The Pirates struck for a run in the bottom of the first on infield hits by the speedy Friel to get things started, then No. 2 hitter, senior catcher Henry Ayers. After one out, Burwell battled Chen through a 7-pitch at bat that culminated with a sharp RBI single into center field that plated Friel.
SHP managed to make Chen throw 33 pitches in the 20-minute-long bottom of the first inning and the tone of the contest was developing.
“He (Chen) can really spin his curve ball well and for me it’s a matter waiting for the fast ball, try to stay off those low curves, hunt for my pitch and take advantage of that,” said the Purdue-bound Friel. “It’s a valuable took to be able to fight through counts and that’s something we work on in practice.
“Whenever you can make pitchers work and they get tired that’s definitely an advantage as the innings move on.”
To Chen’s credit he settled down for the next two innings, needing just 24 pitches to retire the Pirates in order in each frame before SHP extended its lead in the fourth, and with two outs.
The Pirates No. 7 hitter, DH Will Mahala reached on an infield single, then junior shortstop and No. 8 hitter Xavier McKnight was hit by a pitch before junior leftfielder Jaxon Dixon, who bats ninth, hit a slow bouncer that resulted in yet another infield single for SHP and loaded the bases, setting the stage for Frei’s 2-run single on a hard-hit ball into center field to make it 3-0.
Frei’s 2-out double in the sixth plated Mahala to make it 4-0.
Practice can make perfect and the Pirates’ work on rundowns came into use in the seventh inning when they executed a fundamentally-sound 6-4-5 double play while nailing a Lancer in a rundown between second and third base with McKnight, senior second baseman Santino Czarecki and junior third baseman Daniel Comtois completing the play.
“We are still learning more about some things out there, including rundowns which we worked on yesterday for 20 minutes,” said SHP coach Mike Sheppard, Jr. “I always tell the players that little things like that can make a difference, whether it’s a rundown play or maybe executing a suicide squeeze.”
For the most part in their second meeting of the SEC-American Division regular season as the Pirates earned their second victory this spring vs. the Lancers, it was airtight defense, a timely hit or two and mostly a lot of Drennan pose on the hill.
“He’s shown a great ability to throw strikes. throw it hard and not get flustered out there,” said the longtime Pirates head diamond mentor. “We’re very happy with how our pitching staff is coming along and we feel we have three starters who are pretty good.
“We’ve had some injuries this spring but guys are now working their way back into the lineup and we’re excited to see what we can do the rest of the season with this group which works extremely hard each day together.”
Super Essex Conference-American Division game, April 23, at SHP:
LIVINGSTON (8-4, 3-3) 000 000 0 -0 R 3 H 0 E
SETON HALL PREP (9-1, 5-0) 100 201 X -4 R 8 H 1 E
2B- Livingston- Nick Mullin SHP- Kaden Frei
WP- JJ Drennan LP- Tyler Chen
SEC-American Division standings: SHP (5-0), West Essex (3-2), Livingston (3-3), Millburn (3-3), Columbia (1-4), Montclair (1-4)
