Brick Memorial Completes the Comeback Against Toms River North

By: Ryan Civello 5/16/16

Throughout the whole game, the Mustangs showed great determination and fight, as they battled against Toms River North and pulled out an 8-7 victory.

Things didn’t start off well for the Mustangs, as Senior Joey Rose hit a two-run home run in the top of the 1st inning for North.

The Mustangs were able to tie it in the bottom of the 1st inning. With one out Sophomore Blaine Netterman singled and after a groundout, Senior Dylan Nolan doubled to score Netterman. Senior Dave Clark tied it at 2-2 with an RBI single.

North took the lead again in the top of the 2nd inning and with two outs Senior Brandon Fischer doubled to center field. Senior Dave Cordoma drove in Fisher with an RBI single.

Senior Dave Clark started for Mustangs on the mound, but didn’t have his best stuff today. In the top of the 3rd inning, Rose hit another two-run home run off of Clark to make it 5-2. North scored another in the 4th inning to add to their lead

6-2.

The Mustangs didn’t give up and fought back to make it 6-5 in the bottom of the 4th inning. Senior Mike Kraft got the inning started with a single with one out. Senior Nick Reyes hit a double to score Kraft and advanced to third on the throw to the plate. Senior Teddy Gonzalez grounded out to shortstop allowing Reyes to score. After a walk to Senior Justin Bates, Senior Andrew LaRosa beat out an infield single, scoring Sophomore Antonio Laborte, who pinch ran for Bates.

Sophomore Trevor Sherman took over on the mound in the top of the 5th inning but couldn’t finish the inning, as Memorial put in Junior Ray Lutick to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Netterman reached first base on an error, but was thrown out trying to steal 2nd base. Senior Brian Markoski doubled down the right field line with one out knocking out North’s Sophomore Jared Bellissimo from the game. Sophomore Craig Larsen moved to the mound after starting the game playing second base. Markoski took third on a ball in the dirt and then scored on a pass ball to tie the game at 6-6.

As it was all the game, North took the lead once again in the top of the 6th inning. Lutick walked the lead off hitter and with one out the Mustangs decided to intentionally walk Rose, who already had two home runs in the game. Lutick seemed to get an inning ending double play, but the umpire called the runner safe at first to keep the inning alive for North. After another walk, Senior Patrick Marinaccio beat out an infield single with the bases loaded to make it 7-6. Lutick retired the next batter to get out of the inning

Kraft walked to start the bottom of the 6th inning and took second base on a pass ball for the Mustangs. Reyes singled to left field advancing Kraft to third base with no outs. Larsen got Gonzalez to ground into a double play and keeping the lead by one run. LaRosa came up with a huge two out hit to tie the game. The Mustangs took their first lead of the game 8-7 when Netterman singled to right field.

Sophomore Nick Stephan came into close out the game for the Mustangs and struck out the lead off hitter for the first out. After giving up a single, Kraft made a game saving diving catch in right field for the second out of the inning. Stephan retired the last hitter with a fly out to center field to complete the impressive comeback win 8-7.

The Mustangs picked up 11 hits as a team and LaRosa, Netterman, and Reyes all had a multi-hit game and at least one RBI. Lutick picked up the win and Stephan got the save for the Mustangs.

With the win the Mustangs improve to 14-8 overall and a 9-5 record in conference play. Their next scheduled game is Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. against St. Rose on the road.