By Matthew Rocco
The Monmouth Regional High School baseball team is making its presence felt in one of the most competitive divisions in the Shore Conference.
It took a few games for the Falcons’ bats to heat up at the start of the season. Once they exploded for 13 runs against Red Bank Catholic High School in their third game, the team was off and running. Monmouth Regional finished the weekend tied with Wall High School for second place in the Shore Conference B North Division, trailing division-leading Manasquan High School.
The Falcons (10-4) rallied from behind to beat division rival Middletown High School North, 7-6, in a Monmouth County Tournament game April 29. Dante Ciaramella threw a complete game, improving to 4-1 on the season. Slugging catcher Josh Jackson knocked in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth inning. Jackson’s hit capped a three-run inning.
In the quarterfinals April 30, Monmouth Regional was knocked out by Ocean Township High School, 10-3.
The county tournament was “a great test,” head coach Paul Crivello said, noting that Monmouth was mostly competing with division rivals for the title.
“Our division, I believe, is the strongest division out there,” he said. “Any time we compete in our division, we feel confident.”
Jackson, a Delaware State University commit, has led the way at the plate. The senior was batting .611 with a homer and eight RBIs through the first 10 games. He is also a leading voice for the Falcons.
“It all starts with Josh Jackson. We go where he goes. He’s a fiery, intense individual. The team responds well and follows him,” Crivello said.
Seniors Paul Birzin and Mark Abrams, plus juniors Ricky Voss and Justin Scotto, have made big contributions to the lineup. In addition to his pitching duties, Ciaramella was batting .462 with five RBIs.
On the mound, junior Charlie Kelly didn’t allow an earned run through his first 18 innings of work.
Monmouth Regional was scheduled to play Manasquan and Long Branch High School earlier this week. The Falcons hosted Middletown North May 3. Middletown High School South will come into town May 5 for a 3:45 p.m. game.