Rematch with St. Rose for wary Eustace squad

Bishop Eustace's baseball team needs little incentive in tomorrow's South Jersey Non-Public B championship game against St. Rose of Belmar. In last season's sectional final, St. Rose beat the Crusaders, 4-1.

The teams are slated to meet tomorrow 3:45 p.m. at Mercer County Park, although Eustace is trying to get the time moved up because graduation is tomorrow.

"We talk about last year's game, and what went wrong and what we need to do to improve," said Eustace junior catcher Greg Brodzinski, who is batting .396 with six home runs and 38 RBIs.

Eustace (23-7) will pitch senior righthander Kevin Casey (9-1), who suffered his only loss of the season last year in the sectional final against St. Rose.

St. Rose coach Jim Agnello, who guided the team to the state title in his first season last year, says he will pitch junior righthander Kyle Kennett (7-2). Kennett last threw four innings in Wednesday's Shore Conference semifinal loss to Jackson.

Senior shortstop Chris Bresnahan, who has signed with Elon, is the offensive leader. He is hitting .436.

"We are very impressed with Bishop Eustace," Agnello said.

The feeling is mutual.

While this is the sectional championship for Non-Public schools, three South Jersey public schools will compete in state semifinals tomorrow. All of tomorrow's winners will advance to Saturday's state championship games.

Here is a look at tomorrow's games involving the South Jersey teams.

Group 1: David Brearley (15-6) vs. Gateway (17-5) 4 p.m. at Rider.

Neither team can use their No. 1 pitcher because they have used up their allowed innings in accordance with NJSIAA pitching rules. The only way Brearley's Tom Mannix (7-3) or Gateway's Dom DePasquale (8-1) could pitch is if the game were rained out.

Brearley coach Joe Capizzano says he will start either one of two senior righthanders, Jimmy Stafford (4-2) or Josh Manto (1-0). Senior centerfielder Cory Stryker (.400) has been a steady offensive player.

Gateway coach Frank Alloway said he will likely pitch sophomore righthander Chris Patterson (4-1) who pitched six innings and got the win in Tuesday's 6-4 semifinal victory over Glassboro. DePasquale, who plays third base, is the offensive leader.

Group 2: Shore Regional (18-7) vs. Haddon Township (24-4), 4 p.m. at New Egypt. Haddon Township coach Dave Dale said he plans to start senior righthander Andrew Noon (6-0), who is headed to Rider.

Junior first baseman-designated hitter Ryan Easterday hit home runs in playoff wins over Woodstown and Haddon Heights and a double in Friday's win over Cinnaminson.

Shore Regional has won 10 of its last 11 with the only loss to St. Rose of Belmar.

Coach Jeff Karpell plans to start senior Duquesne-bound lefthander Rob Corsi (8-2).

Group 3: West Windsor Plainsboro North (23-3) vs. Shawnee (17-6), 4 p.m. at the College of New Jersey. Shawnee coach Brian Anderson isn't sure of his starter. It will be either senior righthander Anthony Montefusco (7-2) or sophomore righthander Mike Cogliano (4-0).

Shawnee, which lost infielder Ed Royds more than a week ago to injury, also will be without starting second baseman Mark Brusco. Over the weekend, Brusco suffered a season-ending wrist injury while in a car accident.