Baseball: North Plainfield Sends Johnson Packing in First Round of States

The Records: The Johnson Crusaders (12-8) hosted the North Plainfield Canucks (10-9) on Monday, May 24 for the first round of the NJSIAA State Tournament.

The Final Score: 4-2, North Plainfield. Senior pitcher Mark Wilson took the mound for the Crusaders. In a shaky first inning, Wilson let up three singles and two runs as the Canucks got on the board first and had a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning.

Canucks pitcher, junior, Chris Nichols retired the first four Johnson hitters he faced but the Crusaders were able to tie the game in the bottom of the second inning. Senior left fielder Anthony Fischetti doubled, senior right fielder Tom Crisonino reached base on a fielder's choice, and sophomore first baseman John Stauffer walked to load the bases. Junior designated hitter Nick Wrobleski got hit by a pitch and Fischetti scored. Sophomore shortstop Jay Shapiro walked and Crisonino scored to tie the game at two.

Wilson clamped down and pitched a great game from the top of the second through the seventh inning, only letting up one hit and one walk while striking out 12 including one in the first and two in the eighth. Nichols pitched a strong game as well for the Canucks. He scattered four hits in eight innings while walking five, hitting two batters and striking out seven.

The fireworks came in the top of the eighth inning, with the game still tied at 2-2. It appeared that Johnson was going to be able to get their turn at the plate with a chance to win as Wilson struck out the first two batters he saw in the top of the eighth. But with one out left, the North Plainfield hitters finally woke up and got three singles in a row. Senior center fielder Anthony Hubbard's single drove home two runs to put the Canucks up 4-2.

In the bottom of the eighth, Mark Wilson reached base on a hit-by-pitch. Senior third baseman Billy Gray hit a hard ground ball to shortstop Sean Lubreski, who made a diving play and threw to second base from his back; the umpire called Wilson out. The Johnson fans, players, and coaches yelled that the second baseman had dropped the ball and the umpire changed his mind and called Wilson safe. When the umpire changed the call, the North Plainfield coach came out to argue. When he was done, the infield umpire who had made both calls walked over to talk to the home plate umpire. After a lengthy discussion, the umpire then switched his call again and called Wilson out.

Johnson coach David Kennedy argued to no avail and the fans were very vocal about their displeasure, but this was the beginning of the end for Johnson. Fischetti hit a ground ball and reached on a fielder's choice and Gray was thrown out at second. With one out, Nichols struck out Crisonino to end the game and send the North Plainfield Canucks to the second round of the state tournament and take Johnson out of tournament contention for the season.

Key Players: Mark Wilson pitched a stellar game for Johnson; although he didn't get the win, Wilson went eight innings and struck out 12 only letting up seven hits. Anthony Hubbard got the game winning hit with a two-run double in the top of the eighth for the Canucks.

What's Next: The Crusaders (12-9) will finish the campaign with regular season games starting Wednesday, May 24 at home against Union Catholic (19-5).

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JOHNSON VARSITY BASEBALL 2011 SEASON

 4/2 - Win: Johnson 11, Roselle Catholic 2

 4/4 - Loss: Johnson 9, Roselle Park 11

 4/7 - Win: Johnson 8, Summit 1

 4/8 – Loss: Johnson 6, Union Catholic 10

4/15 – Loss: Johnson 1, Hillsborough 2

4/16 – Win: Johnson 7, Hanover Park 6

4/18 – Loss: Johnson 4, Cranford 9

4/19 – Loss: Johnson 1, Dayton 5

4/20 – Win: Johnson 8, Rahway 4

4/21 – Win: Johnson 17, Brearley 7

4/26 – Win: Johnson 10, Plainfield 2

4/27 – Win: Johnson 4, New Providence 2

4/30 – Win: Johnson 5, Linden 2

5/3 – Loss: Johnson 0, Governor Livingston 2

5/5 – Loss: Johnson 2, Westfield 12

5/7 – Loss: Johnson 4, Roselle Cathloic 5

5/9 – Win: Johnson 11, Watchung Hills 8

5/10 – Win: Johnson 18, Rahway 3

5/11 – Win: Johnson 14, Plainfield 0

5/12 – Win: Johnson 9, Dayton 5

5/23 – Loss: Johnson 2, North Plainfield 4