South Brunswick Post 401 Eyes State Playoff Spot

The South Brunswick Post 401 American Legion team is heading to the playoffs. The only thing left to be determined is where and when the games will be played.

Three teams in the Middlesex American Legion League make the state playoffs. The top two teams get automatic bids. The teams that place third and fourth will play each other in a best-of-three series to determine the final state playoff participant.

"We're looking forward (to the states)," South Brunswick manager Tony Cosumano said. "Our league is a wood bat league. Now, we'll go back to aluminum for the state playoffs. I think that will be to our advantage."

According to Cosumano, the members of the wood bat league learned to take more disciplined at-bats and square up the ball better. Now that they are back playing with aluminum bats, the ball should fly.

South Brunswick is currently tied with Piscataway on the top of the league with 20 points. With a record of 10-2, however, Piscataway has played two less games than South Brunswick (9-3-2). Clara Barton is 6-5-1, South Amboy 6-9, North Brunswick 4-6, Monroe 3-6-1 and Iselin is 3-10.

South Brunswick was defeated by Piscataway, 2-0, on July 6. This was the second time Piscataway has shutout South Brunswick.

"Maybe they just have our number," Cosumano said. "We hit some balls hard, but right at people. Piscataway is a good team."

Ryan Phillips struck out 11 batters and only allowed six hits and two runs in a complete-game effort.

South Brunswick also got outstanding pitching performances against Monroe and South Amboy.

Against South Amboy on July 5, Rob Johnson pitched 5 1/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief, allowing South Brunswick to rally from behind for a 7-4 win.

Dominick Forcella had a hit and three RBI. Ray Lang had two hits, a run scored and two RBI. Chris Winkelman had two hits, two runs scored and a RBI. Gabe Frankel and Harris Fliegelman each had a hit and run scored.

In a 3-2 win against Monroe, Gabe Frankel allowed only two hits and two runs (one earned). Theodore Moke closed out the win with a scoreless inning of pitching.

The team was down down 2-0. Chris Winkelman came through with a double and two RBI to spark the comeback.

South Brunswick also defeated Hightstown, 9-1, in a non-league game on July 2. South Brunswick is 2-2 out of league and 11-5-2 overall.

Against Hightstown, Jimmy Nemeth allowed just one hit in five innings of work. Ariel Torres had two doubles, a run scored and two RBI. Michael Huber had a hit and three RBI. Robbie Fliegelman had two hits and a run scored.

South Brunswick will be back in action with games against North Brunswick and Piscataway on Saturday. The team has four games remaining in the regular season.

The state playoffs are set to start on July 19. The Middlesex League will put two teams into action at North Brunswick and one at Toms River. The teams that finish better get first choice.

Cosumano saw benefits to playing at each site.

"Once we clinch a spot, we'll take a team vote," Cosumano said.