Boys soccer defeats Hunterdon Central 1-0

The Raiders, currently ranked #2 in the NJ.com Top 20 and #2 in the TopDrawerSoccer SIMA FAB 50, continued their undefeated start with a 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten Hunterdon Central at Wexler Field on Thurs. Sept. 22.

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2016 Fall Sports Previews for The Fanscotian

Girls Soccer Preview

After a very successful 2015 season, when the girls soccer team finished 20-2-1 and won their sixth straight county title, the Raiders are looking to perform even better in 2016.

The team, which was ranked eighth in the NJ.com Top 20 Preseason Ranking, has high expectations for the upcoming season.  The team has won 57 games over the past three seasons and are again contenders for the county, sectional and state titles.

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Boys Soccer Preview

“Our expectations are, as they usually are,” boys soccer head coach Tom Breznitsky said. “Conference, county and state.”

This year’s boys soccer team, ranked third in the country by TopDrawerSoccer, has the potential to accomplish that goal.

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Cross County Preview 

The cross country team is looking to go the extra mile this upcoming season by achieving both their personal and team goals this fall.

“For the boys,  our goals are make it out of the section as a team, top three in the county also,” boys head coach Jeffrey Koegel said. “For the girls, top five in the county, top seven or eight in the section.”

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Breznitsky's Legacy at Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Grows with Career Win #700

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys soccer coach Tom Breznitsky notched another major milestone to add to his lengthy resume on Thursday as the Raiders defeated Elizabeth, 2-1, in overtime. Breznitsky picked up his 700th career win as a head coach.

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Coach Breznitsky gets career win #700 as boys soccer beats Elizabeth

You can add another item to SPFHS boys soccer head coach Tom Breznitsky’s long list of accomplishments after Thursday.

Breznitsky won his 700th career game as head coach on Thursday as the Raiders defeated Elizabeth 2-1 in overtime.

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Impressive Cape Cod Baseball League Prospects

Yarmouth-Dennis celebrates winning the 2016 Cape Cod
Baseball League Championship
photo by author

The Cape Cod Baseball League features some of the best college players from around the country. Every summer, players from all over the country head to the Cape to impress scouts and improve their draft stock.

This year was no different.

Many players impressed not only the plethora of scouts that visited the island over the summer, but fans, coaches and other players as well.

During my week up on the Cape this summer, I went to six Cape League playoff games, This included all three games of the thrilling championship series where the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox won their third consecutive championship behind manager Scott Pickler.

While attending these games, I was impressed, as I always am, by the skills of many of the players in the league. However, these four players below continue to stick out in my mind for the attributes they showed at the games I attended.

Calvin Faucher, RHP, Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, University of California, Irvine

While scouting a baseball player is far from an inexact science, there are always certain character traits that are inane and can be observed from just a single appearance or even at-bat. For Calvin Faucher, the one at-bat you needed to see was against JJ Matijevic in the winner-take-all game three of the Cape Cod Baseball League Championship Series. Matijevic was one of the best hitters in all of the Cape this summer, hitting .376 in the regular season and .300 in the playoffs (with three playoff homers). Faucher came on to face Matijevic in the bottom of the eight inning with two runners on and one out. Calm, cool and collected, he managed to get ahead in the count quickly. With two strikes, he got Matijevic to swing on pitch low and away to get the strikeout. It was one of the biggest strikeouts in the man's career. He then got cleanup hitter Josh Watson to strikeout to end the inning. Faucher was impressive the entire summer, pitching in 20 games overall with 29 strikeouts and only eight hits (albeit with 11 walks). But, all you had to see was his battle against Matijevic to know that the man is extremely comfortable and confident coming out of the pen in big spots. That is something you cannot teach.

Austin Filiere, OF, Harwich Mariners, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The feel good story of the Cape summer, Austin Filiere proved that Division III players can play with the big boys. The rising junior at MIT was very impressive this summer playing against greater talent than his is accustomed to seeing. He had a slash line of .248/.362/.504 and was tied for second in the league in home runs with seven. In game three of the Eastern Division Semifinals, he showed off his strength. In the third inning Filiere crushed a ball to straight away centerfield, easily clearing the wall for a homer. It was a no-doubter that showed the power of Filiere. He was awarded the Manny Robello 10th Player Award for his contributions to the team and it well deserved. Filiere is a ballplayer and should, one day, be playing at the next level.

Deacon Liput, 2B, Falmouth Commodores, University of Florida

Liput had a very impressive Cape Cod Baseball League Championship Series. Hitting out of the two hole, Liput set the table multiple times for his Commodore teammates. In game one of the series, he scored two of the biggest runs of the game. In the first inning, he hit a single, stole second base and then scored on a double to tied the game at one. Then, in the fifth inning, he led off the inning with a single and would come around the score the go-ahead run as Falmouth would not relinquish their lead. Liput would continue to get on base in the series, but his teammates had trouble knocking him in. On defense, he was solid and proved to be very capable at the position. After a so-so regular season where he hit .260, the rising sophomore broke out in the playoffs. Florida is hoping that he can continue his quality play and confidence in the spring.

Kevin Smith, SS, Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, University of Maryland

Kevin Smith with the 2016 Playoff MVP Trophy
photo by author

Playoff MVP Kevin Smith was the best player I saw on the Cape this summer. He showed prowess with both the glove and the bat. Defensively, he proved to be sure footed, have a good arm and good feet and look extremely comfortable. While there were some plays that he got to but could not make the throw, few balls got past him in the whole, which is an undervalued skill. The one play that sticks out in my mind occurred in game one of the Eastern Division Finals. With runners on third and second and one out, a groundball was hit towards third base. It hit off the glove of third baseman Will Toffey and bounced up in the air. Smith ran over to deep in the hole, barehanded the ball and threw the runner out at first by a step. While the runner on third scored, the runner on second did not advance and was later left stranded. It was arguably the biggest play of the game. If Smith had not gotten the runner, it would have been a one run game with one out and two runners on. Instead, it is still a one run game, but there is only one runner on and two out. That is a major swing in favor of the Red Sox. Smith made a myriad of those plays, both at the plate and in the field. The Maryland man proved his skill this summer on the Cape and should be a player to watch in the Big Ten this spring.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Coaches, Captains Prepare for Season with Sportsmanship Workshop

UNION, NJ -- Fall coaches and team captains of high school sports from across the county attended the UCC Fall Sportsmanship Workshop at Union High School on Wednesday in preparation for the upcoming regular season.

The Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference, the governing body of high school sports in the county, held the event, which was split up into two segments.

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Pilots lose doubleheader to Blazers at Bainton Field

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots lost both games of their doubleheader against the Quakertown Blazers on Sunday July 17 at Bainton Field on the campus of Rutgers University.

In game one, the Pilots fell to the Blazers 6-1. The Blazers took the lead in the top of the first, but the Pilots tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Rob DeAngelis singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a grounder, and then scored on grounder.

The Blazers retook the lead in the third on a balk and never looked back. They added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to put the game out of the Pilots’ reach.

At the plate, Tom Marcinczyk had two walks for the Pilots. Tommy Giunta went six innings for the Pilots striking out three and giving up eight hits.

The Blazers dominated game two, crushing the Pilots by a score of 20-4.

Blazer shortstop Joe Sheeran hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats. He led off the game with a home run, hit a single in the second inning, roped a bases-clearing triple in the third, and then hit a double in the fourth.

Quakertown had 22 hits for the game including two home runs, two triples, and two doubles. They blew the game open in the third inning when the scored eight runs and  had 11 consecutive hitters reach base.

Rob DeAngelis, Tom Marcinczyk and Colby Smith each had two hits for the Pilots.

The Pilots next home game is on Wednesday July 27 against the North Jersey Eagles at Snyder Ave Park.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on twitter for updates on the Pilots.

Pilots lose to division leaders Staten Island

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots fell to the visiting division-leading Staten Island Tide 5-1 at Snyder Ave Park on Wednesday July 13.

The Tide scored two early runs in the top of the first. Charles Misiano singled and Rob Dadona walked to put two runners on base and then advanced to second and third. Zach Leone then hit a sacrifice fly to score Misiano and Austin Pollock singled in Dadona.

In the fourth, the Pilots had a chance to equalize. Malcolm Kelsey and Greg Kocinski were on second and third with no outs. However, both runners were left stranded.

The Pilots cut the lead down to one in the next inning when Rob DeAngelis scored a run on an error.

The Tide tacked on runs in the final three frames to put the game out of reach.

Alvin Vega pitched well in his first start of the season, going six and a third innings with only five hits and two walks.

Rob DeAngelis had a single and a double for the Pilots while Malcolm Kelsey had two hits.

The Pilots next home game is on Sunday July 17. The team will be playing a doubleheader against the Quakertown Blazers at Bainton Field on the campus of Rutgers University. The Pilots will be holding a clothing drive during the day. First pitch is set for 1:00.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on Twitter for more updates on the team.

The major problem with this year's All Star Game uniforms

Major League Baseball went with a very unique look for the All Star Game this year. Focusing on the Padres history with the colors yellow and brown, the league went all in on the concept.

The jerseys and hats were not great. At times, it just seemed to be too much going on at one time. However, they were interesting and brought a distinct look to the festivities. The real problem with the uniforms was the socks.

Now, as a disclaimer, I am not a uniform hater. Many of the designs that are hated on online and in the media I find really cool. One of my favorite uniforms of all-time is the old New Jersey Nets matte uniform that is hated by many.

Jose Altuve
https://photos.smugmug.com/Sports/MLB/071216-bb
a-All-Star-Game/i-VjzQnDg/0/XL/AP476973507151-XL.jpg

There are few things as aesthetically pleasing than a baseball player in high socks. Whether they are stirrups or just regular socks, the look is timeless and makes the baseball uniform distinct from other sports.

Some All Stars last night, including Jose Altuve and Manny Machado, wore All Star Game specific socks from Stance. Stance makes great socks, but these were the ugliest baseball socks I have ever seen: Navy blue with yellow stripes with the All Star Game logo on the side and the team, National or American, below the logo.

There are many bones to pick with this sock.

First, they do not match the uniforms of the people wearing them. During the All Star Game, players wear the uniforms of their team, not the All Star Game uniform. Therefore, those socks would only match the Padres color scheme. As a result, the socks do not match with any other team's color scheme, and therefore, almost of all the players in the game.

Second, there is so much going on. The baseball stirrup or sock is at its best when it is simple. Either as one full color or a main color with stripes, the best socks do not go over the top. These socks go all over the place. The logo, the team name, the stars are all additions to the sock that take the grandeur out of it.

Francisco Lindor
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Francisco+Lindor+87th
+MLB+Star+Game+ber2ZP8hSTNl.jpg

Third, the sock does not always line up correctly. Because the All Star logo is so big on the sock, it is easy to see if it is in different locations on each leg. And for a few All Stars, one leg had the logo on the back of the calf while the other leg had the logo on the side of the calf. It is not a major detail, but it is an element that can make or break an outfit.

This issue is even more noticeable when some players do not wear the ASG socks. Francisco Lindor, for example, wore his regular Cleveland stirrups (arguably the best in the game) and it looked great.

For the Home Run Derby, I can live with the socks because players are wearing the All Star uniform and their respective socks would not match the All Star uniform. But, the sock is still way too much. It is obvious that having this sock is just a marketing ploy, hoping that youth will want to buy the sock. People will buy the sock, whether is is used in the game or not. But, putting it in the game is not going to result in more sales.

Let's not put money ahead of the game. While socks will not have an impact on the game, MLB should want the All Star Game to be its best product. The All Star Game socks are arguably its worst product.

Pilots raise 75 lbs of food for Red Bank Lunch Break

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

During the Jersey Pilots’ food drive during Sunday July 10 doubleheader against the Trenton Generals, the team collected 75 pounds of food. The team donated the items to Red Bank Lunch Break.

The Pilots will be holding a clothing drive on Sunday when they play at Bainton Field at Rutgers. First pitch is set for 1:00.

Pilots, Generals split Sunday doubleheader

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots split their doubleheader against the Trenton Generals at Snyder Ave Park on Sunday July 10.

The Pilots also held their food drive during the game as players and fans brought non-perishable food items to the field that will be donated to Red Bank Lunch Break.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Pilots won on a John Scarr walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth.

With two outs in the inning, Scarr ripped the first pitch he saw over the right field wall to give the Pilots the 8-7 victory.

The Pilots previously tied the game by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Tom Marcinczyk singled, Malcolm Kelsey was hit by a pitch, and Scarr walked. Each at-bat resulted in one run crossing the plate.

The Generals biggest lead was 5-2 after the top of the second and then later on had a 7-4 lead that was erased in the previously mentioned sixth inning.

Scarr finished the game 2-4 with 3 RBIs and a walk. Kelsey had two hits, two runs and two RBIs. Justin Trochiano had two hits.

Ethan Frohman was great out of the pen for the Pilots. He went 4.2 innings, giving up only two hits, struck out six batters, and received the win.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Pilots fell behind early and could not muster any offense. The Generals scored three runs in the first, five runs in the second, and three runs in the third, while the Pilots could not score a run.

On the bright side, the Pilots had a good showing from their bullpen. Mike Gibbons went three innings out of the bullpen, walking only two batters and striking out six batters.

The Pilots next home game is on Wednesday, July 13 against the Staten Island Tide. First pitch is set 6:30 at Snyder Ave. Next Sunday, the Pilots will play a doubleheader against Quakertown at Bainton Field at Rutgers University, where the team will also hold a clothing drive for Goodwill.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on Twitter for more updates.

Food Drive at Tomorrow’s Doubleheader against Trenton

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

Tomorrow, July 10, the Jersey Pilots will be holding a food drive during the team’s doubleheader against the Trenton Generals.

For people planning to donate, please bring non-perishable food items.

First pitch of game one is set for 4:30 at Snyder Ave Park.