Bishop feels like a king after big week of baseball
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
The excitement continues for Brick Memorial varsity baseball coach Rich Bishop.

Bishop's American Legion summer baseball team split two games, including a 7-6 victory over state tournament sectional champion Toms River North. And he coached the Ocean County All-Stars that hung tough through six innings before Monmouth County broke away to a 12-4 victory at the BlueClaws' FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood on Wednesday. After the game, the Jersey Shore Baseball coaches made a presentation naming Bishop the Shore Conference A South Coach of the Year.

"I'm very honored, very shocked and surprised when you see the success that the Frank brothers, Bill and Ken, have had in Toms River," said Bishop. "That's running with good company. But if you try to do the right things, good things can happen. That's always been my lifestyle."

Bishop, who just completed his second season as Brick Memorial varsity baseball coach, saw his team reach the Ocean County Tournament final before losing to Toms River South, 2-0, to end its season 13-14. The Mustangs also reached the Shore Conference Tournament.

His pitcher, John Roca, was one of nine in the game and threw a scoreless second inning, although he gave up two hits and was helped by a double play. Tom Murray of Brick Memorial caught two innings and shared time behind the plate with Kurt Loftus of Brick Township, who had a double. Chris Sorice of Brick Township also had a double in the game.

As for Brick Memorial's Legion team, Bishop was coaching in the All-Star game when his Legion team lost to Toms River South, 6-2. Toms River South struck for a 3- 0 lead off starter Justin Short, who pitched the first 2 1/3 innings. Mike Rytelewski and Andrew Nelson split the remaining innings. Tim Spaulding had a run-scoring double and Brendan Melody batted in the other run as each had two hits.

In the victory over Toms River North, Jason Promisel drove in the winning run in the seventh inning with a double. It delivered Nelson, who lined a double and advanced to third on Brian Duckworth's groundout. Brian Staub belted a two-run homer while Nelson and Jose Ramos each batted in a run with three and two hits, respectively. Melody also knocked in a run and Jon DelValle slugged a double and a single.

"We got 13 hits off their pitchers and they're a young team with many players back who were all there at the game, including Matt Mancini, who is quite a pitcher," said Bishop.

Melody pitched the first two innings for Brick Memorial, allowing three runs on four hits. Anthony Gearity also allowed three runs on four hits in his three-inning stint. Steve Zarowka, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning, got the decision and Nelson struck out the side in the seventh inning.

The victory moved Brick Memorial closer to being one of the six qualifiers for the American Legion Ocean County tournament. Brick Memorial reached the finals last year.