LINCROFT, NJ - The 4th ranked Northampton baseball team won games two and three of their Region 19 series vs.#3 Brookdale on Saturday afternoon, to earn the series victory over the Jersey Blues. The Spartans had dropped game one on Friday afternoon in Bethlehem.
GAME TWO - Won 14-2
The Spartans jumped out to a 6-0 lead and rode the right arm of
Austin Beard (Lebanon, PA/Cedar Crest) to a 14-2 victory over the 3rd ranked Jersey Blues in game two on Saturday.
Beard threw a complete game 3-hitter, allowing just 2 runs while striking out 11, improving to 5-1 on the season.
Northampton pounded out 16 hits, led by
Gabriel Caso (Califon, NJ/West Morris (NJ)) who finished 4 for 5 with a double, homerun, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.
Luis Beato (Bethlehem, PA/Muhlenberg) was 3 for 4 from the DH spot, including a double and a homerun with 3 RBI and
Peter Hrousis (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic) went 2 for 5 with a double, homerun and 1 RBI.
GAME THREE - Won 11-5
After falling behind 5-2 after 3 innings, Northampton responded with 4 runs in the 4th and never looked back in securing the game, and the series, with an 11-5 win.
Ben Mostosky (Saylorsburg, PA/Pleasant Valley) picked up the win in relief of
Logan Magdits (Nazareth, PA/Pen Argyl), going 4.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs and striking out 1. Magdits went 2.2 innings and gave up 5 runs on 8 hits with 3 K's.
Alexander Ruiz (Lancaster, PA/JP McCaskey) was 3 for 4 to finish off a 6 for 8 day at the plate, while
Robert Furino (East Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mt. East) went 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI.
John Smale (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley) added a triple and 2 RBI to pace the offense.
"Really good effort today," remarked Head Coach Adrian Yaguez, "I loved how the guys responded after the loss on Friday, they were focused and stayed locked in all day. We got really solid pitching, pounded out 27 hits, drew 15 walks and only committed 2 errors ... that is a pretty good recipe for success."
4th ranked Northampton improves to 21-4 overall and 9-3 in Region 19.
#3 Brookdale falls to 21-4 overall and 15-4 in the Region.
The Spartans return to the diamond on Wednesday when they host NJCAA Division II Sussex County Community College in a single 9-inning game scheduled for 3:30pm.
