Page 2 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
Manalapan Rises Up Over Steinert For Second Title
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 3
B y Ted Kaiser MANALAPAN— Despite returning only two starters from last season’s Central Jersey Group IV championship squad, the Manalapan baseball team repeated with a 7-6 extra inning victory over Steinert in the sectional final. The Braves enter the Group IV semifinals with a 16-11 record, hardly an overpowering mark befitting a sectional champion. But even though they did not have a standout regular season, Manalapan played well down the stretch and the competitive Shore Conference Class A North Division steeled them well for the
postseason. The Braves had their work cut out for them in the CJ Group IV final. They faced a Spartans team that was 29-3 heading into last Friday’s game and the top seed in the bracket. Junior third baseman Billy Moed narrowly pushed out a two-run home run in the third inning to give the Braves a 2-0 edge. Senior Joe Serrapica, one of the only two returning starters from 2011, delivered the next big blow with a three-RBI double in the fifth to boost the lead to 6-0. But the number one seed did not go quietly. Steinert rallied with
By Pat Ralph Volleyball is one of the most successful sports programs at Christian Brothers Academy (CBA), the team had another fine season in 2012. The Colts opened up the season on a high note by winning the Hillsborough Tournament. As a result, the Colts were rewarded with the honor of being ranked number one in the state of New Jersey to start the season. After getting off to good start, the Colts momentum was slowed up by their arch rival Southern, as they lost a tough match in straight sets on the road on April 17th. But the Colts knew that this would be the first of many showdowns this year with their conference rivals. CBA bounced back nicely from the loss and won 12 of their next 13 matches, including wins against state powerhouses Hillsborough and Piscataway. The only loss in this time period for the Colts came
against rival St. Joseph’sMetuchen. Playing their best volleyball of the season, the Colts faced off against Southern at home in a rematch. Despite playing a great match, the Colts fell short and lost in three sets (2-1) to Southern on May 10th. In a tuneup for the Shore Conference and state tournament, the Colts took part in the Super Six Showcase against some of the best teams in the Garden State. The Colts went 2-2 at the Showcase, defeating both Bayonne and Cinnaminson, but losing to Fair Lawn and for the third time this year, Southern. The Colts knocked off Colts Neck and Wall in the first two rounds of the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT), leading up to another matchup against Southern in the championship. Unfortunately, the Colts fell short against Southern in the SCT title game and took second
two runs in each of the next three innings to tie the game at 6-6. The momentum was clearly with the Spartans and many teams might have folded after losing a six-run lead. However, Manalapan re-grouped. Junior Matt Simonetti came on in relief to settle Steinert’s bats down. Billy Moed made a critical bare-handed play on a ground ball throwing the runner out at first to keep the winning run from scoring and sending the game into extra innings. Then in the eighth inning, outfielder Greg Yip put down a perfect squeeze bunt to
score Matt Parke with what would prove to be the winning run. Manalapan is set to face South Jersey Group IV champion Cherokee in the Group IV semifinals on Tuesday at The College of New Jersey. PHOTO: SEAN SIMMONS To s s i n g t h e b a l l i n a f t e r making a play is Manalapan’s Brian Lamboy (12).
CBA Volleyball Having Another Great Season In 2012
Casey Lacrosse Had Solid Season
By Michael Rogers The Red Bank Catholic (RBC) boys’ lacrosse team recorded an 11-7 record this season and earned the number three seed in the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT). They made it to the second round before losing to Southern by the score of 7 6. The Caseys moved on to play in the NJSIAA Non Public A state playoffs. In the opening round the game didn’t go the way RBC would have liked as they lost to Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) by the score of 9 – 5. During the regular season the Caseys finished second in the Non Public A division with a 9- 1 record within the division. For the season RBC scored a total of 167 goals and 110 assists as a team. Individually Doug Whitlock led the team in scoring with 31 goals and two assists while Chris Whitlock added 27 goals and two assists. Also helping out the offense was Andrew Porzio who scored 21 goals and two assists while Cal Whaley scored 36 goals and two assists. Kyle Vill also helped with the scoring tallying 11 goals and two assists on the season. The Caseys used two goalies and both of them were successful as Chet Tooker made 119 saves on the season and Tyler Leonard made 94 saves.
PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI C B A players celebrated after their win over Old Bridge.
place in the conference. Despite losing in the SCT, the Colts were determined to bring home a state championship to Lincroft. They were awarded number two seed in the Central Jersey State Tournament and opened up with wins against Marlboro and Hunterdon Central. In a huge showdown against rival Old Bridge, the Colts knocked off the third seeded Knights in straight
sets to advance to the Central Jersey Tournament finals. To the delight of the Colts and their fans, the top-seeded Falcons of St. Joseph’s- Metuchen were defeated by fourth seeded Cinnaminson in the semifinals, giving the Colts home court advantage for the finals. However, the Colts season came to an end on June 1st as they lost to Cinnaminson. Despite falling short of their
PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI Stretching for a play at the net.
goal, the Colts finished the season 25-10 and were ranked fifth in the state.
Blue Devils Reach SCT Semifinals Page 4 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
By Michael Rogers The Shore Regional girls’ lacrosse team coached by Chris Riachle has a tradition of success and even though the Blue Devils were unable to reach their goal they still finished with a 15 -6 season. Shore also played in the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) and the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I playoffs. In the SCT, the Blue Devils reached the semifinals before losing to the eventual champion Red Bank Catholic. Shore played the Caseys very tough but came
up short losing by the score of 10- 8. Shore then moved on to play in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I state tournament where they reached the semifinals again before losing to a talented Oak Knoll team by the score of 13 -9. In that game Maddie Smith led the offense with three goals and three assists while Anna Vitton added two goals and two assists. Shannon Galvin scored three goals and goaltender Monica Fritz made six saves in the game.
On the season Maddie Smith led the Blue Devils in scoring with 11 goals and 16 assists while Molly Arnette added 15 goals and one assist. Chelsea Henderson also scored 11 goals and five assists. Goalie Taylor Caldwell made 14 saves on the season. Shore has some very talented players coming up so look for the Blue Devils to continue their success next season.
Raritan Baseball Wins CJ Group II Title By Sean Simmons HAZLET—The fourth-seeded Raritan Rockets (15-9) rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Robbinsville Ravens, 4-2 in the Central Jersey Group II championship game at Rocket Park on the campus of Raritan High School. “Robbinsville is a very good team,” said Raritan Head Coach T.J. O’Donnell. “We wanted to put the ball in play and were hoping to jump on them early.” Junior starting pitcher Rob Ronan gave up only two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings and senior relief pitcher Danny
Gutch struck out the first four batters he faced and retired all eight Ravens he faced to earn the save. “Ronan did a hell of a job for us,” O’Donnell said. “He kept his composure after struggling through the second inning and basically got us into the fifth inning.” The Rockets offense was led by senior outfielder Jake Vanderveer, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, senior outfielder Mike Langan, who went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored and sophomore infielder Bruce
PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI S h o r e ’s A l y s o n C h w a t e k c a t c h e s a pass.
PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI Senior Mike Langan went 2-for-3 at bat for the Rockets.
Strickland, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. “Vanderveer has really come alive for us the last three or four games,” O’Donnell said. “He’s a hell of a hitter and he’s gotten hot for us at the right time. Langan has also been hitting the ball very well for us.” Raritan advanced to the CJ Group II
final with an impressive 9-4 win against the eighth-seeded Voorhees Vikings. The top offensive player for the Rockets was Vanderveer, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs and also scored two runs. “It has been a rollercoaster type season, but the team has come together at the right time,” O’Donnell said.
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 5
Raiders Wrap Up Strong Softball Season With A Record of 26-3 Page 6 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
B y Ted Kaiser TOMS RIVER— The expectations scoreboard in the quarterfiare always high at Toms River East nals as they blanked eighth for their softball team. The program seeded Triton by a score of has a storied history and it is quite 6-0. This time Weed was on possible that Head Coach Debbie top of her game. She tossed Schwartz could earn her 500th career a no-hitter and only walked win with another strong season in two batters while striking 2013. But the 2012 campaign was out six. what one has come to expect from the TR East had a more difficult time with fourth Raiders. The team finished up with a seed Washington Township 26-3 overall record and reached the in the semifinals. After South Jersey Group IV final before holding a 2-0 lead, the losing a heartbreaking nailbiter to Raiders found themselves Eastern. PHOTO: SEAN SIMMONS The state playoff run began for the Toms River East’s Val Hirschfeld gets a trailing 3-2 after the top of the fourth inning. But they top seeded Raiders with a 4-0 win over p i e c e o f t h e b a l l . quickly responded with three Lenape in the opening round. Junior pitcher Jordan Weed worked around five walks and com- runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good. bined with junior Sarah Bencivenga, who pitched 2/3 of an Bencivenga raked for three hits and two RBIs while senior inning, for the shutout. TR East kept the donuts on the Corey Schwartz had an RBI and two runs scored.
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In the sectional final against Eastern, TR East trailed 40 after two and a half innings, but they calmly chipped away at the lead. The Raiders closed the gap to 4-3 and threatened to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Senior Brianna Dziedzic led off with a hit and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. However, Eastern managed to get the final out and escaped with the SJ Group IV title.
Pepper Helps Central Softball Makes Run To Final
B y Ted Kaiser BAYVILLE— The Central Regional softball team ended the season last week with an 18-5 overall record. The Golden Eagles put together a strong bid to win the South Jersey Group III sectional tournament as the second seed in the bracket. They advanced all the way to the final where they lost a tight 2-0 pitchers’ duel to Kingsway. The run was especially remarkable considering that Central’s starting pitcher, Stephanie Pepper, is only a freshman. The Golden Eagles reeled off three straight victories on their way to the sectional final. In the opening round, they battled 15th seeded Seneca and prevailed 4-1. Pepper allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out seven in seven innings. Next up was seventh seeded Oakcrest in the quarterfinals. Central won the game in the decisive sixth inning when senior second baseman Courtney Mahnken scored what proved to be the winning run on a passed ball and freshman catcher Sam Farreau came through with a RBI triple. Pepper struck out 11 players on the mound. In the semifinals, Pepper did more than just pitch a good game to earn the win. She went 3-for-4 at the plate and had an RBI double in the first inning to set the tone for a 7-1 victory over Delsea. Pepper went the distance on the hill and struck out seven. Senior first baseman Jessica Gilzow hit a two-run home run as part of a big third inning that broke the game open.
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Freehold Twp. Shocks RBC For MCT Crown
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 7
B y Ted Kaiser LAKEWOOD— The outcome seemed to be a foregone conclusion. A sub-.500 team and the 14th seed of the Monmouth County Baseball Tournament (MCT) taking on the pre-season local favorite and top seed of the tournament. But the MCT Final at FirstEnergy Park last Wednesday did not go according to script. Underdog Freehold Township who had surged into the championship game, stunned heavily favored Red Bank Catholic (RBC) with a thrilling comeback that gave the Patriots a 6-3 win for the MCT title. RBC got on the scoreboard right away in the first inning on an RBI-single by Al Molina. Molina struck again in the third inning with a two-run double to give the Caseys a 3-0 lead. Starting pitcher Ryan Slate seemed to be in control of the Freehold Township lineup carrying a shutout into the bottom of the sixth inning. But things changed dramatically in that half inning. Senior outfielder Ryan Talbot got the Patriots on the board with a RBI-single. His brother Chris Talbot and fellow sophomore Nick Cardace followed up with back-to-back singles that put Freehold Township on top 4-3. Vito
PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI Emily Schaffer winds up in the circle for the Rockets.
Iannuzzelli and Mike Patti each tacked on RBIs later in the big sixth inning for the final 6-3 score. Senior ace Ryan MacFarlane went the distance to earn the win on the mound. While Freehold Township’s run to the MCT championship was a surprise to many, the Patriots always felt they had it in them. “We feel very confident. Our team gets along well and I don’t see a team that we can’t compete with,” said senior Nick Cardamone before the season started. “I think we are going to surprise some people.” Cardamone will attend St. Peter’s to play baseball next fall, but ends his high school career with a championship. The Patriots will return a host of key players for next season. This was their second MCT title in four years and with a lot of talented underclassmen on the roster, Freehold Township could be poised for more in the next few years. PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI Senior ace pitcher Ryan MacFarlane went the distance to earn the win on the mound.
Robbinsville Defeats Raritan In Group II Softball Final By Sean Simmons The seventh seeded Raritan Rockets beat the third seeded Voorhees Vikings 3-2 in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinal game to set up a showdown with the top-seeded Robbinsville Ravens in the CJ Group II final. After the Vikings took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Rockets soared back in the top of the second inning on an RBI bunt single by sophomore catcher Emily Mills to tie things up at 1-1. During the top of the fifth inning, Mills led off with a single and freshman outfielder Brianna Rinaldi followed with a bunt single. The runners moved to second and third base on a sacrifice fly by freshman infielder Daniella Marino and then sophomore infielder/outfielder/pitcher Emily Schaffer knocked in the go-ahead run. A sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Bobbie Boehler later in
the inning extended the Rockets lead to 3-1. Voorhees rallied back with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to close out the scoring. During the game against Robbinsville, the Rockets lost 7-1 to end their season with a 17-10 record. Lauren Fischer fanned eight batters, walked none and pitched a two-hitter and Morgan Psiuk went 2-for-4 with a two-run double to lead the Ravens. Robbinsville came into the game against Raritan outscoring their opponents 32-0 in the CJ Group II tournament. Freshman first baseman Bethany Evans and Schaffer had the only hits of the game for the Rockets and sophomore second baseman/outfielder Kelsi Brown scored their only run. With such a young team, the outlook looks bright for the Rockets next season. The key losses will be Boehler and Tiffany Dahlquist.
Page 8 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
Frazier Hits Manhattan
PHOTOS AND STORY BY ALEX STAMOUTSOS For five consecutive days in mid-May, “Indians” (past and present) from Toms River High School South made their way into New York. This was not to reclaim land that was sold for beads, but to see Todd Frazier. Frazier was a 2004 TR South graduate and is arguably Toms River’s favorite resident. He is currently the starting third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He and the Reds came to New York to play two games at Citi Field against the Mets on May 16 and 17, then three games in the Bronx against the Yankees on May 18-20. While in New York, Frazier was joined at both stadiums by family, friends and TR South alumni. From infants to senior citizens, Frazier fans were well represented. They came by car, train and even by the busload to Flushing and the Bronx. Just
as he has done at every big moment in his career, Todd Frazier produced. Frazier was struggling a bit at the plate before coming into Citi Field. He knew he would see familiar faces in the crowd and he did not want to disappoint his family and friends. In true Frazier fashion, he hit not one, but two home runs for his first multi- home run game of his career on his first night back. If you read his biography, you would say Frazier’s accolades and accomplishments are right out of a Hollywood movie script. Most of you have heard of his 1998 Little League World Series exploits. Todd was the championship game winning pitcher while going four for four with a home run to beat Japan for the title. If that alone was not worthy of an Oscar nod, here are some excerpts of his storied resume:
Continued on page 12
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 9
Page 10 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
Shido Martial Arts Classes Are Designed To Create Better Overall Athletes
The term Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is commonly used to describe the sport that allows for both striking and grappling techniques within an umbrella of unified rules. With its roots found in the ancient Greek art of Pankration, MMA is more than a sport, it is a philosophy. Synonymous with the theory behind Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do system, the concept of MMA is the same: To combine everything you have learned that is proven effective. We have the same philosophy at Shido Martial Arts where every technique learned is not law, but merely a guideline. It is within the individual to find what works for them. So at our facility, we offer our MMA classes as a means to learn the basics within every phase of
combat; the stand-up, the clinch, and the ground. No prior experience is necessary. The instruction will be effective in offering you the tools of how to react in these situations. Additionally, our classes are designed to help create better overall athletes and to work on their full body
explosiveness, footwork agility and complete conditioning. So whether you're looking to learn new techniques or just trying to have a fun work-out, our MMA class can help you out. So stop by for more information and to look around. We're looking forward to train with you!
Ranney Rower Reaps Rewards At Stotesbury Regatta
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 11
TINTON FALLS – Just before heading off to Harvard University this upcoming fall, Ranney senior Craig Slater of Tinton Falls once again found success out on the water, as he won the John B. Kelly Award at the 86th annual Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this past weekend. “Winning the Stotesbury Regatta is a huge accomplishment and honor,” said Ranney School Director of Athletics Thomas Moriau. Since its origination in 1927, the Stotesbury Regatta has become one of the largest and oldest high school rowing competitions in the world and now hosts 28 championship events over a two-day period. Approximately 200 high schools consisting of 5,000 athletes with 900 boats competed in more than 130 races on the Schuylkill River at this year’s Regatta. While many schools participated using eights and quads and fours and doubles throughout the event, Slater spent May 1819 rowing singles for Ranney. Following a preliminary Men’s Senior Single race on Friday morning, Slater, along with 17 other boats, then moved onto the semifinals, where there were three heats. After finishing second with a time of 5:05.17 in his heat, — just six one hundredths of a second from earning first place — Craig managed to secure a spot within the top lane in heat two of the semifinals on Saturday morning. Having won his semi-final race in 5:14.34, he then moved on to the finals on Saturday afternoon, where he competed for the very prestigious John B. Kelly Award. Established in 1935, the John B. Kelly Award honors one of the most accomplished American oarsmen in the history of rowing, John B. Kelly, Sr., whose credentials range from being a threetime Olympic Gold Medalist to winning 126 races in Single Scull. Vying for first against six rowers in the finals, Slater took gold with a time of 5:07.83 — the event’s third fastest time ever acquired. “Rowing is a sport that gives you back exactly what you put in. If you’re
out on the water watching the sun come up and working as hard as you can, this sport will reward you for that,” said Slater in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. While receiving this award marks one of the highest accomplishments a high school rower can attain, Slater has also had several other successes throughout his final year with Ranney’s crew program. Aside from representing his country at the Junior World Championships in Eton, Great Britain where he broke two ultra-distance world records last summer, he has earned additional recognition under the tutelage of both Ranney School and the Navesink River Rowing Club since then. Not only did he become a New Jersey State Scholastic Singles Champion after winning his 1500-meter race in a time of 5:22.10 at the New Jersey State Scholastic Championships on April 28, but he also took home a gold medal and the Allen Rosenberg Trophy with a time of 7:29.03 in a 2000-meter event — six seconds ahead of the next fastest rower — during the Cooper Cup Regatta just one day later. Once again rowing a 2000-meter course, Slater earned another title as US Rowing Mid-Atlantic District Junior Champion in
Men’s Single Sculling two short weeks later as well. He is also expected to compete amongst other high school rowers throughout the country during the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee this June. Slater first took up the sport of rowing with the introduction of Ranney’s varsity crew program in 2009. A former basketball and baseball player, he soon discovered his newfound love for being out on the water. “I have watched him develop and mature over the years,” said Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D. “When a student is in the right school, surrounded by the right people who believe in his potential and promise, that is a winning game plan,” he added. Since choosing to pursue a career in rowing, Slater has seen many opportunities for academic and athletic advancement, and he has matured into what Ranney believes to be the ideal scholar-athlete. “I visited Harvard when I was in sixth grade and knew I wanted to go there, but I never would have had the opportunity without Harvard-bound Craig Slater '12 rowing,” said Craig, who will row for the ( Tinton Falls) proudly holds his Harvard University Crimson next school S R A A Earle P. Baltz Cup. year.
By Sean Simmons TINTON FALLS — The sixth-seeded Monmouth Regional Falcons were stunned by the eighth-seeded Freehold Colonials, 3-0 in the Central Jersey Group III championship game giving the Colonials their first sectional title since 1966. The Colonials (17-12) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning when junior starting pitcher Mike Bolton smacked a two-run double with two outs. Freehold added its final run in the top of the fifth inning when senior infielder Ed Zaleski hit a single with one out, advanced to third base on a bunt by Bolton and
scored on a single by junior outfielder Jason Lundy. Lundy’s single came off Monmouth ace pitcher Luke Cahill, who had come in to relieve starting pitcher Tom Broyles after Zaleski’s single. The Falcons, who ended their season at 17-10, had their best scoring chance in the bottom of the seventh inning. Cahill and junior catcher Rich Burner hit consecutive singles and then Bolton struck out Brian Blaney on a nasty curve ball. On the same play, senior catcher Kyle Mogliski fired the ball down to first base to pick off a runner. Bolton then got a pop-up to end the game and set off a wild Freehold celebration.
Monmouth Regional Falls To Freehold In CJ Group III Final
The Falcons advanced to the CJ Group III final by beating the 15th-seeded Manasquan Warriors, 5-1 and were led by Broyles and Cahill. Broyles ripped a threerun double in the bottom of the third inning and Cahill tossed five innings of scoreless ball. Also having a solid game for the Falcons was senior second baseman Joe Panchak, who finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. The biggest loss for the Falcons heading into next season will be Cahill. Cahill was one of the Shore’s best all-around pitchers this season and will continue his career at Seton Hall University.
Page 12 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
“You Have To Live Out Your Dreams” Continued from page 8&9 * A National Punt, Pass and Kick champion at 8 years old. *Member of the 1996 Pee Wee Football National Championship Team. *Member of the 1998 Little League World Series Champions. * A four- year TR South Varsity basketball player amassing over 1,000 career points. *A four- year starter for Ken Frank’s Varsity baseball squad. * Helped TR South win two State baseball championships. * Drafted out of high school by the Colorado Rockies. * Opted to play in college. Out of the many schools to choose from it came down to Clemson University and Rutgers University. Todd selected Rutgers for two reasons: family and friends would be close and Coach Fred Hill. * was an All-American baseball player at Rutgers. He is the career leader in many offensive categories. *Drafted #34 overall in 2007 by the Reds. *Worked his way to “the show” in 2011. *Started 2012 in Louisville (AAA) and recalled 4/17/12. * Is the starting third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. This list is proof that Todd Frazier is an incredibly gifted athlete. It all started with a dream. The common sport fantasy for every kid was pretending he/she was in the championship game and the game was on the line. It was hitting the game winning home run in the World Series, throwing the game winning touchdown in the Superbowl, sinking the winning basket at
PHOTO: ALEX STAMOUTSOS Todd Frazier realizes his dream playing at Yankee Stadium in M a y.
the buzzer in the NBA final, kicking the winning goal in the World Cup final, scoring that perfect “10” in the Olympics or even draining the 30 foot putt to win the Masters. Frazier had those fantasies as he played in the backyard and parks with his brothers and friends. He also had another one. He dreamed about playing professional baseball in Yankee Stadium. Todd made it out
onto the field at Yankee Stadium early in his baseball career. The 1998 Little League World Series championship team was honored at Yankee Stadium shortly after winning it all in Williamsport. As great as it was to run out and stand with Derek Jeter, the ultimate goal was to someday play on that hallowed ground. Fast forward 14 years. On May 18, 2012 Todd Frazier’s dream became reality. Thanks to interleague play, the New York Yankees were on the Reds’ schedule. Todd came into the visiting team’s clubhouse that Friday afternoon at Yankee Stadium and looked at the lineup card. It read Todd Frazier batting seventh, playing third base. Once again out of that Hollywood script he performed as he had time and time before at the biggest moments in his career. He not only played in Yankee Stadium and fulfilled a life long dream that evening, he would deliver a single to right in his first Yankee Stadium at bat. That came off of Andy Pettitte. So how did Todd Frazier become a professional baseball player and get to play at Yankee Stadium? The mythical answer is the baseball Gods reached down to him at an early age and gave him the talent and his destiny was pre- written. While true in theory, Todd had ability and talent that had to be harnessed and molded. This was started by his father and his two older brothers, Charlie and Jeff. The Frazier boys are very close and have daily contact with each other. Charlie and Jeff just happen to be professional baseball players as well. Charlie played in the Marlins organization. He is now a school teacher, assis-
tant Varsity baseball coach at TR South and is owner of “Frazier Baseball” (www.frazierbaseball.com) instructing young baseball players. Jeff is playing for the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Jeff was the first of the brothers to get to “the show” back in 2010. Right up there with his parents and brothers, Frazier gives credit to Toms River South’s Head Coach Ken Frank for being a true mentor. “Coach Frank understands the game and he gets you ready for the next level. Coach Frank is someone you can talk with about anything. He not only prepared you for baseball, but for life.” According to Frazier his years at TR South were very special. “The South moments are plentiful, but playing with my brother Jeff in a state playoff game played at Campbell’s Field (home to the Camden Riversharks) my freshman year stands out. Jeff batted third and me, fourth. It didn’t get any better than that,” said Frazier. So how did Todd Frazier really get to where he is today? He had a dream and worked extremely hard to make it a reality, having fun along the way. “You have to live out your dreams. If you work hard and have fun in pursuing your dreams, things will take care of themselves. There is nothing better than your dreams coming true,” added Frazier.
Eagles Suffer Heartbreak In CJ Group IV
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 13
By Jim Hintelmann MIDDlETOWN TOWNSHIP- Middletown South's softball team had a 9-5 hit advantage over East Brunswick in Thursday's Central Jersey Group IV title game and South pitcher Allison Nolan held the Bears to just one run in a complete game effort, but it was to no avail. East Brunswick (25-3) ran its win streak to 20 games as it scored the lone run in the game in the fourth inning and made it stand up in a 1-0 win. "We couldn't get a hit when we needed it and they did," said South’s Coach Tom Erbig. "East Brunswick has a very good team. Nolan pitched an outstanding game. We moved up to Group IV this year after competing in Group III last year, but we still should have beaten them.” South was the Group III runner-up last year. The only run in the game was scored by
Gabriel Keliher, who led off the fourth inning with a single, moved to second on Caitlin Herter's sacrifce bunt and scored on a base hit by Shelby Lipsom. "We had a lot of players last year with excellent talent," said East Brunswick Coach Kevin Brady, "but the season didn't end the way we expected. "We lost to Hunterdon Central in nine innings to drop our record to 5-3," he said. "We had a team meeting after that game and the girl talked to each other and now they believe in themselves. The younger players also stepped up." South (21-6) had three big opportunities to score, with the best chance coming in the second inning when singles by Erica Falvey, Abby Schulz and Alex Podmajerski with one out and loaded the bases. Winning pitcher Kim Hyland retired Alex Corrigan on a liner
to second and Nolan on a strikeout. South wasted another good scoring opportunity in the fifth after Nolan led off with a single and Kristen Podmajerski ran for her. Taylor Landis bunted her to second and then Podmajerski tried to take third on a short passed ball, but got caught in a rundown between second and third and was tagged out. This proved costly because Grace Heller singled to right. Jill Troiano grounded out to end the inning. Falvey singled to lead off the fourth and was sacrificed to third by Schulz, but Hyland retired Alex Podmajsaersi on a pop to the catcher and retired Corrigan on a grounder to first. South loses five starters to graduation, but Erbig expects another good season next year with the nucleus of young PHOTO: SEAN SIMMONS players returning. Alex Podmajerski was among players to rally against East Brunswick but to no avail.
St. John Vianney Softball Advances By Jim Hintelmann HOLMDEL - Two major reasons for the success of the St. John Vianney (SJV) softball team have been strong pitching and solid hitting. The Lancers, though, have also been one of the Shore's top defensive teams and that was on display in Friday's 6-1 victory over Bishop Ahr of Edison in an NJSIAA South Jersey semifinal game. SJV played errorless ball in the game and they were at their best in the third inning when they came up with two key defensive plays to cut short a Bishop Ahr threat. Leading 1-0, the Trojans Andrea Muglia led off the third inning with a walk and was sacrificed to second. Gabby Elvine singled to center, but SJV centerfielder Zoe Otterman picked up the ball and made a perfect throw to catcher Kristen Solari, who put the tag on Muglia. Elvine took second on the play but, with Lexi Herrmann batting, Solari made a strong throw to pick off Elvin to end the threat. "Other than one game where we made a few
PHOTO: MIKE ROGERS St. John Vianney softball team.
mistakes, this team has been playing strong defense all year," said SJV Coach Kim Lombardi. "Otterman and Solari are both seniors and that is what wins championships."
Given a lift by the two key defensive plays, SJV, helped by a costly Bishop Ahr error, scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead, 2-1. Erica Krumbine
and Amanda Durham walked with one out and moved up a base on Caitlin Winoker's infield out. Solari hit a grounder to short that apparently ended the inning, but the throw to first was wild with Krumsin and Durham scoring. SJV then broke open the game with four runs in the sixth inning. Taylor August walked and Krumbine was safe on a fielder's choice.Otterman followed with an RBI single and Durham came through with the big hit of the game, a two- run triple to the left field fence. Solari drove in Durham with an infield hit. "It was a screwball and I was looking for it," said Durham "It (the triple) was awesome and it was a great feeling. The entire team played well." Bishop Ahr scored its lone run in the second inning off winning pitcher Katie Beriont when Herrman singled and Megan Ryan followed with an RBI double. Beriont scattered eight hits, but walked just one and struck out six.
Page 14 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19
Recruiting Rules And Regulations: Your Questions Answered One of the more frequent questions we get from our clients concerns recruiting rules and regulations. There are dead periods, quiet periods, contact periods and evaluation periods and so on. Everyone seems to be talking about this July 1st date? Maybe somebody told you coaches can’t send you letters until you are a junior? So, what does it all mean?
Sure, there are rules and regulations that coaches have to follow in the process. They are confusing, differ by sport and can change year to year. The good news for you is they really don’t matter. We often tell our clients not worry about these rules and regulations. If you want to know the guidelines for your sport you can easily find them in Google (or ask us and we will get them to you). However, unless you are talking bags of money there really isn’t much you can do to break the rules. The rules are for the COACHES to follow. There are few, if any, restrictions that you need to follow or really even know about. Most of the rules involve when a coach can write, call, or see you. But….often
times you can write, call or see the coach if you initiate it. The worst thing that would happen is the coach tells you that the rules prohibit him from talking to you. More importantly, coaches use the rules as a way to get rid of prospects without telling them they are not interested. For example, if a sophomore contacts a large Division I school, the school might say something like, “NCAA Rules prohibit me from talking to you at this time.” This is typically, a nice way of saying, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” The end result is the athlete stops reaching out to schools because they assume they are breaking a rule. They did not break a rule. The coach just decided to follow a rule that prevented THEM from contacting the athlete back. They also decided NOT to pursue the 10 other legal ways of reaching out back to that athlete. Let’s get a few things straight: College coaches DO recruit high school freshman and sophomore athletes. College coaches use many legal avenues to recruit athletes around the rules and restrictions. For example, the NCAA allows a school
to send a recruiting questionnaire as well as camp materials to a prospect. They also can call your coaches, watch you play off campus and communicate (in different ways according to their restrictions) with the prospects, the parents and the coaches. Additionally, many D- III/NAIA/JUCO schools have little to no restrictions on the contact they can have with prospects. Now, let’s talk about this July 1 date (prior to your senior year). You’ve heard this is when colleges can call you? But often times colleges will be DONE with their recruiting class before this date. How can that be possible? Did you know it was legal for coaches to receive calls from you? Did you know they could call your coach, invite you to campus and offer you a verbal scholarship years before this date? If coaches want to recruit you and communicate with you they will and can do so legally. Do yourself a favor and just ignore this July 1 date! So, what does this all mean to you? Here is our advice….
1. Don’t drive yourself crazy analyzing the rules. Whatever advice you got pertaining to the recruiting rules is probably wrong, so just ignore it. 2. Focus your efforts on developing recruiting relationships with college coaches. 3. If a school brushes you off and cites the rules make a note to contact them back when they tell you it is legal for them to talk to you. More importantly, realize they might not be interested in you and find other schools that are. For more inside advice and guidance, contact our NJ Area Scouts Joe Mazza 732-803-1290 studentathleteworldnj@comcast.net Greg Welsh 908-433-4219 studentathleteworldnj@gmail.com Read more in our Recruiting Myths and Recruiting FAQ’s pages on our website. Get started by Creating a FREE Profile today at www.STUDENTathleteWorld.com
CBA, Mater Dei, Pt. Beach Fall After State Runs
B y Ted Kaiser JERSEY SHORE— A trio of Shore Conference baseball teams that went deep into the NJSIAA state tournament lost their games on Friday afternoon. Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) and Mater Dei Prep reached the sectional semifinals before falling and Point Beach made it to the sectional championship. Despite the losses, the Shore Conference flexed its muscle on the baseball scene in impressive fashion. CBA outslugged Camden Catholic 11-8 in the Non-Public South A quarterfinals. The Colts were seeded seventh while the Irish were the 15th seed. Junior outfielder PHOTO: SEAN SIMMONS Chris Cordova hit a two-run home run and C B A’s John McCarren at bat for the had four RBIs to lead the 11 hit effort. C o l t s . CBA held an 11-3 advantage before the Irish scored five in an attempt to rally in Royal Knights rallied for the win. In the the final inning. In the semifinals, the quarterfinal round, the Seraphs shut out Colts ran into a buzzsaw against 11th fifth seeded Gill St. Bernard’s by a score of seeded St. Augustine. North Carolina 7-0. recruit Chris Oakley held CBA to just one Also on Friday, top seeded Point Beach run in an 8-1 win for the Hermits. (15-7) lost a 4-2 decision to fourth seeded Mater Dei Prep nearly pulled off the Florence in the Central Jersey Group I biggest surprise of the state playoffs. The final. After a first round bye, the Garnet Seraphs led top seed Marist 3-2 in the Gulls defeated Keyport 4-2 in the quarterfisixth inning of the Non-Public South B nals and Burlington City 5-4 in the semisemifinals. Senior Mike Williams came finals. Junior Alan Nieto hit a two-run through with an RBI single to break a 2-2 single to help lift the Gulls into the final. tie to give Mater Dei the lead, but the Senior DJ Pfefferkorn pitched for the win.
RBC Girls’ Lax Has Season To Remember Squan Nearly Wins Improbable Title
Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19 Page 15
By Michael Rogers The Red Bank Catholic (RBC) girls’ lacrosse team just finished a season to remember as the Caseys finished the season with a 20 - 2 record. They also won the South Jersey Group II division title. They continued their success by winning the Shore Conference Tournament title as they defeated Manasquan in the final by the score of 10- 9. In the NJSIAA South Group II state tournament, RBC earned the number one seed and defeated Long Branch in the first round by the score of 19 - 0. After defeating Sterling by the score of 10 - 6 and they kept on winning and defeated Red Bank Regional by the score of 16 -8. Moving on to the final RBC won the game and the tournament title with a 17 -13 victory over Allentown. PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI The Caseys then R B C ’s M a e v e C o w l e y f l i e s h i g h t o i n t e r c e p t a p a s s . moved on to the Tournament of Cham-pions but that’s where goals and 27 assists while goalie Rebecca their season would end as they lost in the Barille was strong in goal all season and talfirst round to Chatham by the score of 19 - lied 96 saves and a record of 17 - 2. “I am 6. For the season Grace Fallon led the so happy with what this team has accomCaseys in scoring with 36 goals and 52 plished,” commented Head Coach Lisa assists while Catherine Luick added 63 goals Capriponi after their final game. and 18 assists. Maeve Cowley scored 48
B y Ted Kaiser MANASQUAN— The Manasquan softball team was the third seed in the Central Jersey Group III tournament, not exactly a spot considered worthy of being called a long shot. But the Warriors (15-6) had flown under the radar all season and their string of victories to the sectional final caught some observers off guard. “(Our seniors) were exceptional all year,” said Coach Amy Certo, referring to Keara Homan and Meredith Bryant. “We had a PHOTO: FRANCINE ATTARDI young team and making Squan’s Meredith Bryant gets her bat on the this run in states can ball. only be good for them.” The favorites were top seeded three hits including a double and two Allentown and second seeded Wall stolen bases. Freshman pitcher Olivia Township, however, both teams got Galinis pitched the whole game and bounced in quarterfinal upsets leaving struck out 10 batters. Manasquan then went on to defeat wide open possibilities for the bracket. The Warriors narrowly survived a scare Nottingham 2-1 in the quarterfinals in of their own in the first round when another extra inning game. In the they squared off with 14th seed semifinals, the Warriors broke out the Hamilton. Manasquan led 3-0, but big bats in blasting Northern Hamilton rallied with runs late in the Burlington 14-4. Katie Barnes had four game to force extra innings. Then in RBIs, Keara Homan had four hits, two the ninth inning they took a 4-3 lead. runs and two RBIs and Meredith Bryant Fortunately for the Warriors they went 5-for-5 with five runs scored. The responded with a run of their own in game was a far cry from the nailbiting, game against the ninth to force extra innings. low-scoring Finally in the bottom of the tenth Nottingham. Manasquan would end up inning, Manasquan won the game as losing a tight 3-2 game to eighth seedsophomore outfielder Katie Barnes ed Lawrence in the sectional final, but delivered a two-out RBI single. Senior they can be proud of their postseason second baseman Meredith Bryant had effort.
Page 16 Jersey Sporting News • June 5 - June 19