By TJ Hunt
Scouting Director, New Jersey

HAMILTON – Gloucester Catholic defeated Steinert 5-4 in eight innings in a PBR Power 20 matchup of top ten teams. The Rams got timely hitting and key relief pitching in the win. The lead jumped around early – first with Steinert getting on board 1-0 in the bottom of the second, after a double by Jake Muller and later in the inning, a sac fly by Tommy Blackwell to bring him in.

In the top of the third, Kyle Pierman led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Then the Rams' order was turned around to the top for Stony Brook recruit, 2018 SS Evan Giordano. Giordano proceeded to launch a home run to deep left center field to put the Rams up 2-1. The following batter, uncommitted 2017 2B Adam Bonomo doubled, and advanced to third on Lillo Paxia fly out to CF. Albany recruit 2017 1B Chris Turco grounded out to 3B, scoring Bonomo making it 3-1. Steinert would get one back in the bottom half of the third inning after uncommited 2018 Joey Sacco walked and advanced to 2B on a wild pitch. 2020 2B CJ Pittaro drove in Sacco with a barreled single through the right side. 

The score would remain tied at 3 until the fifth, when uncommitted 2018 LHP Andrew Vail relieved starter Angelo DeAngelis. The first two batters of the inning walked. Vail attempted multiple pickoff plays at second and then one at first base, which ended up getting by Turco and caroming down the right field line, scoring Chris Cote who had walked to lead off the inning.

Vail worked out of the inning with just one run allowed, however, with a controversial play. With Steinert's Ryan Mostrangeli on second base after the pickoff error, No. 2 batter Joey Sacco flies out to CF. Mostrangeli seemingly tagged and advanced to third base. Gloucester Catholic appealed the tag at second, which the umpire ruled in favor of the Rams – providing an unconventional double play. Vail then get No. 3 batter Jake Beyer to ground out to Giordano at shortstop, ending the inning.

The score would remain tied at three into extra innings, when Gloucester Catholic 3B Alex Persichetti lined a hustle double down the right field line. Kyle Pierman then sacrificed him to third, and Giordano walked, leaving it up to Bonomo. Bonomo laced a single up the middle to score the go ahead run. The Rams would add another run in the inning on two balks.

Steinert would get a run in the bottom half on Muller's solo homer to left center, but after Vail recorded two outs, John Kasper came in to seal the deal for the last out of the game.

Gloucester Catholic gets a huge power point win, making them the main contender for the No. 1 team in NJ when the rankings are revised this Monday.

 

4/29/17	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Gloucester Catholic (12-0)	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	10	1
Steinert (14-2)	0	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	1	4	6	1

WP: Andrew Vail
2B: (GC) Persichetti, 2; Bonomo; (S) Muller
HR: (GC) Giordano; (S) Muller 

 

Haven't been to a PBR NJ Event? Want to get an invite to the PBR NJ State Games? Get to an event. Check out the Futures Preview North (Open Showcase) >>




Request your Invite to the NJ State Games. This event will sell out quickly>>