No. 2 Middlesex uses big second inning to get past No. 5 Colonia, 4-0, in GMC White finale

One main characteristic of the more successful Middlesex baseball teams over the years has been how they can turn what seems like an innocuous couple of hits it into an inning that changes the game.

Their hitters tend to feed off each other, a confirmation of the old adage that hitting is contagious.

And when you couple that with someone like junior Dom Long on the mound, who entered the day with a microscopic 0.78 ERA, it’s a recipe for success.

And that’s what it was on Thursday afternoon at Mountainview Park, as the No. 2 Blue Jays beat No. 5 Colonia, 4-0 – in a game heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio – to sweep the season series and win their eleventh straight game.

All four runs came in the second inning against Colonia starter Tyler Chiola.  And it was the bottom of the order setting up the top.

Six-hitter Diego Marcano led off with a single, and after a strikeout of Chris Kozal, Lucas Blanco singled, too   Daniel Ianiero brought him in with a double, then the top of the order did its work:  a single by Marcus Lavornia made it 3-0 Jays, while a Dylan Ianiero ground out to second added another.

As for Long, he went the distamce, allowing just five hits, with six strikeouts. He got through seven innings throwing just pitches.

Middlesex improves to 15-1 with the win, their lone loss to South Brunswick.  They are up GMC White play as the division champs, 13-1.  Colonia falls to 9-5, with all of their games coming in GMC White play.

Click below for postgame reaction from Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel with Middlesex junior starter Dom Long and head coach Blaze Iannetti, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen: