The 2015 NJSIAA Central, Group 2 playoffs began on Monday when Cinnaminson hosted Point Pleasant Boro in a battle of 1 vs. 16 in the bracket. The Pirates picked up at 12-9 victory to move to the second round, which will be played on Thursday, May 21 against Delran at home.
It wasn’t pretty on Monday, both the weather and on the field, but when it comes to the post-season, a win is a win and that is the most important statistic. The Pirates are now 15-6 on the year.
“As a one-seed, you get a little bit of pressure added to it. These guys have worked hard all season long,” head coach Kevin Merrill said. “We didn’t have the sharpest day on the mound, but we answered with the bats. We had a great approach at the plate. We didn’t swing at bad pitches and we made solid contact all game.”
Ryan Hanratty was handed the ball to start the game. He threw 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits en route to his fourth win of the season (4-1). He walked eight batters, but found ways to get out of jams without allowing any runs or allowing just one run to score in the innings where he got into trouble. As a team, the Pirates staff walked 11 Panther hitters in the victory.
“If we cut down on the walks, we will be a very dangerous team. We need to limit the amount of base runners we allow and let our offense do its thing,” Merrill said.
The Pirates offense was unstoppable on Monday, which is par for the course this season, scoring 12 runs on 10 hits. Only two of those hits went for extra bases as Mike McAndrews hit a laser solo home run in the bottom of the second and Adam Berenato added a double down the left field line late in the game.
“A huge part of our game is our bats. We have a lot of confidence at the plate, especially today,” McAndrews said.
McAndrews finished with three RBIs as he added two sacrifice flies late in the game.
Aside from the extra-base hits from McAndrews and Berenato, the Pirates also received 2-for-3 games from left fielder Travis Pewor and right fielder Christian Massara. Pewor had four stolen bases and knocked in three runs, while Massara drove in two runs.
Jimmy Cicale and Brandon Staub relieved Hanratty on the mound to finish things out for the Pirates.
“I think the focus is there. Yesterday in practice, and today pre-game, I could see the intensity, determination and focus,” Merrill said. “They know the stakes and it is Delran Thursday for the third time this year.”
For round two of the playoffs, Cinnaminson will host Delran on Thursday at 4pm. In the meantime, the Pirates will host Pemberton for a regular season divisional game on Tuesday at 3:45pm. Cinn City Sports will be on-hand for live scoring coverage of both those games.
“The win will give the team a lot of confidence, myself as well. What a great atmosphere out here today. Get the brooms out. We are going for the sweep,” McAndrews said of Delran following Monday’s opening-round win.
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