Baumblatt to Miss Playoffs

Montclair Prep will attempt to defend its Southern Section 1-A Division baseball title without left fielder Jared Baumblatt, who will miss the playoffs after doctors removed his appendix and discovered a blockage in his small intestine.

Baumblatt, the team leader in runs batted in with 27, batted .440 in Alpha League play and also pitched in relief. He will be replaced by either Bud Lawrence, Mark Goldsman or Chris Portugal, who became academically eligible to play last week.

Montclair Prep (17-3), winner of 14 consecutive games, is the top-seeded team in the division. The Mounties will play host to the winner of Friday’s Oak Park-Buckley game in their playoff opener Tuesday.