Rebels Win Twice to Advance in Monmouth County Tournament

Eric Johnson stood, hands on hips, eyes glaring, but this time, there was a difference.

As the second-year head coach of the Howell High School baseball team addressed his squad following a 7-1 win over Marlboro on Friday afternoon, he couldn't help but smile.

"Pack a lunch for tomorrow boys," he said to the team, "because after we beat Freehold Boro, we're going to have another game to play."

The confidence seemed questionable, but clearly it was true, as his 17th-seeded Rebels  defeated Freehold Boro, 8-4, on Saturday morning in the first round of the Monmouth County Tournament.

Howell then faced No.2 seeded Wall behind their ace, and arguably one of the best pitchers in the Shore Conference, right-hander Dan Watson, who has already signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Wagner College in the fall.

The 6-foot-5 senior stunned Wall, 1-0, with a gem of a performance,  allowing only four hits, and putting Howell in the third round of the MCT.

Watson (3-2) struck out three, walked one and hit one batter and prevented the Crimson Knights (11-2), who average 10 runs a game, from scoring.

Carmine Palummo stroked a two-out single in the first inning, scoring Joe Raccuglia with the only run of the game.

Watson and the Rebels' defense made that only run stand up.

Seniors Brian Blood, Raccuglia and Jesse Terranova all have all played key roles recently for Howell, along with catchers Kyle Conrad, and Will Riepe.

Sophomore Jordan Reizer has become a standout player for the Rebels. 

Althought 6-9 on the season, don't tell Johnson his Rebels can't continue along in the tournament.  He believes they can do anything.

You can bet lunch on it.