Brick and Pinelands to Square Off in Ocean County American Legion Championship

*The Ocean County American Legion championship featuring Mystic Island Post 493/Pinelands against Brick Post 348 will be Friday night at 7:30 at FirstEnergy Park.*

Tuesday

Winner's bracket

Mystic Island Post 493/Pinelands 6, Donovan Catholic 1

Pinelands advanced to Friday's Ocean County American Legion championship game at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood at 7:30 p.m. as Chad Astemborski allowed one run on four hits in a complete-game win, striking out five. They will take on Brick and will have two chances to win the title in the double-elimination tournament. If they lose on Friday night, they will play the Green Dragons again on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Toms River East with the title on the line.

Pat Spagnola and Mitch Merrill each belted two-run homers, David Lunn added an RBI double, and Jared Strang and Sage Sysol each had two hits for the Wildcats.

Wednesday

Loser's bracket

Brick Post 348 14, Donovan Catholic 2

The Green Dragons advanced to Friday's championship game against Pinelands as Nic Chirichello and Hunter Rizzuto pitched a combined five-hitter, striking out eight.

Nick Moglia had a two-run double to highlight a six-run second inning, and Gerry Hutchinson went 2-for-2 with three RBI in the win.