Managers Justin Nastasi of Middlesex (left) and Mark Blevins of North Brunswick (right) exchange lineup cards before Game Two of their doubleheader at Mountainview Park in Middlesex on April 15, 2022. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Hunterdon Central is the top seed in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 NJSIAA playoff section, and for good reason. They’ve had a tremendous season, are loaded with talent, including legitimate MLB draft prospect Kyle McCoy, and are one of the deepest teams in the state.
They’re ranked No. 5 in the NJ.com Top 20 this week, too.
But Ridge was the second-seed, and No. 6 in the state last week, and Woodbridge beat them.
Few gave them a chance.
But the Barrons believed, and so did Justin Nastasi, whose team swept the Barrons in a mid-May home-and-home to clinch the White Division title outright over Woodbridge.
But still, Nastasi says he knew it was a good Woodbridge team they beat, one that could be poised to make some noise in the state tournament.
While his Blue Jays will be taking on Point Pleasant Beach for a fourth straight time in the Central Jersey Group 1 finals – 4 pm Friday at Mountainview Park – the Barrons will play top-seed and heavy favorite Hunterdon Central in the North 2, Group 4 title game, at 3 pm on Central Jersey Sports Radio.
Nastasi believes the Barrons very much have a chance.
Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Justin Nastasi about the Woodbridge Barrons: