The Point Pleasant Borough baseball team won its second straight contest and easily disposed of Lakewood, 12-0, in a five-inning mercy rule contest at the Point Borough varsity field on Monday afternoon.
The Panthers, fresh off what was possibly their biggest win of the year Saturday against Manasquan, showed no sign of a letdown against the 1-12 Piners.
“I didn’t think our guys would be complacent after Saturday,” said Point Borough Coach David Drew.
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“I thought that game was going to get us going in the right direction, back to .500, for our goal of making the Shore Conference Tournament," Drew said. "I just think we’re getting on the right track again.”
Point Borough was able to give hurler, Kevin Bobertz, an early first inning lead in his first start of the season.
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Leadoff batter, Keith Murphy, led off the game with a booming homerun over the left field fence against Lakewood starter, Raheem Johnson.
After Johnson retired Jimmy DiOrio, the Panthers were able to score their second run of the frame after Deven DelPriore singled, stole second, and came around to score on a Sam Nelson RBI double.
The two-run first inning would end up being more than enough run support for Bobertz.
The junior hurler, who was recently called up from the Junior Varsity team, threw four scoreless innings and struck out five in his first career varsity win.
“It felt great to help this team,” said Bobertz. “I got a lot of emotions right now, I’m pumped. I just hope I get the opportunity to do it again.”
After the Panthers were held scoreless in the second inning, the offense exploded to score eight runs and sent thirteen men to the plate in the bottom half of the third inning.
Murphy led off the third with a walk; he proceeded to steal second and third base and came around to score on a throwing error down to third base by Lakewood’s Brendan Downey.
Following Murphy’s nifty base running, Jimmy DiOrio singled and immediately came around to score on DelPriore’s second hit of the game, a triple into left center field.
Johnson proceeded to load the bases, and then allowed a two-run double to Ryan Prout that stretched the lead to 7-0.
The Panthers were able to close out the eight run frame, after three consecutive run scoring singles by Rob Pawlak, TJ Gardner, and Murphy.
Murphy, who was one of the hitting stars of the game, came on to relieve Bobertz and threw a scoreless fifth inning to complete the mercy rule induced shutout.
“Our guys threw the ball very well today, both Kevin Bobertz and Murph,” said Drew. “It makes a big difference when you throw strikes and we don’t make errors and that’s what we were able to do today.”
With the win, Point Borough improved its record on the season to 8-9 and must have a record of 2-1 in its next three games in order to qualify for the Shore Conference Tournament.
“We got Henry Hudson on Wednesday, St. Rose, which is going to be a tough game on Friday and then Spotswood on Saturday,” said Drew. “Two out of three is what we need and hopefully we get it done.”
