Cougars in semifinals for first time
Webber shines

PHOTOS BY FARRAH MAFFAI staff Above, Colts Neck’s Nick Tucker gets set to tag out Lakewood’s Ricky Maldonado during the Cougars’ state tournament win on Friday in Lakewood. At left, Mike Webber delivers a pitch to the plate.

in upset of No. 1

seed Lakewood

BY TIM MORRIS

Staff Writer

With his team playing its best baseball of the season, Colts Neck coach Mike Yorke had a very direct approach to the state playoffs.

"The tournament is like football, on any given day anyone can win," he said. "Going into the tournament our approach to the team was why not us? Why can’t we do this? The kids are starting to believe."

And why not? The Cougars (15-9) have pulled off two wins over higher seeds, including No. 1 seed Lakewood, and advanced to the Central Jersey semifinals for the first time ever. Why can’t Colts Neck win it all?

If a win on the road at No. 8 seed West Windsor-Plainsboro North (WWP-N) on May 17 in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group III tournament weren’t enough, the Cougars opened everyone’s eyes on Friday when they shocked No. 1 seed Lakewood, 7-1.

"Dominick Hayes hit the first pitch of the game for a double, and that set the tone," said Yorke, who club is the ninth seed in the sectional. "We hit the ball hard all day, getting 11 hits. We got hits all up and down the lineup."

Hayes’ double led to a two-run first inning. The Cougars came back with three more in the second to seize firm control of the sectional quarterfinal.

Starting pitcher Mike Webber, who went the distance, had a pair of doubles in the onslaught against one of the Shore’s top pitchers, Adam Ortiz, who entered the game with a 6-1 mark.

Colts Neck began its postseason drive by pounding WWP-N, 11-4. Nick Tucker won his fifth game of the year, tossing a two-hitter over six innings. He also had three hits and a pair of RBIs.

A.J. Rusparsky’s two-RBI single in the fifth helped break a 2-2 tie and give the Cougars a 5-2 lead. A six-run seventh finished off the Knights.

Colts Neck’s record-setting season — the 15 wins is the most in school history — has been around an unexpectedly deep starting rotation.

"We thought pitching would be our question mark, and it has turned into our strength," Yorke said.

Tucker and Webber have been the aces of the staff. Neither was a starter last year although Tucker was the closer.

Tucker has stepped up and won five games for the Cougars, and is among the leaders in the Shore in strikeouts (74).

Webber pitched as a sophomore before arm troubles turned him into a catcher last year. Because of the quality of his pitches, both Yorke and Webber decided to give it a try and see if Webber could become part of the rotation. He has four wins, including his state playoff triumph.

What has allowed Yorke to put Webber on the mound is Kellen Polito. He has been more than able to fill Webber’s shoes defensively.

E.J. Lamirande, who pitched at the jayvee level last year, elevated his pitching and has been a very dependable starter in the rotation.

Freshmen Dominick Hayes and Joe Spechio, both lefties, have rounded out what has been a very strong staff.

Hayes and Rusbarsky, a shortstop, are freshmen who have had a big impact on the club. Hayes starts in centerfield when not pitching.

What has been the difference, however, for Colts Neck, is the way the Cougars have jelled following an 0-3 start.

"We got the kids into what we were telling them, that together we can do anything, and they have been playing as a team," Yorke said.

Colts Neck was slated to play at No. 4-seeded Wall yesterday in the sectional semifinal. The winner plays for the Central Jersey Group III championship on Friday at a site to be determined.

Wall and Colts Neck are very familiar with each other. The Crimson Knights own a pair of one-run wins over the Cougars during the regular season. Yorke and the Cougars are hoping the third time is a charm.