ROXBURY, NJ - In a rematch of last year’s State Sectional Semi-Final baseball game, Roxbury and Montville picked up right where they left off last May with another nail biter. In last year’s sectional tournament, Montville added a few runs early and held a 3-0 lead going into the seventh inning when Roxbury mounted a late comeback and ended the game 3-1 with bases loaded. That win helped Montville advance to their second consecutive State Sectional Championship game.  

This year the roles were reversed. Logan Force used his second hit of the game to start a rally which led to bases getting loaded in the bottom of the 7th inning on Tuesday, April 16 at Roxbury High School. Montville’s junior second baseman, Rich Mattina hit a clutch, base-clearing double to knock in three runs and spark a late comeback. Then, freshman sensation, Andre Milciukas knocked in the go-ahead run to give Montville a 4-3 lead.  

Force, a first team all-conference pitcher from last season, pitched six innings for Montville, allowed one earned run and struck out seven batters. The one earned run was made with one swing of the bat by Roxbury’s Colin Richter. Richter was a first team all-conference outfield selection over the last two seasons, and he has committed to play Division One baseball at James Madison University next year. Force struck out Richter twice in last season's State Sectional Semi-Final but Richter got a little revenge by blasting a fastball over the head of Hunter Force and the centerfield fence in the third inning to give Roxbury a 1-0 lead on April 16. Logan Force allowed one earned run, but Montville found themselves behind 3-0 due to four errors in the field and five walks.  

Junior pitcher, Hersch Parikh came in to shut down Roxbury, close the game and seal the victory in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Senior catcher, Chase Tarnoff and sophomore shortstop, CJ Tedesco both had doubles to help Montville to victory.

Matt Capko led Roxbury with two hits in three at bats.  Logan Force led Montville with two hits in three at bats.

Up next, the Mustangs travel to face Randolph on Thursday, April 17 at 4 p.m.

Author : TAPinto Montville Staff

Source Url : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/sections/sports/articles/mattina-milciukas-use-the-force-in-montville-s-comeback-win-over-roxbury

News Source : https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/sections/sports/articles/mattina-milciukas-use-the-force-in-montville-s-comeback-win-over-roxbury