2024 New Jersey Baseball Group 4 State Tournament Preview

by NJ Athletics

Game Preview: Livingston vs. Bridgewater-Raritan  - NJISAA Group 4 Semifinals

Overview: In a pivotal NJISAA Group 4 semifinal clash, the Livingston Lancers face off against the Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers. This game sets the stage for a thrilling encounter between two strong teams with robust lineups and strategic depth. Livingston's balanced attack and Bridgewater's powerhouse performances promise a competitive and high-energy game. The key to victory will lie in which team can best leverage their star players and maintain composure under the playoff pressure

Livingston Lancers

  • Season Record: 22-7-1, 11-0-1 in SEC - American
  • Key Wins: Montclair, Seton Hall Prep, Hackensack
  • Recent Performance: The Lancers have shown resilience and strategic depth, clinching a close victory against Montclair in the N orth Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 Finals. Their consistent performance in the SEC - American highlights their strong season.
  • Key Players:
    • E.J. Frayne (Junior): Leading the team's offensive efforts with a .344 average and 31 RBIs.
    • Max Peri (Junior, P): A standout pitcher with a 1.83 ERA and 38 K's, bolstering the team's defensive capabilities.

Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers

  • Season Record: 28-3, 10-0 in Skyland - Delaware
  • Key Wins: Ridge, Hunterdon Central, North Hunterdon
  • Recent Performance: Coming in at #7 in our Top 20,The Panthers have been dominant all season. Even when they are playing in tight games, they  demonstrate their overall prowess, most recently with a 2-0 shutout against Hunterdon Central in the  North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 Finals.
  • Key Players:
    • Matthew Fattore (Senior, IF, P): An offensive threat with a .439 average and 32 RBIs
    • Devin Goldberg (Senior, 2B, CF): A sure fire bat that can fly around the bases, leading the team with 35 stolen bases. 

Game Preview: Jackson Memorial vs. Eastern - NJISAA Group 4 Semifinals

Overview: The clash between Jackson Memorial and Eastern is anticipated to be a high-energy encounter, with both teams showcasing depth in both their lineups and pitching staffs. Eastern's recent offensive power meets Jackson Memorial's tactical gameplay in what promises to be a closely contested matchup. Both coming off big victories, we will see which program is able to impose their will more effectively.

Jackson Memorial Jaguars:

  • Record: 18-10, 9-5 in Shore - A South
  • Key Wins: Point Pleasant Beach, Monroe, Toms River East
  • Recent Performance: The Jaguars have displayed resilience this season, turning around their earlier inconsistencies to close out with strong performances, notably winning against Monroe 5-1in the  Central Jersey, Group 4 Finals. 
  • Key Players:
    • Julian Caruso (Senior, CF): A powerhouse at the plate, leading with a .369 average and 21 RBIs, making him a critical player in high-stakes games.
    • Nick Izzo (Senior, 3B): Brings both power and average, hitting .424 with 35 RBIs and showing a knack for crucial hits.
    • Jovani Hallihan (Senior, P): Strong on the mound with a 2.10 ERA and 57 strikeouts, pivotal for keeping runs low against tough opponents.

Eastern Vikings:

  • Record: 24-6, 5-3 in Olympic - American
  • Recent Form: Eastern has been formidable, cruising through the tournament with a robust lineup that has produced consistent runs. They dominated in their recent games, including two shutouts in the first two rounds of the  South Jersey Group 4 Tournament.
  • Key Players:
    • Anthony Cataldo (Sophomore, C): Stands out with a .312 average and 29 RBIs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive surge.
    • Logan Dawson (Junior, SS): A two-way star with a .378 batting average and 28 RBIs, and an outstanding  1.93 ERA with 70 K's. Dawson is a critical component of Eastern's defense and offense.
    • Sam Winsett (Senior): Another ultra-consistent bat with a team-high .474 batting average, along with 25 runs driven in.
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