June 6, 2012

Marist (seen celebrating after the Ed Ford Memorial Tournament) is sectional champs for the first time since 1993. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Marist vs St. Peter's Prep Baseball Photo Gallery

Marist coach Ron Hayward admittedly he's at a loss for words when it comes to his team's knack for dramatic, late-inning victories.

The Royal Knights captured its first sectional title since 1993 when they the NJSIAA Non-Public, South B championship yesterday with a 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart of Vineland. The win marked the third-straight one-run victory by Marist and the second-straight, which came on a walk-off.

"It's no longer a surprise," said Hayward, adding he's never seen a stretch like this. "The kids are ready for that situation, they're ok with it. When it's 1-1 or they're 2-1, they're like 'let's go.' They're more confident in themselves."

Even by Marist's standards, yesterday's final-inning heroics seemed impossible to believe. Derek Edge led off the inning and thanks to a throwing error by the pitcher was able to advance all the way to third base. After consecutive intentional walks to load the bases, Tim Gonzalez was hit in the shoulder with a pitch to force home the game-winning run.

Mark Peralta pitched 1.2 perfect innings of relief to earn the win and starting pitcher Matt Littrell struck out nine batters over 5.1 innings.

Marist will now face Newark Academy in the Non-Public, B championship game Saturday at 11 a.m. at Toms River East High School.

In the semifinals, Marist defeated Mater Dei 4-3 on a walk-off single by Derek Edge to score Aaron Smith with the winning run. The Royal Knights' quarterfinal win was also a one-run affair, a 1-0 victory behind a brilliant one-hitter by sophomore pitcher Matt Littrell.

Before the start of the state playoffs, Marist had a heart-stopping 7-5 nine-inning victory over St. Peter's Prep to win the Ed Ford Memorial Baseball Tournament.

"It's like a dream," say Hayward, who played for Marist in the 1990s before becoming head coach in 2005. "It doesn't even feel like you did it. Like did it really happen? As an alumni, leaving the school and knowing the struggles for the baseball teams. To get here after all these years. To be on top again and be respected by people, not just in the county, but in your state. To win your county, win the section and have an opportunity to win the state in one year. It's big for the school and its big for the alumni."