Offensive Awakening Propels Point Borough Past Central 11 to 7

The Point Borough baseball team rallied from a three-run, fifth inning deficit and exploded for ten runs in the last two innings in a 11-7 victory over Central on Saturday evening at the borough varsity field.

The Panthers' offense was finally able to touch up the Central pitching staff after being held to only four hits and one run over the first four frames.

For a team that had been victimized by all too many comeback victories throughout the season, most recently a gut-wrenching defeat to Toms River North in the Shore Conference Tournament, it was a relief to finally be able to turn the tables on an opponent.

“We needed to get these guys feeling better about themselves after what happened on Thursday,” said Point Borough head coach David Drew. “We had an opportunity to play this game, and I’m glad we played well. They’re (Central) a really good ball club and it was nice to get a win over a quality opponent.”

The Point Borough bats were held silent through the first four innings against Central starting pitcher James Canning, but were able to come to life in the fifth.

Canning loaded the bases on back-to-back walks and a beautifully-executed bunt single by Ryan Thrunk, which set the stage for the Panthers.

Central skipper John Scran opted to remove Canning in favor of reliever Mickey Donnelly.

Donnelly induced an infield popup for the first out of the inning.

But he surrendered his first inherited runner on a Deven DelPriore sacrifice fly, which cut the Central lead to two.

With two outs, Point Borough’s Sam Nelson ripped a two-run game double which tied the game at four. 

The Panthers capped the four-run fifth when Rob Pawlak singled to right field, which gave the Panthers their first lead of the game.

However, the Golden Eagles wasted no time and went right back to work against Panthers reliever Kurt VanBenschoten.

With one out, VanBenschoten loaded the bases and proceeded to give up a two-run double to Tony Dominguez and allowed Central to retake the lead 6-5.

“It was nice to see our guys didn’t panic after they came back on us in the sixth,” said Drew. “I said to the guys that other teams have been doing this to us all season long and now it’s our turn to do it to them.”

Point Borough wasted no time turning the tables against Central reliever Patrick Soloman.

The reliever loaded the bases on two walks and a throwing error on a Mike Mazza sacrifice bunt.

With the game on the line, the Panthers were able to capitalize.

Point Borough was able to tie the game on a Jimmy DiOrio sacrifice fly and took the lead on a DelPriore RBI single.

From there, Point Borough built upon their lead with consecutive two-run singles from John Dunbar and Pawlak.

For Pawlak, the senior right fielder, the hit capped a perfect 4-4 day at the plate.

“Can’t ask for anything better out of that young man,” said Drew. “It was a great day for him, great day for the team, and we’re just happy to get the ball rolling once again.”

Point Borough will get set to kick off state tournament play on Monday against Woodstown High School in Woodstown.

The Point Pleasant Patch will have updates on both Point Borough and Point Beach’s State Tournament games which will take place on Monday afternoon.

For updates go to www.twitter.com/john_jastremski