BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
Johnny Johnson will turn to his Big Three one more time.Ryan Beard, Kevin Rickert and Billy Lawson have been extraordinary in the postseason, leading Brookdale to a perfect 6-0 record, and the Region XIX and East District championships. That has earned the Blues a second straight trip to Millington, Tenn., for the Division II Junior College National Tournament. The tournament runs from Saturday to June 2. Brookdale leaves tomorrow for the tournament.
“Our top three have been outstanding,” said Johnson. “What helps is that all three have pitched in the World Series [national tournament] before. I know they will keep us in games.”
The Jersey Blues (33-8) have a lot going for them as they look to possibly bring home the school’s first baseball national championship. Based on the tournament results, they are taking their strongest pitching rotation ever to the tournament, and it includes a solid closer (Jason Wilson). Often overlooked, the defense has been stellar throughout the season and a balanced, if not power-laden offense has been as productive as ever.
“This has been a special group,” said Johnson. “I think they’re going to do something special.”
The Blues, ranked No. 5 in the country in the final regular season poll, played their way to the national tournament for the second straight year, and third time in Johnson’s eight years at Brookdale, by winning the East District Tournament on May 15. Beard, Rickert and Lawson only allowed three runs between them as the Blues rolled to the District title. They beat UConn (Avery Pt.) 15-2 and Orange County (N.Y.) twice, 6-1, and 3-0.
The sweetest music to Johnson’s ears was the sound of base hits ringing off the Blues bats. Everyone in the lineup was hitting the ball hard.
Having been to the national tournament before, Johnson knows what it’s going to take to make a run at the national championship next week.
“The main thing is, you have to play great defense,” he said. “There aren’t any blowouts. The games are 3-2, 2-1, and it comes down to defense. If a team makes a mistake, you have to take advantage of it.”
Defense has been Brookdale’s best-kept secret. Shortstop Carlos Guzman anchors an infield defense that has been very efficient at turning over double plays, and the outfield, led by center fielder Damian Walcott, just runs everything down. Would-be extra-base hits have a way of falling into outfielder’s gloves.
The defense has made it easier for Brookdale pitchers to concentrate on throwing strikes and letting their defense make the plays. Command of the strike zone has been the common denominator for the Blues pitchers. They don’t walk batters.
Beard (10-0), Rickert (7-1) and Lawson (4-1) are 21-2 between them. Teams at the national tournament will be hard pressed to throw three quality starters like that.
In addition to Wilson closing, if the Blues need to go to the bullpen, there are quality arms all over.
Brookdale hasn’t had the explosive, power-hitting teams of the past, but the Blues have been just as effective scoring runs. They’ve done it this year by putting pressure on defenses with their team speed and timely, two-out hits.
The Blues, though, are not without their strongmen. Joe Arminio and Guzman have been red hot with the bat, delivering 10 home runs in the Region and District tournaments.
As good as last year’s offense was, Johnson is more comfortable with this year’s lineup, one through nine. No one hitter is indispensable.
“Last year, they pitched around our top three hitters and [their hitters] were cold,” said Johnson. “Unlike last year, you can’t shut down one guy and stop our offense. One through nine, everyone has contributed. “