Brick Township’s Green Dragons are back in the chase for a return to the American Legion state tournament.
The Dragons reeled off four straight victories last week — three of them by one run — after being held to one hit in a 2-0 loss to Toms River East, and are 7-3 in the season.
The Dragons swept a doubleheader over Monsignor Donovan on Saturday, 8-5 and 9-8. In the opener, a large number of walks helped a seven-run third inning as Dom Mattliano got the win. The Dragons pushed across the winning run in the last inning of the second game as Nick Mullins got the victory in relief of Joe Testa. Bill Reynolds collected two doubles and a triple.
The Green Dragons also nosed out the Brick Memorial Mustangs, 5-4, as Reynolds singled in the winning run in the sixth inning. Anthony Arcinaico and Reynolds each had two hits, as Mike Murano went the distance for the victory over Chris Hedland.
The Green Dragons started the week with another close victory, 6-5, over Southern Regional, when a misplayed fly ball in the last inning allowed two Brick runs to score. Dominick Rafanelli got the win, relieving Dan Gallagher in the fifth inning. Mattliano led the way with four hits and an RBI, Jordan Marsh collected three hits, and Jay Wilson smashed two doubles for two RBIs. Chris Hein drove in a run, and he and Sean Wunderlich each had two hits.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs also dropped a doubleheader to Jackson, 15-5 and 9-5, to fall to 1-7. John Chernowsky lashed three hits for three RBIs, and Andy Case went 3-for-3. Kevin Lubeck got the loss. Kyle Strang had two hits for two RBIs and Gary Smith had two hits, but they could not rescue Chernosky from the loss.
Three players from the township were selected for the American Legion All-Star game that will be played on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Monmouth University — pitcher Testa and outfielder Reynolds from the Green Dragons, and right fielder Strang from the Mustangs.
— Wayne Witkowski