Baseball Team Reaches Sectional Finals, Softball Team Loses Heartbreaker

PARAMUS—A heads up call by Spartan head coach Joe Cervino turned out to be the difference in his team’s North 1 Group 3 semifinal matchup against Ramapo.

Shortstop Brian Criscione, who singled earlier in the inning, was at third base with Joe Szorentini up to bat.

Szorentini hit a pop up into foul territory that Ramapo first baseman Sam Pecka had to chase. After Pecka made the grab, the speedy Criscione (2-for-3) tagged up and took off for home to score the winning run as Paramus advanced to the sectional title game with a 2-1 win.

Paramus starter Frank Colasante (8-2) worked out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the first and settled in to limit Ramapo, who scored eight runs against nationally ranked Don Bosco Prep in the Bergen County tournament final, to a single run on a sac fly to right by Raiders center field John Gandolfo.

The Spartans (23-4) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Criscione in the third.

“You can’t even explain it,” said Colasante on being called on to toe the rubber in an important game. “It’s the best feeling. Words can’t explain it right now.

“Frankie battled the whole time,” Cervino said. “He really deserved to win today. It was a good win for him.”

On advancing to the sectional title game—Paramus also made it there against Old Tappan two years ago—Cervino said “It feels great. It’ll be nicer if we get one more [win].”

The team will travel to Montville on Friday to take on the tournament’s top seed.

A Season-Ending Loss for Paramus Softball

Before the season started, the Paramus softball team wanted to reach the state finals in Tom River at year-end.

Unfortunately for Paramus (26-4), the dream came up short after a heartbreaking loss to No. 4 Sparta 1-0 in the semifinals of the North 1, Group 3 state tournament.

Paramus managed one hit against University of South Florida-bound pitcher Sam Greiner.

Paramus had five base runners in total on the afternoon, thanks in part to two errors, a base hit, a walk and a hit by pitch.

“We faced one of the best pitchers in the state,” Paramus head coach Brian Hay said. “She did a great job against us. Once again, we had our opportunities, we just didn’t cash in on them.”

Paramus starter Tori Feorenzo allowed three hits, struck out six, and walked three.

Mary Kocienick, Sparta’s designated player, came around to score on a triple to right by center fielder Casey Cresbaugh in the fourth inning.

Paramus won the sectional crown last year.