Kernan, Bottom of the Order Lead Middletown North to Second Straight SCT Title

Post-game photos' above: Team, seniors and Riley Kernan and family

WALL TOWNSHIP – Middletown North is known for its power at the top of their lineup which includes three DI scholarship players but in Thursday’s Shore Conference Tournament final at Wall Township High School it was the third-seeded Lions bottom of the order that sparked a 5-2 win over No.4 seed Middletown South.

With the win, Middletown North (27-4) – ranked No.10 in the state - takes home its second consecutive SCT championship after winning its first title since 1974 a year ago.

“It was really the bottom of our order actually,” Lions head coach Marc Rosner said. “Riley (Kernan) got her 100th hit but it was the bottom of the order that picked us up. Adriana Cerbo reached base a couple of times, Gabi Cerbo in her second or third start of the season reached base three times with a double to the wall, Ryan (Rasmussen) with a sac fly and Payleigh (Behan), who came into the game hitting close to .450, does her usual. At the beginning of the year we talked about it taking everyone to get it done and that’s what it took today.”

Middletown North loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second but came up empty before the Eagles (28-4) jumped on Kernan for a solo run in the top of the fourth. An RBI single up the middle by Hannah Wisialko scored pinch runner Sarah Riso who slid safely under the tag at the plate giving the Eagles their only lead of the game.

Kernan then jump-started the Lions four-run rally in their half of the fourth lining a one-out single up the middle for her 100th career hit.

“I’ve been waiting, it’s been like six games (actually three),” Kernan said referring to her 100th hit. “It was great, I’m really happy that my team rallied up right behind me.”

Freshman left fielder Adriana Cerbo followed Kernan’s hit with a walk putting runners at first and second before her sister Gabbi drilled a ball to the pitching circle that Eagle starter Maddie McMahon instinctively knocked down but her throw to first base was wild allowing pinch runner Sam Kanach to score all the way from second to tie the game 1-1.

With runners now on second and third base, Rasmussen sacrificed Adriana Cerbo home for the go-ahead run lacing a sinking liner that Wisialko made a diving catch on in right field as Gabi Cerbo moved to third. Behan then dropped a seeing-eye single just into the outfield grass plating Cerbo for a two-run lead before a walk and an RBI single by junior second baseman Liz Dorsa produced a 4-1 lead heading to the fifth.

“It’s been four years of hard work for us seniors to get to this point,” said Behan, who stole second base to move into scoring position before racing home on Dorsa’s single to centerfield. “I’ve been part of this program for four years now, preparing for games and moments like this and it’s great to see all the hard work you do pay off.”

Middletown South got a run back in the top of the fifth when two errors and a passed ball led to an unearned run cutting the deficit to 4-2, but the Lions matched that with one of their own in the bottom of the inning.

With two outs, Gabi Cerbo launched a double over the head of Kayla Gallo in right field followed by a miscommunication between McMahon and first baseman Christine Gebhardt on an infield pop-up that led to a botched play with Cerbo scoring all the from second on a gutsy heads-up play by the sophomore for a 5-2 lead.

“Just a great play by Gabi,” Rosner said. “We kind off just went for it on that play. We had a couple of runs lead, why not take a chance and put some pressure on them.”

Kernan got out of the sixth after a walk and two wild pitches put a runner at third with two outs striking out No. 9 batter Jill Martin to end the inning.

She then had a 1-2-3 seventh inning thanks in part to two sparkling catches in centerfield by Behan who got the final out of the game with her back up against the fence while leaping for the catch.

The University of Rhode Island-bound Kernan was her typical steady self on the mound Thursday picking up her 24th win of the season. She never gets rattled and has always had the ability to stay focused in tight situations while working her way through whatever’s in front of her.

Kernan allowed one earned run on three hits, struck out six and walked four. The talented junior was emotional after the game knowing that it was her last game with the heart of the lineup including departing seniors Gallo, Gebhardt and Behan.

“They’re all great friends and great players,” Kernan said fighting back tears. “I’m going to miss them a lot. I’m so happy the season ended the way it did for them; it’s amazing. Christine is my best friend and I love them all.”

Gallo, who hit .446 with five home runs and 41 RBI this season, is heading to Florida International University to play for the Panthers while Gabhardt hit .411, drove in 41 runs, hit three homers and will take her talents to Manhattan College in the MAAC and will have the opportunity of playing in front of family and friends when the Jaspers come into town to play Monmouth University. The .444 hitting Behan will be attending Virginia Tech and hopes to continue her career playing for the Hokies.

“It’s good to be the best team in the Shore Conference, its’ good to be the last team standing,” Rosner said. “Losing in the states was tough but there’s nothing wrong with ending the season out on top as the No. 1 team in the Shore. With that, I thought we had a really tough road to get here from the beginning of the tournament and I think our schedule was really good all year round. We wish Middletown South the best of luck in the state final and hopefully they can bring the title home.”

Follow @getmready