2008 Game Report
Matawan 4...Thompson 0
The Huskies opened the 2008 season with a 4-0 victory over Thompson. Nick Fulop struck out 9 and only allowed an infield single through 5 innings. In addition, Fulop broke open a 2-0 game with a 2 rbi single in the 4th inning. He added a stolen base and run scored to his opening day performance. Matt Pidich struck out 5 batters to close out the last 2 innings. Ronnie Robinson and Mike Martocci executed squeeze plays to score the first 2 runs for the Huskies. Joe Zirkel, Mike Denino, and Conner Clifton scored runs in the 4th inning. Dan Incle contributed a hit and stolen base in the victory.
Matawan 9...Ocean 8
The Huskies scratched and clawed their way to a 9-8 come-from-behind-victory yesterday vs. Ocean Middle School. Joe Zirkel earned his first career MAMS victory in his first career appearance as a pitcher. Zirkel replaced starter Dan Incle and pitched 3 and 1/3 innings of one hit, one walk ball - striking out 4 along the way. Incle had a huge offensive game as he collected 4 hits, 2 runs, 2 rbi, and a triple. Casey Donohue and Kenny Brown had 2 hits and Matt Pidich, Shawn Johnson, and Nick Fulop each had one. The Huskies pushed across the eventual game winning run on a walk off 1st and 3rd situation in the top of the 7th inning. Nick Fulop pitched the bottom of the 7th inning to earn his first save of the season.
Thorne 4...Matawan 3
The Huskies finished up their road trip with another tight game vs. Thorne. Matawan jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a rbi double by John Affriol. Thorne scored 2 in the bottom of the 1st as starting pitcher Matt Pidich had trouble settling down. The Huskies regained the lead in the 2nd as Pidich plated Justin Harnett with his first double of the season. Casey Donohue added a single to scored Pidich for the 3rd run. Connor Clifton gave the Huskies the lead in the 6th when he pinch ran for Ronnie Robinson. Clifton promptly stole second and later scored on a rbi single from Alex Mirabel. Pidich pitched into the 6th inning as he struck out 11 and allowed only 1 earned run. Nick Fulop came in to try and preserve the lead, but Thorne managed a nice comeback for the victory.
Matawan 3...Bayshore 1
The Huskies celebrated their 2008 home opener in grand fashion as they defeated Bayshore 3-1. Nick Fulop was simply dominant as he struck out 14 and allowed only 2 hits and 1 walk as he earned his second victory of the young season. Shawn Johnson gave the Huskies a 2-0 lead on a rbi double to score Connor Clifton in the 3rd inning. Clifton has scored a run in each of Matawan's games this season in additon to stealing a key base today. Matt Pidich added some insurance with a rbi double to score Alex Mirabel in the 4th inning. The Husky infield turned 2 double plays including the last outs of the game which were recorded when Justin Harnett flipped to Alex Mirabel at 2nd who threw onto 1st to seal the victory.
Matawan 11...Hazlet 3
The baseball team enjoyed an offensive explosion as they pounded Hazlet 11-3 on Tuesday. Matt Pidich pitched 4 plus innings of one-run ball and John Affriol closed out the 7th inning as Matawan notched its 4th victory of the season. The Huskies jumped out to a 4-1 lead after 3 innings as Casey Donohue, John Affriol, Matt Pidich, and Dan Incle spearheaded the offensive attack. The Huskies batted around in the 4th inning and scored 5 runs. Kenny Brown, Casey Donohue, and Dan Incle each had rbi's in the inning. Shawn Johnson had an rbi single and 2 stolen bases to contribute to the victory. Scott Thompson engineered a double play to end a Holmdel rally in the 5th inning.
Holmdel 3...Matawan 1
On a day after their biggest offensive explosion, the Husky bats were tamed by great Holmdel pitching. Matawan was only able to scratch out 4 hits and 1 run. Casey Donohue continues to swing a hot bat as he collected 2 hits and scored MAMS' lone run. Shawn Johnson and Conner Clifton contributed with a hit apiece. Nick Fulop pitched 7 strong innings as he scattered 6 hits and struck out 9 batters.
Matawan 21...Neptune 3 (7th grade game)
The Huskies traveled down to Neptune Friday and left with a score resembling a football game. Matawan scored its 3 "touchdowns" by pounding out 12 hits while taking advantage of several Neptune miscues. Mike Denino, Mike Creamer, Scott Thompson, Brian Leibell, and Jimmy McNamara each collected 2 hits and scored multiple runs. Mike Martocci and Robbie Marshall had a hit and a run, and George Zirkel and Matt Rackett walked twice and had an RBI. Brian Leibell scattered 5 hits over 4 innings while striking out 4 Neptune batters. Mike Denino ended a Neptune rally as he caught a line drive and threw to George Zirkel to complete a double play.
Matawan 10...Neptune 0
Dan Incle was simply dominant as he allowed just 2 hits and struck out 7 while earning his first career MAMS victory with a 10-0 shutout over Neptune. Incle jump-started the Husky offense with a triple to the right center field gap. He later scored on an RBI single by John Affriol, who was 2 for 3 with a run scored on the day. Matawan erupted for 4 runs in the 2nd inning and 3 more in the 3rd behind the 5 runs scored by Joe Zirkel, Alex Mirabel, and Justin Harnett. George Zirkel and Casey Donohue each had a hit, and Mike Martocci ended the game with a walk-off double to score Connor Clifton with the tenth run. The Huskies have a big week upcoming as they face Thompson, Long Branch, and first place Thorne.
Thorne 13...Matawan 3
Baseball is a funny game. After almost a week layoff, the Huskies were hungry to get back on the playing field. They faced first-place Thorne with Matawan's best pitcher, Nick Fulop, on the mound. Unfortunately, Nick struggled with his command all afternoon and had to be pulled in the 4th inning of a 3-0 game. The Huskies rallied in the bottom half of the 4th as Matt Pidich led off with a single and immediately scored on a RBI single by John Affriol. Matawan's hottest hitter, Shawn Johnson, came to the plate. He ripped a fastball which seemed destined for the hole, but the Thorne third baseman made an incredible diving stop. He got to his feet and forced out Affriol at 2nd base. This was your Coca-Cola play of the game. The Huskies were never able to gain momentum and Thorne put the game out of reach in the 5th as they batted around and scored 7 runs. The Huskies look to turn the page and rebound against Thompson on Friday.
Matawan 8...Thompson 7
Matawan and Thompson battled through 7 innings and 41 outs in an instant classic at Husky Park on Friday. Fortunately for the Huskies, they avoided the dreaded 42nd out as they came from behind and defeated Thompson 8-7. Matawan appeared to be going through the motions for the first 5 innings of the game as they struggled offensively, defensively, and on the mound. In the 6th inning, Matt Pidich (2-3, 2 doubles, 3 runs) led off with a double and later scored on a Nick Fulop (3-4, double, 2 RBI) single. The Huskies batted around that inning and tied the game on a squeeze by Scott Thompson. The Huskies gave the lead back as Thompson scored 2 in the top of the 7th. With their backs to the wall, Matt Pidich doubled and scored on Nick Fulop's double. Dan Incle walked to make it runners on 1st and 2nd. Connor Clifton, with ice pumping through his veins, laid down a 2 strike bunt to load the bases. Justin Harnett (2-2, RBi) who inspired the Huskies with his relief pitching, drew a walk to tie the game. Scott Thompson gained his second RBI of the game as he drew a bases loaded walk to complete the incredible come from behind victory.
Point Pleasant 7...Matawan 6
Hagler vs. Hearns...Ali vs. Frazier...DeLaHoya vs. Merryweather...all epic prize fights. Yesterday's heavyweight battle at Husky Park did not disappoint the Matawan faithful. For 7 innings and 42 outs, the Huskies and Point Pleasant threw everything but the kitchen sink at each other. Unfortunately, the Huskies could not deliver the knockout blow and suffered a 7-6 loss. Casey Donohue picked up the ball for his first career MAMS start. He was effective for 4 innings, allowing only 1 earned run while striking out 4. Point Pleasant scored 2 in the first and 3 in the fifth to hold a 5-0 lead. The Huskies answered the bell in the fifth inning as they pushed across 5 runs to tie the game. Justin Harnett pitched effectively out of the bullpen for the 2nd game in a row, but Husky miscues in the field resulted in a 2 run deficit entering the 7th inning. As you remember from the Thompson game, this Husky team has the heart of a lion and will not go down without a fight. With a script stolen from the '86 Mets, the Huskies came within 1 run of Point Pleasant on a squeeze by Ronnie Robinson. Matawan appeared to tie the game on a second squeeze by Connor Clifton. Unfortunately, the umpires officiating the game saw something no one else in attendance saw. The squeeze was ruled a foul ball and Mike Martocci flew out to left to end the game. Matt Pidich continued his torrid hitting streak by collecting 2 hits, scoring 2 runs and stealing a base. Mike Denino collected a RBI single, and Nick Fulop, Dan Incle, Shawn Johnson, and Casey Donohue chipped in with a hit apiece.
Matawan 12...Bayshore 0
Reggie Jackson is Mr. October. Derek Jeter can have the month of November. Husky fans - Matt Pidich has earned the title of "Mr. May". Pidich, now known in Latin America as "Nueve de Mayo" in honor of his uniform number, left the ballpark not once but twice as he collected 5 RBI's, scored 3 runs, walked, and singled in addition to hitting 2 homers. He's hitting .700 for the month of May. In what may have been the single best offensive performance in the history of MAMS baseball, Pidich inspired the Husky bats as they trounced Bayshore 12-0. Nick Fulop earned his 3rd victory of the season as he toyed with Bayshore's hitters through 4 innings while striking out 7 including the side in the 2nd and 3rd innings. He also smashed 2 hits and collected 3 RBI's. Mike Denino opened the scoring in the 2nd inning with a RBI single to score Alex Mirabel, who walked 3 times and scored 2 runs on the day. Casey Donohue, Shawn Johnson, Dan Incle, and Justin Harnett each collected a hit. The Husky defense was stellar as Incle, Harnett, and John Affriol turned a nifty 5-4-3 double play to end the 4th inning. The Huskies battle Hazlet at Raritan HS Thursday.
Matawan 9...Hazlet 2
Ronnie Robinson jump-started a nine hit Husky attack as they defeated Hazlet 9-2 to sweep the season series for the second year in a row. Robinson accounted for 6 of the 9 runs as he doubled home two runs in the 2nd, singled two more in the 3rd, and scored runs in the 2nd and 5th innings. Shawn Johnson was 3 for 5 with a double and RBI, Casey Donohue doubled, Matt Pidich tripled, and Connor Clifton and Dan Incle each contributed with a base hit. Matt Pidich frustrated Hazlet all day with a lively fastball and commanding off speed pitch. He struck out 7 and walked only 2 batters. Nick Fulop, who threw out a runner at the plate in the first and scored on a squeeze by Alex Mirabel in the 5th, pitched the 7th inning to secure the victory. The Huskies appear to be hitting full stride as they anticipate a great game at Holmdel next Tuesday.
Matawan 5...Holmdel 1
Money pitchers...guys you want to hand the ball to when the season is on the line. Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, and Orel Hershiser immediately come to mind. Husky fans - you can add Nick Fulop to that list. The Huskies traveled to Holmdel tied for first place with their ace, Fulop, on the mound. Nick welcomed the challenge. His fastball hit its spots and his curveball bit like a DOG as he was in command of the Holmdel hitters through 7 innings. Fulop struck out 7, walked 2, and allowed only 2 hits as he cemented his legacy as one of MAMS all-time best pitchers. Matt Pidich (3-4, 2R, SB, RBI) singled in the first and later scored to give the Huskies a lead they would not relinquish. John Affriol scored on a Justin Harnett squeeze play for the 2nd run and Shawn Johnson (2-4, SB, R, RBI) broke the game open in the 5th as the Huskies scored 3 times. Matawan's defense was stellar as Casey Donohue threw out an attempted basestealer and Justin Harnett and Dan Incle made some solid plays behind Fulop's masterful performance. The Huskies have conference games with Neptune and Long Branch and a big out of conference game with perennial powerhouse Wall Township Friday.
Matawan 10...Neptune 1
Husky baseball fans caught a sneak peak of their future as Mike Creamer made his MAMS pitching debut and earned his first career victory over Neptune. Creamer pitched 4 innings of two hit ball as he struck out five and walked one in relief of starting pitcher John Affriol, who allowed one hit in 3 innings. The Huskies showed no signs of the dreaded "hangover effect" after their huge win at Holmdel Tuesday. Matawan batted around in the 1st inning as they scored 6 runs on 2 hits and controlled all aspects of the game from the first pitch to the last out. Casey Donohue (1-2,2B,R), Shawn Johnson (1-2, R), Nick Fulop (1-2, R, 2RBI), Joe Zirkel (2-4, 2B, 2R, SB), Kenny Brown (3R, 2SB), Alex Mirabel (1-2, 2RBI), and Scott Thompson (1-2, RBI) all contributed to Matawan's 11th victory of the season.
Matawan 5...Long Branch 1
The Huskies inched one step closer towards a championship as they defeated the Green Wave of Long Branch 5-1 on Thursday. Joe Zirkel notched his 2nd win of the season as he pitched 4 innings of no-hit baseball in relief of Nick Fulop. Matawan seemed to be uninspired as they appeared to be going through the motions after a one week layoff. Fortunately the Huskies regrouped and received contributions off their bench. A major ingredient for success this season, and years past, has been smart, gritty, blue-collar baseball - a long time staple of our program. Mike Denino and Mike Martocci displayed our trademark "small ball" as they executed clutch squeeze plays to score Ronnie Robinson and Mike Creamer and put away a pesky Long Branch squad. Alex Mirabel was flawless in the field as he made several nice plays at shortstop. Casey Donohue (2-3, 2 doubles, R, SB), Nick Fulop (1-2, 2B), Matt Pidich (1-2), Dan Incle (1-2, 2B, R, SB), Justin Harnett (1-2, SB, R, RBI) and Ronnie Robinson (1-2, 2B, R) made offensive contributions for Matawan. The Huskies look to clinch a back to back championship in their home finale at Guisti Field Wednesday, May 28th at 4:30.
Matawan 10...Long Branch 0
The Huskies completed their quest to winning a second consecutive title by defeating Long Branch 10-0 and winning the Shore Conference of Middle School Championship. The Husky Faithful packed the standing-room-only stands at Husky Park to support the team that scratched and clawed its way through an amazing season. The Huskies fed off the enthusiasm and excitement in the stands as they played a flawless game. After starting pitcher Nick Fulop mowed down the first three Long Branch batters, Matawan scored twice in the bottom of the first when leadoff batter Casey Donohue (2-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB) doubled, Matt Pidich (2-2, 3B, RBI, SB, 2R) singled, and John Affriol (1-1, 2B, RBI, R) drove them home with a thunderous blast to left field. Nick Fulop continued to dominate as the first ten outs of the game were recorded on strikouts. In fact, he wound up with a no-hitter and tallied twelve strikeouts on the afternoon. David Liebowitz (1-2, R) scored in the 2nd on a passed ball. In the 3rd inning, the Huskies erupted for five runs as Nick Fulop (1-2, 2B, R, SB), Matt Pidich, John Affriol, Joe Zirkel (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), and Ronnie Robinson (1-2, R, RBI) all reached base and scored before Long Branch recorded an out. In the 5th inning, the buzz surrounding Guisti Field was electric as Matawan needed two runs to seize the victory. Mike Martocci (BB, R) walked and scored on a single by Connor Clifton (1-1, RBI). George Zirkel (1-1, SB, R) continued the rally with an infield single and quickly advanced to 3B on some nifty baserunning. Mike Denino (1-1, RBI) stepped to the plate with one out and drove home Zirkel with the 10th run to set off a wild celebration. This Husky team, which halfway through the season was in the middle of the pack, captured the division championship by winning every game it needed. CONGRATULATIONS ON BACK TO BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!