Point Beach Baseball Wins Class B Central Public School Title, Defeats Keyport 8-6

Some baseball players have a flair for the dramatic, coming up with their biggest moments when the games are the most important.

For Point Beach, they found their Mr. Clutch in catcher Sean Driskill at First Energy Park in Lakewood on Tuesday evening.

With his team down by two runs in the sixth inning, Driskill belted a grand-slam propelling the Garnett Gulls to the Class B Central Division Public School championship after they knocked off Keyport 8-6.

“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was gone off the bat,” said Driskill. “I came through and was able to get a big hit for the team. There was no better stage for it.”

Point Beach’s four-run sixth inning bailed out starting pitcher Joe Sherbo, who was a victim of some sloppy defense that allowed Keyport to break through for a four-run fourth inning.

With runners on second and third, and one out, Sherbo induced Keyport’s Greg Dillow to hit a ground ball to third basemen Matt Percheski.

Percheski threw home to cut off the runner but the throw was mishandled by Driskill. It rolled all the way to the backstop, allowing a second Keyport run to score, which tied the game at four.

After the error, Sherbo gave up a two-run triple to Ryan Devlin that gave Keyport a 6-4 edge and their first lead of the game.  

“Everyone in the dugout was hanging their heads following that inning,” said Driskill. “Coach was telling us to hang in there, our offense has been strong all year, come back from it. That’s what he said and that’s what we were able to do.”

Point Beach was able to counter Keyport’s four-run fourth inning against Red Raiders' hurler Ryan Chandler. Nick Fiore led off the frame with a double. Following the double, Chandler hit Paul Fiorentino, which put the tying runs on base for the Gulls.

With the tying runs on base, it appeared Chandler induced Connor Daley to ground into a possible double play.

However the play was booted by Keyport third basemen Kenny Kuchma. The error loaded the bases and set the scene for Driskill’s heroics.

“I wasn’t too worried about being down two runs, considering the way we’ve swung the bats all year,” said Point Beach head coach Ty Hawkins. “Their guy threw the ball well, but I knew he had a good amount of pitches under his belt.”

From there, with a two-run lead, Sherbo shut the door on the Red Raiders.

The righty retired the side in order in the bottom half of the sixth, and scattered only one hit in the seventh, which sealed the Public School title for Point Beach.  

“That’s where Joey has really matured for us over the course of the year,” said Hawkins. “Although they scored those runs in the fourth, it didn’t affect his demeanor on the mound. He was able to carry the guys, get them through the inning, and we were able to answer back.”

Sherbo, one of the few senior holdovers from last year’s division champion, went the distance and struck out seven.

“There’s nothing better as a pitcher when you have one of your guys pick you up,” said Sherbo. “I got a second life on the mound when we hit that grand slam. I knew after that hit, there was no way we were losing this game.”

Point Beach improved its record on the year to 10-5 and 9-3 in the Class B Central division. For a team that only returned one starter from last year’s division winner, the euphoria of the celebration was gratifying to the first year head coach.

“I think our success is a credit to the guys that had them last year, and the coaches we have now this year,” said Hawkins. “I think we have a great coaching staff, and they coached them up real well.

"But take your hats off to these guys," he added. "They executed, they battled and they earned this. Anytime you win something, I love it, that’s why you play the game.”