SEWELL, NJ - The Northampton baseball team, ranked 3rd in the country in the latest NJCAA poll, downed two national top-four teams on Friday afternoon to advance to the Region 19 / North Atlantic District Championship. The Spartans topped #4 Brookdale 12-10 in game one and then defeated top-ranked RCSJ-Gloucester, 11-4, in game two to earn a spot in the championship game of the double-elimination tournament.
GAME ONE vs. Brookdale (Won 12-10)
In a back-and-forth offensive showcase, the 3rd seeded Jersey Blues and 2nd seeded Spartans traded shots all day, with the two teams combining for 25 hits and 22 runs.
Northampton struck first in the bottom of the 1st, but Brookdale rallied to take a 4-1 lead entering the bottom of the 4th. The Spartans then plated 6 runs in their half of the inning to take a 7-4 advantage.
Brookdale scored 2 in the 4th and 2 in the 6th to take an 8-7 lead, but Northampton responded with 4 in the bottom of the 6th to retake the lead for good at 11-8.
Austin Beard (Lebanon, PA/Cedar Crest), the Region 19 Pitcher of the Year, earned his 10th win of the season, throwing a complete game, allowing 10 runs (9 earned), striking out 11.
Brandon Ratti (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) was 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 2 stolen bases and
Robert Furino (East Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mt. East) finished 1 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI.
Manuel Barroso (Puerto Rico/Beltran Academy (PR)) added 2 runs scored, a single and a RBI, while
Luis Beato (Bethlehem, PA/Muhlenberg) was credited with 2 RBI.
GAME TWO vs. RCSJ-Gloucester (Won 11-4)
In game two, the Spartans faced top-seeded RCSJ-Gloucester, who defeated #4 Middlesex to advance in the bracket.
The Roadrunners led 3-2 after 4 innings, but Northampton added 3 in the 5th, 3 in the 6th and 2 in the 7th to take a commanding 10-3 lead and secure the 11-4 victory, sending them to the championship game.
Ethan Woods (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) threw a complete game gem, allowing only 2 earned runs, scattering 7 hits, and striking out 6, to earn his 7th victory.
Luis Beato (Bethlehem, PA/Muhlenberg),
Robert Furino (East Stroudsburg, PA/Pocono Mt. East) and
Gabriel Caso (Califon, NJ/West Morris (NJ)) each hit homeruns for Northampton, with Furino finishing with 4 RBI.
Brandon Ratti (Effort, PA/Pleasant Valley) was 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored and
Manuel Barroso (Puerto Rico/Beltran Academy (PR)) went 2 for 4 with a double and a stolen base.
The Spartans (47-8) will now face the winner of RCSJ-Gloucester vs. Brookdale, as the Jersey Blues stayed alive with a win over Middlesex, eliminating the Colts from the tournament. The Championship game is set for 3:00pm Saturday in Sewell, NJ.
The Roadrunners and Jersey Blues are scheduled for first pitch at 11:00am Saturday in Sewell, NJ with the winner advancing to the championship game and the loser will be eliminated. The winner must defeat Northampton twice to win the championship.
TOURNAMENT RECAP
Game One - #2 Northampton vs.. #3 Brookdale (Northampton wins 12-10)
Game Two - #1 RCSJ-Gloucester vs. #4 Middlesex (RCSJ-Gloucester wins 11-0)
Game Three - #3 Brookdale vs. #4 Middlesex (Brookdale wins 6-1 / Middlesex eliminated)
Game Four - #1 RCSJ-Gloucester vs. #2 Northampotn (Northampton wins 11-4)
Game Five - #1 RCSJ-Gloucester vs. #3 Brookdale (Loser is eliminated / Winner advances to championship)
Game Six - #2 Northampton vs. Winner of #1 RCSJ-Gloucester vs. #3 Brookdale
Game Seven - If necessary - Sunday
