Bengals Blitz: Heating Up

Baseball: Coach Dan McCoy's Bengals have surged up the standings in the past week. Barnegat made the most of a big opportunity going 3-1 including 2-0 in divisional play. On Monday, the Bengals battled the wet weather as well as the Toms River East Raiders and prevailed with a 4-3 win. Mark McCoy once again was the story for Barnegat as he plated the tying and winning runs with a 2 out, bottom of the seventh walk-off single. In a team effort against Pinelands on Wednesday, Justin Chasmar and Mike Dunkin combined to go 6-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI's in a 6-2 win. Sandwiched between two divisional wins was an extra inning loss to Monsignor Donovan on Thursday but was followed up with a dominant 7-1 division win over Manchester. With the win, Barnegat earned a tie for first place with Manchester as both teams sit at 5-2 in the division (Barnegat is 7-4 overall). McCoy had 11 strickeouts and went the distance ptiching seven innings of four hit ball.

There is no time for rest for the Bengals however, by the end of the week, Barnegat will have played eight games in 14 days after four more games this week. Barnegat will travel to Brick on Monday for a 3:45 game and be back in action on Tuesday at four hosting Matawan. In their second divisional game of the week, Barnegat will host Central Regional for their third game in as many days on Wednesday at 3:45 and wrap up the week with a road game against Lakewood at 3:45.

Softball: Just as hot as the baseball team was this week, the Lady Bengals matched the intensity on the softball diamond. Barnegat closed the week winning three games and keeping their B South title hopes alive. With their 9-3 win over Manchester on Friday, the Lady Bengals are now 9-3 and 5-2 in the division. The week started with a 3-0 win over Pinelands Regional which was followed up with an Ocean County Tournament small school bracket first round win over Monsignor Donovan 16-4. In the 9-1 win over Manchester on Friday, Stephanie Butler led the way with a three run home run. Valerie Carcasses and Jamie DiStefano  tore the cover off the ball going 4-5 and 3-4, respectively. Emily Gambuti earned the win.

Next up for the Bengals is a visit from Central Regional for a game Wednesday at 3:45 and then a trip to Lakewood on Thursday at 3:45.

Boys Lacrosse: After a win on Tuesday over rival Lacey, the Bengals cooled down a bit dropping their final two games of the week. Yet they still stand at 7-5. In the 8-3 win over Lacey, Nick Anderson accounted for four of the goals. Ethan Tonnesen had two goals for Barnegat. Barnegat dropped games to Holmdel and Red Bank Regional to close out the week.

Coming up this week is a battle against Shore Conference power Rumson - Fair Haven on Wednesday at 4:00 and a 4:00 start on Friday for a road game against Lower Cape May Regional.

Girls Lacrosse: Adding two more wins this week were the Lady Bengals, extending their winning streak to nine games and a 9-1 mark on the year. On Wednesday in their 13-7 win over Manchester Alexis Corbett was a machine, producing ten points and eight goals. Later in the week, on Friday, Bethany Cunningham was the hero, scoring the game winning goal in overtime against Brick Township, preserving a 7-6 win. Cunningham scored four goals, with two coming in the second half and the OT winner. Tomethel Jallah made nine saves to earn the win.

The Lady Bengals will take on Jackson Liberty at home at 3:45 on Monday and travel to Central Regional for a 3:45 game on Wednesday.