The Middletown High School North Baseball Program headed into Tuesday’s A- North Division game versus undefeated Christian Brothers Academy with a sense of purpose.  The Lions enetered the contest with a 4-5 record on the season and the Colts with a 9-0 record.  Most teams would look at this game and not feel confident, but the Lions were also the NJSIAA State Champions last year with many returning starters including senior Ryan Frontera, senior Colby McMahon, senior RJ Kernan, junior Dylan Briggs, junior Jason Quardt and sophomore Zach Hampton.

Those returning starters made a huge impact allowing the Lions to upset the Colts by a score of 14-11 at Rich Veth Field.  Sophomore Zach Hampton went 2-for-3 with a double and pitched 5 1/2 innings to earn the win on the mound for the Lions (5-5, 5-4).  The Lions bats came to life after trailing 5-1 after three innings.  The Lions 14 runs were their highest of the season as they slugged their way to a win over the previously-unbeaten Colts (9-1-1, 5-1-1).

Senior R.J. Kernan, who just returned from an injury that removed him from the Lions lineup at the end of the 2022 season,  was 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Juniors Dylan Briggs and sophomore Gabe Alhemeyer each went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the ferocious Lions attack. Ahlemeyer drove in four runs and Briggs knocked in two runs, while also tripling and scoring three times.

Senior Colby McMahon went 2-for-4 with an RBI and played solid defense. Returning All Shore shortstop and Seton Hall bound senior Ryan Frontera doubled and drove in one run for Middletown North. Sophomore Alipio Figueroa, who pitched the final 1 2/3 innings closed out the game to earn his first save and seal the victory for Middletown North.  The Lions can enjoy their victory against CBA, but they must get ready to face the Colts again in a rematch on Thursday (4/27) in Lincroft.