By Mike White
Staff Writer
JACKSON — Solid pitching and timely hitting combined for the expected results, as the Jackson Jaguars 11-and-under traveling baseball team recently captured the South Amboy Summer Invitational tournament.
Jackson posted an overall record of 4-1 in the event, including a 2-0 shutout victory over Matawan in the championship game.
"We had lost to Matawan earlier in the tournament so we knew it was going to be a very difficult game for us," Jackson coach Joe Chiappetta said. "We really didn’t play all that well in the first meeting. So I expected our kids would be up for the challenge of facing them for the tournament title. They were definitely ready to play."
In the win over Matawan, pitcher Frank Desarno put forth a brilliant effort, scattering two hits and striking out six to earn the complete game victory.
"There’s not much more I can say about Frank except that he is an outstanding pitcher," Chiappetta said. "He had a great game and tournament for us. He wanted to play ball for this game. He wanted to be the one to go out and beat this team. You couldn’t have taken him out. He was going the distance. That’s the type of kid he is."
Not only did Desarno handcuff Matawan batters, but he aided his own cause by knocking in the game-winning run as well.
In the first inning, Johnny McGrath walked and stole second. McGrath later scored on a RBI single by Desarno to give the Jags the only run they would need.
Jackson made it 2-0 in the third inning. Scott Cebulski singled leading off. He came around to score on a two-base error while he was attempting to steal second.
Desarno got a little defensive help from first baseman Corey Schimps, who made two outstanding plays to help to squash a couple of threats. Twice with runners on, Schimps made diving catches to end the inning.
"If he doesn’t come up with those defensive plays, we have a different ballgame on our hands," Chiappetta said. "And both times there were runners on in scoring position. Those are the kinds of plays you need to make in order to win a tournament like this. You have to go out and play your best for all of the games."
Jackson did just that. In fact, the Jaguars scored a total of 27 runs while allowing just three in six games. Chiappetta feels that statistic was the key to the championship.
"When you can hold teams to just three runs in the six games, you’re going to have a good chance to be there at the end," he said. "We did just that. Out defensive came up with the plays and out pitching and hitting did the rest."
Jackson posted a resounding 11-0 win over East Brunswick in the semifinals. In addition, Jackson notched victories over North Bergen (12-0) and Holmdel (2-0).
Cebulski and Louis Chiappetta both registered five hits during the five games to lead Jackson’s offense. Desarno finished with four hits and two pitching victories. McGrath was on base eight times.
Bobby Reed struck out a total of 10 batters in Jackson’s 12-0 steamrolling of North Bergen in the tournament’s opening round.
"He did a great job for us that game," Chiappetta said.
Eric Panero, Sean Konsavich, Erik Reitmeyer, Jeff Lai, Shane Cari and Pat Joseph were all cited by Chiappetta for making significant contributions during the event.
"We have a very nice bunch of talented kids on this team," Chiappetta said. "They all worked hard and everyone made a contribution. We’re very proud of the way they handled themselves in the tournament."