Marshall-led Jaguars enjoy a solid week

BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

JACKSON — Scott Marshall hasn’t wasted any time this summer making a name for himself in legion ball.

The Jackson High School product has been outstanding on both the pitcher’s mound and at the plate for the Jackson American Legion Post 504 squad.

"I know it is early in the season, but this kid is off to an unbelievable start," said Jackson coach Kevin Johnson, whose team is off to a 2-3 start.

"He is a monster. He is hitting the cover off the ball. He has a great feel for the strike zone. He isn’t chasing pitches and his patience at the plate has paid off big time. I’m hoping he can continue to stay on a streak like this for the duration of the season."

To date, Marshall has posted gaudy numbers. He is 10-for-15 at the plate for a sparkling .667 batting average. In addition, his .706 on-base percentage is the best on the team.

"I haven’t seen a player get off to a start like this in a long time," Johnson said. "He is striking the ball so cleanly. Everything has been hit hard. He is in some kind of groove."

In a recent 5-4 loss to Seaside Heights, which is comprised of a lot of Toms River East players, Marshall drove in a run with a double and went the distance in a losing effort.

Marshall allowed six hits and struck out two as Seaside scored a run in the top of seventh to pull out the victory.

"He pitched a great game," Johnson said. "He was awesome. He did his part, but we just couldn’t put up enough runs to carry him through. We had scoring opportunities, but we didn’t cash in."

Jackson left two runners stranded in the bottom of the seventh.

"We played a great game," Johnson said. "They are a very good team. We made a run at them in our final at-bat and couldn’t get the run across."

After giving up two runs in the top of the first, Jackson rallied by scoring three times in its half of the inning to take a 3-2 lead.

Joe Schroeder smacked a one-out single and Walter Brick drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Marshall doubled, scoring Schroeder. Ryan Johnson delivered a two-run single to put Jackson ahead, 3-2.

"That was big, coming right back and scoring in our half of the inning," Johnson said. "We didn’t want the momentum swinging in their favor. They are too good a team to let come out and jump on you without responding."

Trailing 4-3 in the fifth, Rob Santilli hit a solo home run to knot the score at 4-all.

"All game long we answered every time they scored," Johnson said. "That is a positive sign for us. This group knows it has the ability to score a lot of runs. Their confidence level is high."

Earlier in the week, Jackson defeated Monsignor Donovan, 5-3. Jackson freshman Joe Marchitelli pitched 5 1/3 innings, scattering five hits and striking out three to get the win.

Johnson was impressed with Marchitelli’s poise after allowing three first-inning runs.

"He had a tough first inning, but then settled down and did a great job," Johnson said. "He is a very young kid and he is going to gain a lot of valuable experience pitching at this level this summer. He is going to have a nice high school career. He demonstrated a lot of composure out there."

Marchitelli hit an RBI double in the second inning as Jackson cut the deficit to 3-2.

Jackson added three more in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Marshall’s RBI single was followed by a Bill Fenimore two-run single to right field.

"We needed some clutch hitting in that spot and we delivered it," Johnson said. "We have had different guys step up and provide the big hit so far."