Summer in New Jersey means one thing for many young athletes and their dedicated fans: the thrilling crack of the bat, the tension of a close game, and the pursuit of championship glory on the baseball diamond. Across the state, American Legion and Little League tournaments are in full swing, delivering unforgettable moments and showcasing the incredible talent nurtured right here in the Garden State. From dominant pitching performances to powerful hitting displays and nail-biting finishes, recent games have provided a compelling look at the passion and competitive spirit defining New Jersey baseball.
American Legion Baseball: District Battles Heat Up
The American Legion District Tournaments are intense proving grounds for high school-aged players, offering a chance to advance to state and regional competitions. Recent matchups have certainly delivered.
District 3 Opener: Bordentown Post 26 Shines Bright
In a powerful display at Hightstown High, Bordentown Post 26 (18-2) started their District 3 Tournament journey with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Trenton Posts 93/182, known as the Schroths. The standout performance came from Quaran Williams, who was a force at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, and contributing two runs scored and two runs batted in. He wasn’t alone in his offensive prowess; Jimmy Musser also delivered three hits, including two doubles, scoring two runs and driving in another.
But the true star of the game for Post 26 was pitcher C.J. Brewer. He completely stifled the Schroths’ offense, tossing a masterful one-hitter and striking out 10 batters, with only one walk and two hit batsmen across the entire game. Trenton’s lone hit came in the first inning from Carmelo Acevedo.
- Final Score: Bordentown Post 26: 8 | Trenton Posts 93/182: 0
- Key Performers (Bordentown):
- Quaran Williams: 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Jimmy Musser: 3-for-3, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI
- C.J. Brewer (WP): 1-hitter, 10 K, 1 BB, 2 HBP
- Next Up: Bordentown Post 26 will face Cherry Hill Post 372. Trenton will play Hightstown Post 148 in an elimination game.
District 2: Allentown Prevails with Offensive Firepower
Over in District 2 action at Mercer County Park, Allentown (16-5) secured an 8-2 win over Mullica Hill Post 452. Anthony Crudo led the charge for Allentown, collecting two hits, including a crucial home run, while scoring two runs and driving in two. Evan Palmer also had an excellent outing, contributing two hits and two RBIs to fuel Allentown’s offense.
- Final Score: Allentown: 8 | Mullica Hill: 2
- Key Performers (Allentown):
- Anthony Crudo: 2 hits (1 HR), 2 R, 2 RBI
- Evan Palmer: 2 hits, 2 RBI
- Next Up: Allentown will play the winner of Brooklawn Post 72 Blue vs. Montgomery Superior Red.
District 1: North Hamilton and Whitehouse Command Attention
District 1 saw some tight contests and dominant offensive displays.
North Hamilton (15-6) edged out Montgomery Superior Blue with a 3-1 victory at Railroad Field. Matt Juliano was the hero for North Hamilton, delivering a complete game on the mound and driving in two critical runs.
- Final Score: North Hamilton: 3 | Superior Blue: 1
- Key Performers (North Hamilton):
- Matt Juliano (WP): Complete game, 2 RBI
- Next Up: North Hamilton will play Whitehouse Post 284.
In another District 1 game, Whitehouse (25-3) showcased their formidable offense, overpowering Broad Street Park Post 313 with a 16-4 win. While Broad Street Park’s A.J. Maddalena (double, 2 RBI) and A.J. Zuccarello (homer, 2 RBI) put up a fight, it wasn’t enough to match Whitehouse’s explosive bats.
- Final Score: Whitehouse: 16 | Broad Street Park: 4
- Key Performers (Broad Street Park):
- A.J. Maddalena: 2B, 2 RBI
- A.J. Zuccarello: HR, 2 RBI
- Next Up: Broad Street Park will play Superior Blue in an elimination game.
District 4: Brooklawn’s Offensive Explosion
At Joe Barth Field, Brooklawn (16-3) delivered a resounding 14-0 shutout against Lawrence Post 414 in District 4. Collin Elam led Brooklawn’s offensive charge, accounting for half of Post 414’s hits with a 2-for-3 performance. The team’s collective hitting was impressive, accumulating 14 hits overall.
- Final Score: Brooklawn: 14 | Lawrence: 0
- Key Performers (Brooklawn):
- Collin Elam: 2-for-3
- Next Up: Lawrence will play Hamilton Post 31 in an elimination game.
In a much closer District 4 matchup, Harrison Township (8-6-1) narrowly defeated Hamilton Post 31 with a 3-2 final score. Despite a strong effort from Hamilton’s Anthony Prosdocimo (2-for-2) and runs scored by Nick Lepore and Ryan Cromwell, Harrison Township managed to secure the victory.
- Final Score: Harrison Township: 3 | Hamilton: 2
- Key Performers (Hamilton):
- Anthony Prosdocimo: 2-for-2
Little League Baseball: Section 3 Championship Heartbreak
In the realm of Little League, dreams are made and sometimes heartbreakingly deferred. The Section 3 12-year-old championship game at Sayen Park saw a poignant conclusion for Nottingham Little League.
Jackson-Holbrook Claims Section 3 Title over Nottingham
In a highly anticipated rematch, Jackson-Holbrook (7-0 tournament record) secured the 12-year-old Section 3 championship with a 5-2 victory over Nottingham Little League (6-2 tournament record). Jackson-Holbrook set the tone early, plating four runs in the very first inning, a lead they would ultimately never relinquish.
Nottingham manager Adam Reymann acknowledged the challenge, stating, “You get punched right in the gut and it’s tough. We had a plan; we talked all week about what we had to do and that first inning is tough.”
Jackson-Holbrook’s powerful first inning was sparked by LJ Brown’s lead-off single, followed by back-to-back home runs from Tyler Ballard and Gavin Hobbs. Winning pitcher Dominick Calise then singled, contributing to the early offensive surge.
Despite the early deficit, Nottingham showed immense resilience. After falling behind 5-0, Owen McWhorter reached base in the fifth inning. Later, Eli Spurlock walked, setting the stage for Owen Quirk. Quirk, in a remarkable at-bat, fouled off four pitches before slicing a double down the left-field line, bringing in two runs and igniting a spark of hope for Nottingham. “I was just trying to foul off as many pitches as I could and when I saw the one I wanted, I wanted to drive it,” Quirk shared. Manager Reymann praised the effort: “Unbelievable. The guy’s throwing great pitches, he kept throwing strikes and he couldn’t get anything by him. There was nothing he was throwing that Owen couldn’t get his bat on. I really felt that would be the spark.”
However, Jackson-Holbrook’s pitching ultimately shut down Nottingham’s rally. Dominick Calise allowed just two hits over five innings, and Tyler Ballard closed out the game with two strikeouts in the sixth.
The loss means Nottingham, and indeed District 12, will have to wait another year for a 12-year-old sectional title, with the drought now extending to 13 years. Despite the defeat, Nottingham’s journey was commendable; they battled back through the elimination bracket after an earlier loss to Jackson-Holbrook, demonstrating incredible determination. “The one thing I can say about these kids is they never gave up,” Reymann affirmed. “They never lost the intensity. They made it a battle the whole way.”
- Final Score: Jackson-Holbrook: 5 | Nottingham: 2
- Key Performers (Jackson-Holbrook):
- Tyler Ballard: HR, 2 RBI
- Gavin Hobbs: HR
- Dominick Calise (WP): 5 IP, 2 hits, 4 BB, 1 K
- Key Performers (Nottingham):
- Owen Quirk: 2B, 2 RBI (heroic at-bat)
- Matteo Pandolfini: 5 IP (relief), 1 run allowed
- Next Up: Jackson-Holbrook (7-0) advances to the state tournament.
New Jersey’s baseball scene is alive with talent, grit, and unforgettable moments, proving that the spirit of the game burns brightly across our communities. For more on the exciting world of baseball and other sports throughout the state, visit Explore New Jersey Baseball.
