Braves Rally Comes up Short, Falling in MCT Semi-Finals

It did not take long for the Manalapan baseball team to be put behind the eight ball.

Taking on Red Bank Catholic in the Monmouth County Tournament semi-finals, the Caseys came out firing -- totaling nine runs on sevin hits and three home runs in the first inning, to essentially take the top-seeded Braves out early, Thursday afternoon, May 26.

The Braves fought back, and despite a late rally, still fell short, 13-7, dropping out of the tournament field.

I give them [Red Bank Catholic] a lot of credit, they hit the ball essentially well," Manalapan head coach Brian Boyce said, "You can't defend three home runs. It's the first time all year that our pitchers didn't have their stuff.

Nick Kreiger started for the Braves, allowing seven runs on six hits as he lasted just two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one batter and walked the opening batter of the game.

The Caseys added their final two runs of the first inning by virtue of the home run off of Braves' reliever Billy Gulino. Gulino threw 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and also striking out a batter.

Manalapan's biggest inning, offensivley came in the bottom of the fifth. Rich Ricciardi lead the inning off with a double to left center field, and was driven home during the next at-bat, when Kreiger also doubled to left field.

Chris Baird, who had a tremendous day at the plate, would then slam a two-run home run to right center field. Three batters later, Brian Lamboy would score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jake Winston, drawing the Braves within four runs at 11-7.

Manalapan would leave runners on first and second as Joe Serrapica grounded into a fielders choice at second base to end the inning.

In the sixth, the Braves would be back at it again, as Kreiger would draw a one-out walk, followed by a single off the bat of Alex Decastro. 

Two batters later, Lamboy would reach first on an error by Red Bank Catholic's first basemen.

The Braves would leave the bases loaded, however, when Marco Ferrante grounded out at second base.

"We battled back, there's a lot of character on this team," Boyce said, "We have a lot of fight in us and we had a good chance in the sixth inning but it didn't work out for us. Tomorrow's another day."

Manalapan opened their scoring in the bottom half of the first inning, all with two outs. Decastro ripped a single to left field, and later scored on a double off the bat of Baird.

Lamboy would then drive in a run with an RBI double to left-center field.

Kreiger would open up the bottom of the third with a single, followed by Baird with a single two batters later. Kreiger would then score on Lamboy's sacrifice fly to right field.

Steve Canora would pitch one inning in relief, allowing no hits and just a walk. Serrapica threw 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs on three hits and Anthony Silvia pitched the final 1/3 of an inning for Manalapan.

"This team all year has been resillient, even though we have a very good record," Boyce said, "There have been times when we haven't played well and came out the next day and played well."

The Braves will complete their four games in four days span tomorrow, at home, when they take on 10-seed Pennsauken at 3:45 p.m.