Toms River North, Southern Stake Their Claim to Number 1

Some Monday morning musings:

In a baseball season without a dominant team Toms River North has staked its claim to finishing number one at the shore by beating Red Bank Catholic 5-0 in the championship game of the Shore Conference Tournament last night at FirstEnergy Park.

Junior Craig Larsen tossed a 3-hitter and Rutgers-bound senior Mike Nyisztor had three hits, including a home run over the left field wall in his final game for the Mariners.  North got off to a slow start this season but finished 20-7 and won both the Shore Conference and Ocean County tournaments under fourth year head coach Andy Pagano.  For more on last night’s game including video highlights visit shoresportsnetwork.com

Ironically the only Ocean County team still playing is Southern  as the Rams won their first NJSIAA sectional title in 50 years on Friday when they beat Lenape in the South Jersey Group 4 championship game. Southern will face defending Group 4 champion Hunterdon Central tomorrow at East Brunswick Tech in the group semifinals.

The Central Regional Alumni football team avenged last year’s loss by beating Lacey 13-3 Saturday night in the 2^nd annual full-contact game between former players of the two schools.  Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen Amato accepted the “Mayors Trophy” which the Golden Eagles keep until I guess next summer.

Reports indicate no serious injuries although I’m sure there were a lot of guys who had trouble getting out of bed Sunday.

Have been binge watching the third and final season of “Bloodline” on Netflix and Jane and I have saved the final two episodes for tonight.  I’m told that the series ends with plenty of unanswered questions which I would find very disappointing.  “House of Cards” is up next for me on Netflix.