Livingston Seniors Bested by Union

UNION - It was a tough day for the Livingston Senior American Legion Post 201 team, crowned Essex County champs last weekend, when they faced Union Post 35 on Saturday.    

Livingston fell 6-1 in the first game of the District 2 New Jersey American Legion tournament.   Union's pitcher, Justin Fernandez, was too good for Livingston's batters.    

For Post 201 to continue in the double-elimination tournament, they will have to defeat Randolph on Sunday in Union.

Livingston's offense could only muster five hits against Fernandez and also could not even get a bat on the ball as Post 201 struck out 18 times in the nine inning game.

"You have to tip your cap to that kid," said Livingston Manager Chris Politan about Fernandez. "He pitched a hell of a game out there. We needed to get the bat on the ball. If you don't do that, you can't expect to win the game."

Fifteen of the strike outs were credited to Fernandez, who went eight innings. Livingston could not even coax many walks, as Fernandez only yielded two free passes.

Livingson was up against the wall from the start after Union right fielder Ryan Pascullo smashed a pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run in the first inning with two outs.  Post 35 took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and it turned out that was all they needed on the night. Union got a run in each of the third and fourth innings along with a pair of runs in the fifth inning.

It turned out that the only run that Livingston scored came in the fifth inning when shortstop Jordan Farber grounded a sacrifice to shortstop that scored catcher Brian Writt from third base to cut the Union lead to 4-1. Writt got on base with a double to left field.

But the Livingston comeback was short-lived. Post 35 put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Politan said for his team to continue in the tournament that they are going to have to do what they have done all season leading to the Essex County title.

"We have to play good defense and have good pitching," said Politan. 

If Livingston defeats Randolph on Sunday, they would take on the winner of Montclair-Roselle at 4 p.m. on Monday in Union.