Winning pitcher Joe Paccione recorded six strikeouts in five innings as the Cranford High School baseball team bounced the Bayonne Bees, 102, on April 16. But one day later, it was the Oratory Prep Rams, who stung the Cougars, 7-2, in Cranford.
Against the 4-4 Bees, Brayden Fry whacked a home run, singled and had two RBI. Dylan Falk went 2-for-3, was hit by a pitch, stole three bases and scored twice. Dennis McCaffery singled, walked, stole a base, scored twice and had an RBI. Mike Tripodi singled, was hit, scored twice and had an RBI. Sean Riley walked and scored once. Ryan Carracino singled, scored once and had two RBI. Pat Bendert walked and scored once.
Luke Eckert hit a home run for Bayonne, Russell Ward singled and Mike Cunningham walked and scored once.
Oratory’s Robbie Costello pitched 6.2 innings and struck out six Cougars. Reliever MJ Cohen pitched to one batter. The Cougars went with five pitchers and Mike Zalinkanskas was charged with the loss.
Bendert went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, walked, scored once and had an RBI. Falk singled twice and swiped a base. Tyler Veltre singled, walked, stole a base and scored. Riley singled and walked once. Fry singled and stole a base. Tripodi walked and stole a base. Ed Toy walked once.
Oratory’s Jalen Brogdon homered, singled and scored twice. Blake Duddy went 3-for-3 with two doubles, walked, scored once and had two RBI. Kevin Parker walked, was hit and scored twice. Joe Loiacono walked and scored. Noah Falcon had an RBI. Victor Larach was hit, stole a base, scored once and had an RBI. Logan Costello was hit and had an RBI.
