Hawks run out of rallies against Chargers

SCOTT FRIEDMAN J.P. Stevens' Brad Newman can't quite make the catch during Spotswood's game-winning six-run rally in the sixth inning of Saturday's Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament's final in East Brunswick.

J.P Stevens was not intimidated by the Spotswood Chargers.In fact, the Hawks entered Saturday's Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final, played at East Brunswick Vo-Tech High School, ready to prove they were every bit as good as the Chargers, who just a day earlier had claimed the Central Jersey Group II championship.

And from the start, they appeared poised to captures the GMCT crown, outplaying the Chargers in the early innings.

Spotswood took the early 1-0 lead in the second inning by stringing together three straight singles. However, Stevens responded in the top of the third with a two-run home run from John Stillitano, then added another solo shot in the third off the bat of Anthony Montalbano.

Up 3-1, the Hawks were hoping to ride the arm of their ace, Doug Wislinski.

However, Spotswood put together what proved to be the winning rally in the sixth, scoring six runs on five singles and four walks. The big hit was a two-RBI single by Mike Collins which gave the Chargers the 5-3 lead. Phil Spina then scored another run with a single, before Brian Curci drew a bases-loaded walk to end the scoring in the inning.

Stevens, though, did not go quietly into the night. The Hawks fought back in the top of the seventh, loading the bases before Brad Newman hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice. Down 7-4, Stevens got two more runs on a two-RBI single by Mike Zinno to get with 7-6.

Unfortunately, the magic ran out there, as Dan Belowich struck out looking on three straight pitches to end the game, and J.P. Stevens' season.

Spotswood pitcher Willie Beard, pitching on three days rest for the first time this season, was not at his best, but somehow was able to escape with the win, throwing 136 pitches in the process. The Rutgers-bound Beard earned the tournament MVP with his third win in GMCT play, and improved to 11-1 on the year.

With the loss, Stevens fell to 14-12 for the year, but certainly proved to be a resilient bunch. Head coach Dave Marzano has to be pleased with his team's play leading up to and including the GMCT final, as they gave a red-hot Charger team all it could handle.

Spotswood turned its attention back to the state tournament on Tuesday, as they took on Sterling in the Group II semifinals. With a win there, they would earn a shot at the Group II title on Saturday in Toms River.

With their first GMCT title already under their belts, the Chargers were hoping to get a shot at another first on Saturday.