Gloucester Catholic Runs Off with the Lead in Late Night Showdown

photo & coverage by: Lukas Guerrier

We played up to midnight over in Margate for the Coaches vs Cancer showcase and by the time the final out was recorded, No. 1 Gloucester Catholic made sure it was a night to remember.

The Rams delivered a powerful statement at the Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase, taking down No. 5 St. Augustine with an explosive 14-5 victory. In a matchup between two of New Jersey’s top teams, Gloucester Catholic proved exactly why it’s the team to beat.

The game opened with a bang as St. Augustine’s Alex Weingartner launched a home run to help the Hermits build an early lead. St. Augustine came out swinging, plating four runs in the top of the first and grabbing all the momentum.

But Gloucester Catholic showed its resilience. The Rams chipped away and tied the game at 5-5 in the sixth inning, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. That’s when junior slugger Braeden Lipoff delivered the moment of the night, crushing a grand slam to break the tie and send the Rams' dugout into a frenzy.

For Lipoff, it was all about keeping his composure in the big moment. "It was just another at bat for me, looking for something I can drive knowing the field was hitter friendly," Lipoff said. "Keeping my approach and not letting the moment get too big."

Lipoff wasn’t done yet. He finished the game 5-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, seven RBIs, and four runs scored — an unforgettable performance on one of the state’s biggest stages.

Once Lipoff broke it open, Gloucester Catholic piled on five more runs to put the game out of reach. In total, the Rams racked up 13 hits and 11 RBIs, overwhelming a strong St. Augustine pitching staff.

On the mound, Jackson Smallets anchored the win with a complete game performance. Smallets struck out 11 over seven innings, working around some early damage to shut down the Hermits over the second half of the game. For Gloucester Catholic, this win is just another building block toward even bigger goals. "This win tells me and our team that we can beat anyone," Lipoff said. "Still early in the season, and still a ton of work to be done."

With the victory, Gloucester Catholic improves to 9-0 on the season, strengthening their grip on the top spot in New Jersey baseball. After taking down another top-5 opponent, the Rams continue to show they have all the pieces needed for a championship run.