By JOE O’GORMAN

jogorman@trentonian.com

SOMERS POINT – Hightstown-East Windsor did its part, and now the District One showdown is set.

HEW, facing elimination, got a solid all-around effort from Jacob Simon to defeat Brick American, 11-4, last night in the 14-year-old Southern New Jersey Babe Ruth League tournament being played at Atlantic Shore’s Fiori Field.

The win puts Hightstown-East Windsor just one victory away from the Middle-Atlantic Regional to be played in Atlantic City.

Standing in its way is Nottingham, which advanced with a win over Mt. Laurel. The two District One powers recently battled it out in the districts with HEW getting the best of the Hamilton Square Gang.

The showdown is set for 6 p.m. at Fiori Field. 

“It is always a great game playing them and it’s a lot of fun,” Simon said. ”I’d like to play them every game. It’s always so competitive and I’m looking forward to it.”

Simon went the distance for the win and he had a pair of hits and two RBIs at the plate. Craig Monahan, Matt Jacobsen and Michael Griffin each had a pair of safeties for HEW.

Hightstown-East Windsor got off to a fast start with Simon leading the game off with a single. Craig Monahan drilled a ball to the gap in right center sending Simon to third.

After an out, Andrel Armondo bounced a ball over second sending both runners home and HEW had a quick 2-0 lead. It might’ve added some more, but Hightstown had a runner caught stealing.

“It was a little nervous knowing you control what it is and you have to throw strikes,” said Simon. “Its exciting playing for your town and it was really fun.”

Brick wasted little time getting on the board, too.

Tim Santiago opened the home first with a walk, stole second and came around on J.T. Hazelet’s double. HEW’s Simon settled down and got out of any further trouble.

Brick took the lead 3-2 in the second when Kenny Campbell singled in one run and another scored on an error.

Simon helped himself in the fourth with a booming two-run double to left center to get HEW back on top at 4-3. Simon’s blast scored Armondo, who walked, and Michael Griffin, who singled to center.

Simon added to the lead when he and Brian Conlon executed a perfect double steal, and Monahan delivered again sending Conlon home and it was 6-3 heading to the home fourth.

Brick threatened in the fifth when the loaded the bases off one hit and a pair of walks, but Simon – aided by a great catch by Armondo – worked out of trouble to preserve the lead.

HEW opened things up in the sixth, plating three runs to take a 9-3 advantage.

The inning was highlighted by RBI singles by Jacobsen and Jack Zosulis. Simon started it off with a single.

Simon started it all and it gladly ended it, too.

“He’s a gamer,’’ said HEW manager Billy Wilmer.