JFK looking to continue splendid season Baseball team clinched at least a tie for GMC divisional title BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer After settling for a second place to Spotswood the past five seasons, the John F. Kennedy High School baseball teamis back on top.Kennedy heads into this week guaranteed at least a share of the GreaterMiddlesexConferenceBlueDivision with BishopAhr. "It seems fitting that the two teams should tie for the division championship," Kennedy head coach Jerry Smith said. "We split during the regular season and I think if we played 100 times we'd each win 50." In the first meeting between the two teams, Bishop Ahr erased a four-run deficit to win in the eighth inning, and in the rematch it was Kennedy that came from four runs down to pull out the victory in the ninth. Senior standout Chris Grimes played right field against the Owls while classmate JohnMartelle picked up the win to improve hismark to 6-2 on the season.Grimes is currently 7-0 on the hill. "Chris and John have been great for us all year," Smith said. "Chris recently eclipsed the 100-hit mark for his career and is just the fourth player in school history to reach that milestone." Martelle earned his fifth win of the season earlier in the week in a 10-0 win over South River. His two losses have come against quality opponents, including a tough 3-2 loss to Woodbridge. In the fall, Martelle is headed to Stevens Institute of Technology while Grimes will head to St. Peter's on a baseball scholarship. Left fielder Mike Giordano is also enjoying a solid senior season.Giordano is headed to Felician College in the fall. "Mike has been a great lead-off hitter for us," Smith said. "He's not your prototypical lead-off guy. He's currently second on the team with five homers and he's helped the teamtie the school record for home runs in a season at 20." Earlier in the season, seniors Anthony Golba and Greg Freuhwirth platooned at first base, but against Highland Park Golba started at first with Freuhwirth the team's designated hitter. Golba has decided to attend the University of Delaware while Freuhwirth is leaning toward St. Peter's. Senior Chris Lubertowicz holds the distinction as the team'smost improved player. The second baseman saw action at third in the win over Highland Park. "Chris has been a pleasant surprise," Smith said. "He's been very consistent both offensively and defensively. He's only struck out three times in 19 games and he's given us a nice boost in the middle of the order." Senior Mike Kress took over at second base with Lubertowicz at third and led the teamwith a pair of doubles and runs scored against the Owls. Kress is leaning toward Montclair Statewhile Lubertowicz is headed to Rutgers. "I mention where each senior is going next year to give you an idea howgood these guys are both on the field and in the classroom," Smith said. "They're all good kids and they're a close-knit group. This is their first division title."