Orange Monte Irvin Giants high school baseball team takes second in Newark League playoffs

ORANGE, NJ – The Orange Monte Irvin Giants high school baseball team was defeated by the Newark Yankees, 7-5, for the Newark Baseball League Championship on August 21 at Weequahic Park in Newark.

The championship game was called after five innings because of problems with the lights.  Monte Irvin was the fourth seed in the playoffs following league play.

In the semifinals, against the No. 1 seeded North Newark Twins, David Johnson Guzman pitched a complete game shutout, allowing two hits, while striking out nine over seven innings in the Giants’ 5-0 win.

“Dave really stepped up for us,” said head coach Ross Wright.  “He stayed under control and kept his composure the entire game.”

In the championship game, Monte Irvin jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, helped by Johnson Guzman’s two-run RBI double, scoring Devon Mc Kay and Chrystian Walker.

But in the bottom of the first, the Yankees scored six runs to take a 6-4 lead.  The game then settled down and remained close until it was called after five innings.

“This Giants team came a long way this summer,” said Wright. “Hard work, dedication and a commitment to get better helped us in the second half of the season.”

  Orange Monte Irvin Giants baseball