Don Bosco Dominates In Non-Public A Title Game

Don Bosco was looking for their first state title since 2008. The task ahead? St. Augustine Prep who has been to 6 straight Non-Public A state finals. The Hermits were also on a mission looking to avenge a 4-1 loss to St. Joe’s Montvale in last year’s Non-Public A state final. The anticipated pitching matchup heading into the game was the Hermits’ Marco Levari and Bosco’s Caden Dana. Instead Clayton Poiley toed the rubber for the Ironmen.

Poiley worked out of a jam early into the game and from there on, it was smooth sailing for the Bosco starter. Levari on the other hand did not have the same success when faced with a jam. Two walks and a stolen base allowed Pablo Santos to take third base. He eventually scored on a wild pitch.

With early run support, Poiley would shut down St. Augustine allowing just two hits in his 4 scoreless innings of work. In the 4th inning, Don Bosco really pulled away, throwing up 3 in the home half. Caden Dana came in for 3 innings of relief work allowing just 1 hit and striking out 3 with 3 scoreless innings. Dana really woahed the crowd with a tape measure solo blast in the bottom of the 6th to officially hammer in the final nail in the coffin. In the top of the 7th Dana sat the Hermits down in 4 batters and the celebration was on! The Ironmen had finally won their first Non-Public A state final since 2008.

NJ Gatorade Player of the Year and Kentucky commit Caden Dana had given credit to the last few games they played to prepare them to help win the final. Dana knew that somehow he wanted to help his team win the game whether it be on the mound or with his bat or in the field. Caden certainly helped his guys out going both ways. 

Chris Baker from NJ Athletics. You can reach Chris on Twitter (@cbake_51) or you can reach him by email (cbake2025@gmail.com). Be sure to check out NJ Athletics on Instagram (@NJAthletics) and on Twitter (@nj_athletics)