Hun finishes season with Prep A title
HIGHTSTOWN >> Jack Erbeck and Andy Blake did not just want to go out on top.
These two soon-to-be Hun School graduates wanted their final game for the Raiders’ baseball team to be a memory neither would soon forget.
Erbeck, Blake and seven other final-year players on head coach Tom Monfiletto’s squad got to share in a trophy as Hun defeated Peddie, 12-0, at William Thompson Field to earn the 2019 NJISAA Prep A state title.
Erbeck went out in style, pitching a 12-strikeout, onehit shutout in which he came within one batter of a complete game. Just as memorably, Erbeck belted a three-run home run in his final at-bat in the bottom of the sixth inning to cap a huge day for the Fairfield University-bound star.
“It feels incredible to finish my career with a home run and a strong effort on the mound,” said Erbeck, who improved to 6-0 on the season.
Not to be left out of the fun, Blake turned in five assists from his third-base position and belted a solo homer.
“No, we never think anything’s going to be easy,” Columbia University-bound Blake said. “We expect that it’s going to be a challenge, and then try to play our best game.”
Both teams needed to do that with Erbeck throwing as well as he was and Falcons junior left-hander Jake Meneskie doing his best to keep the Raiders close.
But a few miscues by Peddie’s defense proved costly, leading to three-run innings in the second and fourth around Blake’s solo shot in the third.
When head coach Erik Treese had to go to his bullpen in the sixth, Hun took advantage with senior catcher Dan Melnick hitting a two-run double ahead of Erbeck’s big blow.
“They’re an incredible team,” said Falcons third baseman Mike Tyle, a postgraduate from Manville who plans to wrestle at Rider University. “At first, I wasn’t going to play this season. But coach said he needed me. I’m glad I did.”
Tyle had the best day of anyone against Erbeck, singling into left field in the third inning and drawing a walk in the fourth. Yet, even though the Hun right-hander walked four batters, his curve ball and fastball were working well, leading to his 12 strikeouts, which matched the number Blake had in winning his sixth game by shutting out Peddie, 5-0, Saturday in the winners’ bracket final.
About the only surprise on the day was when Monfiletto came out to lift Erbeck with two outs in the top of the seventh inning because he had reached his pitch limit.
“I would’ve liked to have been able to get the complete game, but I knew Jake (Sloss, who struck out the last batter) would get the job done,” Erbeck said. “Our pitching has been unbelievable, and our defense has played great all season.”
Throw in a couple of home runs by Blake and Erbeck, and the Raiders’ offense was equally impressive to cap a 22-2 season which few around Mercer County will soon forget.
Peddie(10-12) Hun (22-2) 000 000 0 — 0 1 4 031305x—12101
2B: Soper, Melnik (H); HR: Blake, JErbeck (H); RBIs: Blake, Melnick 2, JErbeck 3, Patel, BPetrone 2 (H).