By Brian Gelalia
Assistant Scouting Director, New Jersey

Team NJ didn’t waste much time tallying runs on the scoreboard in Day 3 of the Futures Games. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the 1^st, NJ had the first 6 batters all safely reach base to start the bottom half. By the time the inning was over NJ had jumped out to a 4-1 lead.  2020 OF Christian Kane (Washington Township HS, NJ) and 2019 SS KC Hunt (Ramapo HS, NJ) got the offensive surge started by both working walks.  2019 OF Mike Guzzardo (Bishop Eustace HS, NJ) followed that up by pulling a single through the right side that would push Kane across to score.  The next batter, 2019 C Cade Hunter (Lenape HS, NJ) would also reach on a walk.  Team NJ would expand its lead in the inning when Don Bosco Prep teammates 2019 SS Danny Helfgott and 2019 2B Anthony Petrosino hit back to back RBI singles to bring the NJ lead to 4-1.

NJ would extend their lead in the 2^nd when 2019 OF Dante Bozzuti (Somerville HS, NJ) led off with a single to right.  2019 C John Whooley (Ramapo HS, NJ), for the second consecutive day, would record an extra base hit when he barreled a ground rule double to right center field.  Bozzuti would eventually score 2 batters later when Kane brought him in with a sacrifice fly to deep left centerfield.  Team NJ would then push across an additional run when Whooley scored on a wild pitch to make the score 6-1.

Strong starting pitching from 2019 RHP Gerry Peacock (St. Augustine Prep, NJ) would aid in Team NJ holding their lead.  Peacock utilizes a long, clean arm action to help display his fastball that was between 84-87 MPH along with an 11/5 breaking ball with big depth and tight spin that he used to strike out 5 Massachusetts hitters along the way.  Not to be outdone, 2019 RHP Sam Favieri (Ridgewood HS, NJ) held his end of the bargain and spun 3 very impressive innings.  Favieri’s fastball was 86-88 MPH which worked hand in hand with his swing-and-miss changeup at 74-76 that had four seam spin and arm side fade.  The ball was then handed off to 2019 RHP Josh O’Neill (Nutley HS, NJ) to get the final 3 outs.  O’Neill’s fastball sat 84-86 MPH from a high ¾ slot with a short slingshot type arm action.  O’Neill will throw again tomorrow for Team NJ.

NJ’s 2019 catchers both showed very well throughout the game. Hunter and Whooley would limit Team Massachusetts running game by cutting down base stealers at 1.92 and 1.89 pop times, respectively.  Team NJ will look to remain perfect bright and early tomorrow morning at 9AM when they battle with Team Connecticut.

Top Hitters
Danny Helfgott: 2-3, RBI
Dante Bozzuti: 2-3, 2 R, SB
Marty Higgins: 1-3, 3B
Mike Guzzardo: 1-1, RBI, 2 BB
Anthony Petrosino: 1-3, RBI
John Whooley: 1-2, 2B, 2 R, SB
Tommy DiTullio: 1-2, RBI, 2 SB

Pitchers
Gerry Peacock: 3 IP, 4 H, 5 K, 1 R (84-87)
Sam Favieri: 3 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 0 BB (87-88)
Josh O’Neill: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 K (84-86)

 

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