When fans, friends and family members see that their favorite team with their favorite athletes on the roster is in the middle of a winning streak, it’s just about always good news. Indeed. A winning streak of five, six and sometimes even 10 games isn’t unheard of, but it’s of course quite noteworthy.
Then there is the remarkable amount of victories in a row that the Ocean City High School baseball program earned this past season. The Red Raiders reached the double digit plateau and then some during their outstanding span of memorable games from April 23 through May 20 without a loss this spring.
“We had a 14 game winning streak in the middle of it (the season),’’ Ocean City head coach Andrew Bristol said. “All in the same week we beat Buena, Williamstown, Egg Harbor, Mainland and Cedar Creek. We also beat Kingsway and won our first round (NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 Sectional Tournament) playoff game versus Gloucester Tech.’’
Steady leadership helped the Red Raiders, not only during their lengthy winning streak, but indeed throughout the entirety of the spring season.
“Seniors were my captains, Brandon Lashley, AJ Campbell, Shane Ferry, Tom Breazeale and Brandyn Pokrass,’’ Bristol said. “All were very vocal and led by example in big games by making big plays.’’
Coach Bristol noted Breazeale as being one of the student athletes on the team who was constantly finding ways toward improvement from the first day of practice up to and including the last game of the season.
“Tom Breazeale stepped in as a first time first baseman and was outstanding both offensively and defensively,’’ Bristol said. “My young pitchers came of age very quickly. Sophomores Gannon Brady and Matt Nunan were outstanding as was freshman Tommy Finnegan.’’
Ocean City finished with an overall record of 19-5 and they were 9-3 in the Cape Atlantic League (CAL) National Division. Absegami and Mainland both had marks of 10-2 in the CAL National Division. They lost a 3-2 extra inning game to Toms River East in the quarterfinal round of the South Jersey Group 3 Sectional Tournament.
Look for the winning ways to continue for the Red Raiders in 2020.
“Four of top six pitchers are returning,’’ Bristol said. “Jaden Millstein .420 hitter, All-League Carpenter Cup selection returns [and there’s] lots of young talent still in program. The young players received valuable experience this year.’’
