Washington Twp. captures Grand Slam

Way back at the beginning of the baseball season, Washington Township looked like a young team likely to endure some growing pains.

That was two weeks ago.

That also was seven consecutive victories ago.

"We're still young," Washington Township coach Bill Alvaro Jr. said. "But we've progressed a lot faster than I thought."

Washington Township, perhaps South Jersey's most surprising team, ran its record to 7-0 with an impressive, 12-0 victory over Millville on Saturday in the championship game of the Grand Slam Classic.

Sophomore Mark Scarpa pitched a three-hitter, and junior catcher Ryan Long and junior first baseman Shaine Hughes each rapped three hits in a game shortened to five innings because of the 10-run rule.

"They're just what I expected," Millville coach Roy Hallenbeck said of the Minutemen. "You don't even need a scouting report with a team like that. You know they are going to play the game the right way."

Washington Township, the No. 8 team in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings, has just two seniors in its regular lineup: second baseman Connor Hanrahan (three runs scored) and designed hitter Vinnie Nocella (two-run double).

Long was 3 for 3 with a double, triple, and three runs. Hughes was 3 for 4 and was named the eight-team tournament's Most Valuable Player. Sophomore twins Chris and Nick Hartz combined for three hits and three runs.

Pitching has been the key to the Minutemen's fast start. Junior Billy Grubb is 2-0, with victories over Olympic American rivals Cherry Hill East and Cherokee. Junior Matt Long, Ryan's twin, pitched a complete game in a 5-1 victory over Holy Spirit in the Grand Slam semifinals.

Scarpa, a righthander, improved to 2-0 with a masterful performance. He struck out three and didn't issue a walk in shutting down Millville, the No. 2 team in the rankings.

"We wanted to see what Mark was made of against a great team," Alvaro Jr. said. "He answered the bell."

Millville (6-2) couldn't use its top two pitchers, seniors Andrew Biggs and Aaron Cox, because of innings restrictions. The Thunderbolts started their No. 3, senior Colin Meandro, but he lasted just three batters because of arm soreness.

Ryan Long led off the game with a triple and scored on Hughes' single. Nocella added a two-run double in the first.

The Minutemen scored six runs in the second as Chris Hartz had two hits and an RBI and Ryan Long rapped a two-run double.

"This was a great game for us," Ryan Long said. "Millville is a fantastic team, the defending South Jersey [Group 4] champs. We know we didn't face their best, but to be able to win this way, it really builds our confidence."

Washington Township   36003 - 12110

Millville   00000 - 031

WP: Mark Scarpa. LP: Colin Meandro. 2B: WT-Ryan Long, Vinnie Nocella, Nick Hartz; M-Aaron Cox. 3B: WT-Ryan Long.