Holbrook Red Sox win District 18 crown
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD - The Holbrook Red Sox put on a hitting clinic last week in a 16-6 victory over the Toms River East Yankees to win the District 18 regular season championship game at FirstEnergy Park.

"We have been swinging the bats very well this season," Red Sox coach Dave Citron said. "In this game in particular, we were getting contributions up and down the lineup. We jumped out to an early lead and they were never able to recover."

The Red Sox opened with four runs in the first inning. They added two more in the second and three more in the third to take a commanding 9-4 lead. A four-run fourth all but sealed the victory.

"Our guys have been very aggressive at the plate and on the bases," Citron said. "That has carried over into the postseason."

Toms River East scored three runs in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead, but Holbrook responded with four of its own in its half of the inning.

"We thought we might be in for a long day when we gave them a 3-0 lead in the first," Citron said. "But as we have all year, our guys battled back and got the momentum in our favor."

Tanner Ogilvie finished the game 4-for-5 with four runs scored and one RBI. Pat Joseph was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, while teammate Garrett Cowit added two doubles and three RBIs. Joe Brown and Chris Castronouva each poked two hits. Joe Lombardi smacked a two-run triple and Matt Citron added a two-run double.

"It seemed every time we had guys on base, we came up with a clutch hit," Citron said. "When you are able to do that consistently, you put a lot of pressure on teams."

Ogilvie started and went five innings to register the win. After allowing three runs in the first inning, Ogilvie settled down and gave the Red Sox a quality start. Castronouva came on in relief and closed out the game. Dan Coots provided the Red Sox with flexibility defensively. Coots has played every position so far this season.

"He is a tremendous athlete and we feel comfortable wherever we place him," Citron said. "He is one of those kids who can play anywhere. He is extremely valuable to this team. It gives us the freedom to make changes."

The Red Sox advanced to the championship game by posting an 11-3 triumph over the Holbrook Tigers in the North Division title game.

Joseph went 4 1/3 innings and Brown did an excellent job in relief to give the Red Sox one of their best pitched games of the season.

"Both guys did a great job," Citron said. "We never really allowed their offense to get started."

Castronouva was 3-for-4 with a double and four runs scored. Joseph aided his own cause by slamming a home run. Shawn Morales also homered, while Citron, Ogilvie, Lombardi and Coots each chipped in with two hits apiece. John Leto, Dan Gall and Jerry Fraizer all made significant contributions in the Red Sox winning the title, Citron said.

"We have a lot of talent on this team," Citron said. "It was a great season. The kids worked hard and really played their best baseball at the end of the season."