Sports
Point Borough Baseball Upsets Buena 11-3, Advances to South Jersey Group 2 Semi-Finals
Dunbar dominates on the mound and at the plate in NJSIAA Tournament stunner.
Throughout the 2011 season, Point Borough skipper David Drew insisted that his baseball team was going to learn how to close a game against a quality opponent.
On Friday afternoon, his squad did just that. The late inning meltdowns against Jackson Liberty and Toms River North are way behind in the rear view mirror.
Point Borough advanced to the NJSIAA Tournament after a stunning 11-3 victory over the third seed Buena High School, in the South Jersey Group 2 region.
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“I am so proud of these kids,” said Drew. “We were 5-15 last year, we came into this season and set some goals, and now we are achieving them. These kids are playing the best baseball we have played all season.”
The Panthers received a dominant performance on the mound and at the plate from junior John Dunbar.
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Dunbar hurled a complete game, three-hitter and struck out ten in the victory. In addition to his stellar pitching performance, the junior blasted a three-run homer, which capped a six-run third inning for the Panthers.
“It feels great to keep winning,” said Dunbar. “We have a special group of guys, and we don’t want the season to end. We want to win it all.”
The Panthers wasted no time in giving Dunbar an early cushion against Buena starter Sawyer Brown.
The Point Borough offensive attack notched a four spot in the top of the first inning, capped by a two-run single by Ryan Thrunk.
After the Chiefs responded for two runs in the second, the Panthers' bats sent ten men to the plate and exploded to score six runs in the season-defining third inning.
Point Borough loaded the bases and was able to capitalize with runners in scoring position. Thrunk, once again delivered a run scoring single, which stretched the lead to three.
After Thrunk’s RBI single, Dunbar blasted Brown’s offering over the left center field fence for a monstrous three run homer.
“It felt nice to finally do something up there,” said Dunbar. “I’ve had a pretty rough year at the plate, so it felt nice to finally go yard.”
Point Borough capped off the six run frame on run scoring hits from Jimmy DiOrio and Deven DelPriore.
The Panthers received contributions from every batter in the lineup 1 through 9. Every batter in the lineup managed to score at least one run in the contest.
“We talk about confidence at the plate all the time and how you can build on it from one player to the next,” said Drew. “Once one kid got a hit, it just kept going and that’s great to see.”
From there, Dunbar had his way mowing down hitter after hitter.
The junior had frustrated Buena to the point where, in the seventh inning, Brown threw two pitches intentionally at the star of the game.
“It was certainly a pitch with a purpose,” said Drew. “I don’t like that one bit, but it was one of those things where we just have to let it go and take care of ourselves.”
Dunbar, was able to get the last laugh, after he belted a double down the right field line for his fourth RBI of the day.
“Awesome job by John Dunbar, offensively and defensively,” said Drew. “The kid is a bulldog, he’s our ace and we’re going to go with him as long as we can.”
Point Borough (14-10) will look to advance to the South Jersey, Group 2 title game on Tuesday afternoon, when they will take on the tenth seed West Deptford.
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