April 28th was certainly a thriller. The Mendham Baseball team competed at TD Bank Ball in an intense game versus their rivals, the West Morris Central Wolfpack. This was an important game for the Minutemen as they sought to go on a run deep in the season, and a win against the high-seeded Wolfpack could do the trick. TD Bank Ballpark is a Double-A, Minor League affiliate of the New York Yankees, and it has been a venue for high school ball games like this one since the opening of the park in 1999. Games like this one allow baseball players to experience what it is like to be a pro, playing under the lights, spitting seeds in the dugout, and of course, playing on a beautifully maintained diamond. This year’s game had no shortage of excitement. The first pitches were thrown at 6:00 pm, and with that, the game was on. Mendham Senior, Ryan Nelson, had a tremendous outing on the mound, striking out ten and only allowing one hit. Mendham was also supported by Junior pitching staff Matt Brennan and Andrew Epitropakis. In addition, the Minutemen swung big at the plate. Junior Catcher Ajani Bowrin and Senior First Baseman Sean Belenets had two hits and an RBI each, and Senior Third Baseman Sully Dunn hit a clutch triple and scored twice, putting two runs on the board for Mendham. Despite this, Central fought back and scored four runs of their own going into the top of the last inning.
With the scent of ball park franks and popcorn in the air, the stage was set. The score was 2-4, Mendham down by two runs in the top of the seventh. The inning led off with Bowrin and Dunn getting on base, and Junior Matt Lynch bringing Bowrin home on a single. With two runners on, two outs, and still down a run, Senior Shortstop, Ryan Turner, stepped up to the plate. The count was two balls, one strike, with two runners in scoring position. Staying calm and collected under pressure, Turner capitalized. A line drive to right field shot past a diving right fielder, driving both runners in, with Turner safe at third base. The team wasn’t done yet, though. Senior and Designated Hitter, Max Higgiston, finished up the inning by outhustling a throw to first, beating it and driving Turner in. This outstanding offensive inning put up four runs, allowing the Minutemen to enter the bottom of the final inning comfortably with a 6-4 lead. With a shutout bottom of the seventh inning by Epitropakis, their rivals’ fate was sealed. The dugout cleared as the last batter was wrung up and the team stormed right field, each player jumping up to touch the foul pole. This tradition carried through their wins and losses, and helped remind them that baseball is about more than stats, hits, strikes, or wins. It’s about playing a game you love, surrounded by friends and fans alike.
Many Mendham players attribute this to being a highlight of their athletic careers. But what does playing at TD Bank truly feel like? Turner noted, “The feeling is indescribable. As soon as I stepped onto the infield dirt, I knew the game was going to be exciting. It’s so different from playing at the high school field. It was almost surreal.” This year was the first victory that the Mendham Baseball program has scored over West Morris Central in over five years. When head coach Erik Dial was asked what makes this game so special, he said, “Everything comes together on this special occasion. The game feels perfected, down to the little details. The uniforms will fit perfectly, your body will be refreshed, the air is warm yet crisp, and the grass is never greener. I couldn’t be happier to be coaching, and I wouldn’t want to coach any other group of players! This is an experience of a lifetime.”
The Mendham Baseball Team is currently 7-13 and determined to end the season on a high, playing a quadruple header, which will include Delbarton twice, and Senior night against Summit. Additionally, they hope to qualify for the state tournament, which is set to begin in late May.
