New Orleans Boosters advance to AAABA semifinals with 8-4 win over New Brunswick

JOHNSTOWN, Penn. – The New Orleans Boosters defeated New Brunswick 8-4 Thursday to improve to 4-0 in the 75th annual All-American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament.

New Orleans’ Brandon Duhon singled in the first inning, advanced on an error and a wild pitch, and scored on a groundout by Grant Schulz for the first run of the game. Brayden Jobert singled, advanced on a double by Ross Scelfo, and scored on an error to give New Orleans the 2-0 lead. New Brunswick doubled, singled, and scored on an outfield error to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the first.

In the second, Branyan Bounds walkled, stole two bases, and scord on a double by Michael Stutes to take the lead. A groudout by Ross Scelfo scored Schulz, who reached on a single. New Brunswick added a run in the fifth before New Orleans added a run in the sixth on an RBI double by Jonah Manuel. In the seventh, Michael Stutes and Grant Schulz reached on a singles and Brandon Duhon walked before Greg Thompson doubled to score two.

New Brunswick scored its fourth and final run on a stolen base in the eighth to close the scoring enroute to New Orleans’ 8-4 victory.

Starting pitcher Michael Romano picked up the win on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings. Zach Roussel pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief with Dwain Varisco closing the game.

With Thursday’s win, New Orleans advances to the semifinal round. The Boosters will face Buffalo (Royal Printing) on Friday at 11 a.m. CDT. The two teams previously met during pool play on Tuesday when New Orleans took the 12-3 decision. The winner of Friday’s semi-final will advance to the tournament’s finals on Saturday.

This summer marks the New Orleans franchise’s 73rd year as a franchise of the AAABA. The Boosters closed the 2018 tournament as national runner up to Johnstown Martella’s.

NEW ORLEANS 211 001 300 8 12 4
NEW BRUNSWICK 200 010 010 4 6 4