Todd Frazier update

Thought some of you might be interested in this release which I believe is also available at the RU website..

Rutgers’ Frazier Enjoying Hot Start With Team USA Baseball

PISCATAWAY, NJ (June 26, 2006) – Rutgers University rising junior shortstop Todd Frazier (Toms River, NJ) has enjoyed a hot start during the USA Baseball National Team Trials.

The Scarlet Knight All-BIG-EAST performer hit a bases-clearing triple in the first inning against the Pittsfield Dukes of the New England Collegiate Baseball League to give Team USA a 3-0 lead in its first game against outside competition on Sunday, in Pittsfield, MA. Team USA took a 6-0 lead into the top of the fourth before the contest was halted due to rain. Frazier played left field and batted seventh in the contest for Team USA. The teams played through a consistent rain before being called off. Because it did not go a minimum of five innings, it is not listed as an official game.

Team USA starting pitcher David Price of Vanderbilt University no-hit the Dukes for three innings and struck out four with two walks.

Earlier on Sunday, Team USA played its first Red-Blue intrasquad game of the Trials. Frazier and University of Tennessee’s Julio Borbon led all hitters with three hits for the Blue Team, who lost 4-3 to the Red Team in the game. Frazier played both shortstop and third base and batted fifth in the Blue Team’s lineup in the contest.

Frazier is one of 36 standout collegiate players from around the nation to accept an invitation to play in USA Baseball’s National Team Trials. The Trials run through July 1 with exhibition games against teams from the New England Collegiate League. The USA Baseball National Team will select from the pool of 36 players, where the official 22-man roster will be unveiled July 2.

Team USA continues its Trials schedule on Tuesday in Keene, NH, with another Red-Blue game at 1:00 p.m., followed by a contest against the Keene Swampbats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League at 7:00 p.m.

All-State Baseball from the Associated Press

Thought you might like to see in detail the full all-state baseball team (First team) as sent over by the Associated Press..

I was a tad disappointed that junior catcher Keith Weinkofsky of Ocean (11 HR, 33 RBI) did not make First Team as catcher or DH but the numbers of the kids that made it were pretty impressive and they were seniors...

A.J. Casario of Overbrook and Mike Murray of Westfield are the catchers. Murray batted .560 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 44 RBI. The Wake Forest-bound senior also walked 15 times. Defensively, he had 18 assists and made one error all season.
Casario, who was drafted in the 27th round by the Dodgers, led South Jersey with 14 homers. He batted .561 with 10 doubles and 49 RBI. He plans to attend Maryland next year.


Brett Garlick of Livingston and Chris Henderson of Cherokee were picked as the designated hitters.
Garlick batted a remarkable .681 with 49 hits in 72 at bats. The Ohio State-bound senior had 10 doubles, two triples and six homers. He had a .736 on-base percentage, a 1.125 slugging percentage and was successful on all 25 stolen base attempts.
Henderson hit .495 with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 48 RBIs. He plans to attend George Mason.



By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) … Billy Rowell and Dewey Oriente of Non-Public B state champion Bishop Eustace were chosen to The Associated Press All State baseball team for the second-straight year Thursday.
Casey Gaynor of Toms River East and Tim Fedroff of Hillsborough also were repeat selections on the team that was selected by sports writers from around the state who covered high school baseball this season.
Group IV state champion Steinert and Old Tappan each had two players on the first team, while Non-Public A champion Seton Hall Prep and Group III titlist Morristown had one.
Infielder Michael Moceri and pitcher Greg Hough were selected from Steinert. Pitcher Eric Katzman and infielder Rob Segedin were tapped from Old Tappan. Seton Hall Prep was represented by pitcher Mike Ness. Morristown had Zack Brown chosen as the utility player.
Joining Gaynor, Hough, Katzman and Ness on the pitching staff is Sean Black of Lenape.
A.J. Casario of Overbrook and Mike Murray of Westfield are the catchers. Adam Kramen of J.P. Stevens is the first baseman.
Rowell, the ninth pick in the recent baseball draft, joined Moceri and Segedin as the infielders.
Pat Biserta of Point Pleasant Boro, Fedroff and Oriente are the outfielders.
Brett Garlick of Livingston and Chris Henderson of Cherokee were picked as the designated hitters and Brown chosen as the utility player for his combination of pitching and hitting.
Rowell batted .561 with 10 doubles, a triple and seven home runs, including one in the championship game against St. Mary's of Rutherford. He knocked in 37 runs, stole 22 bases and walked 34 times.
Oriente batted .525 with 52 hits, 49 runs batted in and 37 runs scored. The Villanova-bound senior had 14 doubles, three triples and six home runs, including a grand slam in the state championship game.
Fedroff hit .573 with five doubles, four triples and 10 homers and 38 RBI. The University of North Carolina-bound senior had 34 career home runs. He also had 11 walks, stole 13 bases and struck out just three times this season.
Gaynor went 12-1 with one save, finishing his career with a 34-4 record. In 84 innings this season, he struck out 135, walked 21, allowed 57 hits and had a 1.25 ERA and five shutouts. He plans to attend Rutgers.
Hough had a 9-2 record with 1.27 ERA for the Group IV state champs. He had a 3-0 record in the state tournament, allowing one run. For the season, he had 68 strikeouts in 77.2 innings.
Katzman posted an 11-0 record with a 0.30 ERA. In 70 innings, he allowed 29 hits, struck out 91, walked 21 and allowed 29 hits, 3 doubles and 26 singles. He is headed to Michigan to be the Wolverines' closer.
Ness, who is headed to Duke, posted an 11-2 record. The right-hander struck out 111, walked eight and allowed 55 hits in 80 innings. He threw a complete-game five-hitter, struck out 11 and walked none in the win over Bishop Ahr in the state title game.
Taken in the second round by Washington in the recent draft, Black posted a 4-1 record. Using a fastball that was clocked in the 90-mph range in the seventh inning, he struck out 67 in 43 innings. He finished with a 1.66 ERA.
Murray batted .560 with 51 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 44 RBI. The Wake Forest-bound senior also walked 15 times. Defensively, he had 18 assists and made one error all season.
Casario, who was drafted in the 27th round by the Dodgers, led South Jersey with 14 homers. He batted .561 with 10 doubles and 49 RBI. He plans to attend Maryland next year.
Kramen had 39 hits in hitting .470. He had seven doubles, a triple and four home runs. The senior drove in 31 runs, scored 25 and walked 13 times.
A leadoff hitter, Moceri had six homers and led Mercer County with 41 RBIs and 44 runs scored. He batted .466, setting a Steinert single-season record with 55 hits.
Segedin had 57 hits and 39 RBI in batting .559. The junior had eight doubles, seven triples and eight homers. He struck out four times in 119 at bats.
Biserta hit .520 (53-for-102) with 10 home runs, 10 doubles, two triples and 41 RBI. He set school single-season records for hits, runs scored 40 and slugging percentage (.951).
Garlick batted a remarkable .681 with 49 hits in 72 at bats. The Ohio State-bound senior had 10 doubles, two triples and six homers. He had a .736 on-base percentage, a 1.125 slugging percentage and was successful on all 25 stolen base attempts.
Henderson hit .495 with 14 doubles, seven home runs and 48 RBIs. He plans to attend George Mason.
Brown batted .410 with 41 hits, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, 14 doubles, 24 walks and 18 stolen bases. He capped his career by going 4-for-4 in the Group III title game against Ocean (like we had to be reminded!). He pitched Morristown into the finals with a 3-1 victory over Old Tappan, finishing 6-1 overall.

I am on vacation until the middle of the week of July 4 and later this summer the blog should be switching over to the college page for the onset of Monmouth University football and basketball....but will always welcome high school baseball comments.

Ryan Kalish in limbo/All State Friday/Press forums has debuted

Spoke with Ryan Kalish today. The ninth round pick of Boston out of Red Bank Catholic said it might be a month or so before it's determined whether Boston's offer, not yet made, determines whether he signs or goes to Virginia U.

The 2006 All-State Associated Press Baseball team will be published in the Press and other NJ newspapers Friday. I voted for three Shore Conference players for First Team.

Well, two made it. Any thoughts on who should be AP All-State?


The Asbury Park Press news and sports forums is on line. Please go to the APP cover page..look in left-hand column about halfway down for now, and follow the link.

Currently high school and pro sports are the sports topics. Hopefully with Monmouth U. football and hoops in the wings we'll get local colleges on there soon as well.

Legion ball

This is in response to someone who asked if we cover legion ball. The answer is...not usually. But towards the end of the season as a team or teams vie for state honors we usually run results around that time as coaches let us know when their team or teams are in the hunt.


At that point we may cover a game or games with state championship implications but this is not etched in stone.

Re Chris Bresnahan

I recently received this e-mail in response to some earlier comments on our baseball blog critical of the young St. Rose shortstop...............


Tony,
I was out raged when my wife told me about what was published on your blog about Chris
Christopher Bresnahan is the real deal. Chris is a great ball player and knows how to play the game. I should know I coached him for seven years in Little League and Travel ball. Chris's talent helped his team from Freehold Township become The New Jersey State Little League Champions at the age of 12. Last year they won the Regional's and represented The East in The Junior League World Series.
Chris is a great kid and his talent will take him to a big time college.

More all-star info for you

In the wonderful world of reporting stories often get cut before they reach print do to over writing (who me?), space limitations, etc.
So beginning with the bottom of the 10th inning of the Wednesday all-star game here is the full complete story for you with more quotes , notes, and information...!!
MikeDoherty (Mater Dei) began the 10th reaching on an error before Avella blasted a pitch from John Rose (Point Boro) over the left field fence. ""I finally hit the ball hard, first time today,'' said Avella, hitless to that point. ""It's a great thrill. I had left the team hanging earlier. It felt good to pick them up.''
Monmouth received shutout pitching from starter B. J. Martin (Manalapan), Bobby Wyrwa (Monmouth Regional), Brett Brach (Freehold Township), and Al Rodriguez (Middletown North) before Ocean rallied in the ninth. Jay Cramer (Jackson) doubled in a run, another run came in with an infield out, and the third run scored when Monmouth booted a potential game-ending ground ball off the bat of Casey Gaynor of Toms River East.
Jay Frank (Brick Memorial) then lined a single to right field to bring home the tying run. Joe Florentine (Manasquan) who got the last out in the ninth, retired Ocean in order in the 10th to gain the victory.
""We made a couple of mistakes early but these kids played their hearts out,'' said Ocean coach Bill Frank, head coach of Toms River East. ""That's what this is all about, for the kids to showcase themselves.''
In a showcase performance All-time Shore Conference victory leader Gaynor struck out seven in three innings after coming on in the seventh inning. Martin, bound for St. John's University struck out the side in two of his three innings.
Monmouth scored its first three runs without benefit of an RBI. Mike Daly (Monmouth Regional) tripled to deep center in the third inning and stole home while Avella was being retired at first base after a dropped third strike. Sal Cassero (Keansburg), courtesy running for Jayson Hernndez (St. Rose), who went 2-for-2, scored in the fourth on throwing error.
In the fifth an RBI single by Doherty and another throwing error enabled Monmouth to take a 4-0 lead. Ocean had some chances.
In the third after a double by Chris James (Brick Memorial) it left runners at second and third with one out, and left the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings.


NOTES...According to eyewitness accounts Monmouth belted 14 home runs in batting practice while Ocean hit two. Greg Geran (RBC) tagged four for Monmouth, Ryan Cuneo (Freehold), Hernandez, Avella, and Chad Tirpack (Wall) two each. James McNulty (Manasquan) and Doherty also went deep.
Evan Bigler (Toms River South) and Steve Elliott (Toms River East) left the yard for Ocean. Standing behind the Ocean cage during batting practice were 1,786 high school coaching victories in Ken Frank of Toms River South (638), Bill Frank of Toms River East (412), retired Jackson coach Larry D'Zio (407), Ted Schelmay of Toms River North (214), and John Musolf of Manchester (115). Red Bank Catholic senior Ryan Kalish ran out to centerfield to begin the seventh inning and was introduced to the crowd but did not remain in the gme. Monmouth coaches decided to take no chances playing Kalish, ninth round pick of Boston in the recent Major League draft. Game director Kevin James said proceeds from the 2007 game will benefit the "Going to Bat for Brian Fund.'' Brian Malast, New Jersey State trooper and former Manchester High School football and baseball standout, was critically injured last fall in auto accident while on duty.

By the way..the versatile Bigler did his usual third base to the mound back to third base trip during the game...

e-mail tonygsports@ol.com

Great game. A reporter's nightmare.

What was one of the more blah high school games I've ever witnessed turned into one of the most exciting finishes Wednesday night in the SBCA All-Star game won by Monmouth over Ocean in the bottom of the 10th inning at First Energy Park, 6-4 on Vin Avella's home run.

And it nearly became a reporter's nightmare (mine).

Since Steve Falk is the NJSIAA Classification guru for therPress/Observer he was handling that story while I covered the game.
In an instance like this I try to write two leads if possible, one with an Ocean County slant for the Observer (if Ocean loses) and the other with a Monmouth slant if Monmouth wins.

Sooooo..there I was..in the FirstEnergy press box with a 10:30 p.m. dealine approaching, munching on my cold french fries, and Monmouth leading going into the ninth, 4-0.

So, both angles are written and I need to fill in some quotes and I'm in pretty good shape. Assuming Ocean was about to lose and be shutout no less I was going to talk to Panoski of Ocean on starting the game since he threw two scoreless innings and was really Ocean's lone bright spot.
For Monmouth I planned to chat with Mike Daly of Monmouth Regional who had doubled and tripled and scored two runs.

So much for the best laid plans. Next thing I know it's 4-2, Monmouth is changing pitchers in a blur and Casey Gaynor is up with two on and two out.

Now I'm thinking..if Casey hits a HR he wins the game with the bat and would be the winning pitcher as well having entered the game in relief in the 7th inning. Good story!!

But Casey grounds to short and..Monmouth boots it. Now it's 4-3. Next batter is Jay Frank. Please understand. I don't care who wins. I need the game to be over in nine.

Frank singles....tie game. Gasp!

Now Pat Cohen is up with runners on second and third. OK Pat. I need a hit here. He grounds out.

Groan.
Bottom of the ninth. Monmouth is not touching Gaynor. He strikes out the side. Deadlines are being blown.

Top of the 10th..unheralded Joe Florentine of Squan sets Ocean down in order. Bottom of the 10th. Gaynor done after his limit of three overpowering innings. Mike Doherty hits a hard ground ball to short. It's thrown away. I'm trying to make heads and or tails out of a disaster of my score book.
Suddenly ...BOOM! It's gone. Over the left field fence. I'm on the phone with Falk. "Gotta go" I screech. Ball game. One little porblem. Who hit it? Darned if I know. I can't make out the number of the player. As I jump in the elevator and rush through the stands to the dugout fans are asking me.."Who hit it.?" Weren't they paying attention? Heck..I was gonna ask them.

I get to the Monmouth dugout and ask Ryan Cuneo..."Who hit it?" "Vin Avella,'' he said. "'Did he re-enter," I ask. ""He never came out of the game,''Cuneo said.
Hmmmmm. News to me. I thought he came out after the fifth inning. Well, at least Cuneo was paying attention.
Avella emerges from the dugout for a quick interview. I mean, real quick. Nice kid. Good quotes. Wish I could have used half of them.

Then it's across the field to the Ocean dugout for a few (very few) quotes from Bill Frank, Ocean coach. Then it's back in the elevator..back up stairs to finish the story of this Tuesday thriller.
Wait. It's Wednesday. "Hello, desk. It's Tuesday, not Wednesday."

After the game I run into Monmouth coach Ted Jarmusz. So coach, give me the inside strategy there in the ninth inning. Matchups? Tired arms? Lefty-lefty? The inside scoop, coach.??

""No strategy at all,'' he said. "I was just trying to get everyone in the game." Thanks a lot. Was there no regard for my deadline.???

As it turns out Monmouth got all 31 of its player into action.
Ocean? Not sure. According to my scorebook they used about 50 players. A neat trick since they only had about 24.


Whew! What a way to end the season....It turned out to be a heck of a game on Tuesday, er Wednesday, er Thursday. Who hit the home run again? Vin Scully???

What a night!

Bart is back!

After a one-year hiatus for business reasons Bart McInerney told me this afternoon he has been rehired as baseball coach at St Rose High School where he won 212 games over 12 years including the 2005 NJSIAA Non-Public B championship.
He replaces Dave Parnell, his former assistant, who coached St. Rose to a 21-2 record in 2006 but stepped down to accept a teaching job in the Monroe Township school district.
Led by pitcher Anthony Ranaudo, who went 7-0 as a junior, St. Rose will be looking for a fifth consecutive Shore Conference Class B Central crown in 2007. It has lost just one league game the last four years and has won its last 28 consecutive division contests.


Talked to Ryan Kalish today. The RBC senior said he will be heading to Boston soon to talk with the Red Six who made him their ninth round pick in the 2006 Big League Draft. Already with a baseball scholarship to Virginia, Kalish said he could be making a decision fairly soon.

By the way Ryan has a brother, that for the moment at least , seems headed to Red Bank Regional.


Of course something like this could go on all summer. Boston does not lose his rights until he attends his first class. Some years ago Gavin Floyd agreed in late summer to sign with the Phillies as he was driving to the U. of South Carolina where a baseball scholarship awaited.

Also, our RallyCast presentation of the Ocean-Morristown game is now up and running on the Press web site. It includes our call of the Weinkofsky home run and some other highlights and post game interviews.

Shore team falls in Carpenter Cup, 1-0

The pitching was there but the hitting wasn't Monday for the Jersey Shore team in the 2006 Carpenter Cup Tournament.
The Shore team bowed to defending champion Philadelphia Catholic 1-0 at the University of Pennsylvania.
The difference Monday proved to be a fifth inning RBI single by Jonathan Szeliga of Cardinal O'Hara High School.
Anthony Ranaudo of St. Rose walked two to lead off the inning and was replaced by Bobby Bobby Wyrwa of Monmouth Regional who got two outs before yielding Szeglia's hit.
On the play centerfielder Damian Csakai of Freehold Township threw a runner out at the plate to end the inning.
Fve Jersey Shore pitchers Brett Brach (Freehold Township), Ranaudo, Wyrwa, Jordan Warncke (CBA) and Todd Roth (Lacey) held Philadelphia Catholic to four hits.
But the Shore team had only five hits, singles by Dom Hayes (Colts Neck), Ryan Cuneo (Freehold), Evan Bigler (TR South), Jay Cramer (Jackson), and Mike LaCava (TR North).
The game marked the fourth 1-0 contest in Cup history dating back to the early 1980's. The Shore team was a 1-0 victor over Chester County, Pa. in 2005.

Sluggers Keith Weinkofsky ( Ocean) and Tom Heuer (Point Boro) who had prior obligations on this date were not on the team. Could either one have made a difference? Between them they hit 21 home runs (Weinkofsky 11).




e-mail tonygsports@aol.com

Just not Ocean's day

See what happens Ocean fans ,when I pick your team to win. It's what happens to any team I pick to win. KABOOM!


Ocean just did enough things wrong Saturday to help make it right for Morristown and the Colonials (give them credit) also did enough to help themselves in the 11-7 win in the Group III final.
I don't know about you but when Ocean got its first two men on base to begin the game, single by Mike Rochford and Kyle Norman (HBP), and didn't score, I had a bad, bad feeling.

Then in the bottom of the first.. with one out an infield single (could have been scored an error (sprited argument on that one along press row), then a well executed hit and run single, then a bloop RBI single (runner thrown out at third) so it looks like it's going to stay 1-0.
Then the next kid jacks a 3-1 fastball the other way over the fence in right center. Eric Hinkle probably didn't make one bad pitch in that first inning except for the long ball. Second inning Ocean makes an error but escapes. Third inning for Morristown a single, stolen base, a two-out error and its 4-0.

Fifth inning. Ocean, held to the one hit by soph RH Matt Parish, comes alive. Greg Spatz a smash to third (hit). Corey Giddings beats out a slow roller, John Ernst singles to right. Bases loaded none out.
Ninth batter Tony DeSantis a force play grounder, run scores. Rochford sacrifice fly makes it 4-2. Then Kyle Norman works a two-out walk. Two on two out, Keith Weinkofsky up. I'm trying to pick out the tree he's going to hit it over.
Well, almost. Keith flies to deep right center. He tells me later he hit it off the hands.
Bottom of the fifth. Ocean comes unglued. Two errors by usually sure-handed SS Norman, one on a ground ball and then he throws away another. Zack Brown (4-for-4) belts a two-run double. It's a five run inning.
Hinkle is lifted though he pitched much better than his nine runs allowed would indicate (five were unearned).

Now Ocean, down 9-2, makes another bid in the sixth. Jamie Rosenkranz a two-run HR (Morristown LF nearly brains himself crashing into the wall. He's OK. A heck of an effort). Spatz walks, Giddings singles, both move up on an error in the outfield on the hit. Ernst a two-run single to right. It's 9-6. Hello ball game.
Parish is wilting, getting his pitches up. You can feel the tide turning.
But, alas. The next batter swings at the first pitch and pops it up (not a real good at bat there, got to wait, see if you can work the pitcher, take a walk). One out. Rochford hits it well but lines to deep center. Norman probably looking for another walk (good idea) takes a called third strike. Inning over leaving Weinkofsky on deck.
Bottom of the inning John Lombardi a two-run double and its 11-6.
But whenever Weinkofsky bats, no matter what the score, its worth waiting around for. (I had to stay. Would have anyway). Sure enough. ""Tuna" launches one half way to China over the scoreboard in left. But then its three fly balls and its over.
.
""You notice our stands were still full when we were down five or six at the time,'' said Ocean coach Del Dal Pra after the game. ""Everyone knew our potential, hoping we could come back. It just didn't happen.
""Their kid (Parish) did a great job. Kept us off balance. We probably have commited five errors total the last 12 or 13 games. Then to committ five (four) on a day like today makes it tough.''
""We were riding destiny all year long. It just didn't work out. Our goal right now is to get back here. Our juniors and sophomores start tomorrow. Actually I'll give them tomorrow off.''

Ocean returns five starters next season..batters No. 2 through five (Norman SS/P, Weinkofsky, Hinkle, Rosenkranz 2B/SS/P).
Number One in preseason? Maybe. TR S should be very good. CBA returns a ton of kids starting with the Laufer twins and six-game winner Kyle Slate. TR East JV went 25-1 and won two local tournaments.

Pat Biserta returns for Point Boro.


Hey it was a ""fun"" year as Weinkofsky would say after the game. It's not quite over. There's the Carpenter Cup beginning Monday, Senior All-Star game Wednesday at FirstEnergy Park, All-Shore teams, final Press No. 1 ranking, and Coach and Player of the Year.

It has been a "fun" year.

e-mail tonygsports@aol.com

Ocean defense falters,. Weinkofsky, Rosenkranz go deep in defeat

Ocean's 11-7 loss to Moorristown Saturday could be traced to its usually reliable defense commiting four errors leading to five unearned runs.

Jamie Rosenkranz hit a two-run home run for Ocean which cut into a 9-2 deficit and Keith Weinkofsky slammed a tremendous shot over the scoreboard to lead off the seventh to account for the final score.

Zack Brown went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI to lead Morristown (26-7). Ocean Also ends 26-7.

Gebler the next Gaynor?

Could be.

Steve Falk of the Observer points put that Toms River South freshman Tyler Gebler won four games this season and Casey Gaynor won five as a freshman en route to the new Shore Conference record of 34.

If Gaynor's mark is to be broken it probably has to be broken by someone who starts well as a freshman and then become the team's ace for the next three years and Gebler seems to have the potential to fill that bill.

Wonder if frosh Chris Bresnahan of St. Rose can pitch? He didn't have a decison this year, though, far as I know. Like Gebler he is a brilliant young talent and also a shortstop. Anyone else you can think of?

No small feat by TR East to win(or share) a record six consecutive Class A South championships which it accomplished behind Casey Friday night. CBA has finished first seven years in a row in Class A North.




And now off to Toms River for the Ocean-Morristown game. I'll be back in the office later this afternoon with the report.

How long will Casey's record last? Can Weinkofsky catch Fink in 2007?

Records are made to be broken Casey Gaynor did just that Friday night with his 34th career victory. A new Shore Conference record...a teriffic feat.


But for how long will it stand? Probably not as long as Chip Hirst's record stood since 1970. Coaching has improved..many pitchers seem to start younger these days on varsity... and remember that Jeff Frazier (TR S) came close a few years ago ending with 32 wins ..and he was really an outfielder. Any one in the Shore now you think has a chance at 34?

A record within range in in 2007 will be Marc Fink's Shore career home run mark of 27. The Jackson slugger tagged 14 as a senior in '94, also a Shore Conference mark. Todd Frazier (TRS) just missed a few years ago closing with 26

But consider Keith Weinkofsky of Ocean has hit 18 now in his career and 10 this year since April 30 and he has one more game to go this season on Saturday.

And Pat Biserta..with 12 after this season..would have to have a monster year but with his talent and swing it's possible for the Point Boro blaster to make a run.

Of course both players will be walked so much in 2007 there on base pct. might be around.700!!


e-mail tonygsports@aol.com

Gaynor sets the record/Games still on

Casey Gaynor of Toms River East broke the long standing record for victories by a Shore Conference pitcher Friday night defeating Brick Memorial 6-1 for his 34th victory. He concluded his brilliant career 34-4 and his senior year 12-1. Gaynor pitcher a four-hitter, fanned 12, including the side in the seventh.


The below is from the NJSIAA:



All Championship Baseball and Softball games will be played as scheduled on Saturday, June 10th unless the weather changes. Please check this site again on Saturday morning after 6:30 AM.
Lacrosse will be played as scheduled.



Soooo..I expect all of you to be up at 630am and e-mail me if I gotta go cover a game.

My pick on the Ocean game: Big Red Machine brings it home, 7-3.


e-mail tonygsports@aol.com

Games are on...but..!

Just spoke with Larry White at NJSIAA. Saturday games are on but storms are moving east from Philadelphia area as we speak. Any late news will be at njsiaa web site ...www.nsjiaa.org.

White plans to be in Toms River to check the fields at 6 in the morning.. I told him..""better you than me."" He said latest they would call off the games would be at 630 a.m.

NJZ014-026-100915-
EASTERN MONMOUTH-COASTAL OCEAN-
310 PM EDT FRI JUN 9 2006

TONIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. A CHANCE OF
THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING. LOWS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

SATURDAY
PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHWEST WINDS 15
TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S. WEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.

SUNDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY IN THE MORNING...THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.

MONDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.

MONDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 60.


Looks like this evening is the big question mark. TR East vs. Brick Memorial set for a 7 start tonight.

Is it basketball season yet???

Games are on...but..!

Just spoke with Larry White at NJSIAA. Saturday games are on but storms are moving east from Philadelphia area as we speak. Any late news will be at njsiaa web site ...www.nsjiaa.org.

White plans to be in Toms River to check the fields at 6 in the morning.. I told him..""better you than me."" He said latest they would call off the games would be at 630 a.m.

NJZ014-026-100915-
EASTERN MONMOUTH-COASTAL OCEAN-
310 PM EDT FRI JUN 9 2006

TONIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. A CHANCE OF
THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING. LOWS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

SATURDAY
PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHWEST WINDS 15
TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S. WEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.

SUNDAY
MOSTLY SUNNY IN THE MORNING...THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.

MONDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.

MONDAY NIGHT
PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 60.


Looks like this evening is the big question mark. TR East vs. Brick Memorial set for a 7 start tonight.

Is it basketball season yet???

East vs. Brick Memorial...TONIGHT at 7 at TRE

Steve Falk of the Oberver just let me know that.... TR East will host Brick Memorial in that long awaited (pant! pant!) and delayed Class A South game tonite at 7. Steve will be there for the Observer and Press as Casey goes for No. 34 and Memorial looks to ruin his and East's Class A South party.

Now.. this remains subject to change of course if it begins to rain...(perish the thought). But..if they play tonight..you know they're good to go Saturday for the NJSIAAs (barring any more rain).

NJSIAA in "wait and see' mode..but things are looking up, and not at rain drops

It's beginning to look like there will be NJSIAA baseball and softball in Toms River Saturday..if there's no more rain.


Just spoke on the phone about five minutes ago with Larry White, NJSIAA Associate Director who runs the baseball tournament He said parts of the TR South field were under water Thursday but work on all fields continues today.
""At this point were letting them work,'' White told me.""And if we don't get any more rain there's a very good chance we will be playing tomorrow (Saturday).

""The problem is if we get more rain it would cancel out what we did on the fields today. At this point I haven't heard anything that the fields are not playable. So we're in a wait and see pattern right now.'

Larry and I agreed that I would be calling him later this afternoon.. say around 3-4 p.m. for another update.

At any point they decide to postpone the games until Monday word will be put out at www.njsiaa.org and I would also hope to have it to you (unless they make the decision at 2 am Saturday, then you're on your own til I get up!!!)

But I think the NJSIAA (and of course this means all the hard working, dedicated folks at the TR high schools) are doing all they can to get the fields ready and keep the public informed.

Gee, maybe they should call the Eastern High School grounds crew for advice? NOT.

Latest forecast....

NJZ013-020-092100-
WESTERN MONMOUTH-OCEAN-
1045 AM EDT FRI JUN 9 2006

THIS AFTERNOON
PARTLY SUNNY. SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 70S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE
OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

TONIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
IN THE EVENING...THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN
THE MID 50S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 40
PERCENT.

SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY AND BREEZY HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH.


In weather translation....(in my next life I'm going to be John Bolaris) 40 percent means "probably not gonna happen but we gotta cover our tails in case it does."

50 percent means "Flip a coin. Maybe, maybe not, .we're not sure either way!" ..60 percent and up means "likely".....
means."


You may find the weather forecast from the National Weather Service for Ocean County at
http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/iwszone?Sites=:njz020


My guess is..they're going to play! Translation..there's a monsoon due any minute...

East is EAST. Weather improving? A look at Morristown

That "T" is just too close to that darn "Y" on the keyboard. It's true. Mississippi is the only word I can spell.


Weather forecast looks more optimistic than earlier....




NJZ014-026-091015-
EASTERN MONMOUTH-COASTAL OCEAN-
323 PM EDT THU JUN 8 2006

TONIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY. A FEW SHOWERS LIKELY THIS EVENING...THEN A
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. WEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 60 PERCENT.

FRIDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS AROUND 70.
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

FRIDAY NIGHT
MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE EVENING.
LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
40 PERCENT.

SATURDAY
PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. WEST WINDS 15 TO
20 MPH.

On what other local sports blog do you get the latest weather?

Here's some information on Morristown from coach Harry Shatel: Morristown probable starting pitcher: Matt Parish So. RH (8-3, 3.74 ERA). Notice it may not be Zach Brown who beat Old Tappan the other day.

Leading hitters: Kevin Flynn Sr. 3B (.379, HR); Brown Sr. P/SS (.422, HR, 30 RBI, 6-1); John Lombardi Sr. CF (.398, 6 HR, 36 RBI). Road to the game: defeated West Morris Central 8-3; Montgomery 8-5; Cranford 4-3 (8 innings); Old Tappan 3-1.

With 751 victories Shatel, who started in 1969, is New Jersey's all-time winningest coach...He won state titles in 2004 (Group IV) and 1993 (Group III)...Morristown took third place this season in the Iron Conference finishing behind Seton Hall Prep (Non-Public A) and Randolph (Group IV) who are also playing for state championships...Morristown, with a team batting average of .379, is a running team and aggressive on the bases...Brown has committed to West Virginia.


Some quotes from Ocean coach Del Dal Pra on Shatel - """Like I told the kids, he's got 751 wins and I've seen 750 games. His first year coaching was 1969 and I was four years old. I hope I'm around that long.''

Dal Pra (162 wins)said he's not unfamiliar with coaching against ""legends.''

""I coach against Kenny Frank (Toms River South), Bill Frank (Toms River East), and Marty Kenney (CBA). When they're done they're going to have around 700 wins. And I coached against Richie Veth (the late Middletown North coach).

""I'm looking forward to it (coaching against Shatel). I don' know too much about his style. I've just heard a lot, that he's a wonderful coach, and we better be on our toes.''

NJSIAA games Monday? TR Easy vs. Brick Memorial by Christmas

First, sorry for delays in posting..there have apparently been technical problems in Bloggerville.


and now.... There's a chance the 2006 NJSIAA baseball and sotball tournaments could be postponed from Saturday until Monday because of this week's rain and more rain in the forecast according to Larry White, NJSIAA Assistant Director.

A total of six baseball games and six softball games are scheduled to be played Saturday at all three Toms River Public schools.

In baseball Ocean Township is scheduled to meet Morristown in a 2 p.m. Group III championship game at Toms River High School East.

In softball Wall is scheduled to play Ramapo at 11 a.m. in the Group III final. In Group I New Egypt is scheduled tp play Belvidere at 1 p.m. at Toms River North, and in Group II Allentown is scheduled to play Pascack Valley at 3 p.m. at Toms River East.

""There's a possibility the decision about Saturday may be made Friday but that's not etched in stone,''said White.

White said if the games can't be played Saturday the best thing is to let the fields dry out Sunday and go Monday at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. White said Saturday's early games would be played at three and the later games at six. Monday softball tiems would be announced.

He said all parties may wait until Saturday morning for a kind of ""game day decision.'' He added at that time word be be issued very early in the day, one way or the other, via the NJSIAA website www.njsiaa.org.

Also still out there is that Shore Conference Class A South baseball game between host Toms River East (23-7, 8-3) and Brick Memorial (15-10, 7-5).
In the game East senior Casey Gaynor will start in quest of a Shore Conference record 34th victory while East is also in line to become the first team in division history to win or share six consecutive league championships.


Sunday would apparently be the earliest possible date for the game if the NJSIAA Tournament is held Saturday.

Please check out Saturday's Rally for a preview of the Ocean-Morristown NJSIAA Group III championship game which includes a feature on Ocean left-hander Eric Hinke. The junior (5-1) has become the team's ace along with swinging a big bat behind slugger Keith Weinkofsky.


Meanwhile, our Carpenter Cup team swings into action Monday vs. defending Cup champion Philadelphia Catholic 1 p.m. at University of Pennsylvania.

As for the 2006 Asbury Park Press All-Shore Baseball Team..it will be published Sunday June 18.


Go Ocean! Yes, I am pulling for the Big Red Machine in Saturday's (or whenever it is) game as I always pull for Shore Conference teams (Wall in softball Saturday, too) in all sporting contests vs. non-conference opponents.

If for some reason you object to this approach....well, deal with it.

Casey in waiting/Ocean getting ready for Morristown

Those of you waiting for Casey Gaynor of TR East to take his shot at a record 34th Shore Conference victory will have to continue to wait..for how long?? Christmas? Who knows?

The game has been postponed today (Thursday)..won't be played Friday as Toms River prepares its facilities for Saturday's NJSIAA Tournament..sooo...maybe it's Sunday.. then again, maybe not.

Please check out Saturday's Rally for a preview of the Ocean-Morristown NJSIAA Group III championship game which includes a feature on Ocean left-hander Eric Hinke. The junior (5-1) has become the team's ace along with swinging a big bat behind slugger Keith Weinkofsky.


Meanwhile, our Carpenter Cup team swings into action Monday vs. defending Cup champion Philadelphia Catholic 1 p.m. at University of Pennsylvania.

As for the 2006 Asbury Park Press All-Shore Baseball Team..it will be published Sunday June 18.

Casey in waiting/Ocean getting ready for Morristown

Those of you waiting for Casey Gaynor of TR East to take his shot at a record 34th Shore Conference victory will have to continue to wait..for how long?? Christmas? Who knows?

The game has been postponed today (Thursday)..won't be played Friday as Toms River prepares its facilities for Saturday's NJSIAA Tournament..sooo...maybe it's Sunday.. then again, maybe not.

Please check out Saturday's Rally for a preview of the Ocean-Morristown NJSIAA Group III championship game which includes a feature on Ocean left-hander Eric Hinke. The junior (5-1) has become the team's ace along with swinging a big bat behind slugger Keith Weinkofsky.


Meanwhile, our Carpenter Cup team swings into action Monday vs. defending Cup champion Philadelphia Catholic 1 p.m. at University of Pennsylvania.

As for the 2006 Asbury Park Press All-Shore Baseball Team..it will be published Sunday June 18.

Ocean facing a legend Saturday

That would be long time Morristown coach Harry Shatel whose 751 wins are the most in the history of New Jersey high school baseball. That includes Tuesday's 3-1 win over Old Tappan in the North Jersey III final. Shore Conference leader Ken Frank (TR South) has 638.
Old Tappan was unbeaten until a few days ago when it also lost in its county tournament. Ocean and Morristown meet 2 p.m. Saturday at TR East in the Group III final, Ocean's first trip to the championship since it won in 1985. It bowed in its only other attempt in 1980.

In Ocean's Tuesday win over Moorestown, The Big Red Machine scored seven runs on seven hits in the fourth inning doing the big and little things. Keith Weinkofsky's double helped load the bases for a Jamie Rosenkranz three-run double snapping and the hits sand runs just kept coming as after that it was pretty much good-by ball game.

Before the inning ended Greg Spatz had an RBI double, Corey Giddings bunted beautifully for a hit to keep things rolling, Tony DeSantis laid down a perfect squeeze bunt single and a Mike Rochford single capped the rally.



Then in the fifth Weinkofsky sent a 1-0 pitch towards Port Jervis, well at least the condos beyond the left field fence at TCNJ, his 10th of the season and 18th of his career.

Not to be overlooked was another splendid five innings from Eric Hinkle (three hits, six Ks) and another efficient pair of close out innings from Kyle Norman.

It was Ocean's second straight NJSIAA shutout and fifth in its last nine games, Hinkle starting four Matt Segall the other. Ocean also played errorless ball.. another trademark of its winning streak now at 12 games, a run that has reached 17 of 18.



Have to feel for TR East and senior Matt Padgett. Padgett pitched seven terrific innings in a 1-0 loss to Steinert losing on an RBI ground ball single to right field. East had a few chances but had runners cut down on the bases and left a runner at third.

We expect Casey Gaynor to be looking for record-setting career win No. 34 Wednesday when the Raiders and Brick Memorial meet in a Class A South finale. The drama here surrounds not only Gaynor going for the Shore Conference victory record but TR East looking to become the first Class A South team to win or share six titles in a row. It would share the 2006 crown with Toms River South.




Point Boro? Well..I thought there could be 22 runs scored in the game but not 18 by Governor Livingston. Still, a super, record-setting season for Point Boro. And..is Governor Livingston any relation to ""Dr. Livingston I presume?""

Quick NJSIAA recaps, Ocean wins, TRE and P Boro lose

Does this sound familiar? Eric Hinkle and Kyle Norman combined on a shutout, Keith Weinkfsky homered and Ocean whipped Mooorestown, 8-0. Spartans (26-6) will play Morristown (25-7), a 3-1 winner over Old Tappan, 2 p.m. Saturday at Toms River East in the Group III final.


TR East's Matt Padgett threw a seven-inning complete game and lost a heartbreaker to Steinert, 1-0. TR East had a runneer thrown out attempoting to steal to end the game.


And Point Boro had what you could call a bad day. It lost to Gov. Livingston, 18-4. The Governor had 18 hits. Ouch. Blame it on Scott Stump. He covered it.

Jim Simon went 3-for-4 for Point Boro and had three RBI and Tom Heuer went 2-for-3. Pat Biserta was 0-for-3.

MCT awards

CBA's Vin Avella received the award for highest batting average in the tournament ..and Monday's winning pitcher Kyle Slate MVP of the final.


Freehold Township's Tom Porricelli received the 500.00 Richie Veth Scholarship award and Monmouth Reg. baseball coach Ted Jarmusz the Jim Sullivan award for contributions to Monmouth County baseball.

Well deserved for coach J. who puts his bheart and soul into his team and high school baseball at the Shore. Without him there would be no MCT. Hopefully Monmouth County ADs and the Shore Conference will work to smooth out the scheduling glitches in the MCT in 2007.

Big TUESDAY upcoming

Another big day of baseball coverage Tuesday in the Asbury Park Press/Observer. Yours truly continues on the Ocean bandwagon (can't leave a good thing). Am heading for TCNJ and the Ocean-Moorestown game. Moorestown pitched its No. 1 Sunday in their 2-0 upset of Seneca so he can't pitch vs. Ocean. What a shame. He threw a two-hitter. However the kid can bat and has slugged 10 home runs. He is going to East Carolina U. Our pick, Ocean 6-3.



Steve Falk will be at Raritan for TR East vs. Steinert. Senior Matt Padgett (0-0) has the start vs. Steinert's ace. But if TR East can squeeze a few quality innings out of Padgett then Casey Gaynor (33-4, 11-1) is on call. Hate to say it but our pick, Steinert, 5-2.


Scott Stump will be at New Egypt - I believe this is his first trip out to the wilderness- as Point Boro takes on Governor Livingston. The question is? Who was Governor Livingston? Oh, well.

John Rose who has been throwing very well goes for Point Boro. Gov. Livingston seems to be similar to Point Boro in that it swings the bat. But who has a one-two punch like Biserta and Heuer?. Our pick is Point Boro, 9-5.


Went skimming through my baseball records I have kept for the last 15 or so years looking for the last time a Shore Conference team had two players with 10 or more home runs. Can't find one but I may have missed it.

In '90 Middletown North had a player named Gallo that hit 11 home runs and another named Zink that belted eight. Called them the Bash Brothers. I'm so original.


Unfortunately our books from '94-95 got lost in a move across the building (probably still buried somewhere under my desk but I don't have heavy equipment enough to go digging). Ah, maybe they'll show up some day.

Meanwhile, as I stated before, if anyone has a clue as to a local team where two players hit 10 or more home runs in the same year please advise. Even those CBA teams with Chiaravallotti I don't believe had two bombers with 10 or more

Here is the NJSIAA the schedule for Saturday for our teams that win Tuesday: Point Boro 11 a.m. at TR South. TR East 2 p.m. at TR North. Ocean would play at 2 p.m. at TR East.

How do I see all three? Would be a nice problem to have


Watched CBA dismantle RBC today in the MCT final, 9-1. CBA could have used a few of those hits the other day vs. Bishop Ahr.

Speaking of two guys with 10 home runs....I would think in 2007 Dave Laufer (7 this year) and Jim (6) would definitely have a chance.




Return of the Laufers, Kyle Slate, and others bodes well for CBA in 2007. Just what others in Class A North need to hear. CBA has a big, young lefty that bears watching I am told.

RBC will bring back J.C. Menna (7-1) and that's a good start for the Caseys right there.


e-mail tonygsports@aol.com

MCT final

Sorry this is a bit late....CBA 9-1 over RBC as the Colts unleash eight of their 13 hits for extra bases...they even had a double wiped out when the batter missed first base...Jim Laufer and Vin Avella homered..Ryan Kalish went 2-for-3 in his final appearance in an RBC uniform...more later...

Point Boro time change

The Point Boro vs. Gov. Livingston Group II semifinal Tuesday at New Egypt will begin at 3 p.m...this from Boro coach walt Currie.

Great win by TR East. Emotional loss for St. Rose

Nuts N' Bolts of it all is Casey Gaynor gets win No. 33 in relief in the 3-2 win over Eastern. Amazingly Pete Dacenko, who hit the go-ahead home run, had been pinch hit for in a prior at bat but re-entered.

Casey gave up a one-out HR in the bottom of the seventh to the No. 9 hitter, but got the next two batters to end it. Looks like senior Matt Padgett (0-0) will be starting vs. Steinert (25-5) Tuesday. Casey will be in the game at some point, however.


Now.. somehow the Eastern field was in pristine shape today according to Observer reporter Steve Falk. No water standing (or sitting) water anywhere. Amazing how Eastern could suddenly fix it up if they apparently really wanted to.

By the way, TR East will play Brick Memorial in Wednesday's Class A South make up game. East will become the first Class A South team to win or share six straight division titles if it prevails. Theoretically Casey will have at least two and maybe three shots at gaining career win no. 34 to set the conference record.



St. Rose was coasting along Sunday 9-3 went everything went haywire...walks, hit batters, a pop fly bunt single that tied the game and eventually St. Rose lost in the ninth 11-9. The Roses played sparkling defense and turned three ground ball double plays including one in the sixth when Sacred Heart scored six runs to tie the score.

Emotional scene in the dugout after the game as coach Dave Parnell, nearly in tears, blamed himself for the defeat. It wasn't really his fault but he wasn't going to let the kids, and they are kids after all, feel any worse than they did.

With Dave stepping down, look for former coach Bart McInerney to return after a one-year hiatus for business reasons. Bart knows the program inside out, and with his business venture it would appear running smoothly, would be the natural fit as he does want to return to coaching.
I then wouldn't be surprised to see Dave rejoin Bart's staff on a part time or volunteer basis.

Big news in South Jersey III was Seneca being upset by Moorestown, 2-0. Moorestown will be Ocean's opponent in Tuesday's Gr. 3 semifinal at TCNJ.

Look for complete coverage of the TR East win Monday in the Press and Observer and the story of the Saint Rose game in the Press.

Then Tuesday we'll have coverage of Monday's CBA-RBC Monmouth County final, have our detailed advance boxes for the three NJSIAA semifinals, and Scott Stump talks with Ryan Kalish of RBC about the Major League draft Tuesday.

It'll be junior Kyle Slate (5-1) for CBA vs. junior J. C. Menna (7-0) in the MCT championship game.

TR East wins!!!..Gaynor gets No. 33, St. Rose falls

TR East won 3-2 at Eastern (justice is served), Casey Gaynor wins no. 33 in relief to tie the Shore Conference career record. St. Rose lost in nine innings, 11-9, after leading 9-3 in the sixth...St. Rose coach Dave Parnell has announced his resignation to pursue full-time teaching duties...

One week to go..and "Standing Watergate"

Let's look ahead and then we shall look back. Coming up Sunday at 3 we'll have St. Rose (21-1) vs. Sacred Heart (21-5) at 3 at St. Rose (Shore Christian Academy) in the Non-Public B semifinal. St. Rose coach Dave Parnell told me this afternoon senior lefty Connor O' Brien will start for the Roses but Mike Mussina (Anthony Ranaudo) will be in action if needed.

Then it's TR East at Eastern in the SJ IV final if Eastern's standing water can find itself a seat (more on this later).

Ocean's CJ III champs will play in the semis Tuesday at TCNJ vs. the winner of Sunday's Seneca at Moorestown game . Seneca is ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by the Courier Post and now Ocean is No. 1 by the Asbury Park Press. Ocean has homered in six of its last seven games. Keith Weinkofsky's needs one more long ball to tie Mike Chiarella (10) for the school's single season home run record Mike set last year. Ocean needs one more win to tie the single season school record.
Where would we be without Del's record book?


Point Boro's bashers play Gov. Livingston Tuesday at New Egypt in the Group II semis. We expect these games to begin at 4 p.m. but that could be subject to change. We'll know for sure Monday.
Biserta and Heuer have become the local high school version of Mantle and Maris and or Gehrig and Ruth. How many high school teams have two players with 10 home runs in a season? If you know of any let me know. Most schools don't have players who hit 10 in their careers.

Monday we have the Monmouth County final, 4 p.m. at Monmouth Regional between CBA and RBC. I think most of us thought this also might be a Tuesday South Jersey Non-Public A championship game.
CBA was supposed to hit a ton this year with its hitting a question mark. It sort of worked the other way around at times. Of course, 24-4 so far isn't exactly awful, and CBA did finish first for a seventh year in a row in Class A North, but you're always wondering if CBA will ever again take that Non-Public A state title which has eluded it since 1977.

Yes, RBC coach Tony Martinez did consider putting Monday's starter J. C. Menna (7-0) into Friday's 27-22 fire storm at St. Augustine. But he told me he was concerned Menna might over extending himself and, he said, the umpires weren't calling a whole bunch of strikes anyway. Exhbit A might be the 30 walks the teams combined for.

CBA belted RBC last month, 20-2. Needless to say, Menna did not start that one.

Lost in the recent Ocean home run derby and its run to the Shore Conference and CJ III titles has been its fine pitching, and, the excellent season by young
Colts Neck which fell in the CJ III final. C Neck goes "up" to Class A North in 2007 and Ocean "down" to B North.
While Ocean should undoubtedly be a team to be reckoned with (preseason No. 1 perhaps?..maybe), Colts Neck will be very, very good. The Cougar kittens bring back almost everyone from their 18-11 team led by junior Dom Hayes. They should definitely challenge for the top of A North and at the least for that ""Public"' championship Ocean and Freehold Township shared this year .

Speaking of Township. What happened? Last weekend it was in the running for the Quadruple crown (four championships), and then - poof - season over. It lost in succession to Ocean in the SCT, that heart-breaker to Steinert in CJ IV, and to RBC in the MCT.
What happened was it had a terrific team and some wonderful players in Brett Brach and Damian Csakai, but ran out of gas and into some good pitching and some bad luck all at once. It's not like it's never happened before and won't again to good teams at this time of year. When you you play all these tournament games in a row, lose a few, and you're history. Which continues to make what Wall did (winning all four) in 2004 amazing.


and now to the Fisaco at Eastern Friday. If this was the Mike and the Mad Dog show, Dog would be barking, "Bad job by Eastern Mikeee, bad job. How could they not get the field ready when they had all day to do it? Bad job, Mikeee. Bad job."

Yes it seems to have been a bad job and I'm not going to re-hash everything but Eastern has certainly left itself open to criticism for its handling of "Standing Watergate."
Though no one at TR East will say so on the record, Raider Nation feels this was a deliberate ploy by Eastern to delay the game, have it rained out, so they could being their No. 1 arm (Pat Monaghan, 6-1) back the next day, now Sunday as it turns out. He was not eligible to pitch Friday.

I would hope this was not the case. We're talking teachers, educators here (of course we're talking that in Holmdel, too, but I digress).

Anyway, the very capable Adam Panoski gets the start for TR East Sunday with Casey Gaynor in the wings. I've got the feeling there's gonna be some runs scored in this one (so look for a 2-1 final!) I'm sure Mongahan is a fine pitcher but he didn't exactly baffle TR South in the game with the Indians earlier last week.

By this time next week the regular high school season (weather permitting) will be over It's been fun and we do have one more potentially action-packed week to go.

Latest on St. Rose

Game vs. Sacred Heart will be 3 p.m. Sunday......

St. Rose game is off!!

Will be played vs. Sacred Heart Sunday. Time TBA. I should have it on here later. Again, TR East at Eastern 4 p.m. Sunday.

updates

TR East vs. Eastern now Sunday at 4 p.m. at Eastern. Looks like I'll be taking a trip to South Jersey.

Meanwhile, St. Rose vs. Sacred Heart is STILL ON for 4 p.m. today at the Shore Christian Academy. Talked a little bit ago with St. Rose coach Dave Parnell.

More NJSIAA

RBC lost at St. Augustine, 27-22. I kid you not, that score is correct, just got off the phone with RBC coach Tony Martinez. The game was stopped by darkness after RBC batted in the top of the sixth. The teams combined to issue 30 walks. Ryan Kalish a two-run home run for RBC. St. Rose rained out until tomorrow.

RBC/CBA Monmouth County Tournament final looks like 345 p.m. Monday at Monmouth Regional.

NJSIAA scores

Ocean over Colts Neck and Point Boro over Delran, 9-0 scores in both games. Both went the distance. TR East rained out 3-3 in the fourth inning. Have to start all over again tomorrow.
Ocean's Keith Weinkofsky belted No. 8 this season and No. 17 in his career in the first with one on. For Point Boro, the dynamic duo of Tom Heuer and Pat Biserta strikes again. Hueuer a two-run shot in the fifth and Pat Biserta a slam in a six-run sixth, his third slam of the season.

CBA lost, 4-2. Colts only had three hits. Keansburg lost, 8-0, on a perfect game by South Amboy.

High school baseball News n' Notes/Who'se No. 1?

A coaching return?

That seems likely for former St. Rose coach Bart McInerney who stepped down after his 12th season in 2005 to pursue business interests.

It now appears, with his business obligations under control McInerney, who won 212 game at St. Rose, is eyeing a return to a high school baseball dugout in 2007 though not with the Purple Roses where rookie coach Dave Parnell has kept the school's run of championship seasons intact.

""I would say if the right opportunity came along I'd be definitely willing to look into it,'' McInerney told me recently.

He said he has been keeping tabs on this year's St. Rose team. ""It's very gratifying to see Dave doing a very good job and players keeping up the St. Rose tradition.

""I miss many aspects of it (coaching), the comraderie with the coaches, and players, the competition of the games, and the competition of practice.


An unusual finish

That's what transpired Wednesday when the Shore Conference Tournament final ended ne batter after Tyler Gebler's two-run
single for TR South.
Casey Chant ripped a line shot that Ocean pitcher Eric Hinkle deflected in the air to shortstop Kyle
Norman who threw to first to double the runner completing a rare 1-6-3 airborne double
play.

""Somehow I clipped it and I was mad because I didn't catch it,''said Hinkle.
""I thought it was in the outfield and Kyle Norman just shows up with the
ball.
""It was a great way to end the game.''

From our buddy Steve Falk at the Observer here are the sites for Tuesday's NJSIAA South-Central NJSIAA sectional semifinals: Group IV: Raritan; Group III: TCNJ (either Ocean or C Neck will be there) Group II: New Egypt (hopefully Point Boro!) Group I: Rider (can Keansburg make it?) Non-Public A: Mercer
County Park Field 1 (a CBA-RBC rematch could be in the works). Non-Public B: Mercer County Park Field 2 (St. Rose we hope).
:49)

If there are any postponements Friday I'll try and get them on here as soon as possible. Ocean has a tarp on its field but it only covers the infield. Still, that's a lot better than most.


The Asbury Park Press/Observer plans to have reporters at all four sectional finals Friday involving local teams (I'll be at Ocean-Colts Neck) so hopefully we can do a good job for you high school baseball followers.

Who's number one in this week's Press Top 10? TR South was number one last week but had a rough time this week. Who moves to the top in Saturday's poll (based on games through Thursday)? CBA? Ocean? Point Boro? St. Rose? TR East? Any thoughts?

It looks to me, unofficially, that Pat Biserta (P Boro), Tom Heuer (P Boro), and Joe Talerico (TR South) are tied for the Shore Conference HR lead though Wednesday with nine apiece. Keith Weinkofsky (Ocean) and James Reilly (St. Rose) had eight.

Awards for grit, schedule updates, a gloomy weather forecast

go to Joe Talerico of TR South and Eric Hinkle of Ocean.
Talerico suffered a broken finger on his left (non-throwing hand) in Tuesday's NJSIAA game and still was the starting pitcher in the SCT. He was hit hard by Ocean (who hasn't been lately?) but gave it a super effort.
Hinkle banged his knee and rolled his ankle in Ocean's NJSIAA game Tuesday when crashing into the wall at Nottingham in the first inning, missed a few innings, then returned in that game to belt a slam and had a big night Wednesday.
""I'd have to have a broken leg to miss this game,'' said Hinkle following the SCT game.

Some schedule updates...TRS plays TR North Friday..it needs a win to assure itself of a tie for first place in Class A South
The CBA-RBC game for the MCT title is 345 p.m. Monday at CBA. It's possible the teams could be playing the next day in the NJSIAA Non-Public SJ A final. CBA belted RBC in a regular season game, 20-2. Don't look for a repeat.

Things you don''t want to miss for the rest of the season...any at bat for Kerth Weinkfosky (Ocean) or Pat Biserta (Point Boro). I don't know when I've ever seen such a talented junior class...(also Ranaudo (SRose), Menna (RBC), the Laufers (CBA), Talerico, and others... can't mention them all folks.


The weather for Friday doesn't look good...we could have games being played Saturday
Here is the official forecast:

TONIGHT (Thursday)
MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.
LOWS IN THE MID 60S. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN
40 PERCENT.

FRIDAY
SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.
SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT
SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S.
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH...BECOMING NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY
MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING...THEN BECOMING PARTLY
CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING. HIGHS
IN THE LOWER 70S. NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF RAIN 50
PERCENT.


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