Urso's Homer Sets Up Win Over Hunterdon Central

The Watchung Hills Regional High School baseball team held off Hunterdon Central High School in Warren on Thursday afternoon, winning 9-8.

In Short

After looking like they were going to cruise to an easy victory, the Warriors almost coughed up a 9-4 seventh inning lead but held on to get the win.  Watchung let the tying and go ahead runs get on base before relief pitcher Nick Rivera got a groundball to third baseman Joey Rocchietti to end the game. After falling behind early again in the first inning, the Warriors answered right away with 2 in their bottom half.  Following that, Watchung put up a pair of runs in the second and third innings respectively, stretching their lead to 6-3 after three. Watchung added 3 runs in the fifth inning, which turned out to be very important as the game neared its conclusion.

Warrior of the Game

Frank Urso–The sophomore left fielder reached base all four plate appearances, with this 2-out, 2-run homerun in the second inning being the highlight. That made it 4-2 Warriors.  Urso also added two walks and a single, good enough for 2 runs and 3 RBIs on the day. 

Other key performances—Junior outfielder JC Rizzi went 2-4, with 2 RBIs and a run.  Sophomore pitcher Joey Rocchietti went 1-3 with a run, an RBI, and a walk.  Sophomore shortstop Tommy Giaimo went 2-3 with a run and a stolen base. 

They said it

“The coaches tell us all the time to work on our oppos (opposite field hitting) for days like this when the wind is blowing out to right field and we just executed what they told us to do and it worked out.”—Frank Urso

“We attacked the ball today on the first pitch instead of waiting.  We’ve been doing it the past couple games.  We’re getting first pitch fastballs.”—Joey Rocchietti

Up Next—Warren Hills on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Watchung Hills, then 1:30 p.m. against Pequannock or Lenape Valley.