Nate Bott, a senior right‑hander for Kingsway Regional High School, returned to the mound with poise, delivering four solid innings that set the tone for a 4‑1 victory over Rancocas Valley in the sectional semifinal.
The performance was highlighted by a string of strikeouts that opened the game, as Bott fanned a batter in each of the first four frames, retiring the side in order and establishing early control.
Reliever Jake Mangifesta followed with three shutout innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two, preserving the lead and sealing the win.
Kingsway’s offense capitalized on timely hits from Brayden Bell, AJ Ward and Austin Schmidt, each contributing to the rally that pulled the team ahead and kept the pressure on.
The triumph marks the first time since 1992 that the Dragons will contest the South Jersey Group 4 championship, a milestone that has energized the program and its fans.
Championship Outlook
Their opponent, Eastern, awaits in the title game, a matchup that will test the Dragons against a team that has not surrendered a run in its first two playoff outings.
Coach Bill Alvaro, whose guidance has been a constant through the season, praised the team’s resilience, noting that the defensive effort and clutch hitting were the hallmarks of the victory.
Looking ahead, the Dragons aim to capture their first sectional crown in more than three decades, a goal that has driven every practice and game since the early‑season loss to Cherokee.