Menduke, Defense Lift Braves to Season-Ending Win

Bryan Menduke dealt 6 1/3 shutout innings, and the Braves' defense came through with steady, error-free play to lift Indian Hills to a 6-0 season-ending win over Bergenfield Wednesday afternoon.

Rob Safir hit a bases-clearing double in the second and added a booming triple in the fifth to lead the Braves offense. Mike Laurice drew a bases-loaded walk, and Nick Fiore hit a two-RBI triple to provide the final margin of victory for Hills, which finished the season one game behind Ramsey atop their division.

"It's always good to end the season with a win," said Braves coach George Hill. "It's good for our kids, especially the seniors going out on top."

Menduke struck out eight, walked three and kept the Bears guessing with his fastball, changeup and curveball. Behind him, the Braves played a steady field, finishing the game with no errors and making several spectacular plays.

"The defense was great for us today," said Hill. "(Jason Ogull) got acclimated to third, so he's feeling comfortable. (Brian) Greer had that great play on the line drive, and he's been doing it for us all year."

Ogull backhanded a soaring grounder off the bat of Ryan Monahan to end the top of the second. Then, with senior Joe Pierce in to record the final two outs, Ogull shut the door with a steady glove and recorded the final two assists.

Greer made a spectacular leaning grab on a line drive to open the top of the sixth. Later that frame, Laurice threw out Doug Frappier trying to go from first to third on a base hit.

With the Braves defense stingy, their offense picked up early on. Dan Valladares got hit by a pitch, Kurt Stittmatter added a base hit and Brian Greer walked to set up bases loaded for Laurice in the second inning. Laurice drew a walk to put the Braves on the board, and Safir scorched a line drive over the third baseman's head to make it 4-0.

Safir's triple to open the sixth along with Ogull's walk and a wild pitch set up runners on second and third for Fiore, who laced a triple over the center fielder's head to make it 6-0.

From there and throughout the game, Hills kept the pressure on with its defense and pitching. The Bears got several runners on and in scoring position, but failed to deliver the big hit to get on the board.

The Braves (19-9) started the season 16-3 before losing six of their last nine games as the county and state tournament rolled around.

"We picked the wrong time to struggle," said Hill. "We have great kids that really care. After our state game loss, the seniors were in the dugout for an hour and a half. They wouldn't leave. It's just baseball. Things didn't go our way."

Eight seniors, all starters, graduate in a few weeks. The Hills program, however, is filled with promising young players.

"In the last few years, we've built something special," said Hill. "Our seniors waited their turn and now sophomores and juniors will have a chance to keep the winning tradition going."