Advanced Knee Pain Treatment in South River, NJ

EAST BRUNSWICK — Playing bigger schools? Boarding the bus as the higher seed?

Bring it on.

South River embraces the little guy role, which is a misnomer when you see the squad’s talent. With seniors Julius Rosado and James Zsorey leading the way, along with three key freshmen, the Rams have seized some head-turning wins despite possibly being overlooked.

“It’s just the way people underestimate us for being a small town, we’re a low seed, everyone underestimates us,” Rosado said. “No matter what, I feel like we have a chance when we play.”

Does he like being in that position, sometimes?

“Of course,” he said quickly, while cracking a smile. “I love being the underdog because it makes it more sweet when we beat them.”

Tuesday, the ninth-seeded Rams topped No. 8 seeded East Brunswick Magnet 6-2 in a NJISSA Central Group 2 first round. They advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals at top-seeded Governor Livingston. That’s a tough draw as the undefeated Highlanders are ranked No. 1 in the state by some publications.

But hey, South River knows about being underdogs.

In the Jim Muldowney Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament first round, the Rams (16-8) stunned top-seeded Woodbridge 2-1 in nine innings on May 12. South River also has wins over Group 4 East Brunswick and South Brunswick from the tough GMC Red Division.

Zsorey noted the team has built a chemistry and bond with one another going back to all the winter workouts and hitting sessions, as well as a strong belief. Take his performance against Woodbridge, which was the stuff of lore – he lasted 8 2/3 innings allowing an unearned run. Brendan Lell got the last out in the win.

“I didn’t really think about the-what-could-possibly go wrong,” he said. “I was thinking about what could go right, so I was thinking on the optimistic side because if you’re constantly thinking about what’s the worst that can happen then you have that in your mind already. We didn’t have taking an L in our mind against Woodbridge.”

Tuesday, Zsorey had another fine performance by throwing six shutout innings, scattering four hits and a walk. He also went 2-for-4 with five RBIs. He had a two-RBI hit in the first inning and doubled in three runs to center field in the fourth. Hunter Krainski’s run-scoring single in the sixth made it 6-0.

East Brunswick (20-6) had a strong season, as well, and were co-Gold Division champs with New Brunswick. Tuesday, though, was South River’s day.

Zsorey is hitting .316 with a team-high 31 RBIs. On the mound, the righthander has a 2.36 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings. In fact, he hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 20 2/3 innings. He said throwing first-pitch strikes and a pitch-to-contact approach has been working along with the good defense behind him.

That includes the shortstop Rosado, the 2024 Home News Tribune GMC’s Player of the Year, who is having another stellar spring. The Rutgers-commit is hitting .500 (36-for-72) with an astonishing .889 slugging percentage (Aaron Judge leads MLB with a .756 SLG). He also has 30 stolen bases with 26 walks and five hit by pitches. As a pitcher, Rosado has sported a 0.72 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 29 innings.

South River could be building something for the future, as well, with just the two seniors on the team. Versatile freshman Julien Borusovic has contributed on the mound and in the field at first base and third with a .348 batting average (two home runs, 15 RBIs) and has a 3.40 ERA in 22 2/3 innings pitched. Classmates Sebastian Deerson (right field) and Jimmy Sanchez (second base) have also cracked the varsity lineup.

In the GMCT win over Woodbridge, Sanchez made a clutch, diving stop on a hit up the middle in the bottom of the eighth and flipped it to Rosado for the out.

Junior catcher Noah Borrero has excelled behind the plate (.279, 15 RBIs) and classmate Lell has added depth to the staff with a 4.01 ERA and 33 strikeouts and is hitting .289 (10 RBIs). Sophomore Travis Maloney and junior Dylan Pasion have also seen significant playing time.

Krainski, a junior transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas, has driven in 14 runs in 29 at-bats.

Rosado said that he and Zsorey have embraced being leaders and will often give tips and provide tough love if they see things such as poor body language or if someone slams equipment. “These younger guys really look up to them really well and they gravitate towards them,” South River coach Mike Lepore Jr. said. “So, with them leading the way hopefully we can keep it rolling. … Give East Brunswick Magnet credit, they didn’t quit. Their pitcher pitched the whole game, he kept us off-balanced and luckily we got a couple knocks here and there.”