Wrapping up one the of most memorable seasons in Gov. Livingston baseball history, the Highlanders varsity squad defeated defending champion West Essex in the Group 2 title game Saturday at Toms River North high school.
Led by an outstanding pitching performance by senior Mike Cranston, GL captured the second group title in program history, putting a bow on a 27-6 campaign. The first crown came in 1999.
Cranston tossed a gem, giving up just three hits, while striking out six and walking one.
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GL, the visiting team on the scoreboard, struck for a pair of runs in the top of the first on Joey DoSarno's two-run double to make it 2-0.
But DeSarno saved his best for last. With the game tied at 7-7 in the top of the 7th, Gov. Livingston pushed across six runs. DeSarno started the inning off with a single before coming up again in the same inning to punch a base hit which scored two runs.
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It was a pitchers duel from the get-go, with Cranston going pitch-for-pitch against West Essex ace Dave Jesch, who helped lead the Knights to the 2010 Group 2 crown.
The last hit Jesch had given up before the seventh was DeSarno's in the first inning -- but the Knights start didn't have an answer as GL sent 12 batters to the plate while taking a commanding lead.
The big hit came off the bat of freshman Ryan Jennings, who delivered a base hit to drive home the eventual game-winning run, while Billy Worswick opened the floodgates with a two-run double to add a little icing to the cake.
GL held a 2-1 lead into the last of the 6th, before West Essex tied the game on a home run.
That obviously didn't bother the seasoned Highlanders, who capped their memorable campaign with a rally to remember -- the one that led to a post-game celebration these young men won't soon forget.
