Surging Middle wins fifth straight

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 09:28 am Written by Brian Cunniff Saturday, May 04, 2013 03:15 pm

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – For three innings, the Middle Township and Wildwood Catholic high school baseball teams were locked in a tight game.

Beginning in the fourth, however, Middle showed why it is one of the hottest teams in the Cape-Atlantic League right now.

Two errors, three walks and three RBI hits led to the Panthers batting around in the frame before making an out. They plated six runs to turn a 2-2 tie into a comfortable 8-2 lead, before going on to score four more times over the next two innings to end the game after six due to the 10-run rule, posting a 12-2 win.

The victory was Middle’s fifth straight, improving the team to 10-4. With three games remaining before the state playoff cutoff date of May 10, wins in at least two of them would most likely clinch at least a first-round home game for the state tournament.

Doug Schwartz and Steve Hand starred for Middle against the Crusaders. Schwartz went 3 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored and also pitched a six-inning complete game, limiting Catholic to five hits and improving his record to 4-0. Hand was 3 for 5 with four RBI and three runs scored.

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Joel Novick wins awards for Washington College tennis

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 09:29 am Written by Brian Cunniff Friday, May 03, 2013 07:38 am

It’s been an incredible spring for the tennis-playing Novick brothers.

In April, Zack Novick became the all-time wins leader at Middle Township High School.

Then, on the same day Zack’s twin brother, Jeremy, won the Cape-Atlantic League individual title for Middle Township High School this week, Division III Washington College (Md.) announced that their older brother, Joel, was named MVP of the Shoremen men’s tennis team for the 2013 season. The elder Novick, a 2000 graduate of Middle, led Washington College in victories by going 12-8 at singles this spring. He also was 11-10 with Andy Pearson in doubles play.

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Jeremy Novick keeps CAL tennis title in the family

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 09:29 am Written by Brian Cunniff Thursday, May 02, 2013 08:58 pm

VINELAND – For the second straight spring, a Novick won the Cape-Atlantic League individual tennis championship.

Following in his twin brother’s footsteps, Middle Township senior Jeremy Novick captured the CAL title in dominating fashion Thursday afternoon, posting a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Vineland’s Rahi Patel in the championship match held at Vineland High School.

Jeremy Novick earned the No. 1 spot for the Panthers this spring, a position held last season by his brother, Zack, who won the 2012 CAL title.

The Novicks nearly faced one another in the final, but Zack lost his semifinal match to Patel in three grueling sets Wednesday evening.

Jeremy, the top seed in the tournament, made quick work of Patel in Thursday’s final, finishing the match in less than hour.

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Nor’easters on the road until June 23

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 01, 2013 06:26 pm Written by Tom Williams Thursday, May 02, 2013 05:00 am

The Ocean City Nor’easters will begin their 2013 soccer season with a six-game road trip and then play seven of their final eight games at home in Carey Stadium.

The schedule is perfect for the Nor’easters, giving them a schedule in Ocean City during the summer months when their largest fan base is in town.

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OCYAA hosts Somers Point Sunday

Written by Tom Williams Thursday, May 02, 2013 12:00 am

The 11-12 year old Ocean City Youth Athletic Association travel team will host Somers Points on Sunday at the Harry Vanderslice Memorial Complex. Action will also continue in the Major League, with teams from Margate and Somers Point; in the Minor League, with teams from Margate and Linwood; and the Rookie League for Ocean City players.  

In the only game results The Gazette could obtain, the OCYAA Angels defeated Doc’s Place of Somers Point, 11-0, in a game stopped after five innings. Jesse Schmeizer and Doug Raab combined for the shutout, Schmeizer pitching the first four innings for the victory. Raab and Solomon Griffith each hit triples.

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2013 Ocean City Nor’easters log

Written by Staff Reports Thursday, May 02, 2013 12:00 am

2013 Ocean City Nor’easters log

Sat. May 18          at Central Jersey, 6pm

Sat. June 1            at Westchester NY, 7:30pm

Wed. June 5          at Jersey, 8pm

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Ocean City’s Phil Birnbaum named NJ’s top tennis coach

Written by Tom Williams Wednesday, May 01, 2013 01:00 pm

Phil Birnbaum holds his award as New Jersey Tennis Coach of the Year at the USTA’s annual awards dinner as presenter David Goodman, a member of the district board, looks on.

Phil Birnbaum, the Director of Tennis for Ocean City and former boys and girls tennis coach at OCHS, was presented with the award as New Jersey Coach of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He had last won the award in 2002.

Birnbaum is presently the head womens tennis coach at Richard Stockton College, where he was named New Jersey Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

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Ocean City Baseball under the lights Friday – maybe more

Written by Tom Williams Wednesday, May 01, 2013 12:59 pm

The Raiders will play baseball under the lights on Friday.

Ocean City High School will face defending NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 champion Hammonton at the 5th Street and Bay Avenue field at 7 p.m. The Raiders entered this week with a six-game winning streak and Hammonton was around .500.

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Ocean City Raider spring sports roundup

Written by Tom Williams Wednesday, May 01, 2013 12:52 pm

GIRLS LACROSSE: The Raiders dropped two out of three decisions but there was a little history involved with the only win.

Senior Casey Hanna scored her 100th career goal to spark a 17-6 win over Lower Cape May. It was one of her three goals in the game. Senior Tess Solazzo scored seven times for the Raiders.

“Casey is such a great leader, on the field and off,” said OCHS head coach Alyssa-Rae Preiss, “it was great to see her get her 100th goal on senior day. She knows how to motivate others to work as hard as she does and she has such great chemistry with the other players. Having her young sister (sophomore Kelly) out there, too, was also special.” 

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THIS MONTH in OCHS Sports, edition of May 1, 2013

Written by Tom Williams Wednesday, May 01, 2013 12:48 pm

A quick look back at Raider highlights from the past

Coach Ted Klepac, Clarence Red and John Fitzick

May 2003:

Maggie Long scored five goals, including the 100th of her career, as OCHS defeated Middle Township, 18-5, in girls lacrosse. 

Read more: THIS MONTH in OCHS Sports, edition of May 1, 2013