On Saturday, April 6th, 2024, the Delbarton Green Wave faced the Poly Prep Country Blue Devils in an interstate matchup for early season bragging rights. Though the Green Wave entered the season highly ranked in the Garden State, the same was true for Poly Prep in New York. In fact, Prep Baseball Report (PBR) ranked Poly Prep as high as #12 nationally before the season began. Delbarton was the subject of much attention in the baseball world in 2024, but no story was as compelling as taking down a nationally-ranked opponent.
The starting matchup for both sides was strong, with Delbarton’s Seton Hall commit Aidan Dill facing off against Duke commit Justice de Jong. The scoring started in the top of the first when de Jong plunked Aidan Dill with a 1-1 pitch. After advancing to second on a passed ball, another Duke commit, Sal Garcia, came through for the Green Wave with a double that scored Dill. Virginia Tech commit Jack Harley added a single that pushed Garcia to third.
Delbarton added to their lead in the second when Tafuri’s fielder’s choice plated Wright after he doubled to center field.
Poly Prep quickly responded in the bottom of the second when their pitcher, deJong, doubled to left field. Basile’s walk and Rudd’s single tied the game at two.
Dill cruised onward for Delbarton through 6 innings until Christian Zebrowski replaced him. Zebrowski had an impressive and effective inning, which the Green Wave offense capitalized on. After Dill singled on an 0-2 count, Garcia followed suit with a hit that moved Dill to third. Dill helped Delbarton take the lead by scoring on a wild pitch.
Zebrowski returned to the mound in the 7th inning with a commanding approach. After many swings and misses and including multiple strikeouts, Delbarton officially claimed the game by a single run. Dill finished his outing with five innings on two hits, two runs, three walks, and seven strikeouts. Zebrowski needed no more than 23 pitches for his two innings of work. He did not surrender a walk while striking out three.
De Jong’s final line for the Blue Devils was five innings on one run with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Delbarton outhit Poly Prep eight to five. Delbarton committed the only error of the game.
Though it is a long season, the interstate matchup between Delbarton and Poly Prep delivered an expected message: Delbarton is a dangerous baseball team with national talent that any opponent should fear.
