GOLDEN EAGLES ADVANCE TO 2ND-STRAIGHT STATE FINAL APPEARANCE BEHIND DICKERSON’S HISTORIC DAY

Randolph, NJ — The Group 3 semifinals took place Wednesday afternoon as Morris Knolls (27-5) traveled to Randolph (21-10)  for a rematch of April 15th’s thriller. James Kleiven made the last start of his high school career. Due to pitch count; he would not be able to pitch if Randolph advanced. James Kaletcher got the call for Eric Mindrebo and the Golden Eagles after his stellar performance nearly two months ago.

Luke Dickerson dug into the box, Kleiven peered in for the sign and we were underway! After going 0-3 in their first meeting, Dickerson led the game off lacing a double into the left-center gap. After a walk issued to Dylan Fitzsimmons, Kleiven fanned the next two batters, looking to work in and out of trouble. 

James O’Toole dug for the first big spot of the game just minutes into action. Klevien had struck out O’Toole twice the last time they faced off. None of that mattered as the Golden Eagles rightfielder roped an RBI single that plated Dickerson giving Knolls the early 1-0 lead. James Kahn worked a walk to load the bases for Bill Wingren to do some more damage. Wingren swung at the first pitch and chopped a slow-roller to 3rd, slow enough that Rocco Albano did not have a play and it was a quick 2-0 deficit for Randolph. 

Kaletcher picked up right where he left off against the Rams, allowing just two hits and no runs over his three innings pitched. Mother nature played a role in the 4th inning as the skies opened up as Dickerson stepped up to the play with a runner on 1st. The umpires issued a rain delay after one of Kleiven’s pitches got away from him due to the slickness and for 30 minutes the tough task of staying loose would be crucial for both teams. 

After the rain subsided, fans trickled back in from their cars as we geared up for the final stretch of the ballgame. Dickerson inherited the 1-2 count that he had prior to the delay with a runner on 2nd and just one out. The state’s top-ranked shortstop turned on the first pitch he saw and belted it over the left field wall, etching his name into the history books alongside future MLB Hall-of-Famer Mike Trout. The long ball was Dickerson’s 18th on the season which ties Trout’s record that he set back in 2009. 

Daniel Calantropio came on in relief of Kaletcher with two on and no one out in the bottom of the 4th and retired all three batters he faced to work out of trouble. The Rams needed to sting something together and Jacob Corsaro got things going leading off the bottom of the 5th with a single and moving to 2nd on Mason Wilson’s free pass.

A double steal with one out put two runners in scoring position for AJ Terry with just one gone in the inning. The UNC commit lifted a fly ball to right, deep enough to score a Corsaro on the sac fly. O’Toole’s throw looked like it was destined for catcher Ryan Keuhne in an attempt to nap the runner trying to score. Mason Wilson saw the high through and started for 3rd but Kahn leaped to cut the ball off and double up Wilson, ending the inning. Terry’s sac fly cut the Knolls lead down to 4-1 heading into the 6th. 

Rocco Albano relieved Kleiven to start the 6th inning and after a leadoff walk, retired the side to keep it a three-run game through 5 ½ innings. Down to their last six outs, Randolph knew they had to cut into the Knolls to have a shot during the bottom of the 6th. With runners on 1st and 2nd and just one out Calantropio got Ethan Gorman to ground into an inning-ending double play. 

O’Toole added some insurance with an RBI single in the top of the 7th as Dylan Fitzsimmons closed the game out to send the Golden Eagles back to the Group 3 Finals. 

Open Road Mazda of Morristown Player of the Game 

Luke Dickerson’s two-run shot after the rain delay proved to be the turning point in the game. Now tied with Mike Trout, Dickerson’s two-for-four day with a double, and a home run earns him our Player of the Game. 

Joe O’Toole was also a major key for Knolls, going two-for-four and also driving in two runs on the day. O’Toole was hit by a pitch on what looked to be the wrist area, but stayed in the game and drove in his second RBI of the game in the top of the 7th.

Date With Delsea

The Group 3 Final is scheduled for Saturday at Veterans Park as Morris Knolls will look to defend their title against Delsea after the Crusaders topped Allentown 9-1 on Wednesday.

Be sure to check out Big States Sports for all of your NJ High School Sports Coverage!