State tourney run all that’s left for Mustangs

BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Brick Memorial’s Rob Gonzalez fires the ball to first during the Mustangs’ win over Jackson on May 18. They say in high school sports that beating the same opponent three times in a season is the toughest challenge.

But four times?

Brick Memorial’s baseball team faced that daunting task on Monday when it took its own field for its NJSIAA opener against Jackson, the team that it beat in its Shore Conference Tournament opener, 6-2, early last week.

And with the Mustangs getting eliminated in the Shore Conference tournament on Saturday at Red Bank Regional, 5-3, the state tournament is the final goal left as Brick Memorial (12-9) is enjoying one of its best seasons in memory and its first postseason venture since 1997.

“It’s scary,” said Brick Memorial coach Jeff Pierce about playing Jackson again. “I’m having nightmares about it and I’m sure so are they. It’s our toughest game all year. We had three close games with them and we didn’t see their ace the last time we played them but I’m sure we will this time.”

Brian Streilein, who pitched the Shore Conference victory, was back on the mound against Jackson.

Aside from a shaky fourth inning when he walked three batters while giving up a run, Streilein was superb in raising his record to 4-2. He walked only two other batters as he strengthened his six-hitter with five strikeouts.

Andy Case collected three hits and drove in the first of three runs in the third inning, when Brick Memorial widened its lead to 5-0. Tom Pfeiffer drove in the final two runs with a single.

An inning earlier, Brick Memorial struck for its first two runs. Case walked and was replaced by pinch runner John Rutowski who stole second and rode home on a single by Chris James. Mark Cerrachio lined a double and Pfeiffer smashed an infield single, with James holding at third, to load the bases. Kyle Strang hit into a fielder’s choice, driving in the second run.

But Brick Memorial had its Shore Conference hopes dashed in the quarterfinals by Red Bank despite a superb pitching appearance by Chris James. The loss ended a six-game winning streak for Memorial.

Although his status was uncertain last week because of a bad swelling on his pitching hand, James was on the mound and allowed only one hit in a 3-1 lead until the sixth inning when Red Bank scored four runs, aided by two Brick Memorial errors, the latter one letting in the go-ahead runs. An MRI and doctor’s exam showed James’ problem to be a cyst on his hand and the swelling was drained to give him the opportunity to play.

He pitched a four-hitter with seven strikeouts and three walks.

“He pitched a great game for us,” said Pierce.

Rob Gonzalez collected three hits and Rob Russo had two for Brick Memorial, while Jay Frank and the hard-luck pitcher each knocked in a run.