Rems leads hungry Bulldog team to state semifinal round
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

METUCHEN - Left-handed pitcher Jack Rems is putting up some impressive numbers this season as his Metuchen High School baseball team is a game away from playing for the Central Jersey Group I state title.

After a 7-3 win over Dunellen in the quarterfinal round, the No. 3 Bulldogs advanced to the semis to take on No. 2 South Amboy. The two teams were scheduled to meet Tuesday.

Against Dunellen, Rems was masterful, allowing just one earned run off three hits while striking out 17.

"Jack had one hiccup in the sixth inning where he walked a bunch of guys, but other than that he was excellent," Metuchen head coach Sean Economou said. "It was one of his best performances."

Another of Rems' gems came in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament against Old Bridge. In six innings of work Rems allowed just one hit and fanned 12.

"He worked really hard in the offseason at the All-Pro Academy with a couple of different pitching coaches," Economou said. "He worked with Red Bank Catholic pitching coach Buddy Hausmann and ex-New York Mets pitcher Bobby Jones. Both are lefties like Jack and they helped him work out a minor mechanical adjustment and really got him going. The work Jack put in during the offseason has made a world of difference."

Senior centerfielder Pat Darrah smacked a two-run dinger to left-center in the bottom of the first to put the Bulldogs on top early.

"With Jack throwing, the early lead gave us some confidence," Economou said. "In the third inning we were fortunate enough to put four more runs on the board by playing basic baseball and execution. Guys were able to come up and take care of their responsibilities."

Three Bulldogs reached base on three consecutive walks before junior catcher Mike Jachim knocked in a run off a sacrifice fly. After another walk loaded the bases a second time in the inning, junior third baseman Chris Lauro's suicide squeeze turned into a bunt single to drive in another run and reload the bags. Designated hitter Dan Zullo was credited with an RBI off another base on balls later in the inning.

"We were able to put runs across by playing a bit of small ball," Economou said. "We'll look to bring Rems back for the semifinal game provided his arm is OK."

Rems heads into this week's action 6-3 on the year with statistics bordering on the insane. In 53 innings of work the southpaw has over 100 strikeouts and allowed just 30 hits. His offensive numbers are just as staggering. He's hitting close to .430 with 30 runs, 35 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and six home runs.

"He's getting himself to the next tier of high school players," Economou said. "Considering he only played in two scrimmages and was sidelined for most of March due to a minor stress fracture, his numbers are amazing. He was on right from the start and he's never let up."

The Bulldogs have the opportunity to avenge last year's Group I semifinal loss to South Amboy. Behind the arm of Jared Mundy, South Amboy topped the Bulldogs 11-4.

"South Amboy has two above-average arms in (Brian) Seres and Mundy," Economou said. "I know they play tough out-of-division competition, so they will be ready to play."