The spring scholastic season is in full bloom. Here are some local athletes who have been shining so far this April.
On the baseball diamond …
Pitching shutouts were a common theme for Middletown High School North this past week.
On April 17, Garrett French threw a two-hitter, struck out 12 and issued two walks when Middletown North edged Long Branch High School, 1-0. Two days later, Chris Price delivered his shutout when he gave up five hits in Middletown North’s 4-0 decision against Red Bank Catholic High School.
Pitching a whitewash was also delivered by the pitchers from Raritan High School and Holmdel High School.
Matt Birdall fired a one-hitter April 17 when he guided Raritan past Saint John Vianney High School, 1-0. On April 19, Alec Liato allowed just two hits in Holmdel’s 6-0 decision over Shore Regional High School. Jason Lyons hit a two-run single to support Liato’s effort.
Pitching did not dominate the week’s action.
In a game when 39 runs were scored, Ezra Capsi delivered a run-scoring single in the bottom of the seventh inning when Holmdel held off Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, 20-19.
Tom Colazzo and Stephon Salot each recorded three hits and three runs batted in when they powered Matawan Regional High School to a 15-4 victory over Lakewood High School.
Manalapan High School picked up three victories, each in a tight affair. Robert Gargano blasted a grand slam and a two-run single in the Braves’ 10-9 victory over Freehold High School April 18. On the following day, Dan DeAlmeida knocked in two runs in a 5-3 triumph over Neptune High School. Justin Korman saved Manalapan’s victory over Neptune when he struck out the last two batters with the bases loaded to end the game.
In the third triumph of the week for Manalapan, Mike Perlamuter connected on a run-scoring single in the last of the seventh inning to hand the Braves a 7-6 victory over Marlboro High School.
Freehold rebounded from its loss to Manalapan when it gained a 9-3 triumph over Howell High School a day later. Mark Costanz sparked Freehold’s victory with a homer and a run-scoring single.
Roan Maxwell collected three hits and three RBIs to steer Keyport High School past Ranney School, 8-3.
Dylan Walling drove in three runs when Middletown High School South scored a 12-6 triumph over Ocean Township High School.
Joe Kohm clicked on a pair of two-run doubles when he led Colts Neck High School to a 9-2 victory over Marlboro.
Over to the softball fields …
South Brunswick High School made a point that it is a team to reckon with this spring.
On April 19, the Vikings earned that respect when they knocked off John P. Stevens High School, 5-2. J.P. Stevens was regarded as the top team this season in the Greater Middlesex Conference. Lindsey Warick came through with a two-run double and Jess Risch tripled in a run to spark South Brunswick’s upset victory.
Saint John Vianney High school relied on the long ball to defeat Raritan, 11-1. Ally Jones and Alexis Agrapides each hit a homer to power the Lancers.
Julia Cafaro registered three hits, four RBIs and three runs scored and Madison Pettit contributed two hits and three RBIs when they spearheaded Manalapan’s 11-0 victory over Freehold.
Middletown North received a balanced attack in its two victories. On April 17, Adriana Noterile collected four RBIs and Cara McNulty ended with three RBIs when Middletown North blanked Long Branch, 11-0. Olivia Cerbo earned the victory with a two-hitter over five innings. She also struck out 10. On the next afternoon, Adriana Cerbo slammed a homer and finished with three RBIs and McNulty and Liz Dorsa each knocked in a run to spark the Lions past Wall High School, 5-4.
Annabelle Santino’s two-run single was all the offense that Meghan Conroy needed in Jackson’s Liberty High School’s 2-0 victory over Pinelands Regional High School. Conroy shut down Pinelands on five hits and stuck out 10.
Jordyn Calderon smacked a two-run homer in the eighth inning to decide Jackson Memorial High School’s 2-0 victory over Toms River High School East. It was the slugger’s fourth homer in the last four Jackson Memorial games.
Not to be outshined by hitting during this week was Red Bank Catholic’s ace, Colby Coppola. She fired a two-hitter to steer the Caseys past Manasquan High School, 8-1.
On the greens and fairways …
Monmouth County golf championships were at stake April 18.
In the Monmouth County’s boys’ tournament, Christian Brothers Academy and its sharp golfer, Jack Wall, came through with titles. Wall shot par with his 72 to win the individual top prize and lead CBA to the team championship at the Howell Park Golf Course in Howell.
In the girls’ tournament, Holmdel claimed the team title at the Suneagles Golf Club in Eatontown. Holmdel was led by Mehr Stewart, who placed second with an 84. Wall’s Micaela Crines won with an 81.
In girls’ lacrosse action …
Amanda Murphy achieved a sterling feat when she reached 100 goals for her career during Red Bank Catholic’s 17-2 victory over Monmouth Regional High School April 18.
Murphy pumped in four goals to lead Red Bank Catholic, while Erin Mattone contributed to the victory with four goals as well. Murphy came through two days later when she converted four goals in they Caseys’ 14-9 victory over Red Bank Regional High School.
On the boys’ lacrosse fields …
Ryan Damelio and Nico Lorenzo each connected on four goals to pace Howell to a 12-6 victory over Colts Neck.
Alex Werner, Colin Pavluk and Bryan Hess each hit for three goals to lead Rumson-Fair Haven to a 16-1 victory over Shore Regional High School.
Santo Porazzo recorded four goals and two assists to send Jackson Memorial past Saint Rose High School, 5-2.