On Thursday, May 1, the Cherry Hill High School East Baseball Team (7-7) battled for a 1-0 victory over Triton Regional High School (4-10). Pitcher Mikey Fekete (‘27) had a standout performance on the mound, while Austin Hanni (‘25) had an RBI single in the top of the 7th. It took a team effort to capture this well-deserved win for the Cougars.
Having lost three out of their seven defeats by only one run, this 1-0 victory serves as a bigger accomplishment because it proves that the Cougars have what it takes to win under pressure.
The game at Triton was competitive right from the beginning, with six scoreless innings. Fekete’s stellar outing exemplified strong and relentless pitching. Over seven innings, he struck out nine batters and walked only one. The opposing pitcher also lasted the entire game, allowing only one run and three hits, while striking out five batters and walking two.
In the top of the seventh, the score was tied at 0-0 until TCNJ commit Austin Hanni stepped up to the plate. His line drive to left field brought Thomas Vanella (‘25) home. Hanni’s RBI single, the only run of the game, was enough to secure the Cougars a win.
“He’s been a phenomenal addition for us,” said Head Coach Jason Speller. “On the mound, and even when he gets the opportunity to be at the plate, Austin Hanni has come through—even driving in hits. He had the game-winning RBI today, and we could not be more excited to have him on our team.”
Hanni, one of East’s starting pitchers, transferred from Cherry Hill West for his senior year and final season of high school baseball. He describes the transition as a positive one and appreciates the way the players support one another.
”I have been acclimating very well due to the kindness of the coaches and the players; they have included me into things quickly and now they are like my second family.”
East defense and catcher Stephen Longo’s (‘26) top-notch play was also instrumental in securing the win. The defense, working together with Fekete, prevented Triton from scoring any runs. Additionally, not a single error was committed in the field.
“I thought we were going to win. I mean Mike Fekete was going strong on the bump, it didn’t seem like Triton could hit him,” said left-fielder Dillon Haddock (‘27). “I knew at one point we were going to get one or a couple of runs and win.”
Despite limited opportunities for the East offense, Haddock still managed a single early in the game. No matter how strong the pitching, he always has a big impact at the plate. In Haddock’s 39 at-bats this season, he’s accumulated 10 runs, 12 hits, and 9 RBIs, making him a top offensive contributor for East this year.
As this talented East baseball team enters the final stretch of the season, they hope to capitalize on the momentum of the Triton victory and secure success in the playoffs.
Next up, the Cougars face Rancocas Valley and Eastern, on Monday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 7, respectively. Both games are home games and will be played at 3:45 PM.