By Bill Alden

Jack Erbeck pitched the Hun School baseball team into the Mercer County Tournament semifinals with a brilliant performance against Steinert on May 9.

The junior righty struck out 10 and walked just one as fourth-seeded Hun defeated the fourth-seeded Spartans 5-2.

After the Raiders fell 9-0 to top-seeded Hopewell Valley in the MCT semis on May 14, they turned their attention to the state Prep A tournament.

Last Friday, Erbeck took the mound for top-seeded Hun against fourth-seeded Peddie in the Prep A semis, looking to duplicate his effort against Steinert.

“I was building on that momentum, using my curve ball and fast ball combo,” said Erbeck, who retired the last 11 batters he faced against the Spartans.

In the early going against Peddie, Erbeck picked up where he left off, yielding no runs through five innings as Hun built a 7-0 lead over the Falcons.

“In the first few innings, I was throwing well, “ said Erbeck. “It was first pitch fast ball and then I came back with my curve.”

Erbeck ran into some trouble in the sixth, surrendering two singles, a walk, and an unearned run. He then gave way to reliever Jake Sloss, who shut down Peddie the rest of the way as Hun prevailed 7-1.

“Unfortunately, I got tired and the pitch count went up,” said Erbeck, who ended up going 51/3 innings with 10 strikeouts, four walks, and scattering five hits.

While Erbeck had hoped to close the deal against Peddie, he likes how he has progressed on the mound this spring.

“For me, it is the strikeout-to-walk ratio. I have been better with my control,” said Erbeck.

Two days later, Hun remained in control of Prep A baseball, edging second-seeded Blair 5-4 to win its third consecutive state title. In looking ahead to the championship game, Erbeck sensed that the Raiders were going to come through.

“We are a very talented team, top to bottom. We are going to take this momentum into the championship,” said Erbeck.

“I think the way we have played all season has prepared us for this. We just need to keep our energy up and if we play the way I know we can play, we will be fine.”