'A program win': North Hunterdon tops Hunterdon Central in 10 innings in H/W/S/T quarters
RARITAN TOWNSHIP – Eight different pitchers have had an arm in North Hunterdon High School baseball team’s eight shutouts since April 21. Two of them played major roles in the Lions’ biggest Wednesday in an epic Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament quarterfinal.
Junior lefty Zach Fronio pitched six scoreless, three-hit innings and senior righty Ben Linzer threw four more for the win in relief and North topped two-time HWS defending champ and No. 4 seed Hunterdon Central 1-0 in 10 innings. Fifth seed North (14-5) will play at No. 1 Pope John in Saturday’s semifinal. Central is 8-9.
Senior shortstop Tyler Anderson’s sharp two-out single to centerfield in the 10th drove home sophomore first baseman Alex Famolari with the game’s only run. Famolari had singled with one out, then stole second and third before Anderson’s hit.
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“It came down to who was going to score one run,” said North coach Ben Yocum. “We played great defense they played great defense. We found a way.”
Central seriously threatened in its half of the 10th with two singles and a walk with one out. But Linzer got a fly out to left fielder Nick Hernandez, then a come backer where he flipped to first baseman Famolari to end quite the game – North’s ninth-straight win.
“This was a program win,” said Yocum. “We have to tip our hats to our pitchers. They have been doing a great job and I’m proud of them.”
He also mentioned several defensive plays that kept the Red Devils scoreless.
In the Central sixth, Soren Gregor led off with an infield hit. Jake Breuer, a courtesy runner for Gregor, stole second after first being called out. On the next pitch, Famolari caught a popped bunt and threw to Anderson to double up Breuer. Fronio ended the inning with a fly out to left.
Then in the eighth, Tommy Baase led off with a line drive hit toward the right center gap. Center fielder Wyatt Demeo chased it down and got Baase trying to stretch for a double with Anderson making the tag.
“Linzer has been doing this for a living, this is his 9 to 5 right there,” said Anderson. “But other than that, man, it's a great team win. We stayed aggressive. It starts with a bunch of bulldogs on the mound ready to compete.”
Central’s staff was also superb.
Junior Ryan Lundari allowed three hits in five innings, striking out three. Baase went four with eight strikeouts.
But North advances with a quest to win this tournament for the first time since 2016. The Lions also won it in 2015 behind standout pitcher John Wilson, who was tournament MVP in both years.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Baseball: North Hunterdon edges Hunterdon Central in H/W/S/T
