Father & Son seniors back in state tourney
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON - The Father & Son Senior Legion team advanced to the state tournament for a second straight season by defending its title as district champions.

While last year's team took home the District 3 title with a historic win over perennial powerhouse Brooklawn, this year's team swept through the competition at District 4 in North Wildwood.

Father & Son opened District 4 action by edging out Haddon Heights in a 17-14 slugfest. Gary Thompson held on for the win while the brothers Laguna sparked an offense that came to Wildwood with plenty of ammunition.

"Dylan Laguna really took control of the game with his wheels," Father & Son head coach Tim Banos said. "He reached base five times and put on a show and went from first to third on singles on two different occasions, which proved to be big plays for us. His brother Julian hit a pair of doubles in key spots to help us win the game."

The team then went on to beat the host team, North Wildwood, behind the solid pitching of Shawn Renner. Renner threw eight innings and pitched into the ninth before handing the ball to Nick Reider. Reider recorded the final three outs for the save in the team's 4-1 victory.

"Shawn pitched a very strong game," Banos said. "He opened the ninth inning with a walk to the leadoff hitter, so we gave the ball to Nick and he was able to close things out."

In the title game, Father & Son had little problem handling Oakhurst in an 8-4 win behind the arm of Nate Fabretti.

In its opening game of the state tournament, Father & Son picked up right where it left off in the district tournament with a 5-4 win over Bordentown over the weekend at Breslin Field in Lyndhurst.

"Bordentown came in with the reputation of being a strong, all-around team," Banos said. "They are a very good team, but Gary Thompson's performance on the mound was just outstanding."

While Bordentown touched up Thompson for four runs, two of Bordentown's runs scored off defensive miscues from Father & Son.

"Gary had a great day and made pitches," Banos said. "He had command of his fastball and off-speed pitches the entire game. He gave us nine solid innings to get us off to a nice start in the tournament."

Jared Shukis came up with the big hit on offense with a two-run single that put the team ahead for good.

After the win, Father & Son awaited the winner of a first-round meeting between Haddon Heights and Brooklawn. A Brooklawn win would put Father & Son in a rematch with the team it beat in last year's District 3 title game. In last year's meeting, Renner kept Brooklawn at bay with a solid pitching performance.