Livingston Batters Best Millburn

MILLBURN — The Lancers traveled to Millburn on Wednesday afternoon in search of a second win over their conference rival.  Livingston got just that as they defeated the Millers, 4-3, in game that featured a pitching duel by the Lancers' junior Brian Drapeau and Millburn's Stephen Near.

"Each pitcher threw a good game," Lancer head coach Scott Schroeder said.  The win was the fourth straight for Livingston. "Both teams were kept off balance and perplexed by the opposing pitcher."

But runs were scarce.

Millburn's Near came out in the top of the first inning and retired Livingston batters on just ten pitches.  He hit senior captain Jimmy Napolitano, but then induced a 4-4-3 double play with fellow captain Frank Schwindel batting.

Drapeau did one better in the first inning and he quickly struck out the Millers.

"Even though it was early, I gained so much confidence in myself after the first inning," Drapeau said.  "I struck out three very good hitters (Will Fitzgerald, AJ O'Leary, and Chris Benedict) and doing that in the first inning is huge."

In the second inning, Near continued where he left off and he did not allow a hit. Livingston's Drapeau then faced Ian Barry and he struck him out looking.  Dylan Bailey was up next and he reached first base on an error by the sure-handed junior Matt Rehm. Drapeau threw a fastball to senior Peter Han, who grounded it to Greg Gamba at third, who then threw it to Nick Kozlowsky at second base. But the double play could not be turned as Han was too quick;  Han then stole second base and was driven in by Dan Frischman.  Drapeau then struck out Tim Swanson, his fifth strike out through two innings.

In the third inning, Livingston's bats still did not produce runs, but Millburn added another to increase its lead to 2-0 when the ninth hitter, Felipe Bomfim, laced a single to center field.  Drapeau retired the next two batters before facing Chris Benedict, arguably Millburn's best hitter.  Benedict crushed a triple to right field, which plated Bomfim.  

But Livingston remained collected and confident. 

Like they have all season, the Lancers rallied in the top of the fourth and scored three runs to take the lead.  Jimmy Napolitano singled to left field.  With Schwindel batting, Napolitano stole second.  Schwindel flied out to center field and was not able to score Napolitano.  John Beaubien trotted to the plate and was hit by a pitch, giving Livingston first and second with one out.  Matt Rehm, next up, was also hit by a pitch.  But Drapeau then came up and roped a single into center field, which scored Napolitano and put Livingston on the board. 

Junior Nick Grande followed; he singled, tying the game by scoring Beaubien.  Greg Gamba was the seventh batter of the inning and he singled as well, which plated Rehm.  

When Drapeau took the mound, he had first lead of the game and would not lose it.

He faced batters Dylan Bailey and Peter Han, who both grounded out.  Dan Frischman then singled for the second time of the game.  With Tim Swanson batting, Frischman scored and Frank Schwindel threw a laser to second base, which nailed Frischman for the third out of the inning.

"That was a game changer," Drapeau said.  "I got two quick ground ball outs then a single.  Frank made a great throw to second and nothing is better than a quick inning after your team takes the lead."

Livingston's Jimmy Napolitano led in the top of the fifth inning and lined a double into left field.   Schwindel came to the plate with Napolitano on base; he hit a ground ball to Near and Napolitano stole third base. John Beaubien then scored Napolitano on a sacrifice fly to left field, giving Livingston a 4-2 lead after five innings of play.

Drapeau stayed loose in the fifth inning and his first two outs were strikeouts of Swanson and Bomfim.  Fitzgerald then singled to right field and the next batter, AJ O'Leary, was hit by a Drapeau fastball.  Drapeau remained calm as he faced Chris Benedict, who hit a ground ball to Drapeau, ending the potential Miller rally.

Near was done after five innings and junior southpaw Clayton Elder came in. Elder retired Gamba and Sorrentino on fly balls, but then gave up a single to Kozlowsky and a walk to Napolitano.  Schwindel came out with two men on and two men out and crushed a fly ball to right field.  But it was caught by Frischman to end the Lancers' threat in the sixth.

Drapeau retired the Millers on nine pitches in the top of the sixth, giving Livingston a a chance at some insurance as they headed to the last inning.

John Beaubien started the top of the seventh with a towering double, but that was the only hit Livingston got in the seventh inning.

With Millburn down two, Dan Frischman led the bottom of the seventh and reached first on an error.  Tim Swanson grounded out, advancing Frischman to second base with one out.  Felipe Bomfim followed Frischman and he singled on an error.  Millburn had first and third with one up and the top of their order. 

But like he had all game, Drapeau stay composed. Will Fitzgerald flied out to center field for the second out of the inning.  AJ O'Leary then hit a single scoring Frischman cutting Millburn's deficit to 4-3.

Livingston head coach Scott Schroeder then came out to the mound and brought Sean Rucker in to close the game.  Rucker faced Chris Benedict and struck him out on four pitches.

"It was a great feeling to close the game out," Rucker said. "I think that was the quickest outing of my career."

"I felt good today," Drapeau said. "The first inning really got me going and I continued from there.  I hit my locations and changed speeds."

Drapeau pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing three runs, two earned, while striking out seven.  His teammate, Jimmy Napolitano, continued his hot hitting as he was 2-for-2 on the day and scored two runs.

"We have had two great outings the past two days," Livingston head coach Scott Schroeder said.  "Sam White went the distance for us yesterday and Brian did the same today.  When your starters hit their locations, change speeds, and work quick that is a recipe for success."

"We're playing good baseball right now and that is a good thing as we take on a great Seton Hall team tomorrow in the GNT quarterfinal," Schroeder concluded.