Harsch's 11K Performance Silences Livingston as Seton Hall Prep Capture Title
photo & coverage by: Antonio Morales
Championship weekend belonged to Seton Hall Prep, as the Pirates proved once again why they’re one of the top programs in New Jersey. Behind a brilliant performance on the mound by Marcelo Harsch, SHP blanked second-seeded Livingston 6-0 to win their second straight Greater Newark Tournament title.
Seton Hall Prep set the tone early and never looked back.
The offense wasted no time, scoring a run in each of the first four innings. William Mahala delivered the first big blow with a towering home run to dead center in the second inning, his fifth of the year, giving SHP a 2-0 lead. The Pirates went on to score of small ball, capitalizing on steals and putting the ball in play. Henry Ayers added two RBIs, while Devin Aiken’s sac fly in the fifth pushed the lead to six.
But the real story was Harsch, who was nearly untouchable. The junior right-hander struck out 11 batters, allowing just three hits and zero walks over six shutout innings, before giving way in the seventh. It was just the second time this season he pitched beyond the fifth inning — and he did it in the biggest moment of the year so far.
After the game, Harsch reflected on the growth that’s taken him to this level: “My mentality this year is the product of a mindset I’ve worked on all winter — staying poised and keeping calm in stressful situations. I stay prepared by sleeping well, meditating, monitoring my workload and planning ahead.”
While Harsch’s personal approach has been elite, he credits the team culture as the foundation of their success. “As a team, we are red hot and the positivity is through the roof. It’s been a blast to be a part of this team. A key to success at SHP is holding each other accountable and pushing each other to be better than they were yesterday. One thing people should know about the Pirates — we love competition.”
With the 92nd GNT championship trophy back in West Orange, Seton Hall Prep improves to 19-1 on the season. With momentum and chemistry on their side, the Pirates now turn their focus to the state tournament, where they’re aiming to add another title to this historic run.