It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Thomas Warne MuseumMadisonOld Bridge Township Historical Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Old Bridge, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I have been working for Always Best care for 1.6 years and my experience has”
“A special shoutout to our primary caregivers: Marie C. and Florette P.. They were outstanding!”
“My working experience with Always best care has been a blessings and a life changing.”
“Terrific company. Management is tops. Very caring staff. I highly recommend them.”
“The dementia class was very helpful,I learned about it ,it was good to know.Thank you”
“I enjoyed learning and understanding the pros and cons of dementia How deal and coupe”
“Good”
“Always Best Care Senior Services in Princeton Junction exceeded our expectations. Their team was kind,”
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college,”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides.”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They”
“I have been working for Always Best care for 1.6 years and my experience has been nothing but amazing. Although there are some hiccups here and there with cancellation of confirmed shift but regardless, it’s been a pleasure and good experience working for the company.”
“A special shoutout to our primary caregivers: Marie C. and Florette P.. They were outstanding! And extra thanks to Carli, who always came through when we needed backup. Many thanks to the ABC team for all the care you gave to my husband Al H. through 3 years of Parkinson's suffering, and the support you gave me through a hard time.”
“My working experience with Always best care has been a blessings and a life changing. Always best care have been a blessings also to my friends have introduce to the company”
“Terrific company. Management is tops. Very caring staff. I highly recommend them.”
“The dementia class was very helpful,I learned about it ,it was good to know.Thank you”
“I enjoyed learning and understanding the pros and cons of dementia How deal and coupe with the everyday and new behaviors How to help assist respect and enjoy every day life with clients How to help and assist with maintaining their respect. Dignity individuality their purpose of life”
“Good”
“Always Best Care Senior Services in Princeton Junction exceeded our expectations. Their team was kind, attentive, and provided excellent care tailored to our family’s needs. Communication was clear and supportive throughout. We’re so grateful for their compassion and professionalism. Highly recommend them for anyone seeking trusted senior home care in the area!”
“Could not have asked for a more caring group of professionals. From care giver to support staff, they are exceptional”
“ABC COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER IN A CHANGING SITUATION WITH TWO TERMINALLY PATIENTS HAVING ALZ AND STAGE IV PANCREATIC CANCER. QUALITY OF CARE TAKER WAS SUPERB AND RESPONSIVENESS TO CHANGING NEEDS PERFECT.”
“Always best care took care of my father for about 10 years..Though my father was very lucid and managed his own care with the agency, I was at his house alot and participated in his care with the aids. They were all very caring and he kindly spoke of the owners being very attentive and offered very personalized care. They even visited him. I am very fond of many of the home health aids..they were loving and concerned. They took their job to another level. I even formed friendships with some of them. The golden years are a very delicate part of our lives. Always best care not only offered good physical care to my father, but unbounded love and compassion !!!! Thank you and he is looking down at us. I'm sure.”
“ABC and their amazing care givers enabled our Aunt to get her last wish was to die in her home. I can’t say enough about how ABC was able to give her a quality of life that she valued as well as provide comfort to her family knowing that she was in good hands with ABC's Caregivers. From the caregivers that always went the extra mile to the fast response we got 24x7 from folks like Carli…you were there for us!”
“Mom developed an infection in the afternoon that left her too weak and disoriented to care for herself for that night. I called Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC) at the very end of the business day, asking if they could find someone for one night of 12-hour private duty care on pretty much an emergency basis. The ABC team went to work and secured a caregiver for mom within a matter of hours for an 8pm-to-8am care shift at mom's senior living community. We had worked with ABC in the past on a scheduled basis, but this experience was above and beyond the call of regular duty and it truly helped us get through a difficult and stressful episode. We would recommend ABC for any and all of your senior care needs.”
“Faithful, Love, and Family.”
“Very professional organization and sent the right aide, Sam, to help me with my father in day to day activities. Sam helps him with gait training and understands dementia care and how to handle care, the way the client needs it. I would not hesitate using this agency and Sam is excellent.”
“I had a great experience with the agency, Always Best Care! I am attending college, and they always provided me an aide that is helpful, considerate, and hardworking. Thank you for always providing me with an aide like Ms. Colleta!!”
“Roberto took care of my husband like he was a member of his family. He was God sent; thank God for him”
“The aide's were respectful, reliable and friendly and staff responds timely to calls and needs”
“Everyone was great. I’ve come a long way due to the help of your aides. Thank you again!”
“You have a GEM in Mrs. Terry. She is worth so much more than she is paid! I miss her. Her help was timely, professional, and invaluable”
“Very very helpful, I was desperate when I called and that same day I had professional help. Tremendous your service”
“We had an exceptionally good experience with Always Best Care during my mother's illness. The management met with us and assigned caregivers almost immediately. As our needs evolved and increased, they were responsive and flexible. The caregivers were well-trained, kind, hard-working, and truly fine people whom we enjoyed having in the house.”
“Thank you Jahima, Esther, Satta, Myra, Kelly & Susan. Carmen should be pleased. Keep up the good work, and be safe!”
“Words cannot express how grateful my family and I am for the kindness, care, and concern that was shown for my husband by the Always Best Care staff. Thank you for the exceptional attention to his comfort, as well as the wonderful insights, strength, knowledge, and emotional support you showed our entire family. Watching someone you love make the transition out of this life is a really difficult thing, and your wisdom and comfort helped us navigate this challenging time. I will always be thankful for the service you provided for him. I would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided to my husband by Ms. Marie Louisjean. We thank Ms. Louisjean for her incredible patience, tenderness, and attention to his needs. We thank her for being such a dedicated caregiver. God has given her a very special talent and He has blessed her with a compassionate heart. I could not have asked for a more passionate group of people. May God continue to bless the Always Best Care staff as you continue to care for people in need.”
“Gimbert & Carmen were very accommodating and knowledgeable with the needs of my father. They came out to his house and offered suggestions so that he would be able to get around with his walker easily. Their person took great care of my Dad. It is such a relief to my sister and I that we had someone stay with my Dad that was so reliable. I highly recommend them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting John A Phillips Open Space Preserve with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Jasper Stone Italian Steakhouse or visit Old Stone Bridge, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Old Bridge, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Old Bridge, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Old Bridge, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A landmark in the racing world may soon be reimagined. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a celebrated motorsports venue in Englishtown, New Jersey, is facing possible transformation as part of the state’s affordable housing initiative.Under state mandates to add affordable housing, Old Bridge Township is scouting sites—and Raceway Park’s southeast section, spanning about half of its 534 acres, has garnered particular attention. Plans suggest constructing up to 600 housing units on that land. While only around half th...
A landmark in the racing world may soon be reimagined. Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, a celebrated motorsports venue in Englishtown, New Jersey, is facing possible transformation as part of the state’s affordable housing initiative.
Under state mandates to add affordable housing, Old Bridge Township is scouting sites—and Raceway Park’s southeast section, spanning about half of its 534 acres, has garnered particular attention. Plans suggest constructing up to 600 housing units on that land. While only around half the parcel is deemed buildable due to environmental limitations, developers propose retaining a motorsports area along with new commercial and retail spaces.
Open since 1965, Raceway Park is best known for drag racing—though official drag events ended in 2018 due to rising costs. The park still operates a road course, motocross tracks, karting circuits, and hosts rounds of the Formula Drift Championship. It’s also adjacent to a small airport, further adding complexity to any land-redevelopment strategy.
In 2023, Old Bridge officials first attempted to rezone a portion of the complex for single-family housing, prompting Raceway Park to file a lawsuit. At the time, their lawyer described the move as an attempt to “ordinance is looking to rob them of their use of that property and basically zone it into disuse,” according to MyCentralJersey.
Last month, the township planning board voted to begin assessing whether Raceway Park should be designated an “area in need of redevelopment.” If confirmed, the redevelopment process could move forward more rapidly.
New Jersey’s Fair Share Housing Development Plan requires 146,000 affordable homes by 2035, with Old Bridge expected to contribute 673 units. However, “inclusionary” housing rules allow only 15–25 percent of units in a mixed development to be truly affordable, meaning hundreds of market-rate homes could eventually rise on the site.
Founded by Vincent and Louis Napoliello in 1965 on a 308-acre lot, Raceway Park once boasted multiple drag strips, motocross areas, a quarter-mile drag lane, a 1.3-mile road circuit, kart courses, and more. Its famous slogans—“Ah ha ha ha ha ha Raceway Park!” once echoed across broadcasts. The complex was even recognized as one of the most storied drag strips in America, ranking among the nation’s top five at its peak.
As the fate of the park hangs in the balance, racing enthusiasts, local business owners, and housing advocates are watching closely. Will NJ put rooftops over a historic drag strip or preserve its motorsport heritage for another generation?
OLD BRIDGE — Gianna Lombardi does not overpower opposing hitters for the Old Bridge High School softball team, relying instead on location, change of speeds and the confidence one gets from pitching in seven postseason games as a sophomore, including the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final.The junior right-hander was at her best in another big moment, her first of the season, as seventh-seeded Old Bridge blanked 10th-seeded North Brunswick in the opening round of the GMCT Tournament on Thursday.Lombardi twirled ...
OLD BRIDGE — Gianna Lombardi does not overpower opposing hitters for the Old Bridge High School softball team, relying instead on location, change of speeds and the confidence one gets from pitching in seven postseason games as a sophomore, including the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament final.
The junior right-hander was at her best in another big moment, her first of the season, as seventh-seeded Old Bridge blanked 10th-seeded North Brunswick in the opening round of the GMCT Tournament on Thursday.
Lombardi twirled a five-hitter in recording her first shutout of the season, fanning a season-high eight batters without issuing a walk for the Knights, who will face second-seeded South Plainfield in Saturday’s quarterfinals at East Brunswick High School’s new softball complex.
“I feel like all of my pitches were really spinning and they couldn’t get a hold of it,” Lombardi said. “My curveball was really working today.
Old Bridge coach Angela D’Amico was impressed.
“She had it today,” D’Amico said. “We talked about executing and working around some of the girls if we had to, but she did everything that she was supposed to do today. She had a great warmup and it translated to the game. She knew she had to do a good job today and she did exactly what we needed her to do.”
These teams just met on Saturday in East Brunswick, with Old Bridge scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 3-2 victory. Lombardi did not pitch that game, but she was watching.
“I always watch the games closely, I always look at what they did last time,” she noted. “I didn’t really go off of last game because it can change. I just went with what was going on in this game, and I kept riding with that.”
Both teams had opportunities Thursday, but Old Bridge made the most of its chances. Cira Limaldi led off the bottom of the first inning with a single, and scored on Amanda Jupinka’s single to left. That was all that the Knights needed, but they added a second run in the fifth, as Limaldi singled again and scored on a single to right by Alexandria Hunt.
“We talk about it all of the time, just do anything you can to get the job done,” D’Amico said. “They did, (with) timely hits, they hit the ball pretty well. That pitcher’s good and we knew that coming in. We just knew we had to swing early in the count and try to hit the ball hard and that’s what they did.”
The Raiders put runners in scoring position three times but failed to capitalize. Their best chance came in the fourth when it loaded the bases with one out, but Lombardi escaped with a strikeout and a ground ball, and later secured the final out of the contest by striking out the last batter, looking.
“I feel like I’m always locked in and ready to do whatever I need to in those situations,” said Lombardi. “I know that I don’t want those runs to get across so I always try harder.”
It was another tough loss for North Brunswick and its ace Jordan Tarabokia (6-10), who struck out five without issuing a walk. This was her fourth loss by two runs or fewer.
Old Bridge has some added incentive in the quarterfinasl against a divisional foe it lost to by a pair of three-runs margins, 9-6 and 6-3, since the GMCT semifinals will be played at the team’s Mannino Park home.
“Anything can happen at any time,” D’Amico stated. “They were really into it today, they’re really good about picking each other up, being there for each other and playing as one whole big unit. Moving forward, as long as they’re ready to go, anything can happen.”
OLD BRIDGE ? Just three short weeks ago, the Hillsborough High School baseball team looked dead and buried.It was an 8-10 team that had finished tied for last place in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division, one that had just blown a three-run, seventh inning lead to Immaculata in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals to waste its own epic comeback. A state-tournament run, perhaps, was the furthest thing from the team’s mind.Three weeks and six straight wins later, the Raiders are not only very much alive, but ar...
OLD BRIDGE ? Just three short weeks ago, the Hillsborough High School baseball team looked dead and buried.
It was an 8-10 team that had finished tied for last place in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division, one that had just blown a three-run, seventh inning lead to Immaculata in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals to waste its own epic comeback. A state-tournament run, perhaps, was the furthest thing from the team’s mind.
Three weeks and six straight wins later, the Raiders are not only very much alive, but are the proud owners of the program’s first state sectional championship in 13 years and just the third in its 52-year history.
Senior left-hander James Drinkwater allowed just two earned runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out two over five-plus innings, withstanding a six-run fourth that saw Old Bridge score all its runs as ninth-seeded upstart Hillsborough rallied to beat the second-seeded Knights, 11-6, Thursday, June 5 in the NJSIAA Central Group 4 final at Sandburg Middle School.
Brian Quabeck notched two hits, a walk and four RBIs as well in the victory.
“It’s amazing to be part of history like this,” Drinkwater said. “This is such a great group of guys, I knew we could do it the whole time.”
“It’s truly been ? I don’t want to call it a magical turnaround ? but we’re playing how we’re capable of playing,” added fourth-year coach Matt Mosko, a Hillsborough alum, who won his first-ever playoff game as head coach this year.
While the crafty 6-foot-4 Drinkwater was stellar for four of his five innings, Hillsborough’s offense certainly came out ready to grind. The Raiders cranked out 12 hits, but what was more impressive was the fact they drew 13 walks and didn’t strikeout once, the latter being a vast improvement from the way things have gone most of the season, Mosko said.
Boro scratched out two runs in the first inning, with Tommy Kester scoring from second base on an infield single by Andrew Advanti before Brayden Fox made it 2-0 when he scampered home on a wild pitch.
Kester finished 2-for-3 with two walks and four runs scored and Fox added a single, double, walk, two runs and three RBIs.
Hillsborough added a run in the second, as Kester and TJ Westlake each drew two-out walks and Advanti singled in a run.
After the Raiders were held off the scoreboard over the next two innings, Old Bridge finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth. The Knights sent 10 men to the plate in the frame, pounding out six runs and six hits, helped by a pair of errors. Noah Balbuena had the keynote, a two-run single to right field, with Akhil Penkala and pinch-hitters Jason Cota and Jared Vitpe each singling in a run.
But the scrappy, gritty Raiders, despite being down 6-3 and their pitcher suddenly getting hit around a bit, had other plans.
“It’s a really long game and that’s just one inning. Just a little bump in the road,” Drinkwater said. “It’s important to just stay focused, and the coaches reminded me of that. I just had to forget about it, and it really did, and I just looked to the next out.”
Hillsborough immediately went back to work, scoring a run in the top of the fifth on a Quabeck sacrifice fly. They retook the lead with four runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Fox, an RBI hit from Quabeck and a balk to put the Raiders ahead 8-6.
Drinkwater, who allowed just an infield hit in the fifth, came back out for the sixth, but after Balbuena walked to lead off, Moskow went to his bullpen for righty Aidan Cooper, who promptly retired the side.
Hillsborough then put the game away in the top of the seventh with five more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Fox, an RBI double from Quabeck and a two-run knock from Elijah Davis.
“We’ve been doing it a lot this year, coming back,” Drinkwater said. “We’re not a team that gets down and stays down. We’re always fighting for all seven innings, no matter what. It’s foot on the gas and keep going.”
Cooper then closed it out for the save, allowing no runs on no hits and a walk, striking out two over the final two frames.
“This group has been resilient, coming up freshman and JV year,” Mosko said. “Four years ago, we saw the raw talent, but they’re not superstars, they’re just solid ballplayers. And that showed today, grinding out at-bats. They’re a special group of kids. They’ve grown up together and they’ve really bought in over the year to what we’re asking them to do. Put the ball in play. Put pressure on the defense.”
For Old Bridge, the task at hand was going to be a challenge from the start after the Knights were forced to use its top two pitchers (John Smith and Justin Hascup) in Tuesday’s semifinals win over Edison.
That led to Old Bridge using seven pitchers against Hillsborough, with nobody other than starter Brady Meyer (three innings) and first-man-out Matt Levitt (1 2/3) going more than two-thirds of a frame.
Between the game’s 16 walks, 20 hits and seven in-inning pitching changes, it took two hours and 40 minutes to get this one in.
Hillsborough will next host its first postseason game Monday, June 9 in the state Group 4 semifinals against Cherokee after playing all four sectional games on the road. Judging by the turnout in Old Bridge, it should be quite the atmosphere.
“I’m a proud graduate right here. I couldn’t prouder of this team, this moment, this town and this community," Mosko said. "It’s very special. We told them this week, ‘Don’t take it for granted. Cherish it. Make something out of the moment.’ And they sure did.”
HILLSBOROUGH (14-10) 210-014-5 – 13-12-2
OLD BRIDGE (18-11) 000-600-0 – 6-8-1
WP: Drinkwater. LP: Balbuena.
2B: H—Fox.
Staff writer Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter/X @SimeonPincus
OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A new Greek restaurant just opened on Rt. 9 south in Old Bridge, in the Glenwood Green shopping plaza (where ShopRite is, Shake Shack, Paris Baguette).It's called the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and it's located at 2040 Rt. 9 south.The Great G...
OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A new Greek restaurant just opened on Rt. 9 south in Old Bridge, in the Glenwood Green shopping plaza (where ShopRite is, Shake Shack, Paris Baguette).
It's called the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and it's located at 2040 Rt. 9 south.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill describes itself as "a fast-casual restaurant serving new takes on classic Mediterranean cuisine." It's a franchise and the Old Bridge location is owned by Mike Habashy, who lives locally in this area.
Habashy said his restaurant has a menu "built on family recipes handed down through generations."
“I’m proud to serve the fresh, healthy food that The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is known for,” said Habashy, who was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. “It feels like I’m serving my family’s favorite dishes and welcoming everyone to the table to enjoy a delicious meal and the pleasure of their company.”
The restaurant will host a ribbon cutting at 12 noon this Thursday, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. The celebration will feature a day-long fundraiser benefiting Calvary Chapel Old Bridge with 20 percent of net sales from the day donated to the church, where Habashy is a member.
The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. They have outdoor seating on their patio. Pick-up, catering and delivery are available, with free WiFi in the dining room. For more information, call 732-410 8100, visit https://www.thegreatgreekgrill.com/old-bridge-nj and follow along on Facebook at @TheGreatGreekGrillOldBridgeNJ and Instagram at @greatgreekgrilloldbridgenj.
Top menu selections include The Great Greek Gyro, souvlaki plates and rice bowls that can be customized with protein choices like lamb, steak, chicken, shrimp and more. They have four signature house-made dips, including hummus, tzatziki, melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) and tirokafteri (spicy roasted red pepper). Try their unique feta fries or sweet desserts such as baklava, rice pudding and baklava ice cream made in-house.
“I love the classic Greek salad, which is the perfect example of our emphasis on food that’s both healthy and delicious,” said Habashy, an avid soccer player with a strong commitment to wellness and living a healthy lifestyle. “It’s a meal in itself, loaded with all the classic ingredients and served with grilled pita bread and our homemade Greek vinaigrette, and you can add options like falafel, dolmades, gyro meat, lamb, Atlantic salmon and more.”
The restaurant can also cater large parties, work events and family gatherings. They have build-your-own gyro kits and savory souvlaki skewers.
609-455-2886
