Seton Hall Prep baseball team win SEC and GNT titles – Essex News Daily

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WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Seton Hall Prep baseball team had a stellar week last week, winning four games to extend their record to 19-6 and their winning streak to eight games. In those four games, they won the Super Essex Conference – American Division title and the Greater Newark Tournament title.

On a sweltering Saturday afternoon, May 21, Seton Hall Prep defeated Bloomfield 15-0 at Yogi Berra Stadium on the Montclair State University campus in Little Falls in the GNT Championship Game. It was the Pirates’ 18th title and their 26th appearance in the title match. Senior right-hander John Cerwinski (5-0) pitched a full five-inning game with one hit with seven strikeouts and two walks. The offense was led by senior left fielder Matt Monteleone, who was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and four RBIs. Junior designated hitter Ryan Probst was 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs, and senior second baseman Alex Kim was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Senior third baseman Ryan Sprock was 1 for 2 with two RBIs, senior receiver Aaron Bertone was 1 for 3 with two RBIs, senior shortstop Chris Maldonado was 1 for 2 with three runs scored and a run produced, and senior right outfielder Luke Mahala kicked off a run with a goal-laden walk.

After the game, head coach Mike Sheppard Jr. said, “I’m more proud of the fact that we put ourselves in a position to be in the championship game, but in baseball anything can happen. I just want our team to go out there, be competitive and respect their opponent.

Maldonado added: “That’s what we’ve been working on all year.”

Cerwinski said: “I felt good on the mound and was happy my teammates gave me an early lead. We haven’t finished yet. We still have a few regular season games left, and then the state tournament. I believe the Non-Public A North section is the hardest in the state.

Just two days earlier, junior right-hander Justin Shadek threw a stunning shutout on one hit in a 1-0 win over Christian Brothers Academy at Porcello Field. The Pirates’ only run came when, with one out in the fifth inning, Maldonado walked, stole second base and scored when Sprock singled to right field.

Shadek, who had nine strikeouts, said after the game, “I had a good mentality from the start. Going into the third inning, I knew I was going to throw a gem, and the team and the coaches had a lot of faith in me.

Sheppard added: “It was a quality performance today. Justin has lived up to his potential.

The day before, the Pirates clinched their 10th Super Essex Conference – American Division title, beating Bloomfield 14-3 at Bloomfield Middle School. The Pirates were led by junior Garrett Grubbs, who was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while junior Elijah Foster hit a two-run homer, Monteleone hit a solo homer and Kim was 2 in 4 with two runs scored. Senior right-hander Patrick Walega (3-1) pitched four innings, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk, and junior James Macko pitched the final two innings with four strikeouts and a base on walks, giving up a hit.

On Tuesday, May 17, Seton Hall traveled to Woodman Field in Montclair to take on the RCMP. They beat Montclair 9-2. Monteleone and Maldonado each had two points, while Kim, Mahala, Bertone and senior center fielder Sam Nomura each had one point. Sprock (4-0), a senior right-hander, pitched a full game, allowing two unearned runs on two hits with 13 strikeouts and two walks.

Photos courtesy of Rich Morris/SHP

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