Cranford's protest of Middletown North's victory in the Group III championship was denied, allowing the Lions to return to celebrating their first ever state championship.
Cranford submitted an appeal to the NJSIAA to turn Middletown North's Group III championship victory on Saturday into a forfeit. Might it happen? According to NJSIAA rules, the appeal should be D.O.A.
With a pitch-count controversy hanging over the Group III championship game, Middletown North rode Colin Dowlen to the limit (and beyond) to win its first ever NJSIAA group title.
Middletown North and Cranford come into Saturday's Group III championship with hot lineups and the Lions are hoping ace Colin Dowlen is the difference.
Colin Dowlen pitched another complete game and Middletown North's defense backed him up to earn a spot in the state final with a 6-1 win over one of New Jersey's hottest teams.
Howell, Middletown North, Rumson-Fair Haven and Point Beach will try to fill half the spots in the state finals with Shore teams by surviving Monday's Group Semifinals in South Jersey.
Middletown North carried its red-hot offense into the Central Group III final at Colts Neck and kept the runs coming on the way to its first sectional title since 1989.
Check out the top pitchers from the sixth full week of the Shore Conference Baseball season and vote for the one you think should be the overall Pitcher of the Week.