May 10, 2012

Marist's Derek Edge comes around to score the game-winning run in the fourth inning. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Kearny at Marist Baseball Photo Gallery

KEARNY – Marist's Derek Edge may only be in his first year as a pitcher, but based on the results on the mound, such a statement might seem implausible.

Edge struck out nine batters over four innings of relief as the Royal Knights held on for a 5-3 victory over Kearny at Franklin School. The game was moved from Bayonne to Kearny due to field conditions.

"I'm really not a pitcher," said Edge, an everyday second baseman. "(Coach Ron Hayward) just started me as a pitcher this year so I'm just starting to get the hang of it now."

Edge came in from second base to replace Danny Mirabel with runners on first and second with no outs in the third inning. It was a rough beginning on the mound for Edge, who allowed a RBI single to Ryan Michaels, the first batter he faced. The Kardinals (8-11) would tie it in the third after a Marist (15-5) throwing error which scored Dave Bush and a RBI single from Steven Dyl.

Edge ended the threat with a strikeout of Brandon Vilar, his third of the inning. The first eight outs Edge would record come by strikeout as he used his slider and changeup to keep Kearny off-balance.

"I threw the changeup a lot today and it was on point," Edge said. "I just felt it. I was in the zone."

"He knew that he was going to come in and be the second reliever," said Hayward, who turned to his two top relievers to do most of the heavy lifting on this day to conserve his top arms for Saturday's playoff game against Harrison. "(Derek's) been big all season relieving for us."

Edge would encounter trouble in the fifth as Kyle Machonci led off with a single and Dylan Schalago walked, but would respond with a pair of strikeouts. Following a walk to load the bases, Edge escaped the jam thanks to a grounder back to the mound.

Edge finished with a career-high nine strikeouts over four innings, while allowing one run on four hits and three walks.

He also scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the fourth. Edge led off the inning with a single and stole second when he appeared to be picked off first, but beat the throw to second. Edge would come around to score on a Jordan Diaz single three batters later.

"I knew I had to do my job," Edge said. "I'm usually a leadoff batter, but I've been hitting in the five hole. When I came up, I knew since the game was tied, I had to get on to get something started. I had to at least get on base."

Edge had an RBI fielder's choice as part of a two-run first inning by Marist. Mirabel was 2-for-3 with two runs and a stolen base. Tim Rodriguez stole two bases with a run and RBI. Peralta added a RBI hit and got the last three outs to pick up the save for the Royal Knights.

Michaels was 2-for-4 to pace the Kearny offense. Bush was 1-for-3 with a run and two stolen bases. Dyl, Schalago and Eric Greenlee each reached base twice in the defeat.

Kearny's Brandon Florek slides safely into third base in the third inning. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Kearny at Marist Baseball Photo Gallery