Gov. Livingston Advances to State Championship Game

During its state tournament run this spring, the Gov. Livingston baseball team has shown the ability to put together the one big inning its needed to survive and advance. 

On Tuesday, the Highlanders did it once again and have earned a berth in the state final for its efforts. 

Led by Keith Skinner and John Jennings, who each drove in three runs, a key two-run single by Ryan Jennings and another solid outing by Joe Graziano, Gov. Livingston posted a 12-3 victory over West Deptford in the NJSIAA Group 2 semifinal round at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. Gov. Livingston (25-6) will now face West Essex (22-2) for the Group 2 championship on Saturday in Toms River.

The time and site of the final will be announced on Wednesday. 

“It’s a great feeling to be able to play in the final game of the year,” said John Jennings, who was 2-for-4 with a run. “To be a part of this team and in the final is the pinnacle of my senior year.” 

Gov. Livingston, which was the home team for the game, held a 2-1 lead heading to the bottom of the fourth. Ryan Jennings, a freshman left fielder, put Gov. Livingston ahead, 4-1, with a two-run single. Keith Skinner, a senior catcher, had the only other hit in the inning for the Highlanders, lacing a bases-loaded two-run double that provided a 7-1 lead. 

“The kids really put together a lot of quality at bats,” said eighth-year Highlander head coach Chris Roof. “Their pitcher is very good but we did a very good job of taking pitches and making him work. We definitely helped build his pitch count.” 

West Deptford’s Tony Urban, who is headed to UNC-Asheville, entered the game with a 6-1 mark and a 1.06 ERA. On Tuesday, he allowed 10 earned runs on six hits and five walks. 

Conversely, Gov. Livingston’s starter, Joey Graziano, proved clutch once again. Graziano, a junior right-hander, surrendered two earned runs on just four hits and four walks along with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 pitches in improving to 5-2.

Junior Jon Schmedel relieved Graziano and didn’t allow a hit while striking out three and walking three. John Jennings, a senior shortstop and older brother of Ryan Jennings, singled in the final two runs of the game as Gov. Livingston scored four times in the sixth inning and extended to a 12-3 lead. Tyler Martis added three runs and a stolen base for Gov. Livingston. 

“We knew that our pitchers would give us some scoreless innings so our job was to get them some runs,” said the older Jennings. “It was nice to see Ryan step up like that and get a big hit for us. And the rest of the offense came through too.” 

Gov. Livingston now returns to the Group 2 final for the first time since 2006, when it dropped an 8-0 decision to Hanover Park. The Highlanders won its lone state title in 1999, when it won the Group 2 title. 

Tuesday’s victory was also a record-setter for the Highlanders as it set the mark for most victories in a season. The 2006 team held the mark with 24 victories. 

“This team is very special,” said Roof, who earned his 200th career victory earlier this season. “Probably the most special I’ve had in my 11 years of coaching.”