Comeback Win Earns Bucs Shore Conference Bid

Two contenders in the Class A Central clashed when the Red Bank Regional Bucs (10-7, 6-5 Shore A Central) hosted the Raritan Rockets on Saturday afternoon.  With a division that features six teams with near identical divisional records, the game had major playoff implications.

Senior right hander Kevin Zajack had trouble with his command in the first inning, hitting two Raritan batters and walking another. 

Mike Langan was struck with a pitch to start the game, and Nick Pasquenza followed with a walk.  Mike DaCosta singled home Langan to give the Rockets the initial advantage. 

The damage could have been worse if not for a stellar diving stop by Bucs' third baseman Blake Brandon. Red Bank's infielder dove to his right to snag a line drive and proceeded to touch third for the second out, though Pascquenza scored on the fielder's choice. 

The Rockets staked themselves to a 2-0 lead before Red Bank came to bat.

"In the beginning of the game he [Zajack] didn't look as he did last Monday against St. Rose.  It looked like he was squeezing the ball a little bit.  The first inning he gave up two runs.  After that he came in, we talked, I said settle down, pound the zone and let the defense do their job," said head coach Chris LeMore.

Junior Danny Gutch started for Raritan, keeping the Bucs off the board in his first two innings of work.

Following the pep talk from LeMore, Zajack was able to compose himself, not allowing Raritan to advance past first base in the next three innings.

Veteran baseball fans will affirm the game's greatness citing the possibility of the unusual occurring at any moment on the diamond. 

Red Bank's first run came courtesy of such a play in the third inning. 

Adam Harris, on second following a leadoff single, attempted to steal third when the catcher's throw deflected off the hitter's bat into foul ground.  Harris rounded third and scored, much to the dismay of the Raritan faithful.

The Bucs evened the contest in the fourth when Ross Gisondi led off the inning with a homer to left centerfield.  The tie was short lived, as the Rockets regained the advantage in the fifth.

Mike Langan singled to start the inning and Mike DaCosta reached two batters later on an error.  A Zajack wild pitch allowed both runners to move up before right fielder Jake Vanderveer drove them home with a single. 

Danny Gutch retired the Bucs in order in the bottom half to maintain the edge for Raritan.

Red Bank right fielder Zach Adams doubled in the sixth and advanced to third on a Gutch throwing error.  Gisandi followed with a ground out, plating Adams. 

Trailing 4-3 entering the seventh, LeMore tabbed Adam Harris to relieve Kevin Zajack.  The senior pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned on 5 hits.  Zajack struck out 4, walked 2 and hit 2 batters, and did not factor in the decision.

Harris pitched a scoreless seventh, keeping the deficit to one run.  Gutch returned to the mound in the seventh, looking to close out the win for the Rockets.  But the Red Bank bats would have none of it.

Tim Wright doubled to leadoff the frame.  Jacob Nappi continued the rally with a single and proceeded to steal second.  Then came Harris, who with one swing of the bat, gave the Bucs the victory and himself the win. 

The walk off single spoiled an otherwise fine day for Raritan's Danny Gutch.  The junior pitched 6+ innings and allowed 5 runs on 9 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2.

With the win, Red Bank improves to 10-7 and 6-5 in the Class A Central.  The loss drops Raritan to 10-5-1 and 5-5 in the division.

For coach Chris LeMore, the two strike approach was the key for the Bucs offense.

"We really just want to give good swings and put ourselves in good counts.  It seems with two strikes they lock in more.  Chris Collins had a two strike hit, and Harris' game winner was with two strikes.  They cut down their swings and just try to put the ball in play and put pressure on the defense.  Good things come around when all you're trying to do is put a good swing on it.  It seems with less than two strikes we try to do too much rather than keep the assembly line moving," said Red Bank's skipper.

Added LeMore, "there's 3 teams with 4 losses and 3 teams with 5 losses.  Now we're at 6-5.  We got to go out and just play ball."