Strong Sixth Inning Gives 'Stangs Win Over Lacey

As the game drew on, it became more and more apparent that the Lacey Lions were slowly climbing back into things.

After holding a 3-1 lead for the duration of their game against Lacey Township, Brick Memorial had surrendered the lead, allowing runs in the second and fourth innings, dead-locking the teams at three.

It would be in the bottom of the sixth when the Mustangs, headed by smart play from the bottom half of the lineup, would strike. The strike came in dominant form, with the 'Stangs scoring four runs and pulling away for the 7-3 win Thursday afternoon.

Zack Santos reached on an error and Ryan Civello drew a walk in a bunt-attempt situation to have the first two runners reach base.

Freshman Kyle Cala would attempt a sacrifice bunt as well. On his attempt, however, the Lions were able to throw Santos out at third. The throw back to first for the attempted double play would sail high, allowing Civello to advance to third.

Kyle Scoog would run for Cala, and after taking a lengthy lead, took off for second as Lacey pitcher Ryan Hanula still had the ball. Hanula would turn towards first frantically, and was called for a balk, allowing Civello to score and giving the 'Stangs the 4-3 lead.

Brick Memorial pitcher Mike Nebesne would drive Scoog in from second following the balk with an RBI single to center field.

Spencer Cohen would nail a single to right in the next at-bat, moving courtesy runner Rob Harzer to third base. Two batters later, Ray Triano would bring in two runs with a two-RBI double to deep left field, finalizing the score at 7-3.

"I knew sooner or later we'd get the job done," Brick Memorial head coach Evan Rizzitello said. "We do have confidence in the bottom of our lineup and it was good to see some production from down there."

Mike Nebesne had a terrific bounce-back performance, after going just 2/3 of an inning in his last start, in what ended up being an 8-5 loss to Toms River North in the first round of the Ocean County Tournament.

Nebesne, after a tough first inning, allowed just four hits, three runs – just one earned – walked three batters, hit one batter and struck out five, going all seven innings for the complete game win.

"We've had some struggles from our seniors lately on the mound," Rizzitello said. "Rob Schmidt, much like [Mike] Nebesne today, bounced back and gave us a lot of innings, which is something we need with the amount of games we have coming up."

Nebesne gave Lacey the lead in the top of the first, when he allowed an un-earned run without surrendering a hit. Nebesne walked the lead-off batter, hit another batter, and the Lions would eventually take the lead when catcher Ryan Shaughnessey's throw down to second base sailed into centerfield.

The 'Stangs avoided allowing another run when Civello made a beautiful diving play at first base, and flipped the ball to Nebesne, saving a run as a Lacey player was on third base.

Brick Memorial answered the Lions' run emphatically in the bottom of the first. Captain Mike Rytelewski blasted a lead-off double to left field, followed by a single to center from Triano, setting up and RBI double from Kevin Nilsen and a two RBI single to left by Mike Martone, giving the Mustangs the 3-1 advantage, early on.

Lacey would answer with runs in the second and fourth innings to tie the game before Brick Memorial took over in the sixth.

After a five game losing streak – including a loss to Toms River North in the first round of the Ocean County tournament – the Mustangs have gone 2-1 in their last three games with a busy schedule ahead of them as they look to make a push towards the state playoffs.

"I feel like with the weather getting warmer, and guys getting more comfortable, seeing more at-bats and more pitches, we're starting to feel good about ourselves," Rizzitello said.

Brick Memorial will have games each day this weekend, first travelling to Manasquan on Friday, playing at the Wall municipal building. Memorial will then play at Monsignor Donovan Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. and will take on rival Brick Township at First Energy Park for Brick Day on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.