Point Beach Earns State Championship Rematch with Pompton Lakes After 15-6 Win Over Woodstown
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Two years after falling to Pompton Lakes in the 2024 state final, Point Beach is getting a chance at redemption.
The Garnet Gulls advanced to the NJSIAA Group 1 State Championship with a 15-6 victory over Woodstown, overcoming an early deficit before pulling away with a dominant offensive performance and setting up a long-awaited championship rematch with Pompton Lakes.
Point Beach struck first after a scoreless top of the first inning. Senior catcher Dan Lubach got the Garnet Gulls on the board with a ground-rule double to dead center field. Junior Brody Powers followed by sneaking a ground ball through the infield to make it 2-0, and junior Carson Pfeifer added a sacrifice fly to give Beach a 3-0 lead after one inning.
Woodstown responded in the second, plating four runs to take its first lead of the game, causing Point Beach to swap senior starter Bennett Moberg for senior Tommy Conroy at the end of the inning.
Point Beach’s Tommy Conroy pitching in a game earlier this season (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Despite trailing 4-3, the Garnet Gulls never appeared rattled.
With two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the second, freshman Mason Sesny delivered a momentum-shifting blow, crushing a two-run double off the right-field wall to put Point Beach back in front. Powers followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 6-4.
After a scoreless top of the third, the Gulls added another run when sophomore Davin Marquez laid down a perfectly placed bunt for a hit that drove in a run to make the score 7-4.
The score remained unchanged through a scoreless fourth inning before the game turned again in the fifth.
Woodstown put the first two runners aboard after Conroy issued back-to-back walks. Wolverines freshman Talyn Priore then delivered a two-run double to trim the deficit to 7-6, but the Garnet Gulls escaped further damage when Priore was caught attempting to steal home.
Point Beach wasted little time responding.
The Garnet Gulls loaded the bases and built a four-run advantage before Pfeifer stepped to the plate with an opportunity to break the game open. The junior got a pitch he could handle and launched it over the center-field fence for a grand slam, delivering the defining moment of the championship game.
Point Beach’s Carson Pfeifer playing in a game earlier this season (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Point Beach added another run in the sixth inning and cruised to the 15-6 victory.
Pfeifer’s grand slam highlighted an outstanding all-around performance. The junior, who is batting .350 this season, also played stellar defense throughout the game.
“I was pumped up,” said Pfeifer. “I almost got thrown out running the bases. It felt great to come through for the boys.”
His performance drew praise from teammates and coaches alike.
“That grand slam was magical,” said Lubach. “Carson completely changed the complexion of this game.”
“Carson has been a dog down the stretch,” said head coach Angelo Fiore. “He’s been playing tremendous ball.”
Sesny was another major contributor for the Gulls. The freshman played with the poise of a veteran, finishing with three hits and four RBI’s.
Point Beach’s Mason Sesny playing in a game earlier this season (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
“I came up and did my job,” said Sesny.
Lubach also delivered in the semifinal setting. The senior sparked the offense early and helped set the tone for the Garnet Gulls’ explosive day at the plate.
“The second pitch I saw something to do damage with. And I did.”
Point Beach will head up to Rutgers on Sunday for the long-awaited grudge match with Pompton Lakes. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
