Edison, NJ – While St. Joseph (Met.) ultimately clinched the GMC Tournament title with a dramatic seventh-inning walk-off grand slam, the true story of this championship game belongs to the 11th-seeded Edison Eagles, whose improbable run to the final capped off a truly remarkable run in the Jim Muldowney GMC Tournament. Despite the 7-4 loss to St. Joseph, Edison’s performance throughout the tournament highlighted their talent, resilience, and bright future in Middlesex County baseball. And their journey is far from over, as they prepare to host a first-round state tournament game today.
Edison entered the final as a significant underdog, but their journey to Ray Cipperly Field in East Brunswick was anything but. As the 11th seed, they defied expectations with a series of gritty victories, showcasing a program that consistently played above its seeding. Their presence in the championship game itself was a testament to a superb season, highlighted by strong individual performances and a cohesive team effort.
The Eagles, led by their ace pitcher Connor Murphy, jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Murphy himself contributed offensively with an infield single, while Sam Kentos drove in two runs and Brody Ferrer added another RBI single against St. Joseph starter Richard Zangara. This early surge demonstrated Edison’s ability to explode offensively, putting pressure on their opponents from the first pitch.
Murphy, who had been exceptional throughout the tournament, was a central figure in Edison’s success. He entered the final fresh off a two-hit shutout in the semifinals, having allowed just one run in his last 40 innings and only four earned runs in his last 49 2/3 innings. Even in the face of St. Joseph’s late-game rally, Murphy’s composure and skill were evident. St. Joseph’s JP Zayle, who hit the walk-off grand slam, acknowledged Murphy’s talent, stating, “The problem is he can paint his pitches. He’ll go fastball and jam you up and in and then he’ll go right away with two of them away. You’re off balance the whole time. You never know what you’re getting and once you think you know what you’re getting, you’re wrong. That was (what happened in my) first three at-bats.” Murphy’s dominant season and strong showing in the final underscore his potential as a cornerstone for Edison baseball in the years to come, a testament to the program’s ability to develop top-tier talent.
While St. Joseph mounted their comeback, scoring two runs in the third inning and then the decisive five in the seventh, Edison never folded. Their defense remained tight, and their hitters continued to battle. The game’s thrilling conclusion, where St. Joseph ultimately prevailed on Zayle’s dramatic grand slam, does not diminish the effort put forth by the Eagles. St. Joseph head coach Dennis McCaffery’s first championship with the Falcons, achieved through a series of late-game heroics, only further highlights the quality of opponent Edison faced.
Despite the tough loss in the final, Edison’s deep run in the GMC Tournament highlights the program’s significant progress and emerging talent. Reaching the championship by overcoming higher-seeded opponents bodes incredibly well for next season. Even better, their season isn’t over: the Eagles host Sayreville in the first round of the NJSIAA State Tournament today at 4:00 PM. They’ll look to carry their impressive GMC momentum into the state playoffs, proving this remarkable season still has more chapters to be written.
