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Monmouth County Triumphs in Senior All-Star Baseball Game

Monmouth County topped Ocean County 7-5 in the annual Shore Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game.

A strong pitching performance by a group of five pitchers helped the Monmouth County seniors end the season on a high note with a 7-5 win over Ocean County in the annual Shore Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game on Monday night at FirstEnergy Park.

Monmouth Regional’s Max Schmardel, Middletown North’s Jake McIlraith, Wall’s Casey Mullooly, Manasquan’s Alex Branch and Red Bank Catholic’s Brendan McGann combined for eight shutout innings in the nine-inning game, with only a five-inning hiccup in the eighth preventing a shutout for the Monmouth County all-stars.

Monmouth County struck for four runs in the first inning when St. Rose shortstop Kevin Case drew a one-out walk off Jackson Memorial’s Dan Falvo to start the rally. Rumson-Fair Haven first baseman Dan Miller, who had two hits in the win, followed with an RBI triple for a 1-0 lead. Miller then scored on a throwing error off a slow roller by Shore Regional’s Evan Ruane for a 2-0 advantage.

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“Before the game we were saying that we have to take this one from Ocean County because a lot of us didn't have too many good experiences playing against Jackson and Toms River South,’’ Miller said before smiling. “It was definitely a good way to go out.’’

Holmdel infielder Pete Renna followed with a single that moved to Ruane to third, and then he scored on a wild pitch for a 3-0 lead. Renna then eventually scored on an RBI groundout by St. John Vianney’s Dom Orlando to make it 4-0. Orlando also added a third-inning single in the win.

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“I'm going to miss it, but I had a good career,’’ Renna said. “I'm satisfied and happy with what I did. I’m just going to miss my friends, and coming out and playing every day. I’ll miss practice more than the games. There was nothing like it.’’

Monmouth took a six-run lead in the fourth inning when Christian Brothers Academy’s Ralph Mariniello hit a one-out single off Brick ace Tim Carney and then scored on a booming triple to right field by Wall’s Mike Meszaros.

“It would've been great just playing in this game, but certainly (getting that RBI triple) was a nice way to go out,’’ Meszaros said.

Keyport shortstop Ryan Devlin followed Meszaros’s blast with a deep fly ball to left field for an RBI sacrifice fly to make it 6-0. Monmouth County then took a commanding 7-0 lead in the eighth inning when Marlboro infielder Jon Bobrow ripped a leadoff double and then scored on an RBI groundout by Howell’s Brian Blood.

Ocean County made a game of it by taking advantage of three Monmouth County errors in the eighth inning to score five runs off Long Branch’s Paul Tracey. The big hit in the inning was a bases-clearing, three-run double by Toms River South’s Rocco Mellot. A wild pitch allowed Mellot to score to make it 7-4, and then Monsignor Donovan’s Kyle Hoeler scored on a groundout to cut it to 7-5.

Monmouth County inserted Red Bank Catholic’s McGann in place of Tracey, and McGann, who finished 9-1 for the Caseys this season, recorded the final four outs to seal the win.

Schmardel, McIlraith and Mullooly each pitched two shutout innings to cap their strong careers. Mullooly, who is headed to McDaniel College, retired all six batters he faced in order, inducing three groundouts back to the mound and a strikeout.

“It was everything I think we expected,’’ Mullooly said. “Everyone played for hard for our team, and we had a really good time doing it. Obviously, I wanted to make the most of it out there.’’

McIlraith, a lefty headed to Brookdale Community College, struck out four in two innings, including striking out the side in the fourth inning.

Also in the victory, Mater Dei Prep’s Vinny Latorraca added a walk and a stolen base, and Blood had a double.

For Ocean County, Toms River South’s Rocco Gonnella, Point Beach’s Joe Sherbo, Point Boro’s Dane Gahr, Toms River North’s Tyler Lawrence and Jackson Memorial’s Kevin Carr each pitched a scoreless inning. Lawrence was particularly impressive in striking out the side in a row in the seventh inning.

A single by Toms River South’s Dan Scheller in the third inning and a bloop single by Monsignor Donovan’s Matt Poinsett were Ocean County’s only two hits of the first seven innings before it broke through for five runs in the eighth inning.

Manalapan head coach Brian Boyce served as Monmouth County’s head coach, while legendary Toms River South coach Ken Frank piloted the Ocean County squad. There was a pregame tribute to Jackson Memorial senior outfielder James Volpe, who died in a car accident on May 13, and all the proceeds from the game went to benefit a scholarship set up by Volpe’s family in his name.

The divisional awards were also given out during the game by SBCA President Art Gordon. They are as follows:

Class A North – Pitcher of the Year: Will Siegfried, Middletown South; Hitter of the Year: Rich Ricciardi, Manalapan; Coach of the Year: Brian Boyce, Manalapan.

Class A Central – Pitcher of the Year: Mike DaCosta, Raritan; Hitter of the Year: Matt Margaritonda, St. John Vianney; Coach of the Year: Kevin James, Rumson-Fair Haven.

Class A South – Pitcher of the Year: Connor Kaden, Toms River South; Hitter of the Year: Matt Meleo, Jackson Memorial; Coach of the Year: Frank Malta, Jackson Memorial.

Class B North – Pitcher of the Year: Nick Panduri, Ocean Township; Hitter of the Year: Zach Wilson, Ocean Township; Coach of the Year: Buddy Hausmann, Red Bank Catholic.

Class B Central – Pitcher of the Year: Chris Napolitano, St. Rose; Hitter of the Year: Kevin Case, St. Rose; Coach of the Year: Ty Hawkins, Point Beach.

Class B South – Pitcher of the Year: Tim Carney, Brick; Hitter of the Year: Jon Roszel, Manchester; Coach of the Year: John Musolf, Manchester.

Class C Central – Pitcher of the Year: Harry Paytas, Wall; Hitter of the Year: Connor White, Wall; Coach of the Year: Jim Rankin, Jackson Liberty.

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