Souma, Rivera Clinch Victory Over Bridgewater-Raritan

The Watchung Hills Regional baseball team found a way to respond to every challenge Bridgewater-Raritan High School could put in their way, Tuesday on their home field, clinging to a one run lead that proved enough to win the day.

In Short

The Warriors traded leads —and homers—with Bridgewater for much of the game, but the four-run third inning gave the team the upper hand. Pitcher Richard Hunt kept Bridgewater's batters in check in the final innings, with Nick Rivera closing in the seventh for the team.

Chris Berry's two-run homer in the third inning sparked the offensive burst that gave the Warriors the run advantage. Matt Meyers also slammed a homer in the third, and the Warriors extended their scoring on a run by Joe Kinsella (running for Hunt) on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Taylor.

The climactic finish in the top of the seventh inning came as center fielder Eric Souma made a diving catch on a deep line drive to end the game.

Warrior of the Game

Chris Berry —Berry's two-run homer revived the Warriors' spirits, and ignited the team's offense.

Other Key Performances—Richard Hunt's pitching preserved the Warriors' lead through most of the game; Nick Rivera's pitching in the seventh ended the Panther's hopes of scoring; a double play by second baseman Matt Meyers and Chris Berry, at first base, ended the fourth inning.

They Said It

"Nicki Rivera shut the door for us—he did that against Montgomery. For a while, Richard Hunt wasn't at his competitive best but his teammates got him back up and he held up."—Coach Mario Diez

"It was great game—the lead went back and forth, but we ended up with the run in the sixth. Rich came out and threw a great game and I held on in the seventh."—Nick Rivera

Up Next: At Union High School Wednesday at 4 p.m.