By: James McKeever
In a season where Kyle Breese and Tyler Chromey have made outstanding pitching performances seem routine, Erik Bednarski got into the act this week for the South Brunswick baseball team.
Bednarski pitched the Vikings to a 3-2 victory over East Brunswick on Tuesday. It was an important victory for the Vikings, who had lost two of three games and were losing their grip on first place in the GMC Red Division.
"Bednarski did an awesome job," said coach Leo Danik. "He came up big, really big."
Last Wednesday the Vikings had their five-game winning streak ended by Perth Amboy, 4-1. After Breese struck out 13 in a 3-2 win over East Brunswick last Friday, South Brunswick fell to St. Joseph’s 6-2 on Monday.
Bednarski (1-0) did his part to get the Vikings back on track. The senior right-hander threw a seven-hitter with two walks and four strikeouts. He was making his third appearance of the season after working two innings in each of his first two games.
"He changed speeds very well. He kept them off balance," Danik said. "He had excellent control and had their hitters out in front. East Brunswick is a good hitting team but Erik had them leaning out over the plate, then would bust them inside just enough to keep them honest. Just a super job.
"And we did a nice job defensively. (Shortstop) Dan Gurney made another great play in the hole. It seems like he makes a great play every game."
Bednarski and the Vikings were trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the seventh. But Mike Mariano belted a home run leading off the inning to tie it. Then the Vikings manufactured the winning run.
Jake Jaskowski singled and pinch runner Cristiano Armenti moved into scoring position on a passed ball. After Matt Forthun bunted Armenti to third, he scored on a wild pitch with Russ Grimes at the plate.
"It was a big win for us," Danik said. "At this time of the year you just want to get a win and move on."
The victory gave South Brunswick an 11-4 record heading into Wednesday’s game against Old Bridge. The Vikings host J.P. Stevens on Friday and wrap up their Red Division schedule on Monday at Piscataway. Victories over Old Bridge and J.P. Stevens would give South Brunswick the Red Division title.
The GMC Tournament will be seeded on Saturday and action begins on Monday. The Vikings should receive a bye through the first two rounds and won’t play in the GMCT until the round of 16 on Friday, May 12.
Breese, who was scheduled to start on Wednesday vs. Old Bridge, improved to 4-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.80 with another gem last Friday against East Brunswick. The senior lefty pitched a five-hitter, walked two and tied his season high with the 13 Ks.
The Vikings scored all three of their runs in the second, the last two on Brandon Martin’s two-run double.

