Brick Memorial Out Slugs Toms River North

Brick Memorial Slugs Their Way to Victory

Over Toms River North 13-12

By: Ryan Civello 4/21/16

Brick Memorial vs. Toms River North turned into an epic slugfest that came down to the final out, as Memorial was able to hold off North and win by a final score of 13-12.

The Mustangs struck first in the top of the 1st inning when Senior Matt Cuppari singled with two outs and was driven in by Senior James Donlon, who doubled to the right center field gap to make it a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the 2nd inning Senior Justin Bates singled to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI double by Senior Brian Markoski.

Senior Nick Reyes broke things open in the top of the 3rd inning when he launched a ball over the left field fence for a three run home run. The home run chased North’s starting pitcher Sophomore Brendan Mullins out of the game. Mullins only went two plus innings while giving up five runs on seven hits. Memorial tacked on another run when Senior Dylan Evans had an RBI single to push the lead to 6-0.

North answered right back in the bottom of the inning and was able to tie the game at six runs apiece. Senior Brandon Fischer led off the inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by Junior Austin Feigin. With runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out, Senior Jeff Ciervo hit a Sac Fly making it 6-2. With two outs, North was able to rally and tie the game at 6-6.

The tie was broken in the top of the 4th inning when Senior Tim Santiago and Markoski both doubled in two runs for Brick Memorial to make it 10-6.

In the bottom of the 6th inning Mustangs starting pitcher, Senior DJ Wilson ran into trouble and was taken out of the game after Fischer doubled to lead off the inning followed by a sac bunt and a walk. Senior Joey Rose doubled in a run and Ciervo scored on an error by the third baseman. Sophomore Jared Bellissimo had an RBI double followed up by a RBI single by Sophomore Craig Larsen. North took their first lead of the game on a Sac Fly by Marinaccio to make it 11-10.

Wilson went 5 1/3 innings while giving up 8 runs on 9 hits. Wilson battled the whole game and only ran into trouble in two innings in a gritty performance by the Senior.

With the lead, North brought in Rose to try and close out the game, but the Mustangs wouldn’t go down with out a fight and were able to take the lead. Santiago walked and Markoski continued his hot hitting with a single. Evans walked to load the bases and Cuppari struck out looking to make it one out. Donlon was able to get the ball deep enough to the outfield to tie the game with a sac fly. With two outs Senior Dave Clark battled through a tough at bat and drew a walk. Reyes came up and delivered a game winning single that drove in two runs to make it a

13-11 ball game.

Toms River North was only able to get one run in the bottom of the 7th inning but Sophomore pitcher Nick Stephan got North to bounce into a game ending double play and picked up the win for the Mustangs.

The Mustang bats exploded in today’s game as they slugged out 12 hits as a team. Reyes finished with five RBI’s and two hits. Markoski had three hits and two RBI’s. Donlon went 2 for 4 with two RBI’s. Bates, Cuppari, Santiago, and Evans each had a hit.

The Mustangs record improves to 9-2 with today’s win. They will be back on the field Sunday for a home game against Freehold Township at 11:00 A.M. followed by a night game at BlueClaws FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood against Brick Township at 7 P.M.