VIDEO: Proficient pitching helps Cape Tech sweep Middle and vault back into title race

Posted: May 1st 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Cape May Tech baseball team has officially rejoined the race for the Cape-Atlantic United Conference championship.  

Thanks to a pair of masterful pitching performances, the Hawks completed a two-game sweep of of a local rival that significantly tightens the conference standings.

Tanner Oliva conceded just one hit and struck out 10 batters in five innings of relief as the Hawks posted a 7-4 win over Middle Township Tuesday in a game played under the lights on Dougherty Field at the Goshen Complex. Oliva did not allow a baserunner over his final four innings.

Oliva’s effort came a little more than 24 hours after teammate Ben Lynch threw six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in Tech’s 8-3 home win over the Panthers on Monday.

The results have narrowed Middle’s lead in the CAL United. The Panthers dropped to 6-4 overall, 6-2 in conference games, with Tech moving to 5-7, 5-3. Each team has four conference games remaining. By virtue of its two wins over Middle, Tech would hold all tiebreaker advantages over the Panthers should the teams finish with identical records in conference play. Oakcrest (7-3 in CAL United), Atlantic City (6-4) and Pleasantville (5-4) are also in contention.

The victories came at a critical time for the Hawks, who lost four times last week – two in conference play to Pleasantville and two outside the CAL to Wildwood and Schalick.

“We talked at the beginning of the week about turning the page,” Picketts said. “Last week was tough and we struggled a bit. I know it’s cliche, but we just wanted to attack everything one game at a time and how are we going to win the game in front of us.

“The kids played really hard these last couple games. When you come together and do that, in these rivalry games, anything can happen.”

In Tuesday’s win, Tech got excellent production from one of its role players as Jimmy Richie, the team’s No. 9 hitter, went 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored.

“He’s kind of what we’ve preached, that on any given day it could be somebody different,” Picketts said. “We stress putting the bat on the ball and then anything can happen. He’s one of our quickest kids, so that helps. He’s kept coming to practice and working hard and with some guys sick and hurt he’s worked himself into the lineup. He’s been taking advantage of some opportunities.”

Oliva went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI and Tommy Chiera added two hits and two RBI for the Hawks. Matt Hirt doubled and scored twice. The Hawks also took advantage of being walked 11 times.

Tech trailed 2-0 after the first inning and 4-3 after the third but scored twice in the fifth to take the lead for good before adding single runs in the fifth and sixth.

Cape May Tech second baseman Tyler Dille produced the defensive play of the game to open the bottom of the seventh when he made a diving catch of a popup in shallow right-center field. Oliva then retired the final two hitters in order, recording a strikeout to end the game.

“Tanner put together four really good innings,” Picketts said. “We opted not to start him and he was a little rocky in his first inning but then he settled down. His command of the strike zone was pretty impressive.”

Oliva seemed to thrive in reaction to a small Middle student cheering section in the stands along the third-base line that tried to needle him on seemingly every pitch.

“I think you could tell he was having a lot of fun out there,” Picketts said with a laugh.

Antonio Panzini went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI, Max Adelizzi and Tommy Yarson each had an RBI single and Tyler McDevitt scored twice for Middle in Tuesday’s contest.