Warren Cal Ripken Earns Split at Mid-Atlantic Tourney

The North Jersey state champion Warren Wolverines split their first two games of the Mid-Atlantic Championship Tournament Friday at the Ridge Baseball Club facility in Basking Ridge. 

Warren beat a team from Maryland 11-1 in the opening game, but lost 14-2 to Marlton, a team from Burlington County, in the second game Friday night.

"I was very proud of our pitchers," manager Kevin Everly said. "We pitched three guys we haven't pitched in a while, Ajay V. Patel, Ajay H. Patel and C.J. Stout. They did awesome giving up just one run in five innings. We were hitting, putting Maryland into positions where they had to make plays. We played error-free in the outfield and everybody did a great job."

In the evening game, the Wolverines faced Southern New Jersey champions, Marlton.

"Tonight we played a very good team, a very well coached team," Everly said. "We had guys pitching who are usually reliable and tonight they lost control of the plate giving up a lot of walks. We put a lot of pressure on our defense. 

"I think we needed to get this kind of game out of our system and i think we will still do very well.  It is not the end of us. We will come back. It is not the first time we lost a game. The kids are pretty tough and they don't like to lose.  I expect good things tomorrow."

The tournament continues through the championship Tuesday with games being played Saturday and Sunday to get to the playoff and finals.

The Wolverines will face the Southeast Pa. champions Saturday at noon at the Ridge Baseball Club Complex.