Moceri’s no-hitter keeps Post 26 on path to title

By: Sean Moylan
   Just when it seemed that Matt Moceri’s American Legion season couldn’t possibly get any better, he threw a five-inning no-hitter to lead Bordentown Post 26 to an easy 10-0 win over a solid Hopewell team on Tuesday evening at Gilder Park
   Moceri, who struck out six batters and was never in any trouble during the contest, also helped his own cause at the plate.
   "Moceri hit two two-run home runs," said Bordentown manager Tom Dolan, whose team pumped its lead in the Mercer County American Legion League to 1 ½ games with the win.
   One of Moceri’s dingers came in a seven-run third, which also featured a mammoth three-run blast by Chuck Krichling and a two-run homer by Mike Loffredo. Both Krichling, who is among the league leaders in hits, and Loffredo have been hitting the ball hard in the last few games. Moceri has hit well the entire season. Ryan Murtaugh had a double and a run batted in for Bordentown.
   On Monday, Bordentown had to hold on to beat North Trenton, 7-5, at Nottingham High.
   "They’re a scrappy team so I kind of expected a tough game," said Dolan, whose club often struggles in its first game back after a long road trip (the Binghamton trip). "We couldn’t have afforded to drop that game."
   Down 3-1, Bordentown scored six runs with two outs in the top of the sixth to grab a lead it would not relinquish. Loffredo, one of Dolan’s favorite players because of his great heart, delivered the key blow in the big inning with a grand slam homer.
   "It was nice to see Loffredo (2-for-3) get back on track," added Dolan.
   Russ Stupienski also had a big day going 2-for-2 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Matt Vereb was 1-for-2 with two runs scored while Stevie "The Wonder" had a base hit and scored a run. Krichling knocked in a run.
   While Zack Koss started for Bordentown, John Hibbard eaned the win in relief with Giambrone picking up his third save of the year.
   This is sure to be an exciting "make or break" week for Bordentown (14-2 as of Tuesday night). Yesterday (Wednesday), Bordentown was scheduled to have hosted West Windsor-Plainsboro in a huge game. On Friday, Bordentown is scheduled to host Ewing Post 314. It is scheduled to play Lawrence Post 414 at Eggerts Crossing on Saturday. Next Tuesday, Bordentown is scheduled to host the Trenton Schroths 93 at Gilder Park. And on Wednesday, Bordentown is scheduled to host Princeton Post 218.
   TOURNEY
   The Bordentown Post 26 American Legion baseball team was in a tough predicament. While it wanted to do well in last week’s Stop DWI World Youth Classic Tournament in Binghamton, New York, Bordentown Manager Tom Dolan also had to be careful not to overuse his top pitchers because his club is still very much in the running for a Mercer County American Legion League title.
   While Matt Moceri, Chuck Krichling and Andy Hoyer hit every opposing pitcher they faced hard, Bordentown still ended up going just 2-2 at Binghamton.
   It could have done much better but its fortunes turned with a 9-8 loss to Newburgh, NY Post 152 in its third game of the tourney last Thursday. That loss dropped Bordentown to second place in its pool and out of contention for a possible title. The Newburgh game also featured an unusual strategical play, which may earn Moceri the nickname of Barry Bonds on his club.
   By the time the final inning rolled around Moceri had already tattooed a pair of homers and was robbed of a third dinger when a Newburgh outfielder reached over the fence to catch a long shot by Mighty Mo. So when Bordentown worked the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh and Moceri at the plate, Newburgh, decided to intentionally walk Moceri and force in a run although it led just 9-7 at the time. Newburgh’s manager ended up looking like a genius when Bordentown’s next batter made an out to end the game.
   "If we had won that game we would have finished first in our pool," said Frank Moceri, Bordentown’s meticulous scorekeeper.
   Moceri ended the contest with five RBI while Hoyer and Stevie "The Wonder" Giambrone had two hits apiece. Krichling also had a two-run homer in the heartbreaking loss. John Harvey, perhaps Post 26’s best hurler, took the loss.
   Later that day, Moceri and Bordentown showed their great heart and pride by blanking Williams Baseball, LA, 3-0. Both of Thursday’s games were held at Maine-Endwell Field. Moceri allowed three hits in six innings. Bordentown was batting in the top of the seventh when the contest was called due to darkness. Hoyer and Giambrone each ripped a pair of hits in the contest. Moceri’s ERA for the season is just over one run a game. And the ironic thing is this year he’s been known more for his sensational hitting.
   On July 3rd, Bordentown put itself in a hole by losing it opener to Gibbsboro, NJ Post 371, 19-4, at Conlon Field. Dan Agos started and took the loss. Ryan Murtaugh and John Hibbard also pitched for Bordentown, which is not used to getting blown out in any game. Matt Vereb doubled and knocked in a pair of runs in a losing cause. Moceri was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Rob VanSciver drove in a run. Bryan Henry had two hits against the eventual champions.
   On the Fourth of July, Bordentown bounced back with a 7-1 win over Maine-Endwell, NY Post 1700. Zack Koss pitched well and recorded the win. Hoyer was the hitting hero with a homer and triple and two RBI. Krichling was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Murtaugh had a key single while Moceri knocked in a run with a double.
   "It was a little disappointing that we didn’t make the Final 8," said Dolan, whose club had enjoyed tremendous success during such trips in the past.
   Nonetheless, more than a few Bordentown players hit the cover off the ball during the tournament. Moceri was 5-for-10 with seven RBI and two homers. As of Monday he had an amazing 34 RBI for the season (27 in the MCALL). Hoyer was 6-for-12 in the tourney with four runs scored. Krichling (5-for-13, four RBI, four runs, a homer), Vereb (4-for-10, five runs, two RBI), Giambrone (5-for-13, four runs) and Henry (three hits and two RBI) also erupted at the plate.
   Despite the disappointing finish, the Post 26 players and coaches had a good time in the tourney.