Toms River South Powers Past Brick Memorial

BRICK— Indians Head coach Ken Frank stood in front of his team and simply, challenged them.

Asking if his team wanted to win, Frank witnessed Brick Memorial rally to tie the game at one in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Indians' took their head coach's words to heart, scoring nine runs in the final two innings to run away with a 10-2 opening day win over Brick Memorial (0-1), at Brick American Baseball League in Brick, Monday afternoon.

"[Brick Memorial] was in the game, and firepower was lacking," Frank said, "It's a credit to our kids for coming back. We really hit the ball well today."

Chris McKenna gave the Indians the lead back in the sixth inning with a two-run single as South took the 3-1 lead. McKenna would later score on a perfect suicide squeeze bunt from John Nogiewich to give the Indians the 4-1 lead.

The next batter, Kyle Perry, would drive in a run with a single of his own.

In the final inning, David Egeland would knock in an RBIdouble and Rocco Mellot would pump out a bases-clearing 3 RBI double as his impressive day would continue. Egeland would add an RBI single as well.

Mellot opened the scoring for Toms River South with an RBI double in the second inning to put the Indians up 1-0.

Connor Kaden would get the complete-game win for the Indians on the mound, hauling six strikeouts and three walks over the seven innings and allowing just two runs.

"[Connor] Kaden put himself in a few holes but he got out of them," Frank said.

Still, the final two innings proved to be the defining punch in the game as Brick Memorial had no answer for the lively bats of the Indians.

"Hits, like runs, are contagious," Frank said, "We did that well, we kept hitting the ball."

Dan Sheller had a strong game for South with two hits including a double to set up the Indians' first run.

Mellot lead the team with four RBI.

The Indians will look to keep their winning going when they are on the road on Thursday, April 6 when they take on Jackson Memorial at 3:45 p.m.