High School Baseball:
Coach Barth's Rams Add Another Parochial A Title

Saturday, June 10, 2000

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

Toms River North was the scene for the Parochial A state championship game where Seton Hall Prep were hosting the Gloucester Catholic Rams. Things literally heated up as the players were forced to play in temperatures in the high nineties during this title game. Starting pitcher Mark Michael used his arm and his bat to help his team to a convincing win. During the 13-4 romp over the Pirates, Gloucester Catholic pounded out eighteen hits including a two-run homerun by Michael.

Before this game, Dennis Barth had coached his Rams to a 32-1 record and their fifth Diamond Classic title since 1994. Nothing would be better to cap off the 2000 season with a state title. The Rams pitching staff was very good and very deep, and was one of the main reasons for their success. Barth had a choice of starting ace pitcher Greg Burke, but went with Michael instead.

Gloucester Catholic jumped out in the top of the first inning by putting three runs on the scoreboard. The inning was highlighted with Michael's homer. The score was stretched to 7-2 through 4 1/2 innings but the Pirates began to make a run. After a walk, single and another walk loaded the bases, Seton Hall's Tim Dugan received an RBI walk to plate a run. That's when Coach Barth made a pitching change and brought in shortstop Brad Reed. In the heat, Michael pitched well striking out ten Pirates.

Now with the bases loaded and only one out, Reed gave up a single to Jon Marzella and the score was 7-4. That's when Reed settled down and struck out the next two batters to get out of the inning. During the inning, Michael moved to third base instead of getting out of the heat. Reed would strike out the side in the bottom of the sixth and the Rams were holding a 9-4 lead.

Four more runs would cross the plate in the seventh inning for Gloucester Catholic, which was more runs than they needed. The Gloucester Catholic Rams would capture their second straight Parochial A state title and earn the status of being one of the best baseball teams in South Jersey.

Photos by Art Redd