Sterling Remains Undefeated, Shuts Out Haddon Heights

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High School Baseball:
Sterling Remains Undefeated, Shuts Out Haddon Heights
Friday, April 19, 2002

By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer

It has been a successful start for Sterling this season with the Silver Knights baseball program. Coach Chris Carpenter has watched his team execute flawless baseball during their 7-0 start. Pitching has been the key to their success. Today it was Karl Beckett's turn on the mound and he continued his winning ways recording his third win of the season. Sterling won this rain shortened game over Haddon Heights by a 3-0 score.

Throughout the week, opponents have fallen victim to not only Sterling's pitching but also their success at the plate. Joe Pipitone and Dave Cogan are leading the team with 3 home runs each and a ton of RBI so far this season. Combined that with good pitching results in the three scoreless games the pitching staff has enjoyed this week. To round things off, the defense has been solid from all nine players on the field.

Beckett had good control of his pitches throughout this game as he breezed through the Haddon Heights lineup. The first 6 batters he faced could not get the ball out of the infield. It wasn't until the top of the third inning with two outs Nick Gorgio lined a 3-2 pitch into right field for the Garnets. Kyle Murphy followed with an infield single, but that threat ended when Beckett recorded his third strikeout of the game.

Sterling got on the scoreboard in the first inning when Steve Wyland and Nick Lentine led the inning off with base on balls. Adriano Petrutz grounded into a fielder's choice leaving a first and third situation for Joe Pipitone. The first run of the game scored when Pipitone poked a single into right center scoring Wyland. Petrutz scored the second run on a throwing error at home and the Knights lead 2-0.

The last run of this game scored before lightening ended this game came when Lentine, Pipitone and Cogan all singled scoring Lentine. Joe Pipitone finished the game going 3 for 3 including a first inning RBI, while Cogan also added an RBI in this game to add to their seasonal total. In the top of the sixth inning with one on and one out, the umpires got together and called the game after the display of lightening entered the scene. This win was Sterling's fourth shutout to the season.

Photos by Mark Fletcher