Point Pleasant Beach Baseball on a Roll Heading into May By Lou Monaco

 

 The Point Pleasant Beach baseball team is on a roll when it needs to be on a roll. 

 

Senior Kenny MacPherson had two hits with four RBI and Kean University-bound senior John Nista added three hits to power Point Pleasant Beach, No. 9 in the latest NJ.com Group I Top 10 rankings, to a 16-1 five-inning victory over Ranney in Point Pleasant Beach last Thursday. 

 

Point Pleasant Beach (11-4) has won three straight, five of its last six and has outscored its opponents, 43-4, in its last three games, scoring 13 or more runs in each game during that span. 

 

“Our last two victories have been a result of what our approach has been about all season. Solid performances from our pitching staff along with a disciplined and patient approach at the plate combined with solid defense have been keys to our success this year. We’ve gotten consistent production from the top to bottom of our lineup and several guys have stepped up when called upon,” said Point Pleasant Beach assistant head coach Joe Mazza, who has served under head coach Angelo Fiore since 2012. 

 

Several seniors have stepped up for Point Pleasant Beach this season. 

 

Senior second baseman Josh Yates has been a solid lead-off guy with 13 RBI, a .440 batting average, two home runs, 12 stolen bases and an incredible fielding percentage of .949. 

Nista has a 3-1 record on the mound with a 1.00 earned run average and 32 strikeouts, while also lending a hand at the plate with a .439 batting average, 13 RBI and two home runs. 

Senior pitcher and The College of New Jersey-bound Chris Russo (3-1) leads the pitching staff with 33 strikeouts. 

 

Senior catcher Vin Storino leads the team with 15 RBI.

Sophomore shortstop Phil Antoniotti has been an anchor in the middle infield while contributing nine RBI and 15 runs scored, and several freshmen have also brought added depth to the team with Matt VanBrunt, Luke Testa, Jeff Wall, Alec Glen and David Terra-Nova. 

Point Pleasant Beach started its Ocean County Tournament last Saturday with a game at Toms River East and came back home for two straight games against Keansburg on Monday and Mater Dei on Wednesday. 

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