Pirates Surge Into No. Jersey Final, Past St. Joseph (Montvale), 4-2

Chris Maldonado and Aaron Bertone had two RBI apiece as 2nd-seeded Seton Hall Prep (21-6), No. 3 in the NJ.com Top 20, won its 10th consecutive game, defeating 3rd-seeded St. Joseph (Mont.), 4-2, at Porcello Field in West Orange. • In the 3rd, with Sam Nomura on third, Maldonado launched a high fastball over the left field wall for his 5th homer of the season to make it 4-0. • On the mound, Ryan Sprock (5-0) k’d six over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Nomura pitched a perfect 7th for his second save. SHP will play No. 4 Don Bosco in Ramsey on Friday for the North Jersey title. [view the photos]