Brick baseball defeats Toms River North

Good pitching -- and lots of it -- is carrying the Brick Township High School baseball team.

Tim Carney, Brandon Kieslor and Jake Voorhees have led the way, allowing just three runs in the last three games. In their three starts, they have combined to pitch 18 and two thirds innings of a possible 21.

On Friday, it was Voorhees' turn to step up. The junior righty tossed five-plus innings while only yielding one run off of two hits in a 4-1 victory over Toms River North – all coming after the Mariners scored 16 runs off of Toms River South the day before.

"Performing that well on a stage like this is incredible," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "Even more when you consider it is his first varsity start."

Voorhees battled all day. The Dragons' defense was superb, turning three double plays on the day and generating 12 ground outs.

Voorhees fielded his position just as well. In the bottom of the second, he quickly reacted and grabbed a line drive that was headed back up the middle. After securing the ball he tossed it over to first to complete the Dragons' first double play.

In other defensive action, shortstop Sean Henry and second baseman Victor Wilenta teamed up for two double plays, both coming after leadoff walks to innings.

Dan Mnich, Kieslor and Carney made appearences in relief with Carney earning the save. 

In the top of the third, centerfielder Nick Vitale leadoff the inning with single, followed by a Bill Berg double that put runners in scoring position. Carney's single to the leftside brought in two runs and a 3-0 lead. The Dragons' final run came when Carney later hit a leadoff double to start the fifth and Tyler Iannarone followed with a RBI double.

Bill Berg went 2-for-3  with a walk, double, and two runs scored. Vitale went 2-for-4 with a run scored, Carney went 2-for-4 also, with two RBIs and a run scored. Sean Henry was the third Dragon to hit 2-for-4, the senior added a RBI too.

Iannarone's hit came as he picked up the slack for the Cody Schnebel. Schnebel was hurt in a second inning collision at first base.

"It was a hit to the right side and (Schnebel) came in to play it," said Groschel. "Once he realized someone had a better shot at it he went back to the bag and had trouble finding it. We're unsure of his status for Saturday, right now it doesn't look like he'll be able to pitch."

On Saturday, Brick faces Toms River East at 3 p.m. in the first round of the Ocean County Tournament.

"We definitely believe we can keep it going," said Groschel, talking about the recent streak. "They love games, if it was up to them, they would play every day."