The race to Friday’s state tournament deadline is on. May 7 is the deadline for New Jersey high school baseball and softball teams to have a .500 record or better to ensure a berth in the upcoming NJSIAA state sectional tournaments.
If a particular section does not have at least 16 teams with a .500 or better record, the bracket can be filled in by sub-.500 teams. However, the only way a team can be assured of a tournament bid is to be at or above .500 at the end of play on May 7.
On the baseball diamond, Manalapan High School (12-5) and Colts Neck High School (10-5) have qualified for the state tournament, while Howell High School (8- 6) still has some work to do this week.
Manalapan began the week in a threeway tie for first place in the Shore ConferenceANorth Division with an 8-4 division record. The Braves, who are the defending A North public school champions, are tied with Middletown South and Christian Brothers Academy for the division lead.
Nick Kreiger tossed a nifty two-hitter on May 1 to lead the Braves past Freehold Township, 3-0. Kreiger improved his mound mark to 3-1 for the season.
Alex DeCastro is pacing the Manalapan offense with a .471 batting average and Shore Conference co-leading 21 RBIs and 20 runs scored. DeCastro has smacked three home runs.
Jose Ramirez has 17 RBIs and 19 runs scored for the Braves.
On the mound, the Braves have a very deep staff with Lawrence Schoer, 4-1, Kyle Rubbinaccio, 3-0, and Kreiger, 3-1. Rubbinaccio’s ERA is 1.58.
With a state tournament berth secure, the Braves’ goal this week is to win the A North crown. Coach Brian Boyce’s team has division games with dangerous Colts Neck (May 4) and at Middletown North
May 6).
Colts Neck has been getting big performances at the plate from Mike Denlinger (.541), Tyler Lewski (.500) and Charlie Lasky (.436). Lewski leads the team in RBIs with 13. Pitcher Brian Kenny is 3-0.
Coach Mike Yorke’s Cougars will have a lot to say about who wins A North. They played Manalapan on May 4 and will host CBA on May 6 (3:45 p.m.). If things break right for the Cougars, they could be on top when the smoke clears.
Howell, which jumped out to a 6-0 start this spring, does not want to see its season slip away. The Rebels had three scheduled games this week, CBA (May 3), Middletown North (May 4) and Marlboro at home tomorrow (May 6).
With a 6-5 division record, the Rebels are not out of the running for the A North crown if they can come up with a good week. They will need at least one victory to clinch a state tournament bid in Coach Eric Johnson’s fist year at the helm of the baseball program.
Chris Colavechio, Chris Favole and Ryan Weber have had solid seasons with the bat for the Rebels.
Marlboro High School has been climbing its way toward .500. On May 1 the Mustangs knocked off CBA, 5-2, to inch closer to .500 at 6-8. Craig Helfgott earned the win and improved to 2-0, and Jake Ekhaus earned the save.
Jon Bobrow is batting .458 for Marlboro with 17 runs scored, and Matt Weckerle has hit three home runs and has scored 15 runs.
Because the Mustangs are close to .500 they could still get into the state tournament if the Central Jersey Group IV field does not have 16 automatic qualifiers, but Coach James Ferraro’s team would prefer to get into the postseason by being at or above .500 at the end of play on May 7.
The Mustangs have Middletown South and Howell in division play this week.
On the softball diamond, Howell is the only Freehold Regional High School District team that has clinched a state tournament berth heading into this week. Coach Laura Savage’s Rebels are 12-4 and looking to lock up as many tournament home games as they can.
Pitcher Stephanie Gilbert (12-3) and Jillian Friedman (.463, 16 runs), Lauren Saal (.432), Kelly Hardiman (.404) and Lauren Van Wie (three home runs, 18 RBIs) have led Howell’s softball rejuvenation this spring.
Manalapan (7-6) and Freehold Township (7-8) control their state tournament destiny this week.
Manalapan helped itself on May 1 by beating Freehold Township, 7-3, to get above .500. Coach Adam Falk’s Braves were sparked by Lauren Piccarelli, who had a home run and a double. Piccarelli is batting .500 for the Braves. Pitcher Deanna Daluise has won five of the seven games and has 42 strikeouts.
The Braves have scheduled games this week with Colts Neck (May 4) and at Middletown North on the afternoon of May 6. The Braves are scheduled to play Keansburg in a Monmouth County Tournament game at 7:30 p.m. May 6. One win in those three games will clinch a state tournament bid for this veteran team.
Freehold Township had scheduled games this week against Jackson Liberty High School (May 3) and Middletown South, May 6 at home (4 p.m.) Coach Beth English’s Patriots need to win both games to clinch a spot in the state tournament.
Manalapan and Freehold Township could both get into the tournament with a record under .500 if the Central Jersey Group IV sectional does not have 16 automatic qualifiers.
Veteran pitcher Brooke Witcher has been a mainstay in her four years, and junior Ashley Rodriquez has been providing pop in the Patriots’ lineup.
The Central Jersey state sectional tournaments for baseball and softball are scheduled to begin the week of May 17.