Dragons Extend Win Streak to 11, Advance in Playoffs

Before a Brick out was even recorded on Saturday, the Dragons would quickly set the tone of the game while foreshadowing an offensive tear, producing nine runs in a 9-3 defeat of the Mariners of Toms River North.

Senior center fielder Nick Vitale blasted a home run to straight away center, traveling well over the fence standing at the 350 feet mark.

Brick held on to the jolt of excitement, and now have beaten the Mariners twice in the current 11 game win streak. Clearly, the stage was much higher on Saturday, with a chance to play in the Shore Conference Quarterfinals on the line.

The top three hitters in the lineup for Brick were the most productive, as Vitale, designated hitter Bill Berg, and third baseman Tim Carney went a combined 4-for-7, drove in all nine runs, hit two home runs, accounted for four runs scored, drew three walks and hit two sac flies.

"I think they just did a great job," said Brick head coach Jason Groschel. "Nick (Vitale) has really earned their respected, they pitched around him following the home run and the guys behind him did a great job of making them pay."

After North took a 2-1 lead after the top of the third, Brick answered back immediately with a three run bottom half. Catcher Richard Zonin started the inning by reaching after a ground ball could not be collected by the North third baseman. Nick Vitale would later hit into a fielder's choice and took third after a botched pick off attempt traveled into right field. Berg's single would score Vitale. Carney followed with a two run home run which was crushed to right field.

John Kizzman lined out to first on a well struck ball, before Brick drew three consecutive walks to start the bottom half of the fourth. Berg stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and took care of business, placing a ball just through the gap between first and second to score two. Up next, Tim Carney hit the first of his two sac flies, making the score 7-2 and giving Brick all the offense they would need for the win.

In addition to reaching base often, the Dragons excelled running the base paths, going 5-for-5 on steal attempts.

For the Dragons, the pitching duties were split between Brandon Kieslor and Tim Carney.

Kieslor started for the Dragons and went four innings, surrendering two runs. After putting runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the third inning, Kieslor nearly came out of the frame unscathed. Kieslor was one strike away from three strike outs in a row when he was touched up for a two run double, the only damage the junior yielded all game.

Kieslor had four strikeouts before being relieved in the fifth inning by Tim Carney. Carney pitched three innings, allowing just an unearned run in the sixth inning to score. Carney struck out two of the final three batters he faced and finished with three strike outs.

"Brandon (Kieslor) has pitched really well for us again today," said Groschel. "He is 4-0 now. He got the big strike outs when he needed to. He struggled with his curve ball early but found his groove as the game went on. The goal today was, get the lead, and get Tim (Carney) on the mound to close out."

Things will start to get very busy for the Dragons this week, starting Monday with the state playoffs.

The second seeded Dragons will be taking on Holmdel in the first round of the state playoffs. Tuesday, Ocean County Tournament play will resume, as Brick will look to defeat Toms River South for a spot in the finals. On Wednesday, Shore Conference Tournament play returns. Brick will be taking on Monmouth Regional, who upset Toms River South in second round play.

Groschel believes his team is prepared as they have been to this point in these tournaments throughout their high school careers.

"A lot of these kids have been around here for a while," said Groschel. "We have been in these situations before and we come out expecting to win."