EDISON, NJ – The Edison Eagles punched their ticket to the semifinals of the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament with a 9-1 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday, a win fueled by a potent offense and a stellar complete-game performance from freshman pitcher Brayden Roma.
Roma’s contagious enthusiasm was evident from the very first pitch – even before he threw one. The Eagles came out firing in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs to give their young pitcher an early cushion. They continued their offensive onslaught in the top of the second, tacking on another four runs and establishing a commanding 7-0 lead.
With a comfortable advantage in hand, Roma took the mound and never looked back. The freshman sensation pitched a complete seven innings, giving up only three hits and striking out 10, while surrendering just a single earned run. His poise and command were remarkable, anchoring the Eagles’ defense throughout the game.
The Edison offense was firing on all cylinders, with several players enjoying multi-hit games. Daren Tirado led the way, going 2-for-4 and scoring twice. Anthony Calantoni also had a strong offensive showing, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Connor Murphy contributed with a 1-for-4 performance that included two RBIs. Dom Innocenti who is batting .386 continued to be a force in the lineup, going 2-for-3 and driving in four runs, while Sam Kentos chipped in with a 2-for-3 day and two RBIs.
This dominant victory propels Edison into the semifinals of the GMC Tournament, which is celebrating its inaugural year as the Jim Muldowney GMC Tournament. The Eagles are scheduled to play their semifinal matchup on Saturday at 12:00 PM at East Brunswick Vo-Tech. They are now just one game away from reaching the finals and vying for the championship in this inaugural tournament.
