Livingston Post 201 continued to stay on top of the Essex County American Legion American division, but the Minutemen gave them a good fight on Wednesday.
Minutemen pitcher Allix Chirls kept a potent Livingston offense at bay for the first couple of innings, but Post 201's offense finally broke through and was able to defeat the Minutemen, 6-3, at Newark Academy.
Post 201 raised its record to 10-3 and they are now in a fight for first place with the West Essex Knights, who were a half-game behind Livingston in the battle for first for the American division of Essex County. The two winners of the two divisions (also the National) both get bids to the state district tournament and play for the county title.
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"We're looking to play our best baseball here on out and make the playoffs," said Livingston coach Chris Politan.
The Minutemen dropped to 6-10 on the season. Despite the under .500 record, the Minutemen have improved recently after starting 0-7 for the season.
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"We have been playing much better of late," said Minutemen manager Mike DiPiano, whose team beat Vailsburg on Monday.
Livingston pitcher Jordan Haberman fired a three-hitter and allowed three runs, only one of those earned.
Minutemen pitcher Chirls pitched very well in the early part of the game. But Chirls, who will be a Livingston High School sophomore next season, was not helped by his defense and he tired in the later going.
"He threw the ball well," said Newark Academy manager Mike DiPiano, who added that Chirls had not given up a run in five relief appearances before this game. "We didn't play well behind him. He earned the spot and is a great kid."
Haberman said that his fastball and changeup were on for him against the Minutemen.
"My fastball was working very well today," said Haberman, who can throw several different pitches. "When I get down 3-2 on the count, the batter thinks I will throw a fastball, but I can get them with a changeup or a slider."
Haberman will be heading to Hartford University this fall and will be looking to get on the Division 1 school as a walk-on. He's using the summer as a tune-up for fall baseball. "I am trying to get in the best shape possible," said Haberman.
Offensively, Livingston received contributions throughout the line-up.
Jon Pena was 2-for-4 and first baseman Brady McLaughlin was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Designated hitter Mike Mansfield contributed a two-RBI double while right fielder Jon Sorrentino had a triple and also scored twice.
"We have a strong lineup one through nine," said Politan. "We like Jon (Sorrentino) at the ninth spot in the lineup. He really can set things up for the top of the line-up."
Offensively for the Minutemen, right fielder Tyler Park launched a double and went 1-for-3 on the day with a run scored. Third baseman Matt Rattner went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Post 201 took a 2-0 lead with a run each in the top of the third and fourth innings.
But the Minutemen got to Livingston pitcher Jordan Haberman in the fourth inning. Right fielder Tyler Park smashed a Haberman pitch into right field for a double and then was moved over to third with a base hit by centerfielder Dave Webster.
After Haberman walked shortstop Adam Seltzer to load the bases and catcher Randall Keur flew out to left field, third baseman Matt Ratner grounded to Livingston Jordan Farber, who overthrew to first baseman Brady McLaughlin.
With the ground ball and the error, the Minutemen scored three runners, Park, Webster and Seltzer to give Newark Academy a 3-2 lead.
Post 201, though, got the key two-out base hits in the top of the fifth inning. Both third baseman Jon Pena and centerfielder Jim Napolitano got on base via a single and walk respectively, and designated hitter Mike Mansfield put Livingston back on top again with a two-RBI double between left and centerfield to push Post 201 ahead to 4-3.
Haberman did not allow the Minutemen to get back ahead of Post 201 and he got Seltzer to ground out to second baseman Connor Kimmel to strand a pair of Minutemen runners at first and second.
Farber avenged his error in the fourth inning with an RBI single that scored right fielder Jon Sorrentino for a 5-3 and then an RBI double by centerfielder Nick Grande came in the top of the seventh inning to finish the scoring.
