Southern ace Brady Lesiak set the tone on the mound, while the Jersey Shore offense peppered Burlington County with singles in a Carpenter Cup opening-round win.
Red Bank Catholic cleared a significant hurdle this season by reaching its first NJSIAA Group final in 26 years, but still has one more hill to climb after Friday's championship loss.
Scores, stats and recaps from the NJSIAA Group championship games, as Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven look to win long-awaited state championships.
Ten years after he graduated from Red Bank Regional, Joe Jacques will suit up in a Major League uniform for the first time Friday, when he joins the Red Sox bullpen at Yankee Stadium.
Pitching has been a strength for Pascack Hills, but Rumson-Fair Haven's strike-throwing ace and unique bullpen gives the Bulldogs a leg up heading into the Group 2 final.
Due to lingering poor air quality throughout the Northeast, Red Bank Catholic will have to wait at least one more day to play Don Bosco for the Non-Public A championship.
Jackson Hinchcliffe has earned wins in four of Rumson's five NJSIAA Tournament victories and will try to pitch the Bulldogs to their first ever state title on Saturday.
Middletown North made a serious bid at a significant comeback to keep its hopes of a second straight title alive. In the end, red-hot Mainland prevailed.
Griffin Shenman blasted a grand slam in a seven-run first inning and Jackson Hinchcliffe dominated on the mound to lead Rumson past Seneca into its first ever Group II final.