LINCROFT, NJ - The Northampton baseball season came to a quiet close on Saturday, as the 7th seeded Spartans dropped their opening round best of three playoff series to #2 Brookdale, 2 games to none. 

GAME ONE - Lost 15-5
The Spartans jumped on the Jersey Blues in game one, plating 5 runs in the top of the 1st, but that would be all of the scoring for Northampton, as Brookdale exploded for 15 runs on 14 hits to earn the 15-5, run-rule shortened victory. 

Lincoln Hower (Kintnersville, PA/Faith Christian) paced the offense with a 2 for 3 performance that included 2 doubles and Jorge Maldanado added a triple and 2 RBI for Northampton. 

Jared Diefenbach (Stewartsville, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) took the loss, going 2.1 innings, allowing 8 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits, with 4 K's and 2 walks.  Nathan Mostosky (Saylorsburg, PA/Pleasant Valley) finished the final 2.0 innings, giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 6 hits, with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.

GAME  TWO - Lost 3-1
The Spartans battled in game two, keeping the contest close throughout, but the offense could manage just 3 hits and 1 run against Brookdale's Gerry Perone, who finished with 14 strikeouts. 

Shane Henrick (Blue Bell, PA/Wissahickon) was the offense for Northampton, finishing 1 for 4 with a homerun. 

Brad Rissmiller (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl) was took the hard-luck loss with 5.2 innings of work, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 4 and fanning 4.  Cooper Natisin (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) came on in relief for the final 2.1 innings, and allowed just a single run on 2 hits. 

The Spartans finish the year 21-20, while Brookdale, now 37-8. advances to next weeks Region 19 Final Four.