Senior Ryan Looby launched a three-run homer to power the Delsea Regional High School baseball team to an 8-4 win over Mainland in the South Jersey Group 3 championship on Friday.
It marks the third sectional title for the Crusaders within the last five years.
The team, holding a 20-6 record, moves on to the state semifinal game on Monday against Central Jersey champion Brick Memorial, who holds a 24-7 record.
Looby missed the initial part of the season while recovering from winter wrist surgery and did not make his season debut until April 28.
His first scholastic home run provided Delsea with a 5-3 advantage during the third inning.
Dom Montana contributed by driving in two runs, while Milo Gebhard and Andrew Weir each scored two times to anchor the offensive production for Delsea.
Connor Harrison delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to secure the sectional championship victory.
Mainland concluded its season with an 18-9 record under interim head coach Billy Kern, who took over for Joe Smith during the opening week of the season.
Other Sectional Finals
In Central Jersey Group 3, Brick Memorial defeated Northern Burlington with a 7-0 shutout.
The top-seeded and defending state champion Greyhounds were limited to just two hits in the home defeat.
Northern Burlington finished the season at 24-4, experiencing its first shutout loss since 2024, which snapped a span of 62 games.
Brett Walulak and Brenner Pourghassem recorded the only two hits for Northern Burlington.
Both hits were singles off Brick Memorial starting pitcher Brody Moore. Moore delivered an 83-pitch performance, striking out nine batters without issuing a single walk.
In South Jersey Group 4, Kingsway captured the program's first sectional championship in 34 years by defeating Eastern 12-2.
The loss ended the run for the Vikings, who were making their fourth consecutive appearance in the South Jersey final.
Austin Schmidt paced the Dragons with two hits, including a triple, alongside four RBIs.
Brayden Thorp added three RBIs, while Nate Bott contributed a two-run home run to the offensive surge.
Tyler Rodgers pitched a complete game for Kingsway, allowing two runs on five hits across six frames while striking out nine batters.
In South Jersey Group 2, Haddon Heights defeated Haddonfield 8-1 to secure its sixth sectional title and first since 2022.
The Garnets recorded at least one hit in all seven innings and manufactured runs in six different frames.
Kevin Clark registered two RBI doubles for the Garnets, while Cole Simon pitched five strong innings.
Jake Dillon completed the final two frames on the mound to seal the victory.
The Garnets, sitting at 20-7, advance to the state semifinal round on Monday at Central Jersey champion Governor Livingston, who carries a 27-4 record.
In South Jersey Group 1, Woodstown defeated Maple Shade 2-0 as Blake Rodriguez and Stone Hassler combined on a three-hitter.
The victory secured the first sectional title for the Wolverines since 2022.
Woodstown, now 21-8, will face Point Pleasant Beach, who holds an 18-6 record, in the state semifinal game on Monday.
Point Pleasant Beach advanced by defeating Shore 9-1 to claim the Central Jersey title.
The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead in the third inning following an RBI single from Thomas Tucci, and Chase Harding added a solo home run in the subsequent inning.
Rodriguez pitched the opening 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and three walks, while Hassler earned the victory by throwing the final 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.
Maple Shade ended its campaign with a 16-10 record. The Wildcats were limited to three hits, with Edward Leahy collecting two and Chase Blum recording one.
