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This spring, teams in the Skyland Conference are as competitive and as close in intensity as ever.
On any given day, it’s been proven that any team can win. It’s great for the sake of parity, as well as the expectation of a good game being played no matter who you see.
On Monday in Flemington, two of the three clubs with the best record in the Skyland squared off in a pitcher’s duel - and neither side disappointed.
In the biggest out-of-division showdown of the season, Hunterdon Central’s Ryan Lundari (Delaware Division) and Watchung Hills’ Robbie Centamore (Raritan Division) never let an inning last too long for either offense to gain momentum.
It was Lundari - better known as ‘Rhino’ - who prevailed in the end. Steering Hunterdon Central to a 3-1 victory, Lundari twirled 5 2/3 frames, allowing just one run alongside five strikeouts to secure the Red Devils’ fourth straight win to climb to 7-2 in the standings.
Lundari, a right-handed Siena commit, worked consistently from corner to corner. His horizontal body of work made it difficult for the opposition to square up many pitches, and he allowed four hits on Monday, lowering his earned run average to 2.14 in 19 2/3 frames.
With the exception of the second inning, Lundari got the first batter out in each frame. He began the fourth and sixth innings with a strikeout, and ended the fifth with a strikeout.
Facing a Warriors (6-3) offense that averaged almost 8.5 runs per game entering Monday, Lundari competed in each at-bat, which had his squad ahead all game.
“You just have to go out there and believe that you are the best. You just have to attack the hitters and block everything else out,” Lundari said. “That’s probably why they call me ‘Rhino.’ My mentality is to put a hitter away quickly.”
Kevin Pepe came on in relief for the Red Devils, tossing 1 1/3 innings with three punch-outs. He entered in the top of the sixth inning with two outs and a pair of runners aboard. Despite the pressure, Pepe twirled a strikeout. He now has 14 K’s in nine innings this season.
Hunterdon Central’s leadoff man, Soren Gregor put together an all-around effort in the team’s win. Making an impressive play at second base in the seventh inning, Gregor ran to his left, slid, and corralled the hard-hit ground ball. In one swift motion, he spun and fired to first base for the second out of the inning.
His biggest contribution came on the base paths, however. Gregor scored two of Hunterdon Central’s three runs. In the first inning, he singled - which extended his hitting streak to nine games - then advanced to third base moments later following an error.
That set up the Red Devils for a run with no one out. Jesse Allen, although he grounded into a double play, was able to plate Gregor for the game’s inaugural run.
Two frames later, Gregor got on with a walk. Center fielder Danny Contiliano, who also made a couple of impressive running plays on defense, came through with an RBI insurance single. Contiliano is now 9-for-his-last-15.
“We’re focused on doing the little things while on the bases. Whether it’s timing up pitcher’s tendencies, laying down bunts, or applying the pressure, we’re trying to force the other team to make a good play on us,” Gregor said.
The Red Devils also scored in the second inning. Trey Garutti led off the frame with a bunt single. A walk from Mike Brunetti moved Garutti up 90 feet, then Garutti scored on a throwing error.
Monday’s game was more in line with how Hunterdon Central began the season. In their first three games, the Red Devils scored nine runs combined. Entering Monday, their previous three contests included run totals of six, eight, and 11, respectively.
Centamore, who recorded four strikeouts, was tough on Hunterdon Central. They had to find a way to score a few for Lundari, even if it wasn’t with a ton of hits.
“We’re not a team that’s going to smash at the plate every game, and that’s fine. We’re just trying to be efficient and capitalize on scoring in clutch moments,” Gregor said.
The victory also marks the fourth time this spring that Hunterdon Central held the opposition to zero or one run. With a 2.41 collective team ERA, they like where they stand nine games into the campaign and hope their pitching, defense, and base-running can lead them back to the sectional championship for the third time in the last four years.
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