High School Baseball:
South Jersey Group 1 Crown Captured by Pitman

Friday, June 2, 2000

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

The finals for the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs came down to two teams. The Pitman Panthers were going up against the Riverside Rams at Pennsauken High School for the championship. Riverside, familiar with being in the Group 1 finals, was looking for another trophy to add to their school's trophy cabinet. But the Panthers had other plans as they stunned the Rams in convincing fashion with a 13-1 victory.

The word buzzing through the Pitman crowd was how Eric Spera's no-hitter against Florence got them to the finals. Riverside had defeated Bordentown to advance. Spera would not be available to pitch for Pitman in this game, but his bat showed up. After a scoreless first inning, Riverside and starting pitcher Bill Trout went up against some hot bats over the next three innings.

Wasting little time, thirteen times home plate was touched, which seemed as if an endless amount of runs were scored. Spera highlighted the barrage of runs with his bat instead of his arm. He homered to contribute to the onslaught. Dan Kileen seemed to line any ball pitched to him as he was finding the gaps for easy stand up doubles. He finished the day with three doubles. Brian Bonner, Marshall Pierson and Frank Snyder contributed two hits each towards the Panthers' total of eleven.

The starting pitcher for the Panthers showed that Spera wasn't the only one with good control and endurance. Almost following in his teammate's footsteps, Joe Mucci threw a two-hitter through the shortened five inning game. The Panthers spoiled any chance of Riverside capturing another title.

Photos by Forrest Robleto