After dropping an opening 3-0 loss to South Wall, Brick American’s 16-year-old All-Star baseball team bounced back with a pair of victories and is a win away from reaching the Section 1 championship.
With three teams left, Brick American played Freehold Monday night in the losers bracket final with the hope of reaching the championship round on Tuesday against Woodbridge. If that survivor beats Woodbridge, they come back again on Wednesday for a final game. All games start at 6 p.m. at the Holbrook complex in Jackson.
Brick American bounced back with a vengeance from its loss as Chris James hurled a two-hitter and Sam Birch hit for the cycle and drove in seven runs in a 21-0 blitz of East Windsor. Joe Baldasare ripped three hits for three RBIs.
The Americans then came back to avenge their loss to South Wall with an 8-7 comeback victory on Sunday. After South Wall scored four runs in the first inning, Brick American came roaring back with seven runs in the third inning as Baldasare belted a two-run homer and winning pitcher Joe Short slapped a run-scoring single. The rally spotted Brick American an 8-6 lead, and reliever Baldasare made it stand up. Birch had two hits for two RBIs.
Greg Garan got the start on Monday night and hoped for a better fate after he pitched a two-hitter and struck out 12 in the loss to South Wall. Brick American was held to three hits.
"Garan pitched great but we didn’t pick up the ball behind him," said manager Joe Baatz as errors haunted Brick American.