Senior LL Regionals: Johnston Eliminated in 7-5 Loss to NJ

The Johnston Senior Little League team kept pace with South Vineland, NJ, through five innings, but couldn't overcome a late two-run rally and lost, 7-5, on Monday afternoon at West Deptford, NJ.

With the loss, the dropped to 1-2 and fell out of the East Regionals.

Ronnie Gaynor went 2-for-2 at the plate, and Nick Caparrelli assisted with a 2-for-3 effort.

Ryan McKeon gave up 8 hits over 6.2 innings in the loss.

The New Jersey squad — which has won the East in two of the last three years and five of the last 11 — jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a ground-out that scored Jaques Colon and an error that allowed Raekwon Ortiz across the plate.

Johnston struck back in the bottom of the second when James Picchi and Jarod Podmaska took advantage of a New Jersey error to bring the score even.

After trading scores in the third and fourth, New Jersey tallied two runs in the top of the sixth, and relievers Mike Forte and Ivan Rivera kept Johnston scoreless to close the contest.

In a text message, Coach Ed Bedrosian said the team would be traveling home today.

Thanks to West Deptford Patch Editor Bryan Littel for the accompanying photos.