The NJSIAA Tournament has reached the sectional semifinals. Last week’s first two rounds produced their share of great games and tremendous individual performances that led to thrilling victories. Players delivered at the plate, in the field and on the mound.
The NJ.com baseball staff has shifted gears, too, and is ready to continue its extensive coverage of the state tournament. Take a look below as we break down all of the Group 2 sectional semifinals scheduled for Wednesday.
North 1 - Bracket
4-Ramsey (18-8) at 1-Westwood (22-6)
When: Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.
Coaches: Paul Urbanovich, Ramsey; Nick Urbanovich, Westwood
Ramsey players to watch
- Patrick Connell, So., INF
- Roberto Cotes, Sr., UTL
- Hudson Ferrando, Sr., UTL
- Connor McNally, Jr., UTL
- Sean Sailer, Sr., INF
- Joe Scarnecchia, Jr., P
Westwood players to watch
- Gabe Arcieri, Jr., OF
- Joe Ceritelli, Sr., P
- Vin Ceritelli, Fr., P/INF
- Nick Klein, Jr., INF
- Jack Turcina, Jr., P
- Jack Walsh, Sr., INF/P
Tournament highlight
Ramsey: Trailing 9-5 headed into the fifth inning of the opening round against Dumont, the Rams scored five unanswered runs to advance. This included three runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a game-tying two-run double from Connor McNally, plus an Alex DeSimone RBI on a bunt to take the lead.
Westwood: The Cardinals have yet to go the bullpen in the postseason. In the opening round against Sussex Tech, Jack Turcina threw a complete game with five strikeouts. Then in the quarterfinals against Pascack Hills, Joe Ceritelli spun a complete game with four punch-outs
The picks
- Bobal: Westwood
- Minnick: Westwood
- Potter: Westwood
7-Glen Rock (21-5) at 3-Vernon (17-8)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Coaches: Steve Spitaleri, Glen Rock; Stephen Myhren, Vernon
Glen Rock players to watch
- Luca Lanza-Ronquillo, Jr., P/INF
- Wyatt Morrissey, Jr., INF/P
- Kenny Rodriguez, So., P
- Jack Spitaleri, So., OF
- Sean Spitaleri, Sr., INF/P
- Dan Stutzke, Jr., UTL
Vernon players to watch
- Gavin Bruno, Sr., CF
- James Curry, Sr., OF
- Otto Dejager, Jr., 2B
- Tyler Dobrzynski, Jr., C/OF
- Chris Perrotta, Jr., SS
- Dustin Wagner, Sr., IF
Tournament highlight
Glen Rock: The Spitaleri brothers are always on a tear at the plate, but don’t let that steer you from what Wyatt Morrissey has done in two playoff games. Morrissey is batting 6-for-7 in two games with three RBIs and two runs scored. He also threw 1 1/3 relief frames in the opening round against Lodi. He enters the section semifinals with 81 career hits.
Vernon: The Vikings outlasted Sparta, 3-2, in a tight quarterfinal matchup. Dustin Wagner knocked in two runs and had a hit in the win. The senior has hit safely in six consecutive games entering the semifinals.
The picks
- Bobal: Glen Rock
- Minnick: Glen Rock
- Potter: Glen Rock
North 2 - Bracket
4-Madison (16-11-1) at 1-Caldwell (23-4)
When: Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Brian Weingart, Madison; Ryan Smith, Caldwell
Madison players to watch
- James Doehner, Sr., P
- Carter Ferris, Sr., OF
- Andrew Haviland, Sr., OF
- Luke McGuire, Sr., IF
- Liam Melvin, Sr., IF
- Jackson Strauss, Sr., OF
- Chris Vaughan, Sr., P/3B
Caldwell players to watch
- Vin Brown, Sr., P
- Chris Carollo, Sr., C
- Ryan Keenan, Sr., IF
- Richie Musser, Sr., OF
- Dante Placenti, So., OF
- Santino Russo, Jr., OF
- Isaac Stern, So., P
- Daniel Vybihal, Jr., P
Tournament highlight
Madison: The Dodgers have been rolling so far in tournament play. In wins over Shabazz and Rutherford, the team scored 33 runs. A total of 11 different players have recorded at least one hit so far. Chris Vaughan’s five are leading the charge and he also has 10 RBIs.
Caldwell: Danie Vybihal was one out shy of a complete game against Hackettstown in the quarterfinals. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits with 13 strikeouts. Richie Musser had a big performance with three hits and two RBIs in the win.
The picks
- Bobal: Madison
- Minnick: Caldwell
- Potter: Caldwell
7-Mendham (15-12-1) at 3-West Morris (20-8)
When: Wednesday, 4:15 p.m.
Coaches: Erik Dial, Mendham; Jim McDermott, West Morris
Mendham players to watch
- Ajani Bowrin, Sr.
- Matthew Lynch, Sr.
- Ben Moschella, Sr., 2B
- Nate Norin, Sr., P
- Max Orlins, Sr., OF
- Kris Wilson, Sr., IF
West Morris players to watch
- Brendan Dwyer, Jr., OF
- Luke Jacobsen, Sr., P
- Cooper North, So., IF
- Vincent Santorelli, So., OF
- Cole Wormann, Sr., OF
- Matt Zisa, Jr., C
Tournament highlight
Mendham: Mendham needed a run in the seventh inning against West Essex and scored three instead to turn the tables in a 5-3 victory. Ben Moschella had two RBIs in the win and Matthew Lynch and Ajani Bowrin scored two runs apiece.
West Morris: The Wolfpack trailed Lyndhurst, 3-2, entering the bottom of the sixth inning. A run tied the game and the team later won on a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh. Matt Zisa went 3-for-4 in the win with two RBIs. Luke Jacobsen had a strong start with two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts in five innings. Liam Rafter shut the door from there with one hit allowed in two relief innings.
The picks
- Bobal: West Morris
- Minnick: West Morris
- Potter: West Morris
Central - Bracket
8-Allentown (20-8) at 4-Wall (20-7)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Coaches: Brian Nice, Allentown; Jim Rochford, Wall
Allentown players to watch
- Dan Ducalo, Jr.
- Max Kleinz, Sr.
- Matthew Laurinaitis, So.
- Damien Porras, So.
- Chase Pullen, Jr.
- Dieter Von Harten, Sr.
Wall players to watch
- John Catanio, Sr., OF/P
- Luke Dana, So., INF
- Dan Hennessy, Sr., P
- Nick Plevier, Sr., P
- Frank Soos, Sr., C
- Jackson Soos, So., INF
Tournament highlight
Allentown: Allentown was running out of outs against Holmdel in the quarterfinals. The team put up four runs in the bottom of the sixth that turned a one-run deficit into a 6-3 lead, which was ultimately the final score. Dan Ducalo had the hot bat with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs and a run scored.
Wall: John Catanio is a man on a mission. With a home run in the opening round against Ocean Township, then two more in the quarterfinals vs. Raritan, Catanio is batting 5-for-7 with six runs scored and six RBIs in two postseason wins.
The picks
- Bobal: Allentown
- Minnick: Allentown
- Potter: Wall
11-Robbinsville (19-7) at 2-Gov. Livingston (25-4)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Coaches: Mike Kinsella, Robbinsville; Chris Roof, Gov. Livingston
Robbinsville players to watch
- Tyler Bunnell, Sr., P/UTL
- Ben Diaz, So., IF
- Johnny Fowler, Sr., SS
- Gavin Hopkins, Jr., OF
- Tyler Solovay, Jr.
- Nick Wysokowski, Sr., OF
Gov. Livingston players to watch
- Addison Adornato, So. 3B
- Michael Basile, Sr., C
- Reid Bazydlo, Sr., 2B
- Aidan Feldman, Sr., P
- Zach Geertsma, Sr., SS
- Owen Keough, Jr., OF
- Dominic Labisi, Sr., OF
Tournament highlight
Robbinsville: Colin Makkay had one of the biggest performances of his career in the quarterfinal win over Johnson. He threw a five-hit shutout with one walk and nine strikeouts. Tyler Bunnell led the offensive effort with a homer and three RBIs.
Gov. Livingston: The highlight so far for the Highlanders is the potent offense putting up 22 total runs against Cinnaminson and Point Pleasant Boro. Seven of those runs came in the bottom of the sixth inning of the quarterfinal matchup. It was a two-run game at that point. Reid Bazydlo was outstanding with two homers and four RBIs. Zach Geertsma also homered.
The picks
- Bobal: Gov. Livingston
- Minnick: Gov. Livingston
- Potter: Robbinsville
South - Bracket
5-Seneca (12-13) at 1-Haddonfield (21-6)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Coaches: Greg Sevening, Seneca; Justin Singleton, Haddonfield
Seneca players to watch
- Luke Gsell, Sr., U
- Lester Hann, Sr., INF
- Jack Insinga, Sr., P/INF
- Brett Steinhour, Sr., U
- Vaughn Worthing, Sr., P/INF
- Alex Kerr, Sr., P/OF
Haddonfield players to watch
- Timmy Bowman, Sr., C
- Jackson Gayer, Jr., P/1B
- Dan Keenan, Jr., P/SS
- James Rowe, Sr., P/1B/OF
- Will Solak, Sr., P/U
Tournament highlight
Seneca: Vaughn Worthing tossed a gem as the Golden Eagles held off Sterling, 1-0, in the quarterfinals. The senior right-hander struck out a career-high 13 batters, walked one and scattered three hits. He lowered his ERA to 2.33 and raised his record to 4-2 over eight appearances this season.
Haddonfield: A senior right-hander, Will Solak fired a no-hitter as the top-seeded Haddons defeated Collingswood in the opening round. Solak struck out a career-high 16 batters, walked two and hit another. He threw 97 pitches in the 6-0 victory. Solak is 5-2 and has made 14 appearances.
The picks
- Bobal: Haddonfield
- Minnick: Haddonfield
- Potter: Haddonfield
3-Cedar Creek (18-9) at 2-Haddon Heights (18-7)
When: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Coaches: Ryan Flannery, Cedar Creek; Eric Newell, Haddon Heights
Cedar Creek players to watch
- Jacob Budd, Sr., P/1B
- JJ Watkins, Jr., OF
- Nolan Scholder, Jr., INF
- Richie Gonzales, Sr., CF
- Nazir Thornton, So., P
- Kyle Vanaman, Jr., P/U
Haddon Heights players to watch
- Kevin Clark, Sr., C
- Ryan Govito, So., INF
- Jaxon Motta, Sr., OF
- Cole Simon, Jr., P/OF
- Carter Setusky, So., P/U
- Andrew Weag, Jr., P
- Ben Alexander, Jr., DH/U
Tournament highlight
Cedar Creek: The Pirates have been on fire at the plate, outscoring their two postseason opponents 25-2 and collecting 17 hits. They also got a sensational pitching performance from sophomore Nazir Thornton in the first round against Pleasantville -- a career-high 13 strikeouts en route to a five-inning one-hitter.
Haddon Heights: Cole Simon was on point in the quarterfinals against Barnegat. The junior fanned a career-high 14 batters and allowed just four hits in a complete-game performance. Simon raised his record to 6-1 as Heights advanced to the semifinals for the fifth straight year.
The picks
- Bobal: Cedar Creek
- Minnick: Haddon Heights
- Potter: Cedar Creek
more statewide baseball coverage
- N.J. Baseball: MVPs from Wednesday’s action in public sectional semifinals
- Baseball Top 20, June 3: Sectional trophies are within reach in N.J. state tournament
- Weekly N.J. baseball stat leaders covering May 25-31 games
- MVPs, statement wins from Wednesday’s action in state baseball tournament
- N.J. baseball hitters slugging 10 home runs in a season is rare. Who’s about to reach it?
