BCC pitchers lights out as Blues win Region XIX
Walcott MVP as Blues win second straight title
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Brookdale's Paddy Matera fires the ball to first during the Jersey Blues' Region XIX championship game win over Sussex on Sunday in Middletown.

Getting one of the finest overall pitching performances in Brookdale or Region XIX tournament history, the Jersey Blues rolled to their second straight title and third in the last four years on Saturday.

The Blues put the finishing touches to their successful tournament defense, which was held in Lincroft, with an 8-0 win over Sussex.

Brookdale's three starters - Kevin Rickert, Ryan Beard and Bill Lawson - surrendered just four runs in three games, and if coach Johnny Johnson didn't feel the need to get closer Jason Wilson into a game, would have tossed three complete games.

"Those kids did a wonderful job," said Johnson. "They dominated the hitters. I've never seen anything like it.

"All three are the best of friends and all are about the same kind of pitcher," he added. "They have great movement on their pitches."

Their performances over the weekend speak for themselves.

Against Delaware Tech in their first game of the tournament Friday, the Blues got off to a shaky start at best. Rickert was touched up for three runs with two outs. It was an unsettling start for Brookdale, but by the second inning, thanks to the biggest hit of the tournament, Damian Walcott's inside-the-park, three-run home run, the Blues were back in control, leading 4-3.

"Damian's home run was key; it got us rolling," said Johnson.

Rickert (6-1) would not give up another run the rest of the game, going on all nine innings as Brookdale ended up winning 6-3.

Walcott, who would go on to win tournament Most Valuable Players honors, was 2-for-3 with his home run and three RBIs and two runs scored. Joe Armino smacked a home run in the four-run second when Brookdale took the lead.

In the second game on Friday against Sussex, Beard (10-0) went the distance and remained undefeated. Like Rickert, he didn't issue on base on balls.

Walcott against delivered the big hit, a two-out, two-RBI single that broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth. Joe Schiettino went 3-for-4 and scored two runs in the 4-1 victory.

The two wins on Friday put Brookdale in a position to wrap up the Region XIX title with one win Saturday. In the double-elimination format, Sussex advanced through the loser's bracket Saturday morning and played BCC in the afternoon, needing to beat the Blues twice to claim the

championship. Sussex did not fair any better Saturday against Lawson

as it did against Beard,

falling 8-0.

A three-run second inning started the romp. Walcott was again in the middle of the action, contributing an RBI single. The former Freehold Borough star was 3-for-4 on the day.

Frank Marsch had two RBI singles for the champions.

The Blues continued to do offensively what they have all year, get the big two-out hit.

"They've hit the ball well when they've needed it," Johnson said.

Lawson would give up just three hits in his eight innings of work. Closer Wilson showed little signs of rust. He walked the first batter he faced and then struck out the side.

Brookdale (36-8) will host the District qualifier this weekend, with the winner going on to the Division II Junior College World Series in Millington, Tenn., May 27-June 2. The Blues are the defending champions of this District playoff and will get a first-game bye Friday. The District will include the winners of the New York and New England regions. It is a double-elimination format like the Region tourney.

With his starting pitching and a very deep staff, Johnson is more confident about this team going into the playoffs than he was last year. Beard, Lawson and Rickert are now experienced sophomores and not, untested freshmen. They have proven they have what it takes to win on this level, and just in case, Johnson has a very deep staff.

Last year's Blues may have scored more runs and had more power, but this year's team is better at manufacturing, and more important, not relying on one or two hitters to come through for them. Anyone in the lineup can and has contributed.

"Unlike last year, you can't shut down one guy and stop our offense," Johnson said.

Brookdale is 28-3 since returning from Florida in March.