The New Brunswick Matrix defeated Johnstown Paul Carpenter Capital Advisors 10-5 on Friday night, overcoming a five-run deficit to earn a spot in the championship game of the 76th AAABA Tournament.
New Brunswick (4-1) will face the New Orleans Boosters (5-0) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7 at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point.
It will be a rematch of the 2009 championship game New Orleans won 9-0 over New Brunswick.
New Orleans, the defending tournament champion will play in its fourth straight title game. The Boosters won in 2019 (over Johnstown Martella’s Pharmacy), lost in 2018 (to Johnstown Martella’s Pharmacy), and won in 2017 (over Johnstown-2 Paul Carpenter Capital Advisors).
There was no tournament in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Brunswick will make its third AAABA Tournament championship game appearance after beating Cleveland in 2012 and falling to New Orleans in 2009.
Justin Scotto had two hits, including a home run to the right field bleachers at the Point, and he drove in three runs. Gianni Marrano had two hits and three RBIs. James Schuld pitched four innings of relief for the win.
Paul Carpenter’s Billy Perroz had two hits, including a double. Jordan Sabol doubled and drove in a pair for Johnstown.