Delran's Jim Goodwin in control

Even though it's early in the season, Delran senior righthander Jim Goodwin has a strikeout-to-walk ratio that is the envy of every pitcher. Goodwin is 2-0 this season, and he has struck out 19 and walked none.

"While growing up, I never threw hard, so my dad always stressed having good control," Goodwin said.

His father, also named Jim, is a former first baseman who played at Delran. Both father and son have played for Rich Bender, the only coach in the program's history, dating to 1976.

The younger Goodwin has had a few starts rained out this spring, a situation that has been common in South Jersey.

"It's a little frustrating because you want to get on the mound, but you just have to deal with it," he said.

So far, Goodwin, who is expected to pitch in tomorrow's key Burlington County Patriot Division game at Cinnaminson, has controlled the situation well.

Staying on top. Bishop Eustace won its first four games by an average of nine runs and then captured two games in one day by a total of three runs to stay No. 1 in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings.

Eustace began Saturday with a 7-6 win over host Cherokee in a winner's bracket game of the Grand Slam Tournament. Had Eustace lost, the Crusaders would have had to play another game right away against Gloucester Catholic.

By winning, Eustace only had two games Saturday and beat host Audubon, 8-6, to win the Ralph Shaw Classic.

In the Cherokee game, righthander Kevin Casey had a no-hitter for 52/3 innings and led by 2-0 before the Chiefs scored three runs in the sixth to take the lead.

Eustace scored five in the top of the seventh and needed a total of three pitchers to hold off Cherokee.

Casey, who was 10-1 last season, is 4-0 this year.

Busy week. Lenape had a productive week. The Indians went 2-1 playing in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and after returning Friday, they won two games Saturday to capture the Pennsville Pop-Bob Tournament.

Coach Phil Fiore said senior third baseman Derek Johnson played well in South Carolina, and continued to do so upon his return.

In Saturday's wins over Perth Amboy and Pennsville, Johnson was 4 for 6 with four doubles and five RBIs.

Extended game. Gary Hegh thought he would have plenty of time to attend Friday's 7 p.m. Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park. Instead, the Mainland baseball coach arrived in the first inning just as Chase Utley hit a three-run home run in an eventual 8-7 loss to the San Diego Padres.

The reason for his late arrival was that afternoon's game at Atlantic City, which Mainland won, 7-4, in 13 innings.

What made things even more unusual was that the score was tied, 1-1, entering the top of the 13th when Mainland scored six times.

And then Atlantic City scored three in the bottom of the 13th and had the tying run at the plate before junior righthander Mike DeCicco got the final out.

DeCicco earned the win with seven innings of relief.

"It was just a wild game, and I barely made the Phillies game," Hegh said. "I figured I would get there by 4:30."

What an arm. Winslow Township went 2-1 while playing in Tarboro, N.C., a trip the Eagles made with Timber Creek.

One of the highlights was the play of senior catcher Jeremy Cruz, who made the all-tournament team.

Cruz, who is headed to Rutgers-Camden, threw out seven runners and was 4 for 9 with five RBIs.

"He had just a great tournament," said Winslow Township coach Keith Regn, whose team is off to a 6-2 start. "The people down there said he had one of the best arms they have seen."

Double trouble. Haddonfield is off to a 6-0 start, and one of the main reasons has been the play of sophomore shortstop Chris Davis. He is batting .608 with four doubles, three triples, three home runs and 12 RBIs.

Not far behind is Kevin Davis, his twin brother and Haddonfield's rightfielder. Kevin Davis is batting .450 with eight RBIs.

"The two of them have had several clutch hits," Haddonfield coach Bob Bickel said.

Short shots. Cumberland has recorded three straight shutouts. . . . Washington Township shortstop Nick Favatella has hit home runs in three consecutive games and has four in that span. . . . Eastern will visit Winslow Township tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. in a semifinal of the Camden County Tournament.

Team Record

Records are through Saturday.

Last week's rankings in parentheses.

1. Bishop Eustace (1) 6-0

2. Millville (2) 6-0

3. Buena (4) 8-2

4. Shawnee (9) 6-1

5. Cherry Hill East (5) 3-0

6. Cumberland (NR) 5-0

7. Rancocas Valley (NR) 5-1

8. Williamstown (NR) 4-1

9. Gloucester Cath. (3) 7-2

10. Cherokee (7) 3-2

Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Haddonfield (6-0), Washington Township (5-3).

- Marc Narducci
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