Last Saturday was twice as nice for Gloucester Catholic High School, as its baseball and softball teams captured their respective Non-Public B State Championships, both held at Toms River North High School.
In the mens’ baseball championship, the Rams defeated Morristown Beard 7-5, to capture its 14th title (the most in state history) and the seventh for coach Dennis Barth, who just finished his 17th season.
The Rams, who finished the season 24-7, were led by pitchers Cody Brown, who struck out seven and gave up nine hits in six-plus innings, in winning his and the team’s fourth playoff win, and Mike Shawaryn, who struck out two of the three batters he faced.
Playing small ball, the champions scored the first run on a double play, adding runs later with a two-run single, a sacrifice fly, and a two-run double.
Later in the day, the girls’ softball team defeated Immaculate Conception of Lodi, 11-1, and captured its seventh overall state title. Nicole Hagerty proved a threat on the field and at the plate, striking out seven, giving up seven hits, and walking one in being named the winning pitcher, and hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Shayla Giosia reached base four times, knocking in one run and scoring a run.
Joe Matranga, coaching the girls’ softball team for the second year, called the game a great example of the team’s whole season- everyone contributed.
“It was a complete team effort throughout the whole year. We were physically, mentally tough all year.”
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