By Bill SchiazzaFaced with a single elimination match up to advance to the semi finals  the Jackson 8 Year Old All Stars made their third journey up Route 9 to Madison Park for a match up with Monroe and came away with a resounding 13-3 victory on Saturday.  The Jackson 8’s will face the home team Madison Park Sunday at 9am.

Manager Roy Spinelli’s team was led by an outstanding pitching performance by Ian Goldberg. Making his second appearance of the tournament Goldberg took the ball for the first three innings, striking out 7 and allowing 0 earned runs. ‘Easy Ian” also contributed at the plate, walking twice and getting hit by a pitch.

The defensive star of the game for Jackson was Goldberg’s battery mate catcher Zach Tunis. Once again Tunis showed off his rocket arm throwing out two would be base stealers. The highlight being a “throw em out- strike em out” double play in the first inning. Monroe would not test Tunis again in the game completely putting the brakes on their running game.

Celebrating his birthday in front of family and friends, Brandon Giuliano had a big all around game. Giuliano took the ball in the fourth inning and promptly struck out three in the frame. The Jackson clean-up hitter also jump started the scoring with an RBI double in the first and added a walk. Christian Pellone again provided a spark for Jackson with two walks, three steals and two runs scored.

Dino Spinelli again was the igniter of the Jackson offense. The well rounded shortstop was two for two with a walk, three steals and two runs scored. Spinelli has reached base in 8 out of 9 plate appearances in the tournament and is the anchor of the Jackson defense.

Joey (Zeppi) Princiotta served as the closer for the Jackson squad striking out two in a scoreless 5th inning.  Zeppi also blasted a double to the wall to start Jackson’s game ending rally in the fifth. Stephen Slusak had another strong game with two walks and his always stellar center field play. Slusak covers the outfield effortlessly.

Nick Tolmachewich had two walks and a run scored and also provided solid defense at third and behind the plate. Jimmy Wendolek had walk and run scored while showing great effort backing up everything from his position in the outfield. Lucas Rother got on base in both plate appearances and also added to the overall outstanding Jackson defense. Rother brought in the game ending run with a walk off-walk.

Mikey Schiazza had a walk and a key single to knock in a run and extend Jackson’s game ending rally in the fifth. Schiazza also made an outstanding play in the gap in left field to prevent two Monroe runners from scoring. With run differential being critical to moving on in the tournament coach Spinelli’s defense was up to the task cutting down runners and committing only one error in the game.
Nasty Nate Nepsha was flawless at first base and added a rocket base hit to his stat line. Nepsha has been Jackson’s big threat hitting out of the three spot in the lineup. Liam Radeke also sparkled in the Jackson outfield and started the Jackson Rally in the fifth with a solid base hit.
The Jackson 8’s will be heading up Route 9 early Sunday morning to face the host Madison Park squad. The winner will face the winner of the Sayreville vs. Cheesquake semi final Monday night at 6pm. The Jackson 8 year olds have established the strong baseball tradition in Jackson will continue with this group for years to come.