Paramus 12-Year-Olds Advance to State Title Game

For the second day in a row, Paramus Little League's pitching and defense was untouchable. Now, they sit just one win away from being New Jersey State Champions, with a trip to Bristol, Conn. for the Mid-Atlantic regionals in their sights.

Conor Heim threw a complete game six-hit shutout and Nick DeNigris hit a home run as Paramus defeated Holbrook Little League to advance to the state championship.

“You have to make the plays and we played excellent defense again,” Paramus manager Frank Smith said. “When you don't allow people to get on, and you don't allow any mistakes, then the runs won't score. We didn't make any mistakes for two straight games and got two straight shutouts.”

Heim was able to stifle Holbrook's lineup, much in the same way that Hiro Mizutani shut down Erial the previous day. Heim kept Holbrook off balance by throwing a lot of curveballs. His command of the curveball was excellent, as he threw it for strikes at times and then, later in the count, was able to get hitters to chase the pitch. He would strike out seven hitters in the game.

“I just tried to throw [the curveball] for strikes,” Heim said. “When I had a couple strikes, I just tried to throw them stuff in the dirt.”

“Conor doesn't miss a lot of bats,” Smith said. “He usually gets his pitches over the plate and keeps the hitters off balance. He has a great curveball and he uses his fastball to trick people.”

Holbrook did manage to get at least one baserunner every inning, but they simply had trouble stringing off back-to-back hits. Paramus didn't give them any breaks in the field either. Holbrook had nine ground outs in the game and even two of their six hits were infield singles.

Heim was also potent as a fielder in the game. Holbrook hit a number of cue shots off the end of the bat right back to Heim, who was in position to field them.

Heim's biggest fielding play happened in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Holbrook threatening with runners on first and second and no outs, Heim fielded a hard grounder hit right back to him. He was able to make the play cleanly and threw it sharply to Chris Regalbuto at shortstop, kicking off a double play that sealed the win for Paramus.

“I just keep my eye on the ball,” said Heim. “Once I throw it, I have to be in fielding position and be ready.”

Paramus was able to scatter seven hits and four runs against Holbrook starting pitcher Joe Santanello. In the second inning, Heim got a leadoff single to give Paramus a baserunner early. The next batter, Danny Criscione, hit a double to the left-center field gap. Heim scored all the way around from first to give Paramus a lead.

In the fifth inning with just a 2-0 lead, Paramus got some insurance from DeNigris to lead off the inning. DeNigris hit Santanello's fastball over the left field fence for his second home run of the tournament, extending Paramus' lead to 3-0. Later in the inning, Criscione on first and two outs, Eric Waxman hit a double that would score Criscione, giving Paramus a four-run advantage that they would not relinquish.

Paramus now advances to the state championship game for the first time ever in the 12-year-old division. The game will be played at Monroe Township Little League at 7 p.m. on Monday. Paramus will play the winner of Sunday night's elimination game between Holbrook Little League and Erial Little League. Smith is giving the kids off on Sunday, allowing them to relax in preparation for Monday's game.

“We're not going to work the kids tomorrow,” said Smith. “These kids worked hard to get through two games, they need a day off. These kids are going to go into the pool tomorrow. They're going to have a blast with their friends, play wiffleball, football and enjoy what they've done so far. Monday, they'll come back for the championship game and it'll be business as usual.”

Check back with Paramus Patch next week for coverage of the New Jersey State Little League Championship.