(Through Monday's games)

Skyland Conference

Delaware Division
	Overall	Division
Montgomery	(9-1)	(5-1)
Immaculata	(6-2)	(5-1)
Watchung Hills	(10-2)	(4-2)
Bridgewater-Raritan	(8-3)	(3-3)
North Hunterdon	(6-4)	(3-3)
Hunterdon Central	(6-5)	(3-3)
Hillsborough	(5-6)	(1-5)
Phillipsburg	(3-10)	(0-6)

Raritan Division
	Overall	Division
Ridge	(8-2)	(6-0)
Somerville	(6-3)	(5-1)
Voorhees	(3-6)	(2-4)
Delaware Valley	(3-7)	(2-4)
Warren Hills	(3-9)	(2-4)
Franklin	(1-7)	(1-5)

Valley Division
	Overall	Division
Bernards	(11-0)	(8-0)
Gill St. Bernard's	(7-6)	(7-2)
North Plainfield	(5-4)	(5-3)
Pingry	(6-4)	(4-3)
Belvidere	(5-6)	(3-5)
South Hunterdon	(4-6)	(3-5)
Bound Brook	(3-7)	(3-6)
Manville	(0-9)	(0-9)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Freedom Division
	Overall	Division
Newton	(8-1)	(7-1)
Jefferson	(10-3)	(6-2)
North Warren	(6-4)	(5-3)
Hackettstown	(6-5)	(4-4)
Lenape Valley	(5-5)	(3-4)
Wallkill Valley	(3-5)	(3-4)
Kittatinny	(2-8)	(2-6)
Hopatcong	(1-11)	(1-7)

American Division
	Overall	Division
Sparta	(7-3-1)	(6-1-1)
Montville	(9-2)	(5-2)
Morris Knolls	(5-5-2)	(3-2-2)
Morris Hills	(8-3-2)	(3-2-2)
Mount Olive	(5-6-1)	(3-3-1)
Pope John	(7-7)	(3-5)
Vernon	(4-6)	(3-5)
High Point	(2-7)	(1-7)

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

2013-04-22T18:09:00.000-04:00

Consider this a revolving-door season in the Open Mike area rankings. After the top four or five, things can, and will likely twist and turn all spring.

North Hunterdon (6-3) has been a lockdown No. 1 thus far, and the Lions enter the fourth annual HWS Tournament as the favorites and the top seed on the Hunterdon-Warren side. Coach Mike Kane's team is raking at the plate and is getting quality pitching. A tough combo to beat.

The tournament kicks off today with a preliminary game between Sussex Tech and Voorhees. Three others follow on Wednesday, with the winners advancing to Saturday's first-round matchups.

Get ready for a wild tourney ride. It's wide open.

On to this week's rankings:

1. North Hunterdon (6-3) -- Lions went . 500 last week, beating Warren Hills (9-2 on Monday) and Westfield (13-3 on Wednesday), before dropping a pair of Skyland Conference Delaware Division games against Watchung Hills (6-2 on Tuesday) and Immaculata (4-2 on Thursday). Life in the Delaware is rough, one of the toughest divisions in New Jersey. Senior outfielder Shane Brown went 2-for-5 against Warren Hills and struck out nine for the win. He also was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the win over Westfield. Sophomore catcher Andrew Meiners had a big week at the plate -- 3-for-4 against Warren Hills, 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs against Westfield and 2-for-3 with a double in the loss to Immaculata.

Up next: Phillipsburg at home on Tuesday; Bridgewater-Raritan at home on Thursday; South Hunterdon-Kittatinny winner at home in HWS on Saturday.

2. Sparta (6-3-1) -- Spartans also went 2-2 last week, closing out with two wins in a row against Morris Knolls (2-0 on Thursday) and High Point (7-1 on Friday) to maintain the top spot in the NJAC American Division. Coach Sam Slobodzian's team also dropped decisions against Kinnelon (6-3 on Monday) and Montville (7-3 on Tuesday), the club's first divisional loss. Junior outfielder Matt Chemis homered and plated two runs against Montville, while junior second baseman Austin Unglaub went 3-for-4 with a double. Ace Kevin Foulds (3-0) tossed a three-hitter and fanned eight to beat Morris Hills.

Up next: Mount Olive at home on Monday; at Jefferson on Tuesday; Vernon at home on Thursday; Columbia at home on Friday; Sussex Tech-Voorhees at home in HWS on Saturday.

3. Newton (7-1) -- The Braves, like the Jeffersons, are moving on up. Coach John Selitto's club had a short week -- going 1-1 with a win over Kittatinny (5-3 on Tuesday) before getting its first loss against Hopatcong (9-3 on Thursday). Independent games with Sparta and Whippany Park, slated for Friday and Saturday, were postponed. The Braves didn't particularly play well in either game last week, committing four errors against a gritty Kittatinny squad. Junior third baseman Joey Maker reached base four times, going 3-for-3 with three stolen bases and an RBI, while righty Chris Branham (2-0) fanned five for the win against the Cougars. Senior first baseman Anthony Morro doubled and had two RBIs in the loss to the Chiefs.

Up next: Wallkill Valley at home on Monday; Hackettstown at home on Thursday; West Orange at home on Friday; Hopatcong-Warren Hills winner in HWS at home on Saturday.

4. Hunterdon Central (5-5) -- Here come the Red Devils. After a 2-5 start, coach Mike Raymond's team enters the week riding a three-game win streak. Central defeated Phillipsburg (11-5 on Tuesday), Hillsborough (4-0 on Thursday) and East Brunswick (15-2 on Saturday). Senior outfielder Geggie Russomagno had a great week at the plate -- a double and an RBI against P'burg, 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI vs. Hillsborough and 3-for-5 with five RBIs in the win over East Brunswick. Ace Billy Maier (2-0) struck out four to beat H'boro. Second baseman Jeremy Ake (2-for-3, two RBIs) and sophomore Brett McManus (2-for-2, homer) raked against EB.

Up next: Rutgers Prep at home on Monday; at Bridgewater-Raritan on Tuesday; at Watchung Hills on Thursday; at Edison on Friday; Belvidere-High Point winner in HWS at home on Saturday.

5. Pope John (7-6) -- Lions struggling right now, going 1-3 this past week. Coach Vin Bello's team salvaged it with a 10-0 thumping of Warren Hills to snap a three-game skid on Saturday in the Millburn Tournament consolation game. Leadoff man Mike Young doubled and had two RBIs and winning pitcher Ethan Collins (2-1) logged five strikeouts. PJ lost to Morris Knolls (11-4 on Tuesday), Mount Olive (13-7 on Thursday) and Moorestown (10-4 on Saturday). Young, a junior outfielder, was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs against Mount Olive.

Up next: High Point at home on Monday; Morris Hills at home on Thursday; Phillipsburg at home in HWS on Saturday.

6. North Warren (6-3) -- Patriots have won three of their last four coming into the week, including a two-game win streak. Coach Jim Haupt's team beat Hopatcong, 19-6, at the Homer Dome on Tuesday and Wallkill Valley, 10-0, on Thursday. Senior outfielder Mike Clothier homered in the Hopatcong win and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the NJAC Freedom Division victory over Wallkill in Blairstown. Junior shortstop Alex Hladik is on fire at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs against the Chiefs and 2-for-4 with an RBI against the Rangers. On the mound, Hladik picked up his first victory against Wallkill.

Up next: Jefferson at home on Monday; Lenape Valley at home on Thursday; Vernon at home in HWS on Saturday.

7. Lenape Valley (5-4) -- Patriots looking to get on a roll, following two wins in their last three to close out last week. Coach Bob Klinck's team beat Hackettstown, 8-6, in a key NJAC Freedom Division showdown on Tuesday before a 10-2 loss to Jefferson on Thursday. Junior catcher David DelSontro went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while ace Drew Burke (2-2) struck out five in the Pats' 10-0 win over Sussex Tech on Friday. Senior Mike Deerfield (2-0) logged seven K's against Hackettstown.

Up next: Kittatinny at home on Monday; at North Warren on Thursday; Delaware Valley at home in HWS on Saturday.

8. Phillipsburg (3-9) -- Stateliners return to the rankings following after a 7-5 win over archrival Easton (Pa.) on Saturday. Life in the Delaware Division has been tough for coach Dave Hinkle's team, which is 0-6 against the division with No. 1 North Hunterdon left on the first-half slate. P'burg dropped decisions to Hunterdon Central (11-5 on Tuesday) and Bridgewater-Raritan (12-4 on Thursday). Junior second baseman Matt McAnally went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI against B-water, and had a double and an RBI against Central. Rematch of last year's epic HWS quarterfinal at Pope John on Saturday.

Up next: Warren Hills at home on Monday; at North Hunterdon on Tuesday; at Montgomery on Thursday; Hopatcong at home on Friday; at Pope John in HWS on Saturday.

9. Hackettstown (5-5) -- Tigers split four games last week, beating Belvidere (11-3 on Monday) and Kittatinny (5-4 on Thursday), while falling to Lenape Valley (8-6 on Tuesday) and Morris Catholic (5-2 on Friday). Coach Gary Poyer's squad gets a shot at redemption on Saturday with a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex matchup against Wallkill Valley, which beat Hackettstown, 5-3, on April 10 in an NJAC Freedom Division matchup. Senior outfielder Owen Gavin went 2-for-4 with a double against Lenape, while senior pitcher Matt Lerman struck out seven to beat Kittatinny.

Up next: Hopatcong at home on Monday; at Newton on Thursday; Wallkill Valley in HWS at home on Saturday.

10. Wallkill Valley (3-4) -- Rangers have dropped three in a row following a three-game win streak. Coach Kevin Lukich's team fell to High Point (8-2 on Monday), Jefferson (12-8 on Tuesday) and North Warren (10-0 on Thursday). Giving up 30 runs in three games tends to lead to losses. Junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski went 3-for-4 with an RBI against the Wildcats and 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI against the Falcons. Also Wallkill's ace, he took the loss against North Warren, dropping to 0-2.

Up next: at Newton on Monday; Kittatinny at home on Thursday; at Hackettstown in HWS on Saturday.

On the bubble: Voorhees (2-6), Delaware Valley (3-7), South Hunterdon (3-6).

Baseball: Voorhees rolls to second win over Del Val

2013-04-19T01:00:00.000-04:00

At this rate, Voorhees High School's baseball team might want to find a way to get Delaware Valley on the schedule more often.

For the second time this season, the Vikings got just enough hitting and pitching for a 6-3 win over the Terriers in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash on a chilly Thursday afternoon in Lebanon Township.

Voorhees (2-5 overall, 2-4 division) defeated Delaware Valley, 5-3, on April 2 in Alexandria Township for its only other win this season. This one snapped a five-game skid since that Opening Day victory.

"This about the time of year when we start playing good baseball," said veteran Voorhees coach Spark Mattson, whose teams have been known to pick it up around the start of the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament which begins next Wednesday. "We played great defense today and we're starting to pitch better. We needed this one. It was huge."

Del Val (3-6, 2-4) has had a bit of an up-and-down campaign thus far. The Terriers have played some of the better teams on their schedule very tough -- as in 3-2 losses to Ridge and Raritan Division frontrunner Somerville -- but haven't fared well in others.

Coach Marty White's team didn't help itself by committing six errors, and the lack of a big hit early on proved costly when Del Val rallied for three runs in the sixth. Had the Terriers been able to scratch across one or two runs earlier, it might have put a little more heat on Voorhees starter Kyle Pierson and reliever Matt Furka.

"We can't get that hit at the right time," said White, whose team was held to three runs or fewer for the fifth time this season. "We don't hit together, our hits are scattered. We can't get a bunt down. It's the little things that are killing us right now. We made bad errors at the wrong time and they came back to bite us."

Pierson, a sophomore, pitched well in earning his first victory. The right-hander allowed seven hits and three runs, while walking two and striking out four in five innings. He exited in the sixth after loading the bases on two walks and a hit batsman. Mike Innocenti's bloop single to left plated a run and knocked Pierson from the game.

Furka came in and gave up a two-run single to designated hitter Ryan Hann, who had two hits, before getting a strikeout and a 4-3 double play to end the threat. The righty worked around an error in the seventh in an otherwise uneventful frame to nail down his first save.

"[Pierson] threw a nice game, considering he's only a sophomore," Mattson said. "He only had one other varsity start against Warren Hills [a loss on April 4]. He's still young. I thought he handled himself real well out there. He was getting ahead, which is huge. He lost his focus in the sixth inning. Unfortunately, my asking him if he still had it after the fifth inning probably distracted him."

Voorhees jumped all over Del Val starter Joe Chiarino early -- knocking him out of the game after just two innings. The Vikings scored on an error in the first, before a three-hit second inning that was highlighted by leadoff hitter Nick Marini's double to the left-center-field gap that plated two of the team's three runs. Dan Barone's sacrifice fly capped the scoring as Voorhees led, 4-0.

Del Val reliever Logan Brown, a sophomore, went the final five innings, striking out four and allowing two runs on three hits.

Del Val missed a golden chance in the third with runners on first and second and none out, following singles by Hann and Adam Novotny. Shortstop Chris Fiaschetti popped up to Pierson for the first out, and after a fielder's choice erased Hann, first baseman Scott Skripko, Del Val's best hitter, grounded out to second to end the inning.

The Vikes tacked on two more in the fourth with a two-out rally. Josh Hausler singled and came all the way round to score on a three-base error as the ball rolled between the center fielder's legs, while Andrew Haspel singled in Barone, who doubled following Hausler's hit and tour of the bases. Hausler went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Up next for Voorhees is a home date with Montgomery, while Delaware Valley hosts South Hunterdon in Saturday contests.

DELAWARE VALLEY (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Fiaschetti ss 4-0-1-0, Williams 2b 4-0-2-0, Skripko 1b 4-0-0-0, Chiarino p-3b 3-1-1-0, Perna 3b-cf 2-1-0-0, Pilone c 2-1-0-0, Innocenti lf 2-0-0-0, Egidio lf 1-0-1-1, Hann dh/Mikulicz rf 3-0-2-2, Novotny cf-rf 3-0-1-0. Totals: 28-3-9-3.

VOORHEES (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Marini cf 4-1-1-2, Hausler c 4-2-3-1, Barone rf 2-1-1-1, Haspel dh/Tiger lf 4-0-1-1, Palmer 1b 4-0-0-0, Pierson p-2b 3-0-0-0, Rocca cr 0-0-0-0, D. Wernicki 3b 3-0-1-0, Furka 2b-p 3-1-0-0, J. Wernicki 2b 0-0-0-0, Kroll ss 3-1-1-0. Totals: 30-6-7-5.

Delaware Valley (3-6, 2-4) 000 003 0 -- 3 8 6

Voorhees (2-5, 2-4) 130 200 x -- 6 7 1

E -- Fiaschetti, Pilone 2, Perna, Chiarino, Skripko; Kroll. DP Voorhees 1 (Pierson-Palmer). LOB -- Delaware Valley 7, Voorhees 9. 2B -- Marini, Barone. SB -- Williams, Perna 2, Chiarino; Hausler 2. CS -- Skripko. SF -- Barone.

Chiarino, Brown (3) and Pilone. Pierson, Furka (6) and Hausler. W -- Pierson (1-1). L -- Chiarino (1-2). S -- Furka 1. SO-BB -- Chiarino 0-1, Brown 4-1; Pierson 4-2, Furka 1-0. WP -- Pierson. HBP -- Perna (by Pierson).

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex seeds, pairings

2013-04-18T13:37:00.001-04:00

The official pairings and seeds for the fourth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Baseball Tournament were released Thursday afternoon. Preliminary round games are scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 and the winners advance to first-round action on Saturday, April 27.

Quarterfinals will be played Saturday, May 4 and the semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, May 11. The championship game will be contested at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Diamond Nation in Flemington.

Phillipsburg, which is the No. 6 seed for Hunterdon-Warren, is the defending champion. The Stateliners beat Hunterdon Central, 2-1, in last year's title game. P'burg will travel to Pope John for a first-round matchup -- a rematch of last year's classic quarterfinal, won by the 'Liners, 6-5, in 12 innings at PJ.

Central has reached the final all three times, winning the first championship in 2010. Pope John beat Central, 8-1, in the 2011 final.

Sparta, a runner-up in 2010, is the top seed for Sussex. The Spartans dropped a 3-1 decision to North Hunterdon, this year's top seed in the H-W bracket, in a quarterfinal game last year.

Here are the pairings and seeds.

A=Hunterdon-Warren
B=Sussex

Preliminary round

9A-South Hunterdon at 8B-Kittatinny

10B-Hopatcong at 7A-Warren Hills

10A-Belvidere at 7B-High Point

9B-Sussex Tech at 8A-Voorhees

First-round games

Kittatinny-South Hunterdon, winner at 1A-North Hunterdon

5A-Delaware Valley at 4B-Lenape Valley

6B-Vernon at 3A-North Warren

Hopatcong-Warren Hills winner at 2B-Newton

Sussex Tech-Voorhees winner at 1B-Sparta

5B-Wallkill Valley at 4A-Hackettstown

6A-Phillipsburg at 3B-Pope John

Belvidere-High Point winner at 2A-Hunterdon Central

Quarterfinals

Kittatinny-South Hunterdon-North Hunterdon winner vs. Delaware Valley-Lenape Valley winner

Vernon-North Warren winner vs. Hopatcong-Warren Hills-Newton winner

Sussex Tech-Voorhees-Sparta winner vs. Wallkill Valley-Hackettstown winner

Phillipsburg-Pope John winner vs. Belvidere-High Point-Hunterdon Central winner

Baseball: Maker finds mark as Newton tops Kittatinny

2013-04-16T23:43:00.003-04:00

When you're going good, the breaks seem to go your way -- even when they go against you.

Newton's baseball team wasn't at its collective best on Tuesday, but the Braves did what good teams do as they found a way to earn a 5-3 victory over a gritty Kittatinny club in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division showdown in Hampton.

"I saw this coming the last few days in practice -- with our approach in pitching and this was our worst defensive game," said Newton coach John Selitto, whose team overcame four errors in the field to improve to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the division. "Maybe we learned a lesson today. We're a young team that's learning how to win. This was a good test today."

Kittatinny (0-6, 0-5) can't seem to buy a break, as coach Brian Bosworth's team battled but came up short in its fifth loss by two runs or fewer. The Cougars led 3-2 after four innings, but starter Dave Moyer seemed to run out of steam after three solid innings.

"We've played well in every game we've played in," said Bosworth, now in his second season in charge of the Cougars. "We're young and it part of the growing process. I don't want to say we haven't gotten any breaks, we need to create our own breaks. We're not getting timely hits."

Newton overcame a 3-2 deficit with two runs in the top of the sixth. Joe Maker, who led off with a walk, came around on Anthony Morro's double down the left-field line. No. 7 hitter Adam Vasquez followed with another rope down down the line in left to put the Braves ahead for good.

Maker's RBI single in the seventh gave the Braves an insurance run, as lefty Nick Grant tossd a 1-2-3 bottom half for the save. Maker, a third baseman, finished 3-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored, three stolen bases and an RBI.

"He had a really good game today," said Selitto, whose team stole six bases in all.

Maker and his teammates are starting to feel the pinch of a 7-0 record -- the program's best start since the 2001 Newton team won its first 19 en route to a 25-3 mark, the North 1, Group 2 title and an appearance in the Group 2 final.

"This was a really big game, we knew [Kittatinny] was going to come right after us," Maker said. "Moyer is one of the most respected pitchers [in the county]. You try not to look at the undefeated record, come out and hit the ball and play hard."

Kittatinny jumped out in front with two runs in the fourth, thanks to pair of Newton errors. Branham's throwing error plated one, before another error by second baseman Joe Selitto allowed Kittatinny shortstop Cowan Sikora to reach. He scored when Casey McArdle singled to center.

Branham settled down after that, retiring the final six batters he faced, as he combined with Grant to retire the final 10 Kittatinny hitters in order. The right-hander went six innings for his second win, allowing four hits and three runs (one earned) with one walk and five strikeouts. He also had some help from the defense, as Bernotas made a nifty one-handed stop up the middle and flipped to Selitto to start a 6-4-3 double play in the second.

"He didn't have his good stuff, but he gutted it out," John Selitto said. "He was at the 83-pitch mark, and there are days when you grind it out and find a way to keep us in games."

Newton evened things at 1 on a wild pitch by Moyer in the top of the fourth. Morro led off with a double to the right-field wall and Maker singled -- one of his three hits -- to put runners on first and third with none out. After Grant walked to load the bases, Moyer struck outVasquez and made a nice play on Bernotas' comebacker for the force at home. But his errant pitch during catcher Charlie Grotyohann's at-bat allowed Grant to score with the go-ahead run.

Moyer (0-3) finished with seven strikeouts against three walks. The Cougars' offense managed just four hits in the loss. After the fourth inning, Kittatinny went down in order over the last three frames.

NEWTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Smith lf 4-0-0-0, Selitto 2b 4-0-1-0, Cramer cf 4-1-1-0, Morro 1b 4-0-1-0, Maker 3b 3-3-3-1, Grant dh/Branham p 3-1-2-2, Vasquez rf 2-0-1-1, Bernotas ss 3-0-0-0, Grotyohann c 3-0-0-0, Castle cr 0-0-0-0. Totals: 30-5-9-4.

KITTATINNY (ab-r-h-rbi) -- McArdle 1b-p 3-1-1-2, Dispoto lf 4-0-1-0, Moyer p-1b 2-0-1-1, Repasy 3b 3-0-0-0, Potten rf 3-0-0-0, Pastor Poe 2b 3-1-1-0, Goriscak dh/ LaFiura c 3-0-0-0, Sikora ss 3-1-0-0, Moszsynski cf 3-0-0-0. Totals: 33-4-11-4.

E -- Bernotas, Branham, Selitto; Pastor Poe, Sikora. DP Newton 1 (Bernotas-Selitto-Morro); Kittatinny 1 (Repasy-Moyer). LOB -- Newton 7, Kittatinny 5. 2B -- Morro, Grant. SB -- Maker 3, Selitto, Cramer, Vasquez.

Branham, Grant (7) and Grotyohann. Moyer, McArdle (7) and LaFiura. W -- Branham (2-0). L -- Moyer (0-3). SO-BB -- Branham 5-1, Grant 1-0; Moyer 7-3, McArdle 0-0. WP -- Moyer. HBP -- Moyer (by Branham).

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

2013-04-16T00:06:00.001-04:00

Through Monday's games

Skyland Conference

Delaware Division
	Overall	Division
Watchung Hills	(7-1)	(3-1)
Montgomery	(5-1)	(3-1)
North Hunterdon	(5-1)	(3-1)
Immaculata	(4-2)	(3-1)
Bridgewater-Raritan	(5-2)	(2-2)
Hillsborough	(4-4)	(1-3)
Hunterdon Central	(2-5)	(1-3)
Phillipsburg	(2-7)	(0-4)

Raritan Division
	Overall	Division
Ridge	(5-2)	(4-0)
Somerville	(5-1)	(3-1)
Delaware Valley	(3-4)	(2-2)
Voorhees	(1-4)	(1-3)
Franklin	(1-4)	(1-3)
Warren Hills	(1-6)	(1-3)

Valley Division
	Overall	Division
Bernards	(8-0)	(5-0)
Gill St. Bernard's	(5-4)	(5-1)
Bound Brook	(3-3)	(3-2)
Pingry	(3-3)	(2-2)
North Plainfield	(2-3)	(2-2)
South Hunterdon	(2-5)	(2-4)
Belvidere	(2-5)	(1-4)
Manville	(0-5)	(0-5)

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Freedom Division
	Overall	Division
Newton	(6-0)	(5-0)
Wallkill Valley	(3-2)	(3-1)
Jefferson	(5-3)	(3-2)
North Warren	(4-3)	(3-2)
Lenape Valley	(3-3)	(2-2)
Hackettstown	(4-3)	(2-3)
Kittatinny	(0-5)	(0-4)
Hopatcong	(0-8)	(0-4)

American Division
	Overall	Division
Sparta	(4-2-1)	(3-0-1)
Morris Knolls	(2-2-2)	(2-0-2)
Pope John	(6-3)	(3-2)
Montville	(5-2)	(2-2)
Morris Hills	(5-2-2)	(1-1-2)
Vernon	(2-4)	(2-3)
Mount Olive	(2-4-1)	(1-2-1)
High Point	(1-4)	(0-4)

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

2013-04-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

There's a new-found sense of excitement surrounding Newton's baseball program that's been absent far too long.

Off to their best start in 12 years, the Braves (6-0) enter the week sitting atop the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division standings. Coach John Selitto's team punctuated last week's action with Thursday's 10-4 win over Jefferson, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the top of the first.

It was Newton's first win over its former Sussex County Interscholastic League rival since 2009, when it thwarted the Falcons' bid for the final SCIL title with a 4-2 win in 12 innings on the same field at Jefferson. It also snapped a three-game skid against Jefferson, which beat Newton, 17-5, last season.

This year's Newton club isn't yet drawing comparisons to the 2001 team, which won its first 19 games en route to a 25-3 mark and an appearance in the Group 2 final, and featured such studs as catcher/pitcher Josh Noviskey (drafted by the Cleveland Indians) and ace lefty Charlie Munroe. The 8-1 loss to Audubon in that title game was the last for veteran coach Bob Melillo, whose teams compiled an overall mark of 353-207-2.

But the current Braves feature a balanced lineup, anchored by center fielder and No. 3 hitter Ben Cramer, along with cleanup man Anthony Morro, the starting first baseman. Leadoff batter Justin Smith is always a threat to steal on the bases.

"We're off to a great start and it feels great," said Cramer, one of five underclassmen in the starting lineup.

Pitching-wise, sophomore lefty Nick Grant and senior right-hander Chris Branham are off to good starts, along with righty Casey Thomas (2-0). Grant opened some eyes with his no-hitter against North Warren on Wednesday, striking out seven and allowing one walk. It was the Braves' first no-no since Munroe tossed a five-inning perfect game against Lenape Valley in 10-0 win on May 17, 2000.

"Pitching has been great for us," said Cramer, following his two-hit, three RBI day against Jefferson. "We're putting up runs and not giving up too many."

However, Selitto cautions that his team can not overlook anyone, especially this week in games against winless Kittatinny and Hopatcong. Over the previous two seasons, the Braves won a total of nine games. In fact, only the 2009 team (12-14) has reached double digits in victories since the program's last winning campaign in '02.

"This group has been together on the varsity for three years, but they're still learning how to win," Selitto said. "We targeted this year. The kids have done a nice job."

Now onto this week's rankings:

1. North Hunterdon (4-1) – Lions still on top following road wins over Montgomery (8-0) on Tuesday and Hillsborough (15-2) on Thursday in two big Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchups. It's no secret as to the Hunterdon County school's success. Coach Mike Kane's team is scoring runs at an alarming rate -- 57 in five games for an average of just over 11 per contest -- and is getting quality starting pitching. Senior Justin Trinity picked up his second win against Hillsborough, while senior second baseman Robbie Young went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs against Montgomery.

Up next: at Warren Hills on Monday; Watchung Hills at home on Tuesday; at Immaculata on Thursday.

2. Sparta (4-1-1) – Spartans enter the week fresh off their big 5-3 win over crosstown rival Pope John last Wednesday, as sophomore Dillon Mendel earned his second win with a five-hitter, while senior first baseman Sean Dilger belted his first home run. The victory snapped Sparta's four-game skid in the series and was its first over the Lions since May 19, 2009 (4-3 in 10 innings). In fact, the Spartans won three meetings against their rivals that year, including a 6-3 win in eight innings in the former Sussex County Tournament. Ace Kevin Foulds (2-0) struck out nine in a 4-2 win over Goshen (N.Y.) on Saturday.

Up next: Kinnelon at home on Monday; at Montville on Tuesday; Morris Knolls at home on Thursday; High Point at home on Friday; Warwick (N.Y.) at home on Saturday.

3. Pope John (6-3) – Coach Vin Bello's Lions went 2-1 last week, including an 8-7 win over nemesis Montville in an NJAC American Division clash on the turf in Sparta. Junior second baseman Axel D'Addario continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Dan Cunico finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the win. In his last six games, D'Addario has seven RBIs with a triple and a homer. D'Addario was 2-for-4 with an RBI in a loss to crosstown rival Sparta. Senior pitcher Ken Mott logged his first win on Friday in the team's 3-1 win over Vernon. The Lions closed the week with a nice 7-4 win at Bergen Catholic.

Up next: at Morris Knolls on Tuesday; Mount Olive at home on Thursday; Moorestown at Millburn Tournament on Saturday.

4. Newton (6-0) – Braves keep merrily rolling along, picking up three more wins this past week. Coach John Selitto's club outscored its opponents, 24-6, in the process, including Thursday's 10-4 win over Jefferson in which Newton scored nine runs in the top of the first inning. The Braves also beat No. 8 Lenape Valley, 10-2, and No. 7 North Warren, 4-0, in their other NJAC Freedom Division showdowns. Catcher Charlie Grotyohann continues to rake, with a double and an RBI against North Warren and an RBI in the win over Jefferson.

Up next: at Kittatinny on Tuesday; Hopatcong at home on Thursday; Whippany Park at home on Saturday.

5. Hunterdon Central (2-5) – Red Devils are off to one of their worst starts in recent memory, dropping their fourth straight with Saturday's 10-1 loss at home. Coach Mike Raymond's team hasn't won since a 12-1 drubbing of Nottingham on April 6. Life in the Delaware Division is tough, as Central dropped tough ones to Immaculata (11-8) and Montgomery (7-6) this past week. Sensational senior second baseman Jeremy Ake homered in the loss to 'Lata. He's hitting .300 with two homers and team-leading nine RBIs entering the week. Sophomore outfielder Henry Hawkins leads the team with a .400 average. Central's pitchers have allowed 35 runs in the last four games, and 51 (37 earned) overall this season.

Up next: at Phillipsburg on Tuesday; at Hillsborough on Thursday; Red Devil Classic at home on Saturday.

6. Wallkill Valley (3-1) – Rangers went 2-0 last week, including a 5-0 win over Hopatcong last Monday in an NJAC Freedom Division showdown at Harold Sisco Field. Junior outfielder Brandon Grabkowski went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs. He leads the team with a .538 average (7-for-13). Right-hander Casey Jervis (1-0), who owns a 2.10 ERA, picked up the win with nine strikeouts. Senior Rob Stecher improved to 2-0 on the mound in Wallkill's 5-3 win over Hackettstown on Wednesday. He has seven K's in 12 innings this season.

Up next: at High Point on Monday; at Jefferson on Tuesday; at North Warren on Thursday; Pequannock at home on Saturday.

7. North Warren (4-2) – Coach Jim Haupt's Patriots went 2-1 this past week -- including a 2-1 win over Hackettstown on Thursday in a key NJAC Freedom Division showdown in Blairstown. Senior outfielder Mike Clothier went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while sophomore pitcher Lance Kernoschak improved to 2-0. Senior Hunter Stevens ran his record to 2-0 with six K's in the team's 6-5 win over Kittatinny last Monday.

Up next: at Blair Academy on Monday; at Hopatcong on Tuesday; Wallkill Valley at home on Thursday.

8. Lenape Valley (3-2) – Patriots went 1-1 this past week, falling, 10-2, to No. 4 Newton on Monday before rebounding with Wednesday's 8-0 victory over rival Hopatcong for their second shutout this season. Senior Ken Costa went 2-for-3, while ace right-hander Drew Burke (1-1), who blanked Kittatinny on Opening Day, took his first loss against Newton. Coach Bob Klinck's team gears for a big week in the wild NJAC Freedom Division.

Up next: Morristown-Beard at home on Monday; Hackettstown at home on Tuesday; Jefferson at home on Thursday; Sussex Tech at home on Friday.

9. Delaware Valley (3-4) – Terriers enter the rankings for the first time coming off back-to-back wins over Franklin on Tuesday and (10-4) Warren Hills on Thursday (7-3) in a pair of Raritan Division showdowns. Coach Marty White's club received solid pitching efforts from Chris Fiaschetti (four K's against Franklin) and Logan Brown (four K's vs. Warren Hills). Senior first baseman Scott Skripko went a combined 5-for-8 with five RBIs in the two wins. He also got the final three outs on the mound against the Blue Streaks.

Up next: Somerville at home on Tuesday; at Voorhees on Thursday; South Hunterdon at home on Saturday.

10. Hackettstown (3-3) – Tigers creep into the rankings, thanks largely to a big 1-0 win at Jefferson in an NJAC Freedom Division clash last Monday. Coach Gary Poyer's team also dropped a couple of close decisions to Wallkill Valley (5-3 on Wednesday) and North Warren (2-1 on Thursday). Senior Owen Gavin (2-0) got the win on the mound against Jefferson.

Up next: at Belvidere on Monday; at Lenape Valley on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Thursday; Morris Catholic at home on Friday.

On the bubble: Phillipsburg (2-7), Vernon (2-4), Warren Hills (1-5), Voorhees (1-4).

Baseball: Nine-run frame fuels unbeaten Newton

2013-04-11T23:23:00.001-04:00

It's been a long time coming for Newton's baseball program, which hasn't produced a winning season since 2002. But, at 6-0, the Braves are looking to end that drought in a big way.

Coach John Selitto's team certainly wasted little time on Thursday in its quest to remain unbeaten -- sending 13 batters to the plate in a nine-run explosion that propelled the Braves to a 10-4 win over host Jefferson in a key Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division clash.

Newton (6-0, 5-0 division), ranked sixth in the Open Mike area, holds a 1 1/2-game lead over Wallkill Valley in the Freedom standings, with Jefferson (5-2, 3-2) falling two games back with the loss. The rest of the division plays Friday, as Wallkill Valley can pick up a half-game with a win over Lenape Valley at Sisco Field.

"We're off to a great start, and hopefully we can keep the run going," said talented junior center fielder Ben Cramer, who was 2-for-4, including a bases-clearing double in the Braves' huge first inning. "It feels great to be on top of the conference."

Newton tagged Jefferson starter Dom Alheidt (2-1) for seven runs on two hits, chasing him after just two-thirds of an inning. Reliever Joey Nadler gave up two runs on three hits in the first, but allowed just one more run in his 5 1/3 innings of relief. The Braves managed just five baserunners from the second inning on, as Nadler retired 10 in a row until issuing a two-out walk to Ryan Vasquez in the seventh.

"The kid [Nadler] did a nice job and gutted it out for them," Selitto said. "He kept them in the game.

Cramer, who batted .366 as a sophomore, was one of four Newton hitters to bat twice in the first. After striking out, Cramer came up again with the bases loaded and hammered a double to the base of the center-field fence -- one of his two doubles that nearly left the yard. The Braves loaded the bases six times in the first, chasing Alheidt after catcher Charlie Grotyohann, the No. 9 hitter, drew a walk for the inning's seventh run.

The opening frame started harmlessly enough for Alheidt, who after allowing a leadoff single to Justin Smith, got Joe Selitto to pop up to the catcher before fanning Cramer. But Alheidt walked two and hit two before issuing an RBI single to Jon Bernotas. Smith delivered his second single of the inning to plate a run and Selitto brought in another with a single to keep 'em loaded for Cramer.

With a 9-0 lead, Newton starter Casey Thomas retired six of the first eight batters before encountering trouble in the third. Cleanup hitter Kevin Silverstein got Jefferson on the board with a two-out single that scored Connor Labita, who led off with a single to right.

Newton got the run back in the fourth, as Cramer doubled deep to left and came around to score on Anthony Morro's single. With a 10-1 lead, it looked as if the Braves were on their way to invoking the mercy rule.

But the Falcons answered with three runs in their half of the fourth, as Jeremy Decotiis belted his second double to make it, 10-2. Catcher Matt Ajaj followed with a two-run bloop single to center.

"We respect them offensively and they kept swinging the bats," Selitto said. "Down 9-0 is a long way to go."

Thomas departed after the fourth in line for his third win in as many starts, leaving junior Luke Leifken to close it out in relief. The right-hander allowed a walk and struck out two in the fifth, but had to work out of bases-loaded jams in the sixth and seventh as Jefferson stranded a total of 11 runners on the day.

"We didn't think Casey had his good stuff today," Selitto said. "Leifken did a nice job. He's a first baseman and would start for a lot of other teams. We beat a quality team."

Newton has little time to relax. In addition to Freedom matchups against winless Kittatinny (Tuesday) and Hopatcong (Thursday), the Braves will host No. 4 Sparta next Friday in a big county showdown at Memory Park.

"We're not good enough to overlook anybody, and we're playing teams starving for wins," Selitto said. "Our guys are still learning, we didn't win too many games the last two years (nine total). This group has been together three years on the varsity and we started six sophomores two years ago. We targeted this year. Last year we thought we'd make a big jump, but we couldn't dig ourselves out [of a 2-5 hole start in a 6-17 season]."

NEWTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Smith lf 4-2-2-1, Selitto 2b 4-1-1-1, Cramer cf 4-1-2-3, Morro 1b 4-1-1-1, Branham 3b 3-1-1-0, Grant dh/Thomas p/Leifken p 3-1-0-1, Vasquez rf 2-1-0-1, Bernotas ss 4-1-1-1, Grotyohann c 2-0-0-1, Maker cr 0-1-0-0. Totals: 29-10-8-10.

JEFFERSON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Decotiis cf 4-1-2-1, Ajaj c 4-0-2-2, Thompson ss 4-0-0-0, Silverstein rf 3-0-1-1, Wiegman 1b 3-0-0-0, Zarzecki ph 1-0-0-0, Muccia lf 2-0-0-0, Stallworth ph 1-0-1-0, Nadler 3b-p 4-0-1-0, Willard dh/Alheidt p 2-1-0-0, Montone 3b 2-0-2-0, Labita 2b 3-2-2-0. Totals: 33-4-11-4.

E -- Montone. LOB -- Newton 4, Jefferson 12. 2B -- Cramer 2; Decotiis 2. SB -- Smith.

Thomas, Leifken (5) and Grotyohann. Alheidt, Nadler (1), Sole (6) and Ajaj. W -- Thomas (3-0). L -- Alheidt (2-1). SO-BB -- Thomas 2-1, Leifken 3-2; Alheidt 1-3, Nadler 2-0, Sole 2-1. HBP -- Branham (by Alheidt), Vasquez (by Alheidt).

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings

2013-04-07T21:21:00.001-04:00

The first set of our Open Mike area rankings are usually the toughest.

The first four teams are pretty set, not necessarily in this order, but from five on, it's completely wide open at this point. Phillipsburg wasn't even a thought for consideration after dropping its first four games, but Saturday's 13-7 win over Voorhees, which beat Delaware Valley, got the Stateliners in at the bottom.

This could be a very fluid situation this year as no team seems head-and-shoulders above the pack right now. But it's early folks, so stay tuned.

Among the games to watch this week will be No. 3 Pope John at No. 4 Sparta in the annual crosstown battle. Pope John has won four in a row in the series, including wins of 8-4 and 5-4 last year. Sparta hasn't won since its three victories in 2009, including a 6-3 victory in the now defunct Sussex County Tournament semifinals.

1. North Hunterdon (2-1) – Lions roared out of the gate with wins over Steinert (15-4) and Hunterdon Central (12-6) after a tough opening day loss to Bridgewater-Raritan (8-7). Senior outfielder C.J. Rasile went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and fellow outfielder Andrew Gianos had two hits and two RBIs in the win over Central, North’s six in the last nine meetings between the Hunterdon County schools. Coach Mike Kane's squad has two big Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchups to open this week.

Up next: at Montgomery on Tuesday; at Hillsborough on Thursday; Ridge at home on Friday; at Edison on Saturday.

2. Hunterdon Central (2-1) – Red Devils posted wins over Nottingham (12-1) and Watchung Hills (5-3) around the loss to North Hunterdon on Thursday. Senior second baseman and Delaware recruit Jeremy Ake belted a walk-off grand slam against Watchung. Billy Maier was the winning pitcher, allowing five hits and logging six strikeouts in seven frames. Ake had two RBIs in the loss to North Hunterdon. Big week on tap for coach Mike Raymond’s club, which earned a three-way share of last year's conference title, with two huge Delaware Division clashes.

Up next: Hun at home on Monday; at Immaculata on Tuesday; at Montgomery on Thursday; Randolph at home on Saturday.

3. Pope John (3-2) – Lions opened the season with a thrilling 7-6 win in eight innings over Roxbury before a 4-2 victory over High Point in an NJAC American Division showdown. Coach Vin Bello’s team also earned a 7-2 independent win over Demarest. In between, Pope John dropped a 3-1 decision to Morris Hills in an American Division meeting. Rob Sanders delivered a walk-off hit against Roxbury, which led, 4-0, through five innings. Axel D’Addario earned the win in relief, and also homered in the win over Demarest. Sophomore Ethan Collins tossed a three-hitter with six K's against High Point.

Up next: Montville at home on Monday; at Sparta on Wednesday; Vernon at home on Friday; at Bergen Catholic on Saturday.

4. Sparta (2-1) – Spartans opened with wins over Mount Olive (3-1) and Vernon (9-3) before a 7-3 non-league loss to Chatham on Saturday. Kevin Foulds fired a three-hitter with six strikeouts against Mount Olive, while Matt Chemis went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Thomas Ruddy also had an RBI single. Austin Unglaub and Jon-Karl Widuch homered against Vernon, while Dylan Mendel struck out five in earning his first varsity win on the hill.

Up next: Morris Hills at home on Monday; Pope John at home on Wednesday; High Point at home on Friday; at Goshen (N.Y.) on Saturday.

5. Warren Hills (1-2) – Blue Streaks rebounded from an 11-8 loss to Somerville in their opener with an impressive 7-1 win over Voorhees in a Skyland Conference Raritan Division clash. Coach Mike Quinto’s team closed the week with a 13-2 road loss to Montgomery. Winning pitcher Nathaniel Capone held Voorhees to just five hits, while Shea Kohler (2-for-3, double, RBI) was among five Streaks with multiple hits. Big area clash with Delaware Valley, coached by Warren Hills alum Marty White, at Joseph Steinhardt Field this week.

Up next: Hillsborough at home on Monday; Ridge at home on Tuesday; Delaware Valley at home on Thursday.

6. Newton (3-0) – Braves are off to one of their best starts in recent years. Coach John Selitto’s club, coming off a six-win season in 2012, opened with a big 7-5 win in eight innings against nemesis Wallkill Valley in a key NJAC Freedom Division showdown and improved to 2-0 in the division with Friday’s 11-6 win over Hackettstown. On Saturday, Casey Thomas tossed a two-hitter and Anthony Morro drove in a pair of runs in a 5-0 independent win over Dover. Justin Smith plated the go-ahead run with a safety squeeze in the win over Wallkill, which snapped Newton’s five-game skid in the series.

Up next: Lenape Valley at home on Monday; North Warren at home on Wednesday; Jefferson at home on Thursday; at Vernon on Saturday.

7. Wallkill Valley (1-1) – After a tough 7-5 loss in eight innings to Newton in their opener, the Rangers rebounded with a 2-1 win over Kittatinny in another NJAC Freedom Division contest. Casey Jervis went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the loss to Newton, while Rob Stecher struck out five and walked one in the complete-game win over the Cougars. Rich Stecher scored the decisive run on Nick McWilliams’ squeeze bunt in the fifth inning.

Up next: Hopatcong at home on Monday; at Hackettstown on Wednesday; Lenape Valley at home on Friday; at New Egypt (doubleheader) on Saturday.

8. North Warren (2-1) – Patriots started off on the wrong foot with a 7-0 loss to Jefferson, but bounced back in a big way with a 7-4 win over Lenape Valley for the Warren County school’s first win in the NJAC Freedom Division. Dave Wilbur went 3-for-3 with two doubles, while winning pitcher Hunter Stevens logged eight strikeouts. Nick Meyer also homered in the win. Coach Jim Haupt’s team closed the week with a 7-4 win over Hanover Park.

Up next: Kittatinny at home on Monday; at Newton on Wednesday; Hackettstown at home on Friday; Whippany Park at home on Saturday.

9. Lenape Valley (2-1) – Patriots opened some eyes with a 4-0 win over Kittatinny in their opener, before a 7-4 loss to North Warren in its second NJAC Freedom Division tilt last week. Coach Bob Klinck’s team closed the week with a 3-1 non-league win over Boonton on Saturday. Drew Burke was the winning pitcher against Kittatinny, while Mike Deerfield tossed a two-hitter with seven K’s against Boonton.

Up next: at Newton on Monday; Hopatcong at home on Wednesday; at Wallkill Valley on Friday; at Delaware Valley on Saturday.

10. Phillipsburg (1-4) – Stateliners closed a very tough week with Saturday’s 13-7 win over Voorhees in a Skyland Conference interdivisional showdown at the Phillipsburg Athletic Complex. Alex Martin went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including an inside-the-park home run. Bryan Gardner added two RBIs for the ‘Liners, who were outscored, 43-3, in its losses. Coach Dave Hinkle’s team lost, 18-0, to Ridge in the opener and 10-0 to Montgomery.

Up next: at Watchung Hills on Tuesday; at Immaculata on Thursday; Pius X (Pa.) at Phillipsburg on Friday; Stroudsburg (Pa.) at Phillipsburg on Saturday.

On the bubble: Hackettstown (2-1); Delaware Valley (1-4), Voorhees (1-2).

Baseball: NJAC Freedom race off to wild early start

2013-04-05T21:13:00.000-04:00

As expected, the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division is as wide open as can be just two games into a very young season.

Jefferson and Newton reside in first place at 2-0 in divisional play, while surprisingly, Kittatinny is 0-2 and at the bottom of the standings.

Jefferson figured to be in a bit of a rebuilding mode with the loss of 14 seniors -- and all of its innings on the mound from last year's team that won 22 games and the American Division title. Seems like Falcons coach Jason Kalish may have been sandbagging on this year's club, which improved to 4-0 with Friday's 8-7 win over Pequannock.

Newton was expected to challenge for the top spot, as coach John Selitto was especially high on the Braves in the preseason. They started off with a rather large 7-5 win in eight innings on Tuesday over Wallkill Valley, which had won five straight and eight of the previous nine meetings in the series. Justin Smith plated the go-ahead run with a safety squeeze in the top of the eighth.

Newton's previous win over Wallkill was 5-4 on April 14, 2010. The Braves closed out league play this week with Friday's 11-6 win over Hackettstown, which sits at 1-1, along with Lenape Valley, North Warren and Wallkill Valley. Hopatcong also is 0-2 with Kittatinny.

North Warren opened with a 7-0 loss to Jefferson, before evening its division slate with Friday's 7-4 win over Lenape Valley -- the Warren County school's first NJAC win since coming over from the Skyland Conference this season.

Skyland scene

Delaware Valley (1-2) nearly pulled off a stunner on Thursday in a tough 3-2 loss to Ridge. The Terriers led, 2-1, heading into the top of the seventh, but the Red Devils scored twice to take the lead and avoid the upset.

Coach Marty White's Terriers opened the week with a 6-0 independent win over Hopatcong, before a 5-3 loss to Voorhees in a Raritan Division clash played in frigid temperatures in Alexandria Township on Tuesday.

Phillipsburg (0-4) is off to the toughest of starts -- getting outscored, 43-3, in its four losses. The Stateliners dropped an 18-0 decision to Ridge on Monday before a 10-0 loss to Montgomery the following day. Coach Dave Hinkle's team was competitive in a 4-2 loss to Wilson (Pa.) on Wednesday.

Warren Hills (1-2) rebounded from an 11-8 loss to Somerville in its opener on Tuesday to earn a 7-1 win over Voorhees in another Raritan Division matchup on Thursday. Winning pitcher Nathaniel Capone held the Vikings to just five hits, while Shea Kohler (2-for-3, double, RBI) was among five Blue Streaks with multiple hits. Coach Mike Quinto's club, which lost 13-2 to Montgomery on Friday, has a big local showdown at home with Delaware Valley on Thursday, April 11.

North Hunterdon opened some eyes with a 12-6 win over Hunterdon Central on Thursday -- the Lions' fifth win in the last seven meetings with the Red Devils. The teams split their Delaware Division contests the previous two seasons, while North Hunterdon swept the season set in 2010.

Round trippers

Sussex Tech is off to a 2-1 start under first-year coach Brad Szatkiewicz, who won his debut, 13-3, against Morris Tech on Monday. Chris Manzi belted a homer and had five RBIs, while winning pitcher Chris McNulty fanned seven. The Mustangs lost 8-2 to 13th Street Tech on Wednesday, but bounced back with Friday's 6-1 win over Notre Dame.

Pope John (2-1) continued its hold on High Point with Tuesday's 4-2 victory in Sparta. Winning pitcher Ethan Collins, one of the top arms in Northwest Jersey, tossed a three-hitter with six strikeouts. The Lions have won seven in a row against the Wildcats (0-2), whose last win in the series was, 5-4, on April 27, 2009.

Lenape Valley's 4-0 win over Kittatinny was a good way to open the NJAC Freedom slate for coach Bob Klinck's Patriots (2-1), who dropped both meetings against the Cougars in 2012. Coach Brian Bosworth's Cougars are struggling at the plate, scoring one run in their two losses.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren preview capsules

2013-04-01T19:32:00.002-04:00

Belvidere County Seaters

Coach: Aaron Feldman (43-56, fifth season).

2012 record: 8-17, 6-6 Skyland Conference Valley Division (fourth).

Key returnees: Sr. Tyler Grogan INF-P; Sr. Caleb Seibert 3B-P; Jr. Jake Carlson C; Jr. Logan Welles 1B-P; Sr. Avery Sepulveda INF; Sr. Johnny Giacchi OF-P; So. Henry Myerchin SS-P; So. Bobby Merle OF; So. Tyler Lutsky OF.

Key losses: Craig Tomkins 3B; Jared Allen OF; Vinnie Pisano OF; Kelsey Craig OF; Chris DeHerde 2B;

Promising newcomers: Sr. Anthony Madeo 2B; Sr. Tyler Tutka OF-P; Sr. Alex Hoffmaster OF.

Coach's comment: "I think that the group we have this season will be competitive. They're a very close-knit group, and can go a long way. We are deep at most positions, and have a group of talented kids at the JV level that will push the varsity guys. Our goal is to get better each day throughout the season so that we are ready for the state tournament."

Outlook: The County Seaters are two seasons removed from a 17-win season and reaching the North 1, Group 1 semifinals in 2010. For the second year in a row, they lose a key player as Grogan will miss the season with a torn ACL. That's big considering Grogan (.424 avg, 22 RBIs, 2.84 ERA) was the squad's best all-around player. Carlson is solid behind the plate. The Seaters have a favorable schedule, particularly their non-conference slate, so a .500 season is certainly a possibility.

Delaware Valley Terriers

Coach: Marty White (88-100, 10th season).

2012 record: 10-11, 4-8 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (tied fifth).

Key returnees: Sr. Scott Skripko 1B-P; Sr. Chris Pilone C; Sr. Reed Williams 2B-SS-P; Sr. Ryan Hann P; Jr. Joe Chiarino OF-3B-P; Jr. Chris Fiaschetti SS-P; Jr. Adam Novotny OF-P.

Key losses: Tom Chiswick 3B-P; Tyler Johnston 1B-2B-P; Dennis Martell OF-2B; Kieth Ferdinando OF; OF Paul Innocenti; Mike Innocenti 1B-DH.

Promising newcomers: Jr. Nick Perna 2B-3B-P; So. Logan Brown P; Sr. Joe Egidio OF; So. Frank McHugh OF; So. Mike Pilone C; S. Travis Scharffenberger 1B; Jr. Kevin Mikulicz OF; So. Devin Merritt INF-OF-P; So. Drew Mera INF-OF-P.

Coach's comment: "We don't have a dominant player that will carry us, but we should have solid play from all positions, and at the plate. With Skripko, Williams, Pilone and Hann returning, leadership has been a strength."

Outlook: Terriers were among the most improved teams a year ago, coming off a two-win season in 2011. This club has a solid nucleus, with Skripko among the conference's top players and a solid backstop in Pilone. Del Val has more depth in the pitching department this season, which is a huge plus. Expect the Terriers, who are well coached, to improve on last year's record.

Hackettstown Tigers

Coach: Gary Poyer (143-103, 12th season).

2012 record: 4-13, 3-7 NJAC Freedom Division (fifth).

Key returnees: Sr. Owen Gavin OF; Sr. Nick Garno 3B; Sr. Ronald Gieger SS-3B; Sr. Matt Bailey C; Jr. Justin Nicholls 1B-P; Sr. Matt Lerman 3B-P; Sr. Eddie Dulio OF; Sr. Joe Alitz OF; Sr. Dean Caravito OF; Jr. Kenny Stelmack 2B.

Key losses: Ryan Tatarka P; Joe Milelli P; Tyler Kessel 2B; Nick Lang OF.

Promising newcomers: So. Matt Pezzato C; So. Matt Engles P-OF; So. Tyler Profilias P-SS; So. Nick Pixley P-1B.

Coach's comment: "This is a promising group with speed and defensive prowess. We also have some solid pitching."

Outlook: The Tigers are coming off one of their worst season in recent history after a 21-win campaign and a Freedom Division title two years ago. Poyer likes his pitching staff, so that's a step in the right direction. If the offense can come around, there's no reason to think this club can't make some strides in what should be a wide-open division race.

Hunterdon Central Red Devils

Coach: Mike Raymond (247-89, 13th season).

2012 record: 23-7, 12-4 Skyland Conference Delaware Division (tied first).

Key returnees: Sr. Geggie Russomagno (.374 avg, 6 HRs, 30 RBIs) OF; Sr. Jeremy Ake (.400, 38 hits, 5 HRs, 29 RBIs) 2B; Sr. Bill Maier (6 wins, 3.83 ERA) P; Jr. Mike Pffeninger 1B; Jr. Matt Stalter SS; Sr. Paul Cucco 3B; Sr. John Icaza OF; Sr. Nick Gentile OF; Sr. Brett Mele C; Sr. Robbie Ehrhard P; Sr. Ryan Thomas P; Sr. George Daley P; Sr. Josh Susekind P.

Key losses: Evan Klimchak SS; Kenny Wilson OF; Brett Bonn 3B; Steve Rasile P; Joe DiGiovanni P; Pete Monahan P; Jr. Drew Rodriguez OF (transferred to Immaculata).

Promising newcomers: Sr. DJ Adams 1B; So. Brett McManus 2B; Fr. Matt Toke 3B; Jr. Zach Gusitites OF; So. Henry Hawkins OF; Sr. Jay Jernigan C; Jr. Zak Vacca C; So. Mike Novello P.

Coach's comment: "I believe this year’s team has the talent and potential to be successful again this season. We have five returning positional starters and three pitchers who combined for nine of our wins last season on the mound. Defensively, I expect our team to be very solid. We definitely need to find a way to replace the wins and leadership we received on the mound last season, but I do believe we have a number of young arms prepared for the challenge."

Outlook: Red Devils once again enter the season without question as the Open Mike area's top team, with nine starters back from a team that reached the North 2, Group 4 sectional final. Ake, a Delaware recruit, is one of the top infielders in the state, while Russomagno is heading to the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall. Maier and Thomas, two of the team's top arms, are going to Iona and Marist, respectively. Expect another season of championship runs for the Hunterdon County powerhouse.

North Hunterdon Lions

Coach: Mike Kane (12-16, second season).

2012 record: 12-16, 4-11 Skyland Conference Delaware Division (eighth).

Key returnees: Sr. C.J. Rasile OF; Sr. Shane Brown OF-P; Sr. Mike Ragozine 1B; Sr. Greg Cocchiola 3B; Sr. Devlin Berry OF; Sr. Robbie Young 2B; Sr. Andrew Gianos OF; So. Andrew Meiners C.

Key losses: Derek Jenkins OF; Ben Stine 1B-P; Tim Howard SS-P; Rob Aromando 3B-P; Alex Noboa 3B-DH; Garrett Smith P.

Promising newcomers: Jr. Marc Monks SS; Jr. Zach Kaminsky OF; So. Tom Schumacher 1B-3B-DH; Sr. Tyler Smith P; Sr. Justin Trinity P; Sr. Jeff Kortina P; Jr. Quentin Klein P; Jr. Kurt Thompson P; Jr. Griffin Hatton P.

Coach's comment: "It looks like we're going to have a real solid pitching staff. All the kids have been working hard and their work in the offseason is really showing. Things look very good so far, so hopefully the weather breaks soon so it feels like spring."

Outlook: Traditionally one of the area's top programs, the Lions took a step back a year ago in Kane's first season at the helm. The losses of Jenkins, Stine and Howard to graduation will be tough to overcome, as North tries to find some offensive consistency to match what their coach feels is a talented young group of arms. Time will tell if this club can make a push up the division standings.

North Warren Patriots

Coach: Jim Haupt (203-133, 15th season).

2012 record: 15-7, 9-3 Skyland Conference Valley Division (second).

Key returnees: Sr. Hunter Stevens (.329, 25 runs) OF-P; Jr. Cam Esposito OF-P; Jr. David Wilbur (.323, 17 RBIs) C; Jr. Alex Hladik (.362, 19 RBIs) SS-P; Sr. Mike Clothier OF; Jr. Brian Turner 2B-P; Jr. Nick Meyer 1B.

Key losses: Joe Frankosky 3B-P; Garret Becker OF-INF-P; Kevin Conlon 2B; Denver Greene OF; Stan Johnson OF.

Promising newcomers: Sr. Scott Severini OF; So. Matt Nicholoff INF-P; So. John Vuz INF; So. Lance Kernoschak INF-P; So. Vince Lubertazzo P; Fr. Sean Thornton P.

Coach's comment: "The mindset and work ethic of the players has been outstanding, and as long as there is continued improvement, I expect good things from North Warren this year."

Outlook: Patriots lost significant talent, particularly pitching, to graduation, but Haupt's teams always seem to find a way to be in the mix. If the young arms on this year's squad develop quickly, the Patriots could be a major force in their first season in the NJAC Freedom Division.

Phillipsburg Stateliners

Coach: Dave Hinkle (40-40, fourth season).

2012 record: 13-14, 4-11 Skyland Conference Delaware Division (seventh).

Key returnees: Sr. Alex Martin OF; Jr. Chris Trent (.364, 13 RBIs) OF; Jr. Matt McAnally 2B; Jr. Tyler Plesnarski DH-P; Sr. Tyler Widitz (.316, 23 RBIs) 3B-P; Sr. Bryan Gardner 1B; Sr. Tyler Woscek (1-2, 1.24 ERA) P; Sr. Zach Yale P.

Key losses: Anthony Ciavarella P-1B-OF; Devin Grade C-2B; Mike Ciesla P; Sahil Patel INF; David Toupin C.

Promising newcomers: So. Mark McGuire P; Sr. Max Ellerth P; Jr. David Wodzisz SS; So. Jake Knoble OF; Sr. Mike Kromar C-OF; Sr. Matt Raulf C; Jr. Andy Ferrara C; Sr. James Sinkbeil C.

Coach's comment: "We return six starters who all gained valuable experience playing in some big games last year. Martin and Trent give us a lot of speed at the top. Widitz has been driving the ball in the pre-season. Gardner is steady in the No. 4 hole. Wodzisz slides in at shortstop with McAnally moving from shortstop to second base this year. Sophomore Jake Knoble is a pure hitter that will only get better with experience."

Outlook: Stateliners graduated their top three pitchers, including their ace Ciavarella, who is now playing at Monmouth. Therefore, the new arms must step up to support what should be a pretty good offensive attack. Woscek was a hero in last year's win over Pope John in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinal game, as the 'Liners captured the county title. Hinkle said Widitz is a hard thrower who has looked good in preseason action. Another bonus is having former P'burg ace Mike Rossetti Jr. on the coaching staff this spring.

South Hunterdon Eagles

Coach: Toby Jefferis (26-76, seventh season).

2012 record: 2-13, 2-8 Skyland Conference Valley Division (sixth).

Key returnees: Sr. Grant Jensen OF-P; Sr. Jake Phillips SS-P; Jr. Jared Bogdan OF; Sr. Robert Albanir INF-P; Jr. Toby Coleman 3B-P; Jr. Jimmy Eick OF-1B; So. Jimmy Smiegocki 1B-P; Jr. Aaron Weber C; Sr. Zach Mastrich 2B; Jr. Ryan Godown P.

Key losses: Shaun Osgood OF-P.

Promising newcomers: So. Tyler Frazee INF; Sr. Austin VanTreuren OF.

Outlook: Eagles were a young team a year ago with only one senior on the entire roster. Predictably, they struggled in a two-win season. Jensen and Albanir were the team's top players in 2012 and will be counted on heavily this season. Jensen is the leadoff man and is expected to be the offensive catalyst. If everything falls right, South could approach the .500 mark this season.

Voorhees Vikings

Coach: Spark Mattson (76-118-1, 10th season).

2012 record: 13-11, 7-5 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (third).

Key returnees: Sr. Josh Hausler C; Sr. Dan Barone OF; Sr. Nick Marini OF; Sr. Mitch Palmer SS-1B; Sr. Andrew Haspiel P-OF; Jr. Matt Furca 2B-P; Jr. Will Palmer INF-P.

Key losses: Trey Conroy 2B-P; Matt Bonavita OF; Tyler Duplaga 3B-P; Bryan Konsig OF-1B; Tyler Kays P; Ronnie Honickel OF-1B;

Promising newcomers: Sr. Thomas Rocca C; Sr. Alex Tiger P-OF; So. Kyle Pierson P-1B-OF; So. Johnny Wernicki INF; Fr. Tyler Kroll INF; Fr. David Wernicki INF-P.

Coach's comment: "We're obviously short on experience and do not have much experienced pitching. We need to mature and grow up quickly in a baseball sense."

Outlook: With 12 players, including six newcomers, and not a lot of depth, the Vikings will be challenged to approach last year's win total. Hausler is a solid backstop, while Barone and Marini are talented outfielders. That's a good corp to build around and they'll be instrumental in bringing a young group along this season.

Warren Hills Blue Streaks

Coach: Mike Quinto (111-120, ninth season).

2012 record: 9-14, 6-6 Skyland Conference Raritan Division (fourth).

Key returnees: Sr. Shea Kohler 2B-P; Sr. Ron Legreide C-DH; Sr. Dallas Johnson OF-3B-P; Jr. Alex Julian 3B-SS; Sr. Michael Lascu 1B; Sr. Grant Cuomo P; So. Christian Stagaard C-OF-P; Sr. Cody Crowley OF; So. Craig Lawson 2B-SS-OF-P.

Key losses: Kyle Allen SS-P; Mark Apgar SS-P; Connor Cruts OF-P; Ryan Curto 2B-3B-P; Landon Chandler OF-P.

Promising newcomers: Jr. Derrick Black P; Jr. Nathaniel Capone P; Fr. Matthew Cummings OF; So. Nick Gagliano C-OF; So. Jake Larsen 1B-P; Jr. Alex Racano P; Jr. Patrick Shanagan OF-P; Fr. Anthony Veneziano OF-P; Fr. Timothy Woolf SS-P.

Coach's comment: "We know Shea Kohler and Mike Lascu will hit, as they are both proven players from last year. Our weakness may be in the depth of experience in our pitching staff, but we do have many who have talent."

Outlook: Blue Streaks are looking to rebound from a disappointing finish last season and should be among the top hitting teams this spring. Kohler is coming off an excellent junior campaign and should be the team's ace. Legreide is a solid catcher. Quinto is high on some of the younger players on the roster, including Stagaard and Lawson, who will both start, while freshmen Veneziano and Woolf are expected to see significant time. This should be a interesting group to follow.

Baseball: Sussex County preview capsules

2013-03-31T01:18:00.002-04:00

High Point Wildcats

Coach: Mickey Thomas (239-117, 16th season, third stint).

2012 record: 10-11, 6-8 NJAC American Division (tied fourth).

Key returnees: Sr. Mike Ragnetti P-OF; Jr. Kyle Adams INF-P; Jr. Jon Stone P-INF; Preston Rowan INF-P; Brandon Carr INF; Matt Valente C.

Key losses: Brett Fundell P-INF; Ryan Conklin P-INF; Ryan Shulok OF; Luke Loughery Utility.

Promising newcomers: Tyler Bahr INF; Ken Christensen OF-P; Bayley Hickey INF; Matt Magura OF-P; Brandon Potucek OF; Trevor Risdon INF-P; Tyler Saczawa INF-P; Tyler Shulok INF-P.

Coach's comment: "We're looking pretty competitive in gymnasium baseball."

Outlook: Wildcats are looking to rebound from a sub-.500 season, but the losses of Fundell, Conklin and Shulok will be tough to overcome, as well as a potentially season-ending injury to Rowan. Ragnetti and Adams should be good atop the rotation, but the rest of the arms are young and inexperienced. A lot of the offense from a year ago is gone, so the 'Cats will have to swing the bats in order to approach last year's win total.

Hopatcong Chiefs

Coach: Chris Buglovsky (66-75, seventh season).

2012 record: 14-8, 8-2 NJAC Freedom Division (first).

Key returnees: Sr. Ryan Frace (.288, 20 runs) 3B-P; Sr. Adam McLagan (.404, 13 SBs) OF; Sr. Rick Prestifilippo C; Jr. Pat McNamara 3B; Jr. Pat Stanton P.

Key losses: Scootie Fischer SS-P; Ray Annett 1B; Hunter Guard 3B-P; Frank Fendrock C; Matt Cautero P; Dillon DelRosso P; Ben Colabella 2B; Dave Testa OF; John Loscalzo P.

Promising newcomers: Jr. Kevin Mulharin OF; So. Shea Bongiovanni SS; Fr. C.J. Robertson 2B; Fr. P.J. Rodick OF; Fr. Christian Ammiano 1B; Fr. Brandon Vanderhoof 1B; Fr. Brennan Dickens P; Fr. Vince Giordano OF.

Coach's comment: "Frace, McLagan, and Prestifilippo are guiding up to six freshman on the varsity squad, so the future looks set for the years to come."

Outlook: After winning their first division championship in 14 years, the Chiefs graduated another talented group so this figures to be a bit of a rebuilding year. Frace will likely be the staff ace. This year's version is young and will need some time to jell, but the program is well coached and this could be a team to watch by season's end.

Kittatinny Cougars

Coach: Brian Bosworth (11-10-1, second season).

2012 record: 11-10-1, 6-3 NJAC Freedom Division (third).

Key returnees: Jr. David Moyer (3-4, 2.16 ERA) SS-P; Sr. Kyle Potten (.350, 2-3, 3.00 ERA) SS-P; Jr. Joe Repasy (2-2, 2.69 ERA) INF-P; Sr. Matt Moszczynski OF; Sr. Casey McArdle (2-0, 2.25 ERA) OF-P.

Key loss: Greg Orlando C; Dan Chernati 2B; Brendan Ullmann 1B; Dustin Sallitt 3B; Jordan Murch OF-P; Cory Zervas OF-P; Brian Frawley OF; David Coombs INF.

Promising newcomers: Sr. Nick Pastor Poe INF; Sr. Dan Rosica 1B; Jr. Mike Dispoto INF-OF; Jr. Adam Goriscak OF; Jr. Dan Imperiale OF; Jr. John LaFiura C; Jr. Brian Reznik OF-P; Jr. Scott Sponder C; So. Cowan Sikora INF.

Coach's comment: "We graduated nine seniors from last year’s team, so our younger guys will have to elevate their games very quickly. There are some underclassmen who are excited for their opportunity to contribute at the varsity level. We do have the luxury of returning most of our pitchers. They pitched well last year and will be asked to shoulder a bigger load this season."

Outlook: Cougars finished over the .500 mark -- a step in the right direction -- and finished third in the division in Bosworth's first season in charge. Pitching is scarce in the area, so with four pretty good arms, this team should be competitive in most of its games this season. If the offense can contribute, the Cougars could be one of the teams to beat in the division race.

Lenape Valley Patriots

Coach: Bob Klinck (60-64, sixth season).

2012 record: 12-12, 4-6 NJAC Freedom Division (fourth).

Key returnees: Sr. Drew Burke P; Sr. Ken Costa P; Sr. Bryan Falato OF; Sr. John Leyden P-1B; So. Jim Fluke SS-P; Sr. David Kain OF; Sr. Greg Walker C; Sr. Mike Deerfield P.

Key losses: Bob Pregno C; Carmen D'Aiuto OF; Zack Samiljan INF; Kyler Houser 1B; A.J. Nolan 3B-P; Will Portington OF-P.

Promising newcomers: Sr. Anthony Basciano P-1B; Jr. David DelSontro C; Jr. Tyler Rogers INF-OF; Jr. Dan Rafferty INF; Jr. Nick Sabatini OF; So. Pat Togno P-OF; So. Rob Sparacino C; So. Nick Leonard OF; So. Cole Swanson P-1B.

Coach's comment: "We return some very good pitching that should determine our success this year. We have great competition at all positions, which will hopefully make us stronger. We expect to be competitive every game and have a successful season."

Outlook: Patriots reached the sectional semifinals a year ago and return their No. 1 pitcher in Burke, who was 6-1 with a 2.07 ERA as a junior. Costa is the No. 2, so the pitching staff is in good shape. The question is offense, as Pregno and D'Aiuto were major losses from the lineup. Expect this team to make a run at the division title and compete in the sectional playoffs.

Newton Braves

Coach: John Selitto (48-111, eighth season).

2012 record: 6-17, 2-8 NJAC Freedom Division (sixth).

Key returnees: Sr. Anthony Morro (.362, 20 RBIs) P-1B; Sr. Chris Branham (3.41 ERA, 41 K's) P-3B; Sr. Ryan Vasquez OF; So. Nick Grant (3.50 ERA, 28 K's) P-OF-1B; Sr. Joey Selitto 2B; Jr. Ben Cramer OF; Sr. Brady Castle OF-SS-P; Jr. Casey Thomas SS-OF-P; Jr. Joey Maker 3B-C; Jr. Charlie Grotyohann C.

Key losses: Sammy Hontz OF-1B-P; Jim Papis C.

Promising newcomers: Jr. Luke Leifken P-1B; Jr. Justin Smith OF; Jr. Steve Kelly P-3B-1B; Jr. Anthony Brown SS-2B; So. Jon Bernotas INF; Jr. Ryan Hattersley 2B-P; Sr. Quinn Kramer P-OF.

Coach's comment: "This is a team that should compete at the top of the conference. Pitching and defense will be the strength of the team with good senior leadership. [We] have experienced the growing pains over the last two years and they're eager to prove themselves as a legitimate contender for the conference title. We have the ability, attitude and desire to be very good."

Outlook: Braves, who went 9-34 overall the last two seasons, are coming off four straight losing campaigns, but optimism for a banner season remains high. The loss of Hontz, a four-year starter, hurts, but Selitto believes this should be a turn-around campaign for a tradition-rich program. Morro, Branham and Grant are a formidable group on the mound and also should help the Braves with their bats. This club is anxious to register a few overdue winning moments on its timeless home field at Memory Park.

Pope John Lions

Coach: Vin Bello (215-134-1, 14th season).

2012 record: 16-9, 12-2 NJAC American Division (second).

Key returnees: Jr. Dan Cunico P-3B; So. Jay Sanford SS; So. Ethan Collins P; So. Matt Piwko P; Sr. Ken Mott P; Sr. Anthony Gignatelli P; Sr. Rob Sanders 1B; So. Zack Leach C; Jr. Connor Kopnik INF; Jr. Mike Young OF; Jr. Axel D'Addario P-2B.

Key losses: Matt Tietz SS; Matt McNally OF; Glen Gavan 3B; Sam Redwood OF; Jack Meehan P; Colin McGivney P; Jay Newman INF.

Promising newcomers: Sr. Steve Tummenello 2B; Sr. John Fierro OF; So. Austin Bailey OF; So. Cyrus Ahmadi; Sr. Graham Jensen OF; So. Jack Nelson 3B.

Coach's comment: "We are playing a very tough [non-conference] schedule."

Outlook: The loss of Tietz, a slick-fielding shortstop and the top player in Sussex County last year, is a big blow to the offense, which is a big question mark heading into this season. If this team hits, the Lions will be tough to beat once again, as they feature several of the area's best arms in Cunico, Collins and Piwko. The hard-throwing D'Addario was a big bonus in the bullpen last spring. Young, the leadoff man, Sanders, Leach and Sanford are the only starting position players returning for the Lions.

Sparta Spartans

Coach: Sam Slobodzian (251-162-2, 17th season).

2012 record: 12-12, 6-8 NJAC American Division (tied fourth).

Key returnees: Jr. Thomas Ruddy (.443, 23 SBs) OF; Sr. Peter Forman C; Sr. Sean Dilger (.363, 22 RBIs) 1B-P; Jr. Austin Unglaub 2B; Jr. Kevin Foulds (3-3, 3.15 ERA) 3B-P; Jr. T.J. Estanislau 3B; Jr. Matt Chemis OF; Sr. Grant Hagedorn OF; Sr. Codie Aromando OF-P; Sr. Jon-Karl Widuch OF.

Key losses: Devon Livingston C-P; Jason Postorino 3B-P; Sr. Derek Tappen 1B-P.

Promising newcomers: So. Dillon Mendel 3B-P; Sr. Grant Hagedorn 3B-DH; Jr. Michael Meisel C-DH; Sr. Jon-Karl Widuch OF; Jr. Nick Shlala OF-P; Jr. Matt Pampin P; So. Connor VanKampen P; Jr. Drew Garger P.

Coach's comment: "We are extremely excited about this season. We return seven out of our nine starting positions. This includes three-year starter Thomas Ruddy, an All-NJAC center fielder and last year’s team MVP, and Kean University-bound Sean Dilger. Six out of the seven returning starters hit better than .300 and we look to improve on those numbers this year. I really like this group this year."

Outlook: Based on what they have returning, the Spartans are clearly the team to beat in Sussex County. Slobodzian, who doesn't over rate his teams, is excited about the season and with good reason. Ruddy, Forman and Dilger are an extremely talented trio, while Foulds is the team's ace on the mound. If the rest of the staff provides consistent pitching, the Spartans could make a deep run in the postseason.

Sussex Tech Mustangs

Coach: Brad Szatkiewicz (first season).

2012 record: 10-8 Independent.

Key returnees: Sr. Jimmy Crumb 1B-P; Sr. Chris Manzi C-P; Sr. Chris McNulty 2B-P.

Key losses: Dempsey Walters P-1B; Mike Hough OF-SS-C.

Promising newcomers: So. Paul Caron SS-P; So. Austen Campbell 3B-P.

Coach's comment: "I'm excited and so are my players. We have a mix of good leaders, strong newcomers and important role players. Along with staying healthy, this could help lead to being a very competitive team."

Outlook: Szatkiewicz, a former standout player for High Point who played college ball at Ramapo, takes over the coaching reins from Howard Drake, who spent the last six seasons at the helm. The Mustangs lost their best player in Dempsey Walters, who was the team's best hitter and pitcher. After going 10-8 last year and 10-9 in 2011, it's not a stretch to see the 'Stangs reach double digits in wins if the pitchers perform.

Vernon Vikings

Coach: Scott Berge (28-57, fifth season).

2012 record: 5-16, 2-11 NJAC American Division (eighth).

Key returnees: Sr. John Lipari 1B; Sr. Kevin Berge C-P; Sr. Ryan Duvall 2B-P; Sr. Kevin Ufferfilge OF-P; Sr. Michael Franklin 2B-P; Jr. Anthony Germinaro P-INF; Jr. Mike Harboy INF-P; Sr. Tyler Kart 3B; Jr. Chris Pontus OF-INF.

Key losses: Steve Fitzsimmons OF; Brian Vinniski 3B-C; Evan Schilling OF-P; Joe LoPicolo OF; Alex Hoffmann 1B-P; Mike Annunziata DH-C.

Promising newcomers: So. Riley Keenan Utility; Sr. Max Schriner OF; Sr. Sam Vitellaro OF-P.

Coach's comment: "[We have a] good nucleus of the team back and we're looking on improving from last years record."

Outlook: Vikings went 5-17 in 2010 and approached the .500 mark in 2011 at 7-11, before finishing 5-16 last season. Lipari is one of the top players in the county and will look to carry the offense again this spring. Of course, like most teams in the area, pitching is a big question mark. If the arms can keep the club in games, a finish around the .500 mark is not out of the question.

Wallkill Valley Rangers

Coach: Kevin Lukich (47-57, fifth season).

2012 record: 14-11, 7-3 NJAC Freedom Division (second).

Key returnees: Sr. Joe Hocking 3B-P; Jr. Brandon Grabkowski OF-P; Sr. Brian Niedergall 2B; Sr. Casey Jervis (3-3, 1.71 ERA, 30 K) P-SS; Sr. Rob Stecher P-1B; Sr. Alex Reiman C.

Key losses: Brendan Drexler C; Tommy Sweller 2B-P; Owen Law OF-P; Brandon Moore OF-P; Mike Penque 3B-2B; Eric Blain 1B; A.J. Castelucci OF-P

Promising newcomers: Jr. Nick McWilliams C; Jr. Brett Hill 1B-P; So. Kyle Rosencranz SS; So. Michael Armstrong OF; Fr. Richard Stecher OF; Fr. Wes Walton OF-P; Sr. Jim Lodema OF; Sr. Josh Todd OF.

Coach's comment: "After losing seven starters from last year, we will rely heavily on our returning pitchers. With seven underclassmen, the development of the pitchers and team defense will determine our success."

Outlook: The Rangers doubled their win total and reversed their division record a year ago from the previous season. The program went 7-17 in 2011 and is now four years removed from a run to the North 1, Group 1 semifinals in '09. Last year figured to be a bounce-back season in Hardyston and it was. Lukich says this year's version is talented but young. He's regarded as one of the top coaches in the tri-county area, so look for this team to make some noise in what should be a wide-open division race with the additions of Jefferson and North Warren in the NJAC Freedom.

Wrestling: Bernstein, Pongracz win in Lions Classic

2013-03-26T00:08:00.002-04:00

State medal winners Jadaen Bernstein of Voorhees and Mike Pongracz of Delaware Valley earned victories for New Jersey in the 33rd annual Easton Lions Club All-Star Classic on Monday at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gym.

Pennsylvania won nine of 14 bouts en route to a 32-15 win, and now leads the all-time series, 20-13, dating to 1981. New Jersey won last year's event, 28-15, and had won three straight and four of the previous five classics.

Wilson's Jaryd Flank was named the Outstanding Wrestler by virtue of his 12-10 win over Phillipsburg's Zach Fisher.

Pongracz, a three-time state placewinner and the Terriers' all-time wins leader, earned a 1-0 decision over Parkland's Ian Evans, a district finalist, at 132.

Bernstein, a two-time state finalist, followed with a 3-0 win over Blue Mountain's Mitch Myers at 170.

Other winners for New Jersey included Belvidere's J.B. Lawson (220) and Ryan Appleby (285). The Warren County school had four representatives on the mat, as Evan Bray (182) and Jesse Thorsen (152) dropped one-point decisions. Hunterdon Central's David Fenton (160) was the other winner for the Garden Staters.

Pennsylvania also won the youth match, 39-20, that preceded the high school event.

PENNSYLVANIA 32, NEW JERSEY 15
138 -- Ryan Todora (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa., d. Nick Matthews (West Morris), 1-0.
120 -- Darian Cruz (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa., p. Corey Fleming (West Morris), 3:23.
145 -- Blake Bowman (Tri-Valley), Pa. md. Tim Higginson (Hunterdon Central), 10-2.
182 -- Tyler Greene (Easton), Pa. d. Evan Bray (Belvidere), 4-3.
220 -- J.B. Lawson (Belvidere), NJ, d. Evan Kauffman (Freedom), 5-2.
132 -- Mike Pongracz (Delaware Valley), NJ, d. Ian Evans (Parkland), 1-0.
170 -- Jadaen Bernstein (Voorhees), NJ, d. Mitch Myers (Blue Mountain), 3-0.
113 -- Jaryd Flank (Wilson), Pa. d. Zach Fisher (Phillipsburg), 12-10.
285 -- Ryan Appleby (Belvidere), NJ, d. Shaun Heist (Parkland), 6-4.
126 -- Grimaldi Gonzalez (Liberty), Pa. md. Joe Kratochvil (Warren Hills), 9-1.
195 -- Josh Alpha (Bethlehem Catholic), Pa. d. Liam Korbul (North Hunterdon), 3-2 UTB.
210 -- Ray O'Donnell (Saucon Valley), Pa. d. Anthony Messner (Franklin), 2-0.
160 -- David Fenton (Hunterdon Central), NJ, d. Evan DiSora (Easton), 4-3.
152 -- Ty Herzog (Northern Lehigh), Pa. d. Jesse Thorsen (Belvidere), 3-2.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex weekly schedule

2013-03-25T01:06:00.004-04:00

Note: Games are 3:45 and 4 p.m. weekdays, Saturday time vary, so check your team's official schedules for times.

Monday, April 1

Independent

Delaware Valley at Hopatcong

Vernon at Jefferson

Morris Tech at Sussex Tech

Roxbury at Pope John

Warren Hills at Pius X (Pa.)

Skyland Conference

Belvidere at Bound Brook

Manville at South Hunterdon

Independent

Ridge at Phillipsburg

Tuesday, April 2

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Wallkill Valley

Lenape Valley at Kittatinny

Hackettstown at Hopatcong

North Warren at Jefferson

Pope John at High Point

Vernon at Morris Knolls

Sparta at Mount Olive

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Delaware Valley

Montgomery at Phillipsburg

Watchung Hills at Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon at Bridgewater-Raritan

Warren Hills at Somerville

Wednesday, April 3

Independent

Newark Tech at Sussex Tech

Phillipsburg at Wilson (Pa.)

Skyland Conference

Belvidere at Gill St. Bernard’s

South Hunterdon at Bernards

Thursday, April 4

Skyland Conference

Warren Hills at Voorhees

North Hunterdon at Hunterdon Central

Hillsborough at Phillipsburg

Ridge at Delaware Valley

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Kittatinny

Newton at Hackettstown

North Warren at Lenape Valley

Jefferson at Hopatcong

Sparta at Vernon

Pope John at Morris Hills

High Point at Morris Knolls

Independent

Notre Dame at Sussex Tech

Friday, April 5

Skyland Conference

North Plainfield at South Hunterdon

Independent

Warren Hills at Montgomery

Newton at Dover

Lenape Valley at Boonton

Hanover Park at North Warren

Moravian Academy at Belvidere

Mountain Lakes at Hackettstown

Hopatcong at West Morris

Saturday, April 6

Independent

Voorhees at Phillipsburg

Chatham at Sparta

Pope John at Demarest

Morris Hills at Kittatinny

Nottingham at Hunterdon Central

Bernards at Delaware Valley

North Hunterdon at Steinert

Sunday, April 7

Independent

Pope John vs. Middlesex at Diamond Nation

Delaware Valley vs. Delran at Trenton's Riverfront Stadium

Monday, April 8

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hopatcong at Wallkill Valley

Lenape Valley at Newton

Kittatinny at North Warren

Hackettstown at Jefferson

Vernon at High Point

Morris Hills at Sparta

Montville at Pope John

Skyland Conference

Belvidere at Manville

Independent

Hun at Hunterdon Central

Hillsborough at Warren Hills

New Hope Solebury (Pa.) at South Hunterdon

Tuesday, April 9

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Somerville

Phillipsburg at Watchung Hills

Hunterdon Central at Immaculata

Delaware Valley at Franklin

North Hunterdon at Montgomery

Ridge at Warren Hills

Independent

Somerset Tech at Sussex Tech

Parsippany at Hopatcong

Wednesday, April 10

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Hackettstown

North Warren at Newton

Hopatcong at Lenape Valley

Kittatinny at Jefferson

Mount Olive at Vernon

Pope John at Sparta

Montville at High Point

Skyland Conference

Bernards at Belvidere

South Hunterdon at Pingry

Thursday, April 11

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Warren Hills

Franklin at Voorhees

Phillipsburg at Immaculata

Hunterdon Central at Montgomery

North Hunterdon at Hillsborough

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Newton

Independent

Butler at Hopatcong

Boonton at Sussex Tech

Friday, April 12

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Lenape Valley at Wallkill Valley

Kittatinny at Hopatcong

Hackettstown at North Warren

Vernon at Pope John

High Point at Sparta

Skyland Conference

Belvidere at South Hunterdon

Independent

Pius X (Pa.) at Phillipsburg

Ridge at North Hunterdon

Saturday, April 13

Independent

Wallkill Valley at New Egypt (DH)

Newton at Vernon

Verona at Sussex Tech

Sparta at Goshen (N.Y.)

Pope John at Bergen Catholic

Lenape Valley at Delaware Valley

Kittatinny at Parsippany

Stroudsburg (Pa.) at Phillipsburg

Randolph at Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon at Edison

Whippany Park at North Warren

Monday, April 15

Skyland Conference

South Hunterdon at Bound Brook

Independent

North Hunterdon at Warren Hills

Wallkill Valley at High Point

Warren Tech at Sussex Tech

Kinnelon at Sparta

Morristown-Beard at Lenape Valley

North Warren at Blair

Hackettstown at Belvidere

Mount Olive at Hopatcong

Tuesday, April 16

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

North Warren at Hopatcong

Wallkill Valley at Jefferson

Newton at Kittatinny

Hackettstown at Lenape Valley

Vernon at Morris Hills

Sparta at Montville

Pope John at Morris Knolls

High Point at Mount Olive

Skyland Conference

Ridge at Voorhees

Hunterdon Central at Phillipsburg

Somerville at Delaware Valley

Watchung Hills at North Hunterdon

Warren Hills at Franklin

Wednesday, April 17

Skyland Conference

Pingry at Belvidere

Gill St. Bernard’s at South Hunterdon

Thursday, April 18

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at North Warren

Montville at Vernon

Morris Knolls at Sparta

Mount Olive at Pope John

Hopatcong at Newton

Jefferson at Lenape Valley

Kittatinny at Hackettstown

High Point at Morris Hills

Skyland Conference

Delaware Valley at Voorhees

Bridgewater-Raritan at Phillipsburg

Hunterdon Central at Hillsborough

North Hunterdon at Immaculata

Somerville at Warren Hills

Independent

Sussex Tech at Glen Ridge

Friday, April 19

Skyland Conference

North Plainfield at Belvidere

Independent

Vernon at Hopatcong

Sussex Tech at Lenape Valley

Sparta at Newton

Kittatinny at Boonton

Morris Catholic at Hackettstown

Saturday, April 20

Independent

Pequannock at Wallkill Valley

Sussex Tech at Belvidere

Warwick (N.Y.) at Sparta

Pope John and Warren Hills at Millburn Tournament

Whippany Park at Newton

Montgomery at Voorhees

Phillipsburg at Easton (Pa.)

East Brunswick, Rancocas Valley, Robbinsville at Hunterdon Central Tournament

South Hunterdon at Delaware Valley

Monday, April 22

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

High Point at Pope John

Wallkill Valley at Newton

Hopatcong at Hackettstown

Kittatinny at Lenape Valley

Jefferson at North Warren

Morris Knolls at Vernon

Mount Olive at Sparta

Skyland Conference

Bound Brook at Belvidere

South Hunterdon at Manville

Independent

Warren Hills at Phillipsburg

Rutgers Prep at Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon at Manalapan

Tuesday, April 23

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Warren Hills

Phillipsburg at North Hunterdon

Hunterdon Central at Bridgewater-Raritan

Delaware Valley at Ridge

Independent

Bloomfield Tech at Sussex Tech

Sparta at Jefferson

Wednesday, April 24

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex preliminaries

TBA

Skyland Conference

Gill St. Bernard’s at Belvidere

Bernards at South Hunterdon

Thursday, April 25

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Kittatinny at Wallkill Valley

Hackettstown at Newton

Lenape Valley at North Warren

Hopatcong at Jefferson

Vernon at Sparta

Morris Hills at Pope John

Morris Knolls at High Point

Skyland Conference

Somerville at Voorhees

Phillipsburg at Montgomery

Hunterdon Central at Watchung Hills

Franklin at Delaware Valley

Bridgewater-Raritan at North Hunterdon

Warren Hills at Ridge

Independent

Dover at Sussex Tech

Friday, April 26

Skyland Conference

South Hunterdon at North Plainfield

Independent

Hopatcong at Phillipsburg

Hunterdon Central at Edison

Belvidere at Somerset Tech

Columbia at Sparta

West Orange at Newton

Saturday, April 27

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex first round

TBA

Monday, April 29

Independent

North Warren at Warren Hills

Wallkill Valley at Morris Hills

Manville at Sussex Tech

Peddie at Hunterdon Central

Belvidere at Moravian Academy

Mount Olive at Hackettstown

Tuesday, April 30

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Wallkill Valley at Hopatcong

Newton at Lenape Valley

North Warren at Kittatinny

Jefferson at Hackettstown

High Point at Vernon

Sparta at Morris Hills

Pope John at Montville

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Franklin

Phillipsburg at Hillsborough

Hunterdon Central at North Hunterdon

Warren Hills at Delaware Valley

Manville at Belvidere

Independent

Sussex Tech at Somerset Tech

Pennington at South Hunterdon

Wednesday, May 1

Independent

Hackettstown at Warren Hills

Kittatinny at High Point

Sparta at Morris Catholic

Delbarton at Pope John

Randolph at North Hunterdon

Thursday, May 2

Skyland Conference

Voorhees at Ridge

Watchung Hills at Phillipsburg

Immaculata at Hunterdon Central

Delaware Valley at Somerville

Montgomery at North Hunterdon

Belvidere at Bernards

Franklin at Warren Hills

Pingry at South Hunterdon

Independent

West Milford at Vernon

Lenape Valley at North Plainfield

Friday, May 3

Independent

Phillipsburg at North Warren

Sussex Tech at Perth Amboy Tech

Newton at Blair

Kittatinny at Parsippany Hills

Lenape Valley at Dover

Mount Olive at Voorhees

Saturday, May 4

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex quarterfinals

TBA

Independent

Belvidere at Lenape Valley

Monday, May 6

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Hackettstown at Wallkill Valley

Newton at North Warren

Lenape Valley at Hopatcong

Jefferson at Kittatinny

Sparta at Pope John

Vernon at Mount Olive

High Point at Montville

Independent

Hunterdon Central at Voorhees

Delaware Valley at Blair

South Plainfield at North Hunterdon

Belvidere at Notre Dame-ES (Pa.)

Watchung Hills at Warren Hills

Sussex Tech at Newark Tech

Tuesday, May 7

Independent

Newton at High Point

Morris Catholic at Hopatcong

Bloomfield Tech at Sussex Tech

Skyland Conference

Immaculata at Phillipsburg

Montgomery at Hunterdon Central

Hillsborough at North Hunterdon

South Hunterdon at Belvidere

Wednesday, May 8

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Jefferson

Wallkill Valley at Lenape Valley

Hopatcong at Kittatinny

North Warren at Hackettstown

Sparta at High Point

Pope John at Vernon

Thursday, May 9

Independent

Delaware Valley at Lenape Valley

Kittatinny at Morris Catholic

Voorhees at West Morris

Parsippany at Belvidere

Sussex Tech at Warren Tech

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Hunterdon Central

North Hunterdon at Watchung Hills

Bound Brook at South Hunterdon

Friday, May 10

(state playoff cutoff)

Independent

Belvidere at Warren Hills

Phillipsburg at Delaware Valley at Riegel Ridge Park

Notre Dame-ES (Pa.) at North Warren

Hopatcong at Whippany Park

Mendham at Sparta

Vernon at Snyder

Saturday, May 11

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals

TBA

Independent

Vernon at Kittatinny

Pius X (Pa.) at North Warren

Hackettstown at Butler

Monday, May 13

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Jefferson at Wallkill Valley

Hopatcong at North Warren

Kittatinny at Newton

Lenape Valley at Hackettstown

Morris Hills at Vernon

Montville at Sparta

Morris Knolls at Pope John

Mount Olive at High Point

Skyland Conference

South Hunterdon at Gill St. Bernard’s

Independent

Hunterdon Central at Warren Hills

Delaware Valley at North Plainfield

Tuesday, May 14

Skyland Conference

Phillipsburg at Bridgewater-Raritan

Hillsborough at Hunterdon Central

Immaculata at North Hunterdon

Belvidere at Pingry

Independent

Boonton at Newton

Sussex Tech at East Brunswick Tech

Pius X (Pa.) at Delaware Valley

Wednesday, May 15

Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference

Newton at Hopatcong

North Warren at Wallkill Valley

Lenape Valley at Jefferson

Hackettstown at Kittatinny

Vernon at Montville

Sparta at Morris Knolls

Pope John at Mount Olive

Morris Hills at High Point

Independent

Sussex Tech at Dover

Thursday, May 16

Independent

Voorhees at North Warren

Wallkill Valley at Mountain Lakes

Pope John at Wayne Hills

Kittatinny at Dover

Skyland Conference

North Hunterdon at Phillipsburg

Bridgewater-Raritan at Hunterdon Central

Belvidere at North Plainfield

Friday, May 17

Independent

Belvidere at Delaware Valley

Lenape Valley at Sparta

Newton at Kinnelon

Vernon at Newark Tech

Randolph at Pope John

North Hunterdon at West Morris

Whippany Park at Hopatcong

Saturday, May 18

Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final

TBA, at Diamond Nation

Independent

Sussex Tech at Notre Dame

Monday, May 20

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, sectional first round

Independent

Don Bosco at Pope John

Tuesday, May 21

Independent

Mount Olive at Lenape Valley

Kittatinny vs. Wayne Valley at William Paterson University

Thursday, May 23

Independent

Piscataway Tech at Sussex Tech

Friday, May 24

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, Public sectional second round

TBA, Non-Public sectional first round

Tuesday, May 28

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, Public sectional third round

TBA, Non-Public sectional second round

Friday, May 31

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, Public sectional finals

TBA, Non-Public sectional semifinals

Tuesday, June 4

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, Pubic state semifinals

TBA, Non-Public sectional finals

Saturday, June 8

NJSIAA playoffs

TBA, Public and Non-public state championships at Toms River

Wrestling: High Point adds Cheesehead, P'burg in '14

2013-03-17T15:18:00.001-04:00

High Point's wrestling team is beefing up an already tough schedule by adding a trip to the prestigious Cheesehead Tournament for the 2013-14 season.

Wildcats coach John Gardner confirmed on Sunday that tournament officials accepted his team's bid to participate in the 16th annual event -- an individual tournament -- for the first time in program history. Gardner also said that an official contract has yet to be received and signed off on.

The 2014 tourney will be held on Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4 at Kaukauna High School in Wisconsin.

"I think it will be a great thing. Our kids still talk about attending the Clash [in 2009]," said Gardner, who opted for the Cheesehead over the Clash for next season.

According to the Cheesehead web site, 12 teams from Wisconsin and seven from Illinois, including nationally-ranked Montini Catholic, were among last year's field. National Minnesota powers, Apple Valley, winner of a record five Cheesehead team titles, and Simley, also attended in 2013.

The 2013 Cheesehead championship finals aired on FOX Sports North.

High Point will not be attending the much-publicized Newark Academy Invitational next season in light of its commitment to the Cheesehead. The 'Cats will compete in three other tournaments -- Colt Classic, Mustang Classic at Brick Memorial and the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex -- and it will force them to go light on the dual meets with the 30-match limit.

P'burg heading to Wantage

Gardner also confirmed that High Point will host Phillipsburg in a dual meet on Saturday, Jan. 18 in Sussex County. This one will be an evening match, so the place should be packed. The two New Jersey powers have not wrestled since High Point's 30-22 victory at The Pit on Jan. 31, 2009.

Phillipsburg leads the series, 15-1, including six postseason meetings in the Group 3 semifinals and finals. The Stateliners' last win was 45-22 in the Group 3 semis on Feb. 22, 2003. The series began in 1989 and was continuous through '99. The schools have met just twice since, including that one regular season clash in '09. P'burg is 5-0 in High Point's home gym, including a 49-12 win in its last match there on Jan. 2, 1999.

Mugs Media Awards

The annual Mugs Media/Eastern Propane Winter Sports Banquet for Sussex County schools (Jefferson and North Warren also eligible) was held on Saturday at the Blue Ribbon Inn on Culver Lake.

The following took home awards in wrestling:

Team of the Year -- High Point.

The Wildcats finished 20-4 and ranked No. 11 in the New Jersey Wrestling Writers Association Top 20. Coach John Gardner's team captured the North 1, Group 2 sectional title and the Group 2 state title -- the program's third championship and first in Group 2 after winning Group 3 titles in 2008 and '11. The 'Cats also won their fourth straight NJAC division title and are 27-0 in those matches since joining the conference in 2009-10. High Point crowned five district and three region champions while having three wrestlers earn medals in the state tournament.

Coach of the Year -- Frank Battaglia, Sparta.

In his second season, Sparta finished 15-9, matching the program's combined win total for the previous three seasons in which it went 15-53. The Spartans qualified for the sectional tournament for the first time since 2000 with their berth in the North 1, Group 3 draw. Battaglia was named District 3 Coach of the Year and was among four finalists for Region 1 honors. After not having a wrestler win a bout at districts in 2010 and '11, the Spartans have sent three wrestlers to Region 1 the last two years, including sophomore Ian Burke (126) and freshman Al Falco (160) this season.

Wrestler of the Year -- Josh Sibblies, Newton.

The senior overcame season-ending knee injuries the last two years to win Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex and Region 1 titles, while placing fifth in the state tournament at 182 pounds. The District 3 runner-up, as the No. 7 seed, defeated the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 en route to becoming the Braves' 34th region champ, while joining his father, Ted, in winning the Outstanding Wrestler Award. Josh is also the first state semifinalist for Newton since his father finished second at 130 pounds in 1989.

Back points

There is serious discussion about realignment for the district and region tournaments in New Jersey. According to one apparent rumor, denied by one school official, Phillipsburg has been trying to move out of Region 1 for a few years now and could land in another region and district for the 2014-15 season. The request to move seems odd since P'burg would likely try to host Region 1 -- when and if its new high school along Belvidere Road is built. Mount Olive, which hosts District 1 along with P'burg and Warren Hills, also is still vying to become a host site for regions.

In addition, the Stateliners are entertaining the idea of a one-day District 1 Tournament when they host in 2014. Long travel considerations for Mount Olive, Mendham and West Morris are the genesis behind it. I can't imagine fans liking the idea, especially those from 'Liner Nation. We also used to have Saturday night finals, though a one-day event will likely push the championship round back to approximately 6 p.m.

Phillipsburg has informed the King of the Mountain Tournament that it will not be able to attend this season due to conflicts with official start dates in New Jersey. The Stateliners had competed in the rugged event the last four years, but because this year's tournament will be held on Dec. 13-14, a week before the Garden State opens, they will be forced to make other plans. Because Thanksgiving is late this year (Nov. 28) the first official practice in New Jersey is Monday, Dec. 2.

Looks like the Warren Hills quad, involving High Point, Howell and Timber Creek, is done after just one tremendous event. The John Goles Invitational will be on a Friday (Dec. 27) this year and according to coach Jarrett Hosbach, the Blue Streaks only have one Saturday date (Feb. 1) still open. There is a possibility of a quad with Warren Hills taking place that day at High Point, according to Gardner, but that is still in the discussion stages.

Newton coach Eric Bollette confirmed that South Plainfield, New Jersey's top team the last two years, will return to the Henry Boresch Duals next season on Saturday, Jan. 4. Raritan, Waldwick-Midland Park, Morris Knolls are also slated to attend. Hanover Park and Livingston have not committed to returning in 2014 as of yet, so there will be at least one opening to fill in the eight-team field.

Wrestling: Lions Classic now on Monday, March 25

2013-03-16T00:03:00.003-04:00

The 33rd annual Easton Lions Club All-Star Wrestling Classic will be held Monday, March 25 at Easton Area High School's 25th Street Gymnasium. Originally scheduled for March 18, the event was postponed due to an impending bad weather forecast.

The match pits seniors from New Jersey against their counterparts from Pennsylvania's rugged District 11. The high school event, slated for 8 p.m., is preceded by a youth event at 6.

New Jersey won last year's event, 28-15, and has won three straight and four of the last five classics. Pennsylvania leads the overall series, 19-13, dating to 1981.

Bouts will be three periods of 2 minutes, 1 1/2 and 1 1/2 minutes in length.

Tickets, available at the door, are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) and $3 for students. There will be a food collection (peanut butter and jelly) at the door for local food banks.

Tentative high school matchups (New Jersey listed first):

113 -- Zach Fisher (29-10, D2, R4), Phillipsburg, vs. Jaryd Flank (32-4, D3, R2), Wilson.

120 -- Cory Fleming (31-9, D1), West Morris, vs. Darian Cruz (44-1, 153-8, D1, R1, S1), Bethlehem Catholic.

126 -- Joe Kratochvil (33-8, D1, R2), Warren Hills, vs. Grimaldi Gonzalez (33-4, D1, R1), Liberty.

132 -- Mike Pongracz (38-2, 148-16, D1, R1, S5), Delaware Valley, vs. Ian Evans (34-15, 112-58, D2), Parkland.

138 -- Nick Matthews (36-4, D2, R3, S6), West Morris, vs. Ryan Todora (46-8, D1, R1, S7), Bethlehem Catholic.

145 -- Tim Higginson (31-8, D1, R2), Hunterdon Central, vs. Blake Bowman (39-9, D2, R2, S3), Tri-Valley.

152 -- Jesse Thorsen (30-4, D1, R4), Belvidere, vs. Ty Herzog (31-6, D1, R1, S5), Northern Lehigh.

160 -- David Fenton (32-7, D2, R2), Hunterdon Central, vs. Evan DiSora (40-4, 114-28, D1, R1), Easton.

170 -- Jadaen Bernstein (42-1, 135-19, D1, R1, S2), Voorhees, vs. Mitch Myers (36-5, D3), Blue Mountain.

182 -- Kurtis Hewitt (35-12, D2, R3), Franklin, vs. Tyler Greene (39-6, 128-45, D2, R1, S3), Easton.

195 -- Liam Korbul (31-7, 104-40, D1, R4), North Hunterdon, vs. Josh Alpha (38-12, D1, R2, S5), Bethlehem Catholic.

210 -- Anthony Messner (40-2, 118-25, D1, R1, S2), Franklin, vs. Ray O'Donnell (44-3, 132-19, D1, R1, S1), Saucon Valley.

220 -- J.B. Lawson (31-6, D1, R1), Belvidere, vs. Evan Kauffman (38-3, D1, R1, S5), Freedom.

285 -- Ryan Appleby (31-6, D2, R1), Belvidere, vs. Daulton Romano (36-5, D3, R3), Southern Lehigh.