BGA baseball close to clinching piece of GMC Blue Division BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer The Bishop Ahr High School baseball team improved to 10-1 in the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division with a 14-2 win over South River on Saturday. A win over Highland Park in a yet-tobe determinedmakeup gamewould give the Trojans a share of the division title with JFK. The two teams split their regular-season match-ups, with each team winning in extra innings. Sophomore Dario Santangelo was the winning pitcher for Bishop Ahr in the win over South River. Santangelo scattered two hits over five innings with seven strikeout and six walks. "Hewas a littlewild in the second inning when he walked four batters," Bishop Ahr head coach Scott Runkel said. "He eventually pulled himself together and pitched a nice game." Santangelo helped out his own cause on the mound with a 2-4 day at the plate, including a run and one RBI. Right fielder MattMieczkowski spearheaded a seven-run fifth inning for the Trojans with a two-run double. Mieczkowski would finish the game 3-3with two runs and three RBIs. Shortstop Andy Bowidowicz went 2-4 and also scored twice and knocked in three. Bowidowicz and first baseman Lee Cavico both hit run-scoring triples. "Our first five hitters have been really carrying us," Runkel said. "We also got a big pinch hit fromsophomore Brandon Vitabile. Brandon got us a big hit in the fifth inning in his first varsity at bat." Thewin over South Rivermade it four in a row last week for the Trojans. The week started with a 13-1 victory over Metuchen. Santangelo earned the win allowing three hits over five inningswith six strikeouts and a pair of walks. Mieczkowski went 3-for-4 with fourRBIs, andCavicowent 2-for-4with three RBI to lead the offense. The secondwin of theweek came after an 8-4 victory over Spotswood.Mike Fallon improved hismark on themound to 3-1. Relief pitcher Tom Egan recorded the save and Cavico provided the power. Cavico went 3- for-4 with five RBIs including a two-run homer in the fifth inning that gave the Trojans a 7-4 lead. "Lee is having a nice season," Runkel said. "Another important player has been Andy Bowidowicz.He's been getting on base a heck of a lot, and he reached base four times against Spotswoodwithout a hit.With Andy batting lead-off and Lee second in the order, Lee usually gets up to bat with a guy on first base." Egan provided solid relief to get the win against Middlesex the following day. Egan relieved Bowidowicz with the score tied in the fifth inning. "Tom did a great job for us pitching two days in a row," Runkel said. "He improved to 3-0 with that win." Bowidowicz led the teamoffensivelywith a 2-for-4 outing and three RBIs. Cavico, Mieczkowski, Dan Misdea and Mike Mc- Connell all finished with two hits apiece in the 7-5 victory. "Our success this year has been a pleasant surprise, considering we had only two starters back fromlast year's team," Runkel said. "We've gotten outstanding leadership fromthe older players and a lot of young talent has produced for us. It's been a fun year." The Trojans are likely to get a top-10 seed at this year's GreaterMiddlesex Conference Tournament, which officially beginsMay 8.