Starting pitchers get Blues off to good start By tim morris B
Coach Johnny Johnson didn’t have to worry about wearing out his bullpen in Cocoa Beach, Fla., as the Jersey Blues received outstanding starting pitching. It was a great omen for Brookdale, which knows it is going to score runs with the firepower it has in the line-up (they were one of the most productive teams in the nation last year). If the pitching is going to shine as it did in Florida, Brookdale will be a Region XIX power and a contender for the junior college World Series. The Jersey Blues were 26-19 in Johnson’s first year at the helm of the program made famous by the retired Paul MacLaughlin, a member of the junior college baseball Hall of Fame.
The Jersey Blues opened their season in Florida last week with a 9-2 win over Massasoit College (Mass.). Enrique Genao tossed a five-hitter, striking out 11. Brookdale’s 11-hit attack was led by outfielder/first baseman Keith Tiniakos, who went 4-for-4 with three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Catcher Mike Sidoti went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Lefty Tim Meyer went the distance in Brookdale’s 8-4 win over McComb (Mich). He struck out six and gave up just two hits. B.J. White swung the hot bat going 3-for-4 with a double, and two RBI while Joe Muscillo was 2-for-3 and showed off Brookdale’s speed, scoring twice and stealing two bases.
Chad Mayles, another lefty, tossed a four-hitter in Brookdale’s closest game, a 4-1 win over the University of Miami, Ohio. He struck out 10 and didn’t let the five walks he allowed to come back to haunt him.
White gave his former Howell High School teammate some breathing room in the fifth. His pinch-hit two RBI single turned a one-run 2-1 lead into a 4-1 edge. It was more than Mayles needed.
The BCC roster is stacked with local products, led by former Marlboro High School big-hitter Tiniakos, a transfer from Montclair State. The Howell High School contingent is made up of outfielder White, second baseman Joe Agnello and pitchers Mayles and Tom Boehm, a right hander. Marlboro’s Sean Burgos is playing first base.
From Middletown, the Blues have right-handed pitcher Jon Scala, a Middletown South graduate and Mater Dei’s Travis Evernham (shortstop).
St. John Vianney, Holmdel, is represented by Joe McCloskey (first base) and John Werner (third base).
Co-captain Matt Bailey, a catcher, is from Red Bank Catholic and outfielder Joe LaRocca hails from Christian Brothers Academy, Middletown, while left-hander Marc Hunter comes to the team from Shore Regional, West Long Branch.
Other Shore area products that Brookdale is relying on are: pitcher Jason Arre, a lefty from Toms River South; Long Branch’s Muscillo (outfield); Ryan Cohen (second base) from Toms River East; righty Mike McDonough from Toms River East; righty pitcher Doug Lazaro from Manchester; and John Reynolds, a first baseman/pitcher from Brick.
Rounding out the team are co-captain Jack Tracy (third base). outfielder Rob Honher and outfielder Jesse Boles.
Brookdale begins a five-game home stand on Friday at noon when the Blues host Mohawk Valley for a twin bill. Mohawk Valley is back on Sunday for an 11 a.m. start. Burlington makes a call to Lincroft on Monday (3 p.m.) and Morris makes a call for the team’s first Garden State Athletic Conference and Region 19 game of the season on Tuesday (3 p.m.)
After a visit to Union on the March 29, the Blues are back home on the 30th for Sussex (3 p.m.) and the 31st for a twin bill against Rockland (noon).