Hillsborough’s 10-3 victory over Cranford earned the first state championship for 13-and-under Gold team on Thursday, July 23.
Hillsborough jumped out to an early lead on Cranford with five runs in the first three innings.
A ground out by Milan Jain scored Sean Levonaitis in the second inning.
Hillsborough’s offense was led by Jason Wolff, Arex Wyatt and Nick Fox. Each went 3-4, with Wyatt and Wolff lining doubles to the right-field fence. The trio accounted for 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
Hillsborough tacked on four runs in the third. Wolff’s single got things going, scoring Matt Michinard. That was followed up by Sean Levonaitis’s single, bringing home Mike Swetz.
Hillsborough added two more runs in the top of the fifth. An error scored Michinard and that was followed up by Nick Fox’s single, plating Wolff. Hillsborough increased its lead with three runs in the seventh. Fox singled, scoring Michinard to start the inning.
Nick Fox started the championship game on the mound for Hillsborough and managed to keep the Cranford bats in check through 3 innings and left the game with 5-3 lead. Cranford’s hopes for a comeback were dashed by Andrew Rygiel on the hill. Cranford managed just one hit off the Hillsborough pitcher, who allowed no earned runs, walked two and struck out three during his three innings. Joey Mistretta came on in the 7th to shut down Cranford, tossing three perfect batters to catcher Arex Wyatt and close the championship game.
Mike Swetz, Will Shokoff and Andre Scheflen combined to seal the right side of the infield and keep Cranford runners from crossing the plate after the fourth inning. Milan Jain was able to cool the hot corner and paired with shortstop Joey Mistretta to solidify the left side of the infield. Sean Levonaitis, Jason Wolff, Matt Michinard and Pat Cassidy patrolled the outfield and kept Cranford runners from taking the extra base by cutting off balls before they could lead to extra bases.
The team went 8-0-1 during Districts and States and will represent North Jersey in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament beginning in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 29.
