Montville Baseball Falls in Sectional Finals, But Seniors Have No Regrets

In what ended up being the last high school game together for a group of seniors who have been teammates since they were 8 years old, the Montville High baseball team lost to Paramus 9-1 Friday in the sectional championship.

"I'm going to miss being with my best friends every day," said Ryan Karl, the Mustangs' third baseman. "We had a special team; the cards just didn't fall in our favor."

Montville had been scoring approximately 10 runs per game, and the team won 14 straight games to start the season. The Mustangs were No. 1 seed the state sectional tournament for a reason; but on Friday, Paramus played better baseball.

"There is no easy way to lose; they out pitched us, they out hit us…they earned this win." coach Joe Cardinale said. "We're not used to scoring one run."

But Cardinale, along with his team said they had no regrets.

"Not only are they teammates, but friends," Cardinale said.

The coach had the most praise for a player that never had a chance to step onto the field his senior year: Ian Tresser, a pitcher who, as a junior, was picked up to play Division-I baseball for Fairfield University.

Tresser underwent shoulder surgery before his senior year, but that didn't stop him from showing up to practice every day, helping the team scout, and even chasing down foul balls. He tried learning to pitch with his right arm, despite being a lefty.

"It was like having another coach on the bench," Cardinale said. "I know he wishes he could be out there; he's definitely the most committed…he's got more heart than anybody, you'd take twelve of him on your team."

On Friday, Paramus controlled the game from the very beginning, scoring two runs in the first and gaining a lead they would never give up. Tyler Garguilo scored four runs, went 4-for-4, had an RBI, and was hit by a pitch, leading Paramus to victory.

Montville's roster had 13 seniors this year: Brian Keane, Anthony Altieri, Ryan Karl, Jordan Gajdos, John Marchionda, Carmen Cerreto, Matt Kelly, Mike Dellostritto, Chris Cerami, Vin DelleFare, Sean Denigris, Chris Czapla and Ian Tresser.