Day one of the NJSIAA State Tournament wrapped up with plenty of excitement across all brackets. Each bracket featured eight games, narrowing the field down to just eight teams remaining in each. The opening round delivered its fair share of upsets, as lower-seeded teams rose to the occasion and knocked off favorites. There were also standout performances from both teams and individual players, setting the tone for what promises to be an intense and competitive tournament. The action picks back up tomorrow with the quarterfinal round, as the remaining teams look to take one step closer to the ultimate goal: winning three more games and being crowned state champion. Today, we will be taking a look at the results from yesterday's group 2 games.

NORTH 1 BRACKET

+ All top seeds advanced in the North 1 bracket - but top seeded Pascack Valley just squeaked by 16th seeded River Dell, 3-2. River Dell made it interesting in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs. Uncommitted junior Brendan Gaskin went 5.2 IP and struck out seven for PV, and also drive home a pair of runs at the plate.

NORTH 2 BRACKET

+ In the North 2 bracket, 11th seeded Mendham upset sixth seeded Hackettstown, 2-1. Mendham come into the game 9-14 and went 2-10 in the NJAC-American league, scored two in the top of the 7th to advance. Ryan Turner went the distance, scattering five hits and striking out four for Menham. 10th seeded Bernards topped 7th seeded Caldwell, 3-2 in 8 innings. Uncommitted 2026 Casey Hoeckele got the win in relief, going three innings allowing just one run and striking out six.

CENTRAL BRACKET

+ State ranked at No. 1 and undefeated coming into the playoffs, Governor Livingston needed all seven frames to squeak past Point Pleasant Boro, 7-6 in the Central bracket. The Highlanders walked it off in the 7th after Point Boro tied the game in the top of the frame. 2026 Keith Mann got the win in relief, going five strong and scattering three hits. 14th seeded Bordentown and 11th seeded Allentown both advanced and will face each other in the second round. Pittsburgh commit Tyler Bunnell punched out 11 through 6.1 IP to guide second seeded Robbinsville past Holmdel, 2-0.

SOUTH BRACKET

+ In the South bracket, 14th seeded Manchester Township upset third seeded Cedar Creek, 3-2. Brenden Spaziano was fantastic, going 6.1 IP, allowing just one hit and striking out eight.

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