Team Dominate captures back-to-back titles with a second tight victory over Team Destroy

Players and coaches of Team Dominate pose with the D2 Sports Network South Jersey high school baseball All-Star Game trophy after defeating Team Destroy, 2-1, in the baseball game played at the Camden Athletic Complex on the campus of Rutgers University-Camden on Monday, June 23, 2025. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network

CAMDEN (N.J.) - Mainland coach Joe Smith took home the first-ever win in the second annual D2 Sports Network South Jersey high school baseball All-Star Game a year ago.

Smith led Team Dominate to a second-consecutive victory, squeaking by Team Destroy 2-1. In the all-time series of the event, Team Dominate is 2-0-1 on top of Team Destroy in the event's infancy.

"I'm honored that you guys have had me out here two years in a row to come compete and coach these kids," Smith said. "Many players and coaches outside of the programs I've coached at know that I'm a competitor and I want to win, so when they come to play for me, they see that I'm here to win and have fun. This game is played on the best field in the state, and these kids love it, despite the heat. Maybe next year we'll talk about a possible three-peat."

Team Destroy broke the ice early when Cherry Hill East's Dillon Haddock raced home on a wild pitch to score the game's first run in the top of the second inning.

Team Dominate scratched across a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, sparked by Absegami's Nick Gargione's sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Paulsboro's Kayden Weber to tie the game up. Gateway's Sean Greene reached safely with a two-out hit by pitch, then followed it up with a stolen base. Greene then came around to score on a two-out RBI single by Mainland's Brady Arena, which ended up being the go-ahead run.

The Frostburg State-bound catcher took home MVP honors after driving in the game-winning run and catching a pair of runners stealing, including the one being the final out of the game.

"It was super fun to come out here and just play at easily the best field in New Jersey," Arena said. "Playing in the CAL, we don't get the opportunity to come up here and play. Getting the win and being named MVP just adds to an already great night. High school season finished, but if this is my last game getting to represent Mainland, then I'm glad this is how my high school career ended."

Absegami's Michael Harless took home the win on the mound, throwing two shutout innings of relief. The Neumann signee struck out four batters and allowed three hits. Overbrook's Cooper Himes picked up the save, tossing a pair of shutout relief innings to close out the game.

"It was cool to come out here and pitch at this venue," Harless noted. "I didn't know what to expect on the mound, so I just went out there and threw my best stuff. Luckily, all of my pitches were working after I settled in during my first inning."

Another player who flew under the radar of many media members, scouts, and other baseball personnel was Camden Eastside's Jorge Miguel Liz Roman. Roman may have earned the loss on the mound, but that was the least of his worries that night. The now Eastside alumni finally got a chance to showcase his talent and be recognized for his talent in front of college coaches in attendance. Being from a school and town that historically is seen for its football and basketball talent, Eastside coach Guy Still wants to continue to give his players a sign of hope and show them that baseball can still thrive in town.

"Last year, Yeferson (Martinez-Gonzalez) opened the door for my players," Still exclaimed. "His performance and ability got him looks and started a path for other players who come through the program to be recognized as well. This event has opened up opportunities and shown my players that there is hope to continue their baseball careers after high school. It's shown them that baseball can be something they can use to do greater things in life. Having our players come out and be recognized and showcase their skills in front of colleges, that means the world to me knowing I can tell them that baseball isn't just an afterthought in Camden."