Brick Clinches Share of 'B' South Championship With Win

With one game to decide whether Manchester would be sole Shore 'B' South champions or if Brick could clinch a share, the Dragons had all the desire they would need to come away with a win.

"We wanted at least a share (of the title)," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "With all due respect for Manchester, we feel we are the best team in the division and we have been hot lately."

In control and holding a 4-0 lead, the Green Dragons leaned on pitcher Tim Carney to lead them to victory once again. The senior went seven tremendous innings after getting the save on Monday against Pinelands Regional, which was a must-win to put Brick in position to hold a share of the title.

Carney struck out eight, none bigger than his inning-ending strike out in the top of the fifth inning, with the bases loaded.

"This was the real Tim Carney today," said Groschel. "The last time we played them we had Tim start and he got a little roughed up, but he came back and wanted to prove a point today."

In addition to his complete game shutout win today, Carney has also closed out the Dragons' last three wins.

Five times Manchester had their leadoff man on base, but Carney and his defense limited the Hawks as Carney only allowed back-to-back hits once, and only four walks.

After escaping the bases loaded jam in the fifth unharmed, Carney cruised, striking out four of the final five Hawks to end the game.

With a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, Carney surrendered two straight singles. Second baseman Victor Wilenta came up big, diving to his right to knock a ball down, stepping on second, and tossing the ball over to first to complete the double play. For the final out of the inning, Carney knocked a ball down, going back up the middle with his bare hand, recovered, and threw to first in time to record the out.

"Victor has become an outstanding ball player for us," said Groschel. "His home run today got us started today. Sean (Henry) and him are the best of friends off the field and you can tell by how comfortable they are with each other out there."

Wilenta hit a long, carrying home run to center field in the bottom of the second. Despite the strong winds blowing in, the ball had just enough power to get over the fence.

The bottom of the third was where the Dragons did most of their damage.

Tyler Iannarone led off, reaching on an error, and was standing on third with one out when a Nick Vitale single through the right side would bring him home. Vitale stole second, and scored when Bill Berg reached on an error on a ball hit deep in the outfield. A Sean Henry single brought home Berg and gave the Dragons a commanding 4-0 lead.

In the fifth inning Carney helped his own cause with a leadoff single and came around to score an insurance run when Brad Applegate hit a double to left field.

Vitale went 1-for-2, with two walks, scoring a run on an error and getting a run in while reaching on an error.

"One down, three to go," said Groschel, on the team hitting their goals.

Next up for the Dragons is an Ocean County Tournament second round game, on Thursday at Central Regional