Lancers Edge Ridgewood To Play in Finals

After exchanging early leads, on Tuesday the Lancers were able to outlast the Maroons 7-6, thanks to play by Frankie Schwindel and Jimmy Napolitano. Schwindel drove in four runs on two hits and Napolitano nailed the victory with five key strike outs when Livingston faced Ridgewood in the North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 state semifinal.

"We got lucky today," said Livingston head coach Scott Schroeder after his team committed five errors on the afternoon. "Sure, there was some skill involved, but by all accounts we made far too many mistakes to beat a solid team like Ridgewood. Luckily, some guys stepped up for us to help make up for all the errors and mental mistakes."

In the bottom of the fourth inning Livingston trailed 3-2 and it looked as if the miscues might end up costing them the game. But the Lancers found a way to rally, in large part with the help of some big at bats.

Jump starting the comeback was Napolitano, who lined a bullet over the shortstop to bring Michael Mansfield in to score. One batter later, Schwindel stepped to the plate and delivered a slap to right field, scoring Napolitano and Nick Kozlowsky.

"The pitcher was throwing me a lot of off-speed stuff that wasn't finding the plate," noted Schwindel. "Finally, with the count at 3-1, I decided that I wasn't going take a walk so I just put my bat out there and brought the runners home."

The three run inning put the Lancers ahead 5-3, but the Maroons were far from finished. Ridgewood responded with a two run inning of their own, which began with a Doug Licitra double to deep right field to score Tyler Welence. From there, Chris Rota tied things up at 5-5 with a hit to center to bring home Cooper Byrne.

However, Livingston would quickly reclaim control of the ball game with a clutch two out rally. After the Maroons retired the Lancers initial lead off batters, Kozlowsky and Napolitano each reached base, allowing Schwindel another opportunity to drive them home.

Schwindel did not waste time taking advantage. The senior jumped all over a first pitch fastball and sent it deep in to left field for a bases clearing triple.

"He threw the pitch I was sitting on and I was able to get some great contact on the ball," noted Schwindel.

After Ridgewood scored a run to pull closer, Livingston made a call to the bullpen to bring in Napolitano. The flame throwing right hander closed out the game for the Lancers in impressive fashion by striking out the side in the sixth before tacking on two more strikeouts in the seventh inning.

"I was looking to throw strikes and make them make a play on the ball," said Napolitano adding, "My curve was really working for me and I think it kept them off balance for the most part."

The win advances the second-seeded Lancers to play top-seeded Randolph in the State Sectional Finals.