Brave New World: MHS Braves Grab State Title

The phrase "unfinished business" was uttered often on the diamond this spring by the Manalapan Braves. After three seasons of unprecedented success, the only accolade missing was a state championship.

On Friday, June 3, the Braves made that a thing of the past.

Second seed Manalapan topped fifth seed Monroe 5-2 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV final, earning the school its' first sectional title. Right-hander Kyle Rubbinaccio went the distance, scattering seven hits while walking three and striking out three over seven innings. The senior allowed two runs, one earned, and diffused two potential rallies by inducing double plays.

Monroe took an early lead in the first after Tim Small reached on a two out single and proceeded to steal second. Mike Scarrone followed with a single to plate Small for the game’s first run. Frank D’Agostino reached on the third consecutive hit of the inning to set up men on first and third for the Falcons. But Rubbinaccio, who would make ground balls a signature of his performance, forced Sal Filiano to ground to second to end the threat.

The Manalapan offense answered immediately. Monroe right-hander Matt Lederman got leadoff man Rich Ricciardi to fly out to right. Nick Kreiger singled and advanced to second via aggressive base running on a ball in the dirt. Center fielder Alex DeCastro singled and Braves skipper Brian Boyce held Kreiger at third, drawing a throw home that allowed DeCastro to reach second. Cleanup hitter Chris Baird lined a two RBI single to left field to give Manalapan the advantage. Then Brian Lamboy reached on an error, bringing Marco Ferrante to the plate. A wild pitch by Lederman allowed the runners to move up and spelled the end of the day for the Monroe hurler. Falcons coach Greg Beyer called on right hander Dan Marsh, who forced Ferrante to ground to short. Tim Small elected to throw home in an attempt to retire courtesy runner Vito Gadaleta, but his throw hit the runner, giving Manalapan its’ third run. But Marsh stopped the bleeding with consecutive strikeouts to end the first.

The Falcons battled back in the third, narrowing the deficit to one. Following singles by Alex Vizcaino and Small, Mike Scarrone reached first on a fielder’s choice as Small was forced out at second. On a steal attempt by Scarrone, Braves backstop Chris Baird threw the ball into centerfield, allowing Vizcaino to cross home and give Monroe their second run.

The Braves got the run back in their half of the inning with the help of two Monroe missteps. Chris Baird, who reached base in each of his four plate appearances, singled to lead off the frame. Brian Lamboy got on when Monroe attempted to retire the runner at second but the ensuing throw was off line. Lamboy later scored on an error, pushing the Manalapan lead to two runs.

As Rubbinaccio kept the ball on the ground, the defense did its part to keep the Monroe offense off the board. After Vizcaino drew a walk to start the fifth, Manalapan third baseman Joe Serrapica initiated a 5-4-3 double play. In the sixth, an error by the shortstop Ricciardi allowed D’Agostino to reach. But the senior redeemed himself on the next play, starting a 6-4-3 double play.

The Braves padded the lead in the sixth without registering a hit. After Ricciardi worked a walk to lead off the inning, right fielder Nick Kreiger reached on a fielder’s choice. Kreiger stole second and came around to score on an error.

Monroe managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the seventh. Corey Liebross reached with one out and Alex Vizcaino worked a two out walk. But Manalapan’s ace had enough in the tank to finish off the Falcons, striking out the game’s final hitter and sending the Manalapan players into a frenzied dog pile at the mound.

Braves coach Brian Boyce praised his starter‘s efficiency and poise.

“He kept the ball down, he got a lot of ground balls, and we made most of the plays," Boyce said. "We turned two twice, that bailed us out. I thought he controlled most of the game, battled on the mound, and led us to the win.”

The victory improves Rubbinaccio’s record to 9-0 this season, matching his unblemished mark of a year ago.

Overshadowed in the loss was the relief effort of Monroe’s Dan Marsh. The right-hander worked four innings, allowing one unearned run while giving up three hits and striking out two.

After falling short of a state title the previous two seasons, the 2011 Braves achieved a goal established moments after last year’s defeat in the Group IV final.

“We were talking about how it was the natural progression. Two years ago when they were sophomores, we got beat up by Hunterdon Central in the semifinals. Last year we lost to Jackson in the finals. The next step was to win the sectionals,” Boyce said.

The Braves broke through with a team consisting of 16 seniors, 7 of which were in the starting lineup. The core of Manalapan’s roster has played together since they were eight years old, something Boyce says is not lost on his squad.

“This was their last home game. As seniors, they understand they are playing together for the last time,“ the coach stated.

With a state championship under their belts, the Braves now set their sights on the Group IV Title. Manalapan continues their playoff run Tuesday at 4 p.m. when they battle the South Jersey champion Millville Thunderbolts at The College of New Jersey in the Group IV semifinal.

Prom awaited most of the players as they walked off the field to receive congratulations from friends and family. On a night sure to be remembered, the Manalapan Braves could celebrate an accomplishment years in the making.