You can usually count on sophomore slugger Aaron Graeber when you need his bat the most.
Want proof?
The former West Deptford High star proved clutch once again in leading the Roadrunner Baseball team to an 11-3 win over visiting Brookdale Sunday and the North Atlantic District Region 19 championship.
The triumph earned Graeber a second straight Region 19 tourney MVP award and gave the Runners an automatic berth in next weekend's NJCAA Division IIII World Series in Greeneville, TN.
Graeber's contributions to the championship win were typical -- he collected 2 hits, 3 RBIs and scored two runs while belting a solo home run. He also enjoyed solid offensive outings in the Runners' three-day sweep of tournament opponents.
"I just pushed hard every day, and my teammates really helped get us to where we are today," said Graeber, one of the nation's top D III sluggers. "This is a great win for us, but we're not finished with what we need to accomplish."
Coach Rob Valli, the Region 19 Coach of the Year, was not surprised in the least at Graber's production over the three-day tournament hosted by RCSJ.
"Aaron (Graeber) is a great college player and one of the greatest we've ever had here at Rowan Gloucester, which is saying something," commented Valli.
Starting pitcher Ethan Shaub made his first start in two months due to an injury -- and he looked solid by hurling two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. A southpaw, Shaub was a returning All-American and the 2022 Region 19 pitcher of the year. He was counted on as a key member of the Runners' rotation before a nagging shoulder inflammation slowed him down this spring.
"Ethan is back in good form, and we expect to have him ready for the World Series," said Coach Valli. "He is a key guy in our rotation and his return is a big plus for us."
Freshman hurler Tim Hartman earned the win with five innings of work while Danny Kerr pitched the final two innings.
The Runners built an early 3-0 lead and then a 6-1 advantage before the Jersey Blues crept to within 6-3. Graeber's solo home run in the seventh made it 7-3 before the Runners erupted for 4 runs in the eighth to seal the outcome.
Cole Fowler enjoyed one of his finest outings of the spring with a solo home run and 4 RBIs, including a key bases-loaded double in the fifth that scored 3 runs for what proved to be the winning scores.
"It felt phenomenal hitting the solo home run and it really kick started my day," said Fowler. "I'm really happy I could contribute like this in a championship game."
Next up for the Roadrunners is the NJCAA Division III World Series at Pioneer Park in Greeneville, TN, May 27-31/June 1. The Runners, No. 1 in the NJCAA D III National Rankings, will likely enter the World Series as the overall No. 1 seed, sporting an impressive 49-5 season record against a tough schedule.
"We're ready for anyone now," said slugger Rocko Brzezniak. "Our mind set is to go in and win this tournament."
