By Andy Loigu

The Hackettstown Tigers needed to call on their relief pitchers for a lot of innings in their early games, so a strong start by Nick Curcio was just what the doctor ordered on Saturday. Scattering eight base hits, Curcio was the winning pitcher as Hackettstown improved to a 3-2 record with a 3-1 win over Vernon.

The Tigers scored three runs in the first inning. Talk about breaking the ice!
Nick Gagliardi drove in two runs and Mike Danza also produced an RBI as the middle of the batting order came through with big hits. Also, Tyler Kirkpatrick was 2-for-3 at bat for Hackettstown in the game.

Danza, a senior, has impressed observers with his solid and mature play behind the plate as the team’s catcher, their leader on the field.

FORMER TIGER GARNERS SCOUT ATTENTION

A recently graduated Tiger is swinging a thunderous bat and making a lot of noise in his second season at County College of Morris, attracting the attention of major league scouts.

Jake Hall has powered 10 home runs for CCM and is three dingers away from the school record, with 20 games and the playoffs still to be played. He also has helped CCM to a 23-13 record with his glove and throwing arm in the outfield. Yes, college teams play a lot of games, starting off with warm weather games in nice places like Myrtle Beach, SC.

Former New York Mets infielder Joe McEwing and former Dodgers and Angels infielder and designated hitter Adam Riggs have played at CCM, which has fielded winning teams for many years.

SMITH LEADS STREAKS

Another outfielder named Jake is getting it done for the Warren Hills Blue Streaks. As their record soared to 5-1, junior Jake Smith drove in his 10th run of the season in an 8-7 win over Gill St. Bernard’s on Thursday.

The Blue Streaks fell behind 6-0 but kept chipping away and came all the way back. They scored three in the fourth to tie the game and after falling behind once again, went ahead 8-7 by scoring two runs in the sixth. Warren Hills put together eight hits and played flawless error-free defense.

Speed is a big part of Smith’s game. He has three stolen bases and a triple thus far, in keeping with the Warren Hills nickname of Blue Streaks.

GIRLS LACROSSE

The Hackettstown girls lacrosse team improved to 4-2 with an impressive 12-9 win at Union Catholic on Thursday.

The Tigers led 7-2 at the half and kept scoring add-on goals, which were needed to hold off their persistent opponents.

Daniella DeNicola scored four goals and Megan Baker added three for Hackettstown. Also scoring for the Tigers were Deanna DeNicola, Madison Trotter, Maddy Billows, Becca Wilson, and Melanie Luke. 

Minding the nets, Chloe Neabauer made 12 saves for the Tigers.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.