Brick American team is ready for a rematch
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

After exploding through its first three games with 36 runs, Brick American's Senior All-Stars must fight their way out of the losers' bracket of the District 18 double-elimination tournament to get a rematch with Toms River.

Brick American played last night at home against the winner of Holbrook-Toms River East with the hope of a weekend game.

After a wild ride that included a 9-0 victory over Toms River American, a 13-1 triumph over Jackson and an incredible 14-13 comeback over Holbrook off an eight-run seventh inning, Brick American ran out of steam against Toms River, losing 9-1 on Saturday to tumble into the losers' bracket.

"They scored seven unearned runs but their pitcher was very good," said Brick American manager Joe Batts. "He had a good fastball and curve. The mistakes that we made, they capitalized on. I think it hurt us having a week off to that game."

But Botts pointed out that his lineup consists of many players who are two years under the age limit and more. Brick American had three hits against Toms River, including a towering home run in the last inning by Phil Sigona and a double by Brendan Melody, who took the loss. Andrew Nelson pitched in relief.

Melody held Toms River American to two hits over 6 1/3 innings and Sigona threw hitless relief earlier in the tournament.

Justin Short, who was expected to pitch last night, held Jackson to two hits over four innings in a game shortened by the 10-run rule. Glenn McGinnis and Sigona belted three-run homers.

But it was the Holbrook game just prior to the Toms River loss that thrilled the Brick American fans. At one point, Brick American trailed 12-2, and rallied back in the last inning as Justin Gordon, McGinnis and Melody each lined a two-run double before Short ended the rally with a double that drove in the winning run. Lou Raccuelia got the win and Nelson the save while Joe Murray made a great running catch in the outfield.

14-year-olds

Brick National beat cross-town rival Brick American, 7-6, in eight innings to advance to the championship game. Robert Harzer was hit by a pitch, and the winning run eventually scored on a passed ball. Mike DiGuilmi had two hits for two RBIs and losing reliever Brandon Heim doubled in a run for Brick American.

Earlier in the tournament, manager Mike Rytlewski's Brick American team won a pair of games, beating Jackson, 3-0, behind Nick Galeotafiore's four-hit pitching, and Toms River American, 6-3, as Galeotafiore allowed four hits over 6 1/3 innings and knocked in two runs with three hits.

Mike DiGuilmi lined a two-run double and Adam Harlan hit a sacrifice fly deep to center field, both in the fifth inning, against Jackson. Against Toms River American, Brandon Heim lashed a two-run double in the first inning and a run-scoring single in the second as Brick American took a 5-2 lead. Mike Rytelewski lashed two hits, including a run-scoring double in the first inning.

Brick American also erased a 5-1 deficit to beat Holbrook, 6-5, as Heim connected for a two-run single to drive in the

go-ahead run. Ryan Charterina made a big defensive play.

Brick American played Berkeley on Monday in Lakewood.

13-year-olds

Brick National has a bye and plays on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in Toms River against the winner of Manchester against Toms River American.

Manager Victor Wilenta feels he has a nicely balanced lineup of hitting, led by outfielders Ryan Cole and Eric Streiter, Rob Schmitt, who pitches and plays third base and shortstop, and Victor Wilenta, who pitches and plays third base, as well as good defense from catcher Brian Mayer, pitcher-shortstop John Kizman, and Chris Parlow and Bill Berg, who play second base and in the outfield. The rest of the roster includes Ryan Griffith, who can catch and play in the outfield, Rick Popp, who plays in the outfield and at first base, Kevin Vorhees, who plays in the outfield and second base, and first baseman Tom Winters.

16-year-olds

Brick National was eliminated in a 10-run rule loss to Toms River East and a 6-5 loss to Barnegat, which rallied in the sixth after being held to two hits by Mike DeAngelo before that. Brendan Cruz had three hits for two RBIs.

Seniors

Brick National competes on Saturday in the state championships in Berkeley and has a bye to Saturday's noontime game against the loser of Vineland vs. Paramus. The lineup, which is open to players from the Shore vicinity, includes Brick players Jared Page at shortstop, John Vitale and Ryan Ross in the outfield, Ray Johnson at first base, and Mike Winters pitching. The winner competes in the sectionals in Delaware the following weekend with a shot at reaching the nationals the end of the month in South Carolina.