Middletown North opened the 2026 NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3 Tournament in dominant fashion on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Brick Township 10-0 in a five-inning first-round victory.
The Lions entered the postseason with a 12-13 record, but showed complete control against a Brick Township team that came into the matchup at 12-8 overall and 11-1 in the Shore Conference Patriot Division.
Middletown North wasted no time getting started offensively, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding three more in the second to quickly take command of the game. The Lions later exploded for four runs in the fourth inning before adding another insurance run in the fifth to seal the mercy-rule victory.
Junior Abby Esposito delivered one of the biggest performances of the afternoon. Esposito went 2-for-2 at the plate with three runs scored, three RBIs, and a home run to lead the Lions offensively. Her powerful bat helped spark Middletown North throughout the game and provided a major boost in the middle of the lineup.
Izzy Mattison also played a key role in the victory, scoring three runs while reaching base multiple times. Ellie Gottschalk and Julie Frontera each added RBIs, helping the Lions capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
Although Middletown North collected only two hits in the game, the team showed patience and discipline at the plate by drawing 12 walks and taking advantage of three hit batters. The aggressive offensive approach consistently kept pressure on Brick Township’s defense.
The Lions were equally impressive in the circle. Grace English started the game and dominated over four innings, allowing just two hits while striking out seven batters. Aubrey Borchers closed out the game with a scoreless inning and added three strikeouts of her own, combining with English for a 10-strikeout shutout performance.
Defensively, Middletown North played a clean game without committing an error, while Brick Township was charged with two miscues.
Game Leaders
- Runs: Izzy Mattison — 3
- Hits: Abby Esposito — 2
- RBIs: Abby Esposito — 3
- Home Runs: Abby Esposito — 1
- Strikeouts: Grace English — 7
Line Score
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick Township | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Middletown North | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
With the victory, Middletown North advances to the next round of the Central Jersey, Group 3 Tournament and will look to carry its postseason momentum deeper into the state playoffs.
Cover Photo Via Mak Ojutiku of NJ.com
